In order to participate in the GunBroker Member forums, you must be logged in with your GunBroker.com account. Click the sign-in button at the top right of the forums page to get connected.

Backup handguns for Griz?

instrumentofwarinstrumentofwar Member Posts: 1,545 ✭✭✭✭✭
edited February 2002 in General Discussion
OK now that i've setteled on my .45-70 for my up and coming exploits in Alaska, i must settle on a handgun. I know that the old standby is the .454 cassul, but i'm interested in possibly picking up a BFR in .45-70. There is something to be said for having both chambered for the same caliber. Does anyone here have any experience with Magnum Research, the makers of the BFR? Also, are there any other single actions chambered for either the .45-70 or the .454 cassul? Thanks again fellas.Ferg
The world is full of sheep, run with the wolves and make 'em call ya daddy[This message has been edited by instrumentofwar (edited 02-02-2002).]
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • instrumentofwarinstrumentofwar Member Posts: 1,545 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Also what do you think of touching off a 540 grain solid out of a 7 1/2" pistol. The velocity out of the guide gun (18 1/2") is 1,540 f.p.s.
    The world is full of sheep, run with the wolves and make 'em call ya daddy
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • v35v35 Member Posts: 12,710 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    The 454 and the 480 might give you a bit better energy out of a handgun than the 45-70.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • RUGERNUT3RUGERNUT3 Member Posts: 247 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Backup huh? Well if at first you dont succeed...you will have a VERY,VERY hard time at attempting to try, try again with a .454 or something along those realms of power. Do a lot of shooting with .454's or other LARGE caliber handguns? Ever heard of MAJOR muzzle flip? It is something I would NOT want to contend with while being faced with some giant furry mad animal doing his best to eat me. Man it is fairly hard to control ANY make of .454 for a quick,ACCURATE follow up shot while sitting relaxed at the range...much less when if your follow up shot HAS to be made under rather hurried stressed conditions or you end up being eaten alive...well actually dead, then eaten.. since the griz likes to crush your skull..then eat you. Do a little checking and I think you will find a GREAT many people up in griz country are packing the little old .44 magnum. Very potent,WAY less muzzle flip...which eqauls at the miniumum a chance at staying alive long enough to bring the creature back into the sight picture for another shot if needed. Much rather be able to get off 2 maybe 3 accurate potent rounds than one....that BETTER hit the sucker in the eyeball dead on....just a thought. They dont die good with any caliber.RUGERNUT3 the .454 lover that does not want to be killed horribly then eaten....would just totally ruin an otherwise great day.To each his own........
    "ANY" EXCUSE IS A GOOD REASON TO BUY "JUST 1 MORE".& VICIE-VERSIE!
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • agloreaglore Member Posts: 6,012
    edited November -1
    I hunt in Grizzly country every year. My hanguns that I carry for back up and hunting are the 41 mag with 250 LBT bullets, the 45 Colt with 370 grain LBT bullets and now the 480 Ruger with 460 grain LBT bullets. Forget about that BFR, it will not take the pressures of good handloads. I have hunted with a T/C Contender in 45-70 with a 400 grain bullet at 1620 FPS, if you cannot handle the recoil of a load like that, forget it. The 540 Garret loads are good loads, but will probably not fit the chamber of the BFR. Get a good 44 mag, 45 Colt or 480 Ruger and load with hard cast GC bullets made by Cast Performance Bullets or Beartooth Bullets. I have driven these bullets length wise of moos and completely through Musk Ox at 60 to 80 yards.
    Allen Glore
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • BullzeyeBullzeye Member Posts: 3,560
    edited November -1
    Bullzeye sez:When hunting grizzly, if you fail to kill it with your primary and it's still charging towards you, your secondary better be a M79.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • idsman75idsman75 Member Posts: 13,398 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    For a back-up gun, I'd go with something in double-action with a barrel length of no more than 6" in .44 Magnum. The BFR is, in my humble opinion, an attempt to grab dollars from those guys that think bigger is ALWAYS better. Bigger is better in some cases but not this one. Shot placement is critical and so is your ability to take at least a second shot. Also, hunt with a partner. This may not be true but I heard that Alaska law states that you MUST have a guide with you if you are not a resident of the state. I'm not sure what the requirements are for a soldier stationed in AK to gain legal residency of the state. I believe you may have to own some property there and reside there for a certain period of time. Simply being stationed there would make it too easy to get the oil dividend which I am sure they don't just dole out to every Tom, Dick & Harry that gets stationed there.
