Side Arm for Grizzly Country

[bigtuna431]

When ever I am asked this question, I always tell the story written by Pat McManus in Outdoor Life. He recommended a 357 mag with the front sight removed and polished. This was for when the grizzly took it away from you and shoved in up your backside; it doesn't hurt as much. The moral of the story is pay attention to your guide and avoid shooting except as a last resort. Remember they can out run your horse. Have a good hunt

Not many folks have ever heard of ol' Pat Mac, but he has to be one of the best funniest tongue in cheek outdoor writers of all time.. "A fine and Pleasant Misery" had us rolling on the floor. IMHO anything less than a 44 will just **** a thousand pound bear off...

 

[dogz]

Miss old Pat Mac, he was good stuff!

 

[Straight Shooter]

Patrick McManus. Wow, he could make me laugh.

 

[COUNTRY]

Smith and Wesson 329PD for me.

 

[UplandFreak]

Smith and Wesson 329PD for me.

Those are sweet, but realistically how well do you shoot heavy bear loads with it?

 

[XSIVSPD]

Not many folks have ever heard of ol' Pat Mac, but he has to be one of the best funniest tongue in cheek outdoor writers of all time.. "A fine and Pleasant Misery" had us rolling on the floor. IMHO anything less than a 44 will just **** a thousand pound bear off...

I've collected most of his books of stories over the last few years

 

[COUNTRY]

I practice with 44 spl ammo alot before the hunt.

 

[mod 700]

My .02$, after having a sow black charge me a few years back, I can tell you they cover ground with amazing speed, I doubt I would of been able to get off more than a couple of shots, little lone more than 6. I'd lean toward the 44 mag 629 that I already own. I didn't have it on me at the time, do to Ca. law not allowing a sidearm while bow hunting, and lucky for me, she turned just short of me.
Mike

 

[FEENIX]

LOL! OK, let's get it rolling to a 20-pager,

Almost there ...

 

[dls guide]

I have no clue who or where you are going on your hunt with, but I see no need to pack a pistol to hunting camp. You will have a rifle and probably bear spray , so no need for the extra weight of a handgun and ammo. The fact that Hunters already pack so much gear with them in a pack and saddle bags , the extra weight is not needed or wanted. Most of the time you can get to the rifle quicker than the pistol anyway and can hit better with it. My bear gun when I was guiding was a Marlin guide gun in 45-70 with peep sights. I did not want or need a pistol. In camp I Always had My 12 ga riot gun by my bunk. Also If your outfitter is good , he will have his camp surrounded by electric fence to keep the bears from coming in at night. The only time I would pack a pistol is if I was bow hunting by myself and then I would want a 44 mag or bigger. This is all been there done that from experience.

 

[flyguy1]

When archery hunting in Montana, I carry either a 45 colt or a 500 jrh loaded with heavy hard cast bullets at about 1000 -1050 fps. Manageable recoil and lots of penetration. The 500 jrh needs the barrel cut down to about 5 inches.

Beautiful revolvers!

 

[memtb]

Much like a handgun or pepper spray, an electric fence.....may be more "feel good" than effective. Many years ago when sheep hunting north of Cody, Wy., a nearby rancher was having issues with a sow with cubs breaking into his feed bin/stall. The G&F used electric fencing, rubber bullets, and perhaps other measures....the bears returned every night. The "rioting/looting" ended with the bears trapped and relocated! You may sleep better (maybe too good) knowing the fence is there, but, if the bear is determined.....it will walk right through that fence! memtb

 

[Hawkeye Pierce]

Im not reading through 19 pages, but I am going with a 460 Rowland. It's a modified 1911 with 44 mag power with 8 rnds and in a platform i shoot very well.

 

[Stiltsville]

Those are sweet, but realistically how well do you shoot heavy bear loads with it?

No harder than a 629 of you know what you're doing.

I own one, do you ?