Best Handgun Cartridges for Bears
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- čas přidán 13. 07. 2024
- In this video, I’m going over my top 3 pick for the best bear-defense rounds in handguns. You’ll also learn about my specific loads and bullet choices for carrying in bear country.
ENJOY!
I spent much of my life around coastal brown bears, and managed to get myself badly mauled while hunting blacktails some years back. I wouldn't even consider using a handgun of any caliber against the bigger bears. Until you have a close encounter with a big brownie you really can't appreciate the size of these giants. Kodiak has one brown bear per square mile and so I encountered hundreds of them in my years on Kodiak. You're looking at 1000-1200 pounds for just an average adult male bear, and the trophy class go up to 1600 pounds. If you're in truly wild country you have a pack, and a wisely chosen pack is adaptable to having a .45-70 lever gun or shorty shotgun fixed to the side with the butt over your right shoulder. You can get that out as quickly as any handgun. Just compare the energy of say, a .44 mag to a hot .45-70 load. The .44 mag will give you roughly 1500 pounds of energy, while a stout .45-70 gives you 3500 pounds. The bear that got me was shot off by my partner with two torso hits by a .300 mag rifle with 180 grain slugs (about 4000 ft lbs of energy), and still managed to attack another hunting party several days later. Handguns for black bears are probably adequate, but for brownies or even inland grizzlies you're kidding yourself. Remember, brown/grizzlies being hunted are rarely DRT, the hunter typically shoots them with something like a .338, waits an hour then follows up the blood trail to find where the animal stopped and bled out. Any of the handgun rounds mentioned above will kill a big bear, but what that bear does to you in the time it takes to bleed out won't be pretty.
Good points… My, I like to have BOTH!
Remarkable experience! I fear such a contact! Back when you could, my oldest brother carried a 303 SMLE. Then. the Game Officials did a soft spot weld on the bolt that they would fine the Hell out of you if it was broken except to save your life. His wife would not go with him unless he packed a rifle. I planned but never made it to Alaska, and my wife purchased me a 375 H&H Remington and a 44 Mag Ruger Redhawk. I have studied and read all the books on the big bears, and they don't seem to die from normal hunting placement shots. The old Guides wanted people to break their shoulders, always first. Thank you for your story!
@@BackcountryHuntingPodcastBefore the mauling I carried a Ruger Bisley in.45 Colt with heavy "Ruger Only" loads for fishing, hiking, times when I didn't have a hunting rifle. After the mauling (it took two years before I could walk well enough to do any serious trekking) I carried a Marlin Guide Gun or Double 12 Baikal Coach Gun secured to my pack as I describe above. That bear was tossing me around like a dog with a rat, took to two close range hits from a .300 Mag and then still attacked another hunting party after my encounter. The other change I made was to swap to a 1x4 scope on my hunting rifle and keep it at 1x until I needed magnification. The typical 3x9 or 4x12 scope leaves you blind at close range.
@@kodiakkeith Wow. What a gnarly experience. Glad you've recovered to the point where you can get out and after it again!
I've spent considerable time - over 40 consecutive summers on Kodiak. Just curious where you suffered the mauling ? Glad you have recovered and are back in action.
Great to see you guys moving over into CZcams. Subbed!
Thanks @outdoor_tactics_ !
I also like my Ruger Super Blackhawk Bisley 480 ! Can be loaded down a little bit for most things but with heavy boolits and max loads it is a very formidable cartridge for everything else. Boolit placement is always key.
The 480 is a beauty. I finally settled on a 500 because like the 480 it can be loaded pretty sedately compared to a 475 and yet it's killing power is still awesome.
460 Rowland nice option too . I have the Ruger RedHawk in 45lc / 45acp . This has given me the option to shoot stout 45lc - 45 super + stuff great bear gun . Would love the wolverine /Tolkat or 460s&w cut for moon clips this provides you with so many incredible options!
Ridiculous, bears don't have thumbs & can't hold a handgun.