    SSG idsman75, U.S. ARMY
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • agloreaglore Member Posts: 6,012
    edited November -1
    Yes you do need a guide to hunt Brown/Grizzly if not a resident. Unless you have somebody here that is within the second degree of kindred. But from the way I read this thread, it is a back up handgun for that possoble but far and few in between bear attack. Takes 12 consecutive months of living here to become a resident. Military do get discounted prices on Non-resident tags. Even with the 44 mag, you need bullets that will break the animal down. You have to break them down in order to stop them. I have put 4 rounds into a grizzly with a Ruger #1 chambered in 416 Rigby. Not all bears know they are dead when they are in fact dead.
    Allen Glore
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • offerorofferor Member Posts: 8,625 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Nobody mentioned the LAR Grizzly in .45WM, a "dark horse" suggestion except for the name itself. In the information I'll never use department, where does one shoot a grizzly for maximum effect, head or boiler room? I am aware that if one does not use enough bullet it will most assuredly bounce right off a bear's skull, so what's the scoop from the experienced? I will say that if I had to choose a backup in .44 Magnum it would either be a Mountain 629 or preferably a 3" snub-nose like the old Lew Horton 629 or the Backpacker. But it doesn't sound like the .44 Magnum may be enough gun, what? I'd certainly settle for a sore hand as a small price to pay to shoot enough gun to avoid having my head crushed.
    "The 2nd Amendment is about defense, not hunting. Long live the gun shows, and reasonable access to FFLs. Join the NRA -- I'm a Life Member."
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • offerorofferor Member Posts: 8,625 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Sorry, I should have given a nod to the new .44 snubbie just out from the Performance people with a compensator on that 3" barrel. (Or is it 3-1/2", I'm not sure...)
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • agloreaglore Member Posts: 6,012
    edited November -1
    You have to take out the front shoulders. Head is swaying back and forth and up and down when it is running towards you. Not an easy target to hit.
    Allen Glore
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • robsgunsrobsguns Member Posts: 4,581 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Allen, you and me are going to go around again, I see it coming, you keep excluding the 454, and I think its on purpose. Dead is dead, you know? I bet if I shoot a bear with my 454 it wont know it wasnt hit with a 480. It'll still drop. Just messing with you buddy. Cant resist!P.S. If someone were to invite me up to hunt, and hook me up, I'd find a way to take leave and come up. HINT, HINT!
    SSgt Ryan E. Roberts, USMC
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • sealyonsealyon Member Posts: 313 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    If your primary gun fails and your guide can't or doesn't back you up you may as well carry a 22. I've never heard of a determined griz attack being stopped by a handgun. Make sure your rifle will get the job done and get proficient with it. I'd be more concerned about being able to hit something quick and close ( snap shooting ) than using a sidearm.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Matt45Matt45 Member Posts: 3,185
    edited November -1
    Ditto on the .44 mag, either a ported 6" or a standard 4 3/4".
    Reserving my Right to Arm Bears!!!!
