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 03-21-2011, 07:42 PM | #1 | Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Flint, Michigan Posts: 344 |  Bear vs. 40 s&w need some info
I am helping a guy who is new to handguns who is a bow hunter. He hunts in a area where there has been alot of black bear sighting's and so now he wants to buy a handgun to take carry with him in the woods easy right .357 mag. At least that's what i told him,well it wasnt that easy he said he does not like the recoil or revolvers. He wants a 40. s&w i told him im not sure if it has enough stopping power on the first hit to put a bear down but im not a bear hunter. I suggested you dont want anything smaller then a 45 cal. So any information or idea's you have please help because i dont want to turn him off from the fun of handgun shooting. | 
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| 03-21-2011, 07:50 PM | #2 | Game on... Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Sewell, NJ Posts: 3,515 |
Quote:
Originally Posted by FaTmAn
I am helping a guy who is new to handguns who is a bow hunter. He hunts in a area where there has been alot of black bear sighting's and so now he wants to buy a handgun to take carry with him in the woods easy right .357 mag. At least that's what i told him,well it wasnt that easy he said he does not like the recoil or revolvers. He wants a 40. s&w i told him im not sure if it has enough stopping power on the first hit to put a bear down but im not a bear hunter. I suggested you dont want anything smaller then a 45 cal. So any information or idea's you have please help because i dont want to turn him off from the fun of handgun shooting.
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Not an expert but I do not think either round mentioned would stop a bear in one shot. He would need a magnum load at a minimum..
 __________________
"His nuts...they gone." - Karen "Bullseye" Smith
"A free people ought not only to be armed and disciplined, but they should have sufficient arms and ammunition to maintain a status of independence from any who might attempt to abuse them, which would include their own government." - George Washington | |
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| 03-21-2011, 07:54 PM | #3 | mmmmm...... Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Maiden, NC Posts: 9,583 |
What kind of bear are we talking about? Black bear here in NC could be handled with a hot 357 hard cast but I wouldn't go lighter then 158 and would highly suggest 170 or 180gr bullets. A 44 mag with hard cast 240gr and up should do the job.
Brown bear? Bring a rifle....a BIG one, 45-70 lever gun would be my choice and back it up with nothing smaller then a 44 Mag if you must carry a pistol. __________________
If the pain is lacking so is the discipline...
"the only 911 call I need is chambering a round" - Mr. Muller, MO car dealer | |
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| 03-21-2011, 07:55 PM | #4 | Deader Bears=Better Bears Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: BFE, Mississippi Posts: 10,078 Likes Given: 3
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If he chooses to carry a gun not designed for penetrating such a tough hide, please encourage him to carry some poison in his pocket, so the bear dies after chewing on him.  __________________
Dead Bears, the only good kind.
DEATH TO FREE-RANGING BEARS!!! (except FTF members ;) ) | |
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| 03-21-2011, 08:13 PM | #5 | Game on... Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Sewell, NJ Posts: 3,515 |
Quote:
Originally Posted by orangello
If he chooses to carry a gun not designed for penetrating such a tough hide, please encourage him to carry some poison in his pocket, so the bear dies after chewing on him. |
Speaking of bears chewing on people, I saw a movie with Anthony Hopkins and Alec Baldwin stranded and being hunted by a Grizzly. For some strange reason I was rooting for the bear whenever Baldwin was in the shot...is that so wrong?  __________________
"His nuts...they gone." - Karen "Bullseye" Smith
"A free people ought not only to be armed and disciplined, but they should have sufficient arms and ammunition to maintain a status of independence from any who might attempt to abuse them, which would include their own government." - George Washington | |
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| 03-21-2011, 08:23 PM | #6 | Ground Zero Ocean Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Florence, Oregon Posts: 8,463 |
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jpyle
For some strange reason I was rooting for the bear whenever Baldwin was in the shot...is that so wrong?
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NO!! It is what I did!! 
To the OP....If he doesn't like the recoil of a .357, he isn't going to like a .40S&W, .44 Mag or .45ACP!
Best to just stay out of Bear Country and hang his bow over the fireplace! __________________ Molon Labe!
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Hey, any constitution that acknowledges the people have a right to own weapons so that they may defend themselves -- including from an out-of-control government -- is OK by me...bkt
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People get the government they deserve.
Last edited by dunerunner; 03-21-2011 at 09:48 PM. | |
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| 03-21-2011, 08:36 PM | #7 | Deader Bears=Better Bears Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: BFE, Mississippi Posts: 10,078 Likes Given: 3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jpyle
Speaking of bears chewing on people, I saw a movie with Anthony Hopkins and Alec Baldwin stranded and being hunted by a Grizzly. For some strange reason I was rooting for the bear whenever Baldwin was in the shot...is that so wrong? |
Saw that & yes, it is wrong; the only good bear is a dead bear. __________________
Dead Bears, the only good kind.
DEATH TO FREE-RANGING BEARS!!! (except FTF members ;) ) | |
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| 03-21-2011, 08:37 PM | #8 | Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Do you see what happens, Larry?! Posts: 3,321 |
You should really recommend to him a hand cannon or a 12ga.
X-Large Frame (X) - Smith & Wesson__________________
AMAT VICTORIA CURAM
ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ! | |
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| 03-21-2011, 08:37 PM | #9 | Game on... Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Sewell, NJ Posts: 3,515 |
Quote:
Originally Posted by orangello
Saw that & yes, it is wrong; the only good bear is a dead bear.
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But doesn't the same apply to Baldwins? __________________
"His nuts...they gone." - Karen "Bullseye" Smith
"A free people ought not only to be armed and disciplined, but they should have sufficient arms and ammunition to maintain a status of independence from any who might attempt to abuse them, which would include their own government." - George Washington | |
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| 03-21-2011, 08:47 PM | #10 | Deader Bears=Better Bears Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: BFE, Mississippi Posts: 10,078 Likes Given: 3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jpyle
But doesn't the same apply to Baldwins?
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Nah, they only annoy the public rather than eating the public, close though. __________________
Dead Bears, the only good kind.
DEATH TO FREE-RANGING BEARS!!! (except FTF members ;) ) | |
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