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Big Bore Bear Bullet Blaster????????

matwormatwor Member Posts: 20,594
edited July 2008 in General Discussion
Going to Wyoming this fall to tagalong on a sheep hunt and am considering buying a big bore revolver.

I have a 1911 .45, and I packed this in '06 on the same trip in the same basin. I had it loaded with home defense rounds.

My question, is this sufficient, or should I buy the big bore revolver, and if so, which one???

.454 Casull
.460
.480 Ruger Alaskan
.500 S&W
other

What are the pros/cons of ballistics with each?
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Comments

  • MVPMVP Member Posts: 23,453 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    This might not be a direct answer to your question but if I were going to be on a tag along hhunt where I was not carrying a hunting rifle and I thought there would be a need for bear protection I would pack along a high cap 18" shotgun loaded with slugs.
    It would double a a home protection after the hunt where as a Big Bore revolver would probably be relegated to the safe until the next venture into Bear Country.
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  • matwormatwor Member Posts: 20,594
    edited November -1
    I see your train of thought, my thinking would be, a person may not be able to shuck the shotgun as fast as pulling the trigger on a DA revolver.
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  • MVPMVP Member Posts: 23,453 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I have a scoped Magnum Reasearch BFR in 450 Marlin and I Honestly think it is too big.
    It is a fun (expensive) gun for targets and plinking but I actually would rather have a Ruger RedHawkwith 5" barrel chanbered for 44magnum if I wanted a revolver for packing on a hunt.
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  • matwormatwor Member Posts: 20,594
    edited November -1
    Is the .44 mag enough?
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  • MVPMVP Member Posts: 23,453 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Yes.
    I killed a 300 pound Blacky with handloaded 44 Mag,300 grain bullet.
    I consider it the minimum but like anything I have a friend who killed a 500 pound Black Bear with a 41 magnum Blackhawk.
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  • He DogHe Dog Member Posts: 51,593 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    In Alaska the 12 guage slug gun is considered the standard for a bear safety gun. Given the right motiviation you might be suprised how quickly you can shuck those shells Matwor. I second MVP. When you come hunt with me a .45 will do for the odd black bear.
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  • matwormatwor Member Posts: 20,594
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by He Dog
    In Alaska the 12 guage slug gun is considered the standard for a bear safety gun. Given the right motiviation you might be suprised how quickly you can shuck those shells Matwor. I second MVP. When you come hunt with me a .45 will do for the odd black bear.


    Duly noted.[;)] You coming to MO this year for whitetail, maybe quail?
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  • He DogHe Dog Member Posts: 51,593 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    outside possible. Gas prices being what they are that makes for mighty pricy meat. The better half suggests with the price of gas and groceries, that I stay home and poach a lot of game. It does make some sense. Only got drawn for pronghorn this year.
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  • CHEVELLE427CHEVELLE427 Member Posts: 6,750
    edited November -1
    you wont need a gun if you can run faster then your hunting partner.
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  • n/an/a Member Posts: 168,427 ✭
    edited November -1
    The .460...hands down.
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  • He DogHe Dog Member Posts: 51,593 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    And ECC will be glad to order you one![}:)]
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  • matwormatwor Member Posts: 20,594
    edited November -1
    I'm watching 2 of his right now. Just not sure if I'm ready to let go of the funds just yet, being unsure of the way to go.
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  • ruger41ruger41 Member Posts: 14,665 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    If you aren't actually hunting, why spend $1,300 for a .460 that weighs almost 55oz(for the short barrel) in a 5 shot handgun when you can get a ruger alaskan in .454 that is a 6 shot, weighs 44oz and costs in the mid $900 range and will have no problem downing a bear if you do your part. If you want to save a little more weight you could always go with a 26 oz S&W 329PD but I bet that it's recoil is pretty brutal. A nice used S&W Mountain Gun in .44 mag would be a nice gun to pack too---just remember all the extra gear you are carrying and then strapping on a big revolver can put alot of strain on your back and hips at the end of the day. You COULD use the 1911 but NOT with loads designed for self protection against people--if you have to use the 1911 load up some hard cast semi wadcutter if your gun will feed them 100% of the time or use 230gr FMJ's as you would only be using it to put rounds through the skull at pretty close range. I'm not wild about carrying a semi-auto for defense against a bear but it beats having nothing at all. Cons against the .500 & .460 is they are not cheap either in guns or ammo, they are noisy as can be and they are just really ridiculously large to use as a gun to pack around all day if you aren't using it for hunting--the Pro's are they are very very powerful and in the .460 you can use .454 & .45 Colt.
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  • remingtonoaksremingtonoaks Member Posts: 26,245 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    .44 mag is a good gun for bears. but the .460 roland has the same ballistics as the .44 mag.. you can get a conversion kit that will turn your 1911 in that cal. so you can pack a gun your use to. heres the link
    http://www.clarkcustomguns.com/rowland.htm
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  • ruger41ruger41 Member Posts: 14,665 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Corbon carries .460 Rowlands too so at least you don't have to search for ammo--power level on that round looks decent too.
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  • CHEVELLE427CHEVELLE427 Member Posts: 6,750
    edited November -1
    there are a few kits (460 Rowlands) listed here for around $135
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  • gap1916gap1916 Member Posts: 4,977
    edited November -1
    15 rounds of 10mm at 700 foot pounds at the muzzel with a Glock, 1911A1 type or EAA. My 2 cents [8D]
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  • buschmasterbuschmaster Member Posts: 14,229 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    better go with the 500 S&W... those sheep are dangerous!
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  • n/an/a Member Posts: 168,427 ✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by He Dog
    And ECC will be glad to order you one![}:)]