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • idsman75idsman75 Member Posts: 13,398 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    instrumentofwar--By the way, did you ever get that problem with your Guide Gun solved? I was thinking about that the other day but I can't remember what the issue was.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • ndbillyndbilly Member Posts: 1,573 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    About ten or twelve years ago, a guy killed a grizzly when the animal charged him and even suffered a bit of a chewing from the dying beast. Happened in the States (Montana?) While in the hospital recovering from the attack, the poor guy was charged with a felony for having killed an endangered species. When asked for a comment about the situation he supposedly replied that one look at that charging grizzly and it didn't take him long to figure out who the endangered species was.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • usmc2498215usmc2498215 Member Posts: 82 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    My sugesstion is a .44 magnum in a S&W model 29 or 629. Nothing over a 6" barrel, for ease of handling. I have had the experience of encountering a Grizzly in Montana, and thankfully he just ran off, electing to dine on deer rather than me. I can say without reservation that it is a very sobering experience to suddenly realize that you are on the lower end of the food chain for once.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • mudgemudge Member Posts: 4,225 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    My "back-up" is a S$W 29, 6" bbl,loaded with Cor-Bon 305gr bullet. A cartridge they call "The Penetrator". I feel perfectly safe with that.Of course, if we're ever charged by a griz., I don't have to outrun the bear, I have to outrun the other guys. Mudge the fleet
    I can't come to work today. The voices said, STAY HOME AND CLEAN THE GUNS!
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • instrumentofwarinstrumentofwar Member Posts: 1,545 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    1. Alltheway-areyou or were you stationed at Ft. Richardson? That's where i'm getting locked in for this february when i re-up. Back on jump status and by three years hopefully i'll be wearing a wreath over them wings!2.To be able to hunt in Alaska as a resident you must spend one year residing in the state before you can apply. Up until then you can still get small game and fishing resident liscences. Also no guides for resident hunts. Figure the year w/o the liscence i can use for scouting, also i've got a buddy in the unit whose family lives in Jenau(sp?).
    The world is full of sheep, run with the wolves and make 'em call ya daddy3.Jerm- as far as the feeding/extraction problem goes, yes that is something i have deffinetly looked into. Check out these two gunsmiths packages for my baby. http://www.brockmansrifles.com/ or http://www.drccustomgunsights.com/ 4.Last but deffinetly not least, for ammo to end all ammo (i need to get the specs for reloads at these prices though!) http://www.garrettcartridges.com/ specificcaly the 540 grain hammerhead[This message has been edited by instrumentofwar (edited 02-03-2002).]
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • RugerNinerRugerNiner Member Posts: 12,636 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Be a Man. Use a Pocket Knife for a backup.
    Remember...Terrorist are attacking Civilians; Not the Government. Protect Yourself!
    Keep your Powder dry and your Musket well oiled.
    NRA Lifetime Benefactor Member.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • instrumentofwarinstrumentofwar Member Posts: 1,545 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    robsguns- hint taken, a gettogether is deffinetly in order (private practicioners of the PVM first mind you), even moreso if mamma lets me buy some land for retirement.
    The world is full of sheep, run with the wolves and make 'em call ya daddy
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Rob3448Rob3448 Member Posts: 171 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I think you need to bring a Jennings J-22 it's the best gun you ever shot. I would also get a 50 drum mag for it because you will need all 50 rounds to stop a bear.Good luck you will love it there
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • agloreaglore Member Posts: 6,012
    edited November -1
    Ryan, of course I was purposely ignoring the 454 Casul on this topic, how else would I get you to chime in. Actually I have no experience with the 454 other than shooting very hot loaded 45 Colt cartridges in the 454 chambers. Yes it will work. As you will notice, I also did not throw in much info for my favorite habdgub cartridge, the 41 Mag. And you are welcome anytime for a hunting trip. The only problem is that now in my neck of the woods, non-residents have to apply through the drawing process for moose tags. Caribou and Black Bear are of course still an option.
    Allen Glore
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Shootist3006Shootist3006 Member Posts: 4,171
    edited November -1
    Instrument, (like to be on a first name basis) folks here have left out the most important feature a handgun MUST have if you are to hunt BIG bear with it. It must be lubricated with BACON GREASE. Yes, that's right - bacon grease. Thge thinking is that, after you have emptied your pistol, you can throw it at him and hope that the scent will distract him long enough for you to get away.BTW, Allen has the right idea, I would agree that the .41 Rem Mag may be THE best handgun hunting caliber.
    Quod principi placuit legis habet vigorem.Semper Fidelis
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
Sign In or Register to comment.