.357 or .44 mag

[Kevrod3]

Have the option of carrying a snub .357 or .38+P or I could carry the .44 ruger super redhawk.

Pro and Cons.

>357- .38+P small light compact and pretty accurate

> .44 bigger one extra round in cylinder, more knock down power, but big and bulk for backcountry hunting.

What do you guys think?

I'm leaning the .38+P

Will probably have bear spray too.

[husky390]

Where are you planning on carrying?

[LckyTylr]

Depends . . . If it's Grizz country, you are honestly probably better off with super duty bear spray. If you have an angry bear close enough that you could (excitedly) hit it with any caliber, it may still not be enough to drop the bear before it does damage to your face area. With mace, at least you temporarily blind the bear so you can get away. It also has the added benefit of a shotgun pattern. I'm like most people, I want to feel manly enough to carry a pistol to protect me from bears, but I have to admit, when an angry beast is intent on knocking my head off my shoulders, I might not be as accurate as I am shooting pop cans in the back yard. With all of that said, I don't hunt in grizz country, I carry a .40, which won't really do anything other than make a lot of noise towards a charging black bear or cat (unless I hit them in the head).

If you are set on carrying a gun and not bear spray, I'd vote whatever you can shoot most accurately, probably the .357.

[ElkNut1]

Grizz country, big gun & bear spray. Non grizz country .357 works great for protection from 4 legged & 2 legged critters. My son & I both carry .357 mag with 5 shot cylinders on a hip holster, they have 4" barrels, they work great & can't tell you're even carrying them under our packs.

ElkNut1

[JPD350]

So Elknut1, you use a hip holster and the gun rides under your pack? do you have any pics?

[ElkNut1]

Yes, here you go! 1st photo is of my son, his .357 is in the exact holster as mine, he just took his pack off so it shows it good, his is a Tarus & mine is a S&W. You can see the bottom of my pistol & holster in the 2nd photo as I'm packing out a bull. No discomfort at all with this setup! Have used it now for 18 years.

ElkNut1

[Kevrod3]

South West Montana / northern Wyoming area

[Gselkhunter]

I also carry a 357 wheel gun with a 4" barrel. My Taurus has a two piece hammer so I insert round #6. Oddly enough the only bear I ever shot at was in camp. Nasty old male that had been breaking into camps. Tore the doors off two trailers and was in my friends truck. 4 shots to get him to leave. The DOW gave the green light to kill this bear without a tag and he was shot a couple weeks later breaking into another trailer.

[ishy]

So I know we all think we are Wyatt Earp, but from a study of the numbers spray is way more effective. If you look up in Bugle September/October 2012 page 70 there is a great article that has plugged the numbers and guns aren't even remotely as effective as the spray. Looking at it now spray was over 90% effective stopping bad behaviors in 72 cases. Three ended up with minor injuries all involving charging brown bears, none required hospitlization. In 269 cases with firearms 80% stopped encounters, but the real story is 56% of those ecounters the bear still inflicted injuries! 56% is not good odds in my book. And last I checked a can of bear spray weighs a little less than 44 super redhawk.

[Swede]

Considering the two choices we were given, obviously the 44 Mag. is a better gun for stopping a charging grizzly if you can shoot it accurately. As far as I am concerned the 357 is a lot more fun to shoot and is more versatile. If the thought is you want it to deter two legged vermin, then beware the only ones that would really be thwarted by either, were no real danger to you in the first place.

[swmoelk]

X2 on the 357. I have one and shoot gobs of cheap 38's through it then when I carry it afield I've got it full of hot handloaded 158 grain 357. Its light and I'm confident with it. If I could afford the practice with the 44 and found a frame I liked that'd be a different story. It helps I've got a lever gun in 357 too:)... Whatever works for you is going to work though no matter what anyone says.

[wawhitey]

I carry a big ass hog leg of a .44 on my hip all the time. I don't notice the weight. If you only throw one on for rare occasions you won't like it. But if you wear it enough it just becomes a part of you you won't notice. 300 grain hcfn bullets will f up anything out there if you can shoot.

[AZ Vince]

Carry a .44 and some spray.
Depending on the situation one will be better than the other.
The smallest caliber I'd consider in Grizzly or brown bear country is the .41 Mag.

[JPD350]

Thanks for the pics elknut, I may try that when I get a hip holster for my new 329PD

[8seconds]

Started out in my younger days with a 44 then moved to a 6" 357 in my mid 40's. I have only had to use the 357 one time to scare off a cow moose with a new calf while fishing the Situk River for Steelhead back in 08. It took two shots into the air to scare get her off of me for which i was profoundly glad as the next ones would have been at her as she pushed me into some alders along the stream. I was in waders and had no place to go.

But i agree with other posters, when it comes to bears, the spray is alot more effective. So i have a large cannister of it. For emergencies you can use it as an instant pepper shaker for spicing up your food.

[Indian Summer]

Ask yourself this: If you have to use it which one would you rather have? The answer will be the .44 no question. But as many have already said and as many people find hard to believe.... the bear spray is best. Even for two legged problems.

As far as carrying it, I string my daypack waist belt through the holster. Not the padding part. On a 2200 the tensioning strap is separate from that. So the gun is outside of my pack waist belt. I can't imagine having a pistol inside my waist belt especially if I had it cranked down packing meat.

[llewokj]

Ruger New Model Blackhawk - .45 Colt

[Relentlessly Unforgiving]

Started out in my younger days with a 44 then moved to a 6" 357 in my mid 40's. I have only had to use the 357 one time to scare off a cow moose with a new calf while fishing the Situk River for Steelhead back in 08. It took two shots into the air to scare get her off of me for which i was profoundly glad as the next ones would have been at her as she pushed me into some alders along the stream. I was in waders and had no place to go.

But i agree with other posters, when it comes to bears, the spray is alot more effective. So i have a large cannister of it. For emergencies you can use it as an instant pepper shaker for spicing up your food.

I'm interested to know if you had bear spray with you during this encounter with mother moose. If so, why did you choose the warning shots over the spray? I realize that there are many factors to be considered it just sounds like spray could be a good option here too.

For years I have carried the spray and my hunting partner carried the gun. Seemed like a good combo, I would exhaust the spray and depending on its effectiveness he could follow if needed. The delima now is, I'll be solo this year. I think I will carry both, the spray and my .44. Having a strong wind in my face or being in a tent I may shoot first, all other scenarios, it seems that spray will be effective 90% of the time.

[Migolito]

Having been charged by a Grizzly, I can honestly say, in my particular situation, no spray and no gun would have helped. I was on a motorcycle with a passenger. I carry, every single day of my life, to protect myself against people who would do me harm. When I carry in the woods I carry my SAW MP 40 cal. It's lite, polymer and I know it well. Having experienced first hand how ungodly fast a grizzly is, if I ever hunt where they do, I'll be carrying a rifle or shotgun with hardcast. Even though its done all the time, Ain't no way I'm relying on a handgun cartridge to stop something that wants to eat me.

[RP]

I carry a SW MP40 and bought a tactical drop down holster for it. Clips on belt on pants, hangs down below my pack and straps around thigh. Very comfortable and is quick easy draw. Hope I never need it!

[Screaming_btf]

I'd carry both the spray and a .44 in your situation.

[Trophyhill]

Taurus ultralight .44 mag for me. Love it

[WapitiTalk1]

Taurus ultralight .44 mag for me. Love it

Me too