Bear spray is a joke. You carry bear spray. I’ll carry 10mm.😂
I carry a Glock 40 with Underwood 10mm Ammo 200 Grain Hard Cast. Not cheap and sometime it can be hard to find. Thanks god I live in the Flathead Valley and plenty of stores and shops to find it when out of stock at my favor shop. Stay safe everyone
200 and 220.. underwood and bufflo bore
Glad your on CZcams now
I carry a S&W 610 in 10mm in Arkansas and sometimes a model 329PD 44 mag in a chest rig. We have mainly black bear in this area and they get big but usually the big ones leave you alone.
Those are both good setups!
Thanks for differentiating between black bear and grizzly. That's a distinction that in a lot of discussions doesn't get made. FWIW, I'm comfortable with 9mm and 115 gr Underwood Extreme Penetrators for woods defense where I live. I practice weekly, often twice weekly,, shoot my 9mm well, and believe I would have a reasonable chance to prevail against a local black bear, wolf, coyote, or what have you. Odds are that I'll never have to find out. I actually worry a bit more about wolves than bear, because we have had five wolf attacks in my region in recent years.
Cor-bon penetrator is also a good choice in the 45-70 and 44mag.
Solid choices. I think people are getting off on a tangent. The point here is for last ditch defense against a charging bear. Anybody who hunts the big bears with a handgun is a fool. Abd yes, Joseph does own the handguns he mentions. In another video, he shoots each if them, so you get an idea how quickly you can make followup shots. The 10mm wins that of course, but the others also do well. I have been thinking hard about a 4" S&W 69 for general woods use. I like L frames, and already have a couple of 4" holsters for a 686, so that helps too.
Love the bell!
😂 thanks @patchitwood7428
I live in black bear country and carry a sig full size 1911 10mm loaded with 200grn hard cast bullets or a cartridge I believe you overlooked . the 41 magnum I carry a S&W model 57 loaded with cor-bons 250 grn hard cast bullets . dealing with black bear I feel confident with either load .
You have allowed your head to be filled with CZcams Groupie Parrot mouth BS !
.44 Combat Magnum Mod. 69 , with 12.1 grains of Unique pushing a hard-cast 240 grain at 1300 fps +-
I’m curious how many bears you’ve taken/seen taken with the recommended ammo? Reason being, I’ve never heard anyone recommend anything but hard casts for bear. Supposedly the hollow points have a tendency to open up in the fat or muscle layers?
Kodiakkeith said it best, 'you can't really understand how big the trophy-class Big Browns are, until you see one up close and personal! I carry a 10mm Kimber with me as a back-up, on most-occasions, but if I EVER need a back-up while in Kodiak country, I'll be carrying my Desert Eagle MkXIX in 50AE, and would only use it if I had no other choice (hopefully, as a finishing shot, not a 'climb a tree, defensive shot' (big griz can climb trees better than legend claims, btw). As for your primary weapon, there are a few in the 300-class, but I wouldn't DREAM of using anything smaller than a .338 Mag, preferably a .375 H&H...and for 'real comfort', you start looking deep in the .400-class...with .45-70, .416 or .450 Rigby, or any of the 'Nitro calibers'. I know there are those who have taken Grizzly, even Kodiaks with Compound Bows...but my general rule of thumb is, 'if I can't keep 100-yards between me and 3/4-ton of angry solid muscle with teeth, it's under-powered to finish them swiftly'. If I could hunt from a stand, I MIGHT consider a 400-fps+ crossbow with some 'hypodermic' broadheads...but you BETTER BE A GOOD SHOT...if you injure a Big Brown, and he knows where you are at, enough to charge you, most should realize, shooting at them from a 'head on' perspective is like shooting at a traffic-cone, the chance of ricochet is around 95%. Their skulls act like deflection plates...and the chances of you roaring at them to make them pause and stand is mighty SLIM!!! I have a friend that did an 'Arctic Region Polar Bear Hunt', long ago, and after comparing notes between his experiences and my own dealing with 'Trophy Brown Bears' (which are easily 400-600 pounds smaller than their arctic cousins), you could probably limit most of this to 'if you wouldn't take it to an elephant hunt, you don't take it to hunt them, either. That Fred Bear actually took a small white bear with his recurve bow speaks volumes to his skill, his insanity, or a combination of BOTH!
