[firearmy]

What is the best 44 mag ammo for bear defense?

[a1huntingsupply]

Originally Posted by firearmy

What is the best 44 mag ammo for bear defense?

Buffalo Bore makes a 340 gr +P+ that will work great on anything that gets in your way. It's not safe to shoot in all guns and the cylinder has to be long enough to support the extra length.

Made for select model Rugers, Dan Wessons, Freedom Arms, Taurus Raging Bulls, and TC's

[Brent L]

If you are intent on using an underpowered handgun for a charging bear,sighthe hardcast 340 grain bullet load mentioned in the previous post might be adequate. With multiple hits or if the spine or brain is hit.

Use enough gun ! A 12 bore shotgun and Brenneke slugs would be a farrrr better choice. A bear is as fast or faster than a charging lion, one hundred yards in less than 4 seconds! And they don't go down easy!!!!

I've got a question for you. What idiot recommended a .44 mag for Bear defense?

[uncle jer]

12 guage short shotgun with slugs, pump is my favorite when I was in Alaska this is what most of the guides carried with Brenneke slugs,some also carried a trapper rifle in 45-70 both more than enough power. if you want to use a .44 save one round for yourself that way it won't be an aganoizing death.

[Catfish]

If your talking black bear about any good bullet over 240 gn`s. If your talking brown bear they don`t make a bullet I would count on for stopping them. The .500 S&W is another story, but even with it you have to place the bullet well.

[J_B]

Originally Posted by firearmy

What is the best 44 mag ammo for bear defense?

What handgun will you be going to carry in a .44 Magnum?

S&W
Taurus
Colt
Ruger

It depends on the firearm, as not all are suited for the 340-gr LFN GC from Buffalo Bore Ammunition. You will need to check your cylinder length to the cartridge OAL to see if it will fit.

Check Buffalo Bore Ammunition web site for details.

Randy Garrett also makes some awesome .44 Magnum loadings.

I personally load my own using a 305-gr WFN GC from Rim Rock Bullets.

[robocop10mm]

Obviously the best bear defense is avoidance. If you are forced to shoot to defend yourself, you have already screwed up. A .44 is generally considered to be the minimum caliber for bears. I agree a 12 ga w/ good slugs or .45-70 is better, much better.

Bullets, heavier is generally better but for a short cylindered gun like a Smith M-29, about 150 is all you can expect to launch at a decent enough velocity to be effective. Ruger has a longer cylinder that allows for heavier bullets to be loaded long. A 300 gr flat point had cast bullet can be loaded to about 1250-1300 fps safely. That would be a good load (not great, but good).

A 340 .458 FP at 2000 fps out of a .45-70 would be MUCH better.

[ScottG]

Wow! I'm surprised no one's told him the most important thing about bears and handguns: Don't forget to file off that front sight.........

[freefall]

My friend Larry killed a grizzly that attacked him with a .44 mag. My friend George killed a grizzly that attacked him with a .458 mag. They both went to get friends with rifles (me) to make sure they were dead. The gun you have is better than the gun at home. Get a good one, practice, be good with it, and CARRY IT!!! Anything else is just noise from people with no bear population. :P

[RL357Mag]

I'd rather kill a Grizz BEFORE he attacks me! Nothing short of a 12 ga. or large cal. rifle will do that quick enough for my benefit. Anyone walking in grizzly habitat without ADEQUATE is very uninformed.