hand gun for black bear hunting

^^ Yup. Essentially, that's the summary of everything I read online.

 

To those who've recommended 9mm, .40, .45 ACP, etc, please leave the forum now. To those who've recommended a .45 Colt, you're closer but the long Colt cartridge, though large, is spec'd for incredibly low pressure relative to modern loads. The 10mm Glock 20 is close but it doesn't match the minimum load for black bear, which most experienced hunters believe is a .357 mag in at least a six-inch barrel. The better option would be a .44 mag or higher in, again, a six-inch barrel at least (longer the barrel up to about 14 inches the higher the compression and thus the greater the velocity). If you're honestly looking to hunt bear with a handgun, stick to a revolver. If you want a great reliable performer at a reasonable price (< $800), check out a S&W 629 or a Ruger Super Redhawk.

 

Ammo for the .357 or .44 is pretty reasonable if you buy in bulk at online retailers. My personal favorite is SGAmmo.com out of Oklahoma. I've made dozens of purchases and I've yet to be disappointed.

 

No one on here recommended 9mm, 40, or 45acp.

 

I would recommend a .44 mag if dead set on a pistol. the problem you are going to have is a bayed bear on the ground or one that wont stay up and break every time you get with in 30 yards of the tree. Ive been in both situations, once younger and my dad was carrying a .357 and we never able to get in enough range for an accurate and effective shot. Finally was able to get take the bear with a rifle. After that I decided to always carry a rifle and never a pistol. It could have been ended at the first tree instead of 6 later. One a couple years ago I had to kill would not climb at just bayed. It broke once, crossed a couple ridges and bayed again. I snuck in to within 40 yards and was able to end the situation with my 30-30 in one shot. An option to consider for a small gun that barely sticks out about shoulder and back is a Rossi M92 in a .44 mag with a 16 inch barrel. I have one and really like it and they are cheaper so don't mind if it gets scratched up from brush. Its a lightweight gun and can barely tell its there, I move through the brush fairly quick and had no problems with it getting caught in limbs.

Matt

 

X 2

 

And in my first post I recommended 44mag, not arguing just saying. Have a good night

 

Also not really a thing as a Long colt. It's just 45 Colt. Long Colt was used to differentiate it from the shorter 45 Schofield. I would also recommend a minimum 44 magnum revolver for bear hunting.

 

If I was hunting something that would easily kill me or my hunting dogs I would buy a .500 S&W. If I couldn't afford it, I'd not worry about carrying a rifle. Buy a better sling and synthetic stock if you're worried about it. This isn't a situation where I'd look for what minimum caliber or minimum cost I can maybe get away with.

 

Are you recommending a .40? For bear? Really?

 

You recommend the .40 and .357 Sig. Self defense rounds.

 

He was asking if a 9mm would be good enough and I meant I would trust a 40 or a 357 sig first. I didn't say it was the best choice, he was asking and I was doing my beat to answer.

 

And I never said self defense rounds.

 

I meant 45 long colt. Not 40 lc what ever that is

 

25 Acp

 

In my opinion I would go with a long barrel .44 mag or a 500 S&W or a 454 will be very effective

 

Going after something that can kill and eat you or kill you by eating you I would tend to 1. be accurate with what I shoot. 2. Use the largest caliber I can shoot accuratly. 3. If you can not handle a .44Mag don't go hunting anything that can kill and eat you or kill you by eating you. If I had to use a handgun for any bear I would choose the 7 1/2" 475 Linbaugh you can always download.

 

My buddy converted his sig 1911 to super 45 just for such an occasion

 

.500 Linebaugh recoils a little snappy though



Shot placement important, with this anywhere in the head or center mass.

 

Nonsense. The .45 Colt has been called a "long colt" since it was introduced and both gun makers and ammo manufacturers and retailers refer to it as the .45 long colt. Google it.