I packed a Smith 629 Mountain Gun in 44 for many years while in the woods. I still love that gun but I switched to a Glock 29 10mm 2 years ago and as much as I wanted to be loyal to my old friend 629, the 10mm is more than enough to handle anything I come across in West Virginia
Very cool… That Glock’s a solid tool!
@@BackcountryHuntingPodcast They are a tool. I keep telling the guys at Glock they should make their slogan “Glock…so good it’s boring”
@@JohnAngle-vw8yq Love it! 😂
@@JohnAngle-vw8yq No doubt!
Using a single action revolver for defense against Grizzlies and Browns unless you're an expert with the gun is definitely asking for trouble
I agree, which is why I usually carry double actions or 1911s.
Buffalo bore 265 grain cast 41 mag,ammo .
So, you don't recommend .357?
460 rowland would be the best semi auto round if they made more guns in it that are reliable
I disagree with the .480 Ruger selection, in a Buffalo Bore hard cast 410gr you’re only getting 1200fps/1300Ft-lbs whereas a .460 S&W 360 gr. hard cast you’re getting 1900fps/2860ft-lb, for me on coastal or inland bear I’d take a .460 over a .480 or .500, to each their own but simply put I’ll take velocity and energy. That .460 packs a penetrating wallop!
Funny, my bear gun is a 1911 kimber in 10mm.
The late bear hunt guide Wayne Bosowicz used a Ruger Blackhawk .41mag with original Remington 210gr JSPs.
**Wayne Bosowicz**, a **Maine Master Guide**, has a strong preference for the **.41 Magnum** caliber when it comes to bear hunting. He has successfully taken down numerous bears using this powerful handgun. In fact, he speaks highly of his **Smith & Wesson 44 Magnum Mountain Gun**, which he has been carrying for several years¹.
The .41 Magnum is known for its effectiveness in stopping bears on the spot. When hunting these formidable creatures, Bosowicz emphasizes the importance of shot placement. Bears have dense muscles, thick fur, hide, and fat, which require precise shooting. The target area is a **4 to 5 inch square** (commonly referred to as the "boiler room") just behind the front shoulder. Unlike deer, wounded bears won't simply lie down and bleed out; they can run for miles before succumbing to their injuries¹.
Here's a quick overview of Wayne Bosowicz's preferred bear-hunting setup:
1. **Caliber**: **.41 Magnum** (although he also appreciates the .44 Magnum).
2. **Ammunition**: Commercial **Remington 210-grain JSP** loads for the .41 Magnum.
3. **Shot Placement**: Aim for the boiler room area behind the front shoulder.
4. **Optics**: For treestand and ground blind hunting, optical sights are recommended, with nothing exceeding three-power magnification due to the dark woods².
So, if you're ever in the Maine Highlands and want to hunt bears, consider following Wayne Bosowicz's lead and reach for that trusty .41 Magnum or a similar powerful handgun. Just remember to take your time, aim precisely, and make that sure shot! 🐻🔫
RIP Mr. Bear
480 ruger!
Whats your opinion of 357 magnum? And what ammunition would you suggest?
In my opinion, it’s too light for packing in bear country, but if you must, pick good, deep penetrating solids.
Thank you.i am enjoying your channel. I hunt in Eastern Ohio and in Pennsylvania so I would only be in black bear territory. Any particular factory loading you suggest I try? I have a Dan Wesson 715 chambered in 357 magnum with an 8 inch barrel.
480,ruger,or,454,magnum
Nice video Sir. Trying to decide between two revolvers.... If you had to choose between two of the same size and weight, option 1) is a 4" 357 mag, 7 shot cylinder , using 180gr BB hard cast, or 200gr grizzly hard cast. Option 2 is a 4" 41 mag, 5 shot cylinder, using 230gr BB hard cast, or 250gr grizzly hard cast. Which one would you chose to save your life in big Bear country.
Only the very worst ignorant a stupid Big city slicker green horns think handguns are bear cannons.