    ...as a matter of fact, I have one in stock![:D][:)]
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  • 41 nut41 nut Member Posts: 3,016
    edited November -1
    Personally having fired both I would choose the .460. Recommend you take a hard look at the ballistics for both and decide which you would prefer.
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  • matwormatwor Member Posts: 20,594
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by Flying Clay Disk
    For what??? Sheep???

    I grew up in WY. Hunted there for twenty plus years; never even saw a bear...outside of Yellowstone. Probably spent more time in a tent in the WY back country than in my parents house growing up. Oh, there's some around, but there's also plenty of real estate.

    If you want to buy a big bore pistol, then go buy one. But don't buy one because you think you'll need it in WY hunting sheep, because you won't.

    Now, if you were going camping and fishing on the upper Kenai or Russian in AK right now that might be a different story.

    Note: Only time I even got close to a bear was once on the Shoshonee Reservation (don't worry, you won't be going there) on the east side of the Wind Rivers above the tree line on horseback right before a storm. Lightning came down and hit a tree about 50 yards from me. That place had some seriously bad karma and I got out of there...pronto! (horse was freakin'!!)


    As a matter of fact the basin we'll be hunting in is where Game and Fish releases the "problem" grizz. No, the pistol is not for takin' the sheep, its to keep grizz from takin' me.
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  • COLTCOLT Member Posts: 12,637 ******
    edited November -1
    ...IF it's a Grizzly attacking, the .45 is fine...because your probably going to be mauled and eaten no matter what your carrying; so you might as well save the dollars...[^]

    ani-texas-flag-2.gif
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  • kumatekumate Member Posts: 2,314 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Gotta go with ECC on the 460.It is very versatile and full thritle loads aren't that bad.Second choice is 480 ruger,my brother had a one shot kill on a bison this spring with his
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  • matwormatwor Member Posts: 20,594
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by COLT
    ...IF it's a Grizzly attacking, the .45 is fine...because your probably going to be mauled and eaten no matter what your carrying; so you might as well save the dollars...[^]

    ani-texas-flag-2.gif


    [:D][:D][:D][:D][:D]
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  • River RatRiver Rat Member Posts: 9,022 ✭
    edited November -1
    Depends on what you want to do with the gun after the hunt.

    Of those you listed, I would go with either a .454 or .44 mag, because when you bring it home it can shoot .45 lc or .44 special -- and be a personal defense guns against humans, although a bit bulky.

    If you want to someday hunt deer or hogs with the gun, the .460 or .480 might be more practical.

    I live in griz country, and prefer a handgun to a shotgun. It's always there. Some might think me nuts, but I also prefer a single action. Regardless of caliber or type of action, make certain it is loaded with ammo suitable for large bears. Hard cast lead bullets, good power. Leave the 1911 at home.

    When hunting in bear country, you absolutely must have bear spray. Not because it is effective against bears, but because you'd have better used it first before shooting. It might keep you out of the courtroom.
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  • River RatRiver Rat Member Posts: 9,022 ✭
    edited November -1
    Flying Clay Disk commented that griz bears were never a problem when he grew up in WY. I assume that might be more than 20 years ago. Since being listed in the early 70s, griz have grown in numbers and attitude. They are just now being delisted, but have learned since being protected that they are the top of the food chain. They do not fear man. You go out in the hills, firing rifles and leaving a gut pile or two, and they can be a problem. I have met several individuals who, in the past ten years or less, have had to leave an elk carcass to a bear. Many consider a rifle shot a dinner bell, and come running. You might talk with a local outfitter or two.
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  • Dakota308Dakota308 Member Posts: 4,162
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by remingtonoaks
    .44 mag is a good gun for bears. but the .460 roland has the same ballistics as the .44 mag.. you can get a conversion kit that will turn your 1911 in that cal. so you can pack a gun your use to. heres the link
    http://www.clarkcustomguns.com/rowland.htm


    Glock 21 Thanks for your patience. Sorry, we have decided against manufacturing a kit for this model. [:D][:D][:D]
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