You would get yourself killed if you had to defend yourself against an adult brown bear of 1200 to 1500 pounds using a weak handgun that has only 1/2 to 3/4 the power of a 30-30 shooting 170grain bullets and who every consider the 30-30 an Alaskan dangerous bear gun as you want to take on 1500-pound brown bears with a pop gun !.
The minimum rifle myself and other guided had clients bring was a minimum of a 338 win mag.
One of my clients on his brown bear hunt brought a Tarus handgun in 41 magnum and so-called Federal bear loads said on the box.
The Client test 6 rounds of these 41 mags so call bear load on the dead skinned brown bear.
Not one of the six lead bullet bear loads made it through the 8 inches of fat then stopping on the ribs.
5 of the six-lead bullets pancaked and blow up!
The client sold that handgun and came the next year for another hunt then had a rifle in 416 Rigby!
@@dalebenson6859 You think it was more of the bullets design and construction than the caliber and firearm?
lol he said enough with the toys @@dalebenson6859
No handgun check out 500 bushwacker in the same power class as a 416 Rigby.
You ommitted the .460 S&W Mag?!
More velocity and energy than either the .480 Ruger or .500 S&W, the .460 is to me the best pistol cartridge for the job, which still is rather laughable if it was a trophy class coastal bear hopped up on heaps of bear adrenaline.
Don't forget bear spray
Bears have handguns? I reckon they hold them with their bear hands.
I want to hear from the person who has stopped numerous charging bears with his favorite firearm. For me, I'll take 3 or 4 dogs in bear country. There are no stories of any natives being pulled out of their tipis by grizzlies because even small bands had packs of dogs with them.
Best cartridge for bear in a pistol is what ever you can hit the bear with accurately. But I would rather carry a 45 long colt or 357 mag. But you didn't mention what the target on bear is? The nose is the target,like every critter in the world the nose is the sensitive part of the body. I read about an old lady many years ago in a hunting magazine about turning a grizzly with 1 round from a 38 special to the nose. There is a old Winchester 200 grain lead round nose loading for 38 caliber that is very accurate. And my 3rd choice would be 45 acp,either in 1911,or 1917. It's pointless carrying a heavy pistol and ammunition when you're out hunting. I prefer a rifle with quick detachable scope and barreled sites in 30ty cal. 338 is starting to get heavy, shot placement is the key >face and head shot only> if a charging brown bear scares you, you should not be hunting bear. Make 1 round count,even if you wait until the muzzle of your rifle is in the bears mouth.
You make some good points but imagine trying to hit the nose of a bear going full sprint at you at 3 yards. If you hit the nose, it's likely not going to be a lethal wound, and if you miss, the projectile from the cartridges you mentioned don't have enough penetration to, say, break the pelvis and stop the bear. Lastly, I think everyone who is hunting bears is afraid of a charge. If you're not, I don't know what you're afraid of.
@@BackcountryHuntingPodcast point is bear are nose soft and will run off. Breaking the pelvis in a bear is the opposite side of the bear you should be aiming at. But shooting a human their will put them down. Grinns
There is no best handgun cartridge for bears
You are not going to get those velocity in those short, barreled revolvers.
Yep, tell us ya dont know anything about heavy handloads, without hanging a sign around yer neck that says i dont know anything about heavy handloads.
@@jerrynorton1080 what are you trying to say?
My truck works best for self defense of a brownie 😂
I've seen 3 or 4 other videos lately on this subject. All with different choices except the 10mm was included on everybody's list. As for me, I just stay out of bear county. That way, I don't have to grow facial hair and wear funny looking hats. Just saying.
I think my hat looks just fine, thank you! :)
As a retired Idaho gunsmith..handguns and bears very foolish Macho advice. 👎
While no handgun will never stop a bear dead in its tracks, a handgun is much easier to carry around than a shotgun loaded with slugs or an extra high-powered rifle.
Hey, look: Its a guy with three bullets and none of the guns he mentions.
.45 Mag. was literally designed with the soul purpose of stopping a charging grizzly in 1 shot. End of Debate.