Side Arm Preference??

mnhunter

Active Member
Aug 23, 2011
226
0
Andover, Minnesota
Those who carry-

What do you normally load your sidearm up with? Solids? Cast bullets? Seem to me the wrong ammo would be almost as disasterous as being under-gunned. I would assume you are shooting for a central nervous system hit when facing down a charge, and I can picture a softpoint or HP not breaking enough bone to get to the important stuff. I saw a bear skull taken in northern WI that had a .357 slug lodged in the forhead and healed over.
 

Old Hunter

Banned
Dec 28, 2011
1,104
0
Buena Vista, Co.
Few grizzlies are stopped when hit with a rifle while hunting. Most will run off. Imagine trying to stop one in a charge with a handgun? If you could stay calm enough to hit some vitals.
 

HuntWYODon

Very Active Member
Dec 19, 2011
806
0
Kalifornia
The best thing to have with you is someone else with a gimpy leg who can't run.
LMAO ! Or an older guy that you can run faster than or climb a tree faster is better yet ! About the spray, I would worry if the wind is blowing towards me but I know you wouldn't have time anyway but it would be screwed if you got it back in your face and couldn't react to the bear too. I had pepper spray blow in my face while sraying a nieghbor's pit bull on my door step once. The reaction is like somebody slapping you in the face and then intence burning eyes and face. I can see how it can incapacitate you quickly.
 

Old Hunter

Banned
Dec 28, 2011
1,104
0
Buena Vista, Co.
LMAO ! Or an older guy that you can run faster than or climb a tree faster is better yet ! About the spray, I would worry if the wind is blowing towards me but I know you wouldn't have time anyway but it would be screwed if you got it back in your face and couldn't react to the bear too. I had pepper spray blow in my face while sraying a nieghbor's pit bull on my door step once. The reaction is like somebody slapping you in the face and then intence burning eyes and face. I can see how it can incapacitate you quickly.
That's simple. As the bear charges, you sidestep it and let it run past you. Then you're upwind when it come back at you. :)
 

HuntWYODon

Very Active Member
Dec 19, 2011
806
0
Kalifornia
Those who carry-

What do you normally load your sidearm up with? Solids? Cast bullets? Seem to me the wrong ammo would be almost as disasterous as being under-gunned. I would assume you are shooting for a central nervous system hit when facing down a charge, and I can picture a softpoint or HP not breaking enough bone to get to the important stuff. I saw a bear skull taken in northern WI that had a .357 slug lodged in the forhead and healed over.
I would think large caliber heavy grain hard cast solids. I have some 405 gr. hard cast Beartooth bullets (no pun) for my 460 S&W and 454 Casull that I would have in my pistol. But if I was carrying a rifle I wouldn't want to pack those heavy pistols. Maybe my 44 Super Blackhawk or 45 auto like Chippy Happy said. I carried my Glock Md. 21 45 auto a couple years ago when I helped a friend pack out the rest of his deer meat hanging in the tree next day. I didn't take my rifle because I'd already filled my tag and didn't want to carry it along with pack frame. This was in South Fork near Cody and I see grizzlies there often. I felt very under gunned but figured if I got attacked and it got me on the ground, I'd rather have a pistol. You probably won't be able to use a rifle while on the ground but at least I could try to unload 13 rds of 45 auto in him while he's munching on me...We saw no bears that time :)
 

mnhunter

Active Member
Aug 23, 2011
226
0
Andover, Minnesota
If I was goign to carry an auto, I might take a look at the Glock 20 10mm. More punch than a .45, and higher capacity, but still only half the mustard of a 44 mag.
 

HuntWYODon

Very Active Member
Dec 19, 2011
806
0
Kalifornia
Hmm.. Wanna come hunting with me?! Hahaha

I sprayed pepper spray in my room when I was younger thinking it was air spray stuff.. It definitely did cover up the smell of my room...
I bet I could out run you girl ! I can out run my son for a short didtance. That's where you might get me, the long haul. I'd probaly just climb a tree near me and let you run and take the griz with you . LOL ! :)
Sprayed your room with pepper spray ? Oh Jen, I hope you go spanked ! ;)
 

HuskyMusky

Veteran member
Nov 29, 2011
1,337
183
IL
44mag.

I feel it's quite the ideal for a sidearm between power and size etc...

SW make a super lightweight one...
Taurus tracker is a 5 shot that's pretty lightweight.

also consider a 454 with a 1.5" barrel vs. a 44mag with a 3 or 4" barrel...

I'd really want probably a 3 or 4" barrel regardless.

there's a youtube video of a momma griz charging a raft... I think the gun shot scared her off, I think that's part of it, simply to scare her off, at 10yds or 10 ft etc... sure at 50 or 100yds she'll just look at it you, better than nothing of course...
 

HuntWYODon

Very Active Member
Dec 19, 2011
806
0
Kalifornia
I got the answer! When a big grizzly is charging you. Spray yourself with bear spray, because you don't want to see what's about to happen to you.
Dam , that would work ! Then if you could find your weapon of choice on the ground, you could bust a cap in your head to end the pain from the bear having a spicey meal out of you !
 

HuntWYODon

Very Active Member
Dec 19, 2011
806
0
Kalifornia
44mag.

I feel it's quite the ideal for a sidearm between power and size etc...

SW make a super lightweight one...
Taurus tracker is a 5 shot that's pretty lightweight.

also consider a 454 with a 1.5" barrel vs. a 44mag with a 3 or 4" barrel...

I'd really want probably a 3 or 4" barrel regardless.

there's a youtube video of a momma griz charging a raft... I think the gun shot scared her off, I think that's part of it, simply to scare her off, at 10yds or 10 ft etc... sure at 50 or 100yds she'll just look at it you, better than nothing of course...
I saw that video. Hairy. Cruising throuh the bears fishin grounds... You are right about a short barrel heavy caliber. I'd have to go buy another with short barrel though :) I've seen the Tracker. Pretty neat but I can't bring myself to buy anything but American guns. No Brazilian for me ! Just the way I am in a few things I buy. I know a guy who has a Taurus 454 Raging Bull. I wasn't impressed. Sure a little cheaper $ but I like my Smith and Ruger's. Off topic I think ? :) Man, a 454 with 1.5 in barrel ! You would only want to shoot it once ! you would be deaf for a day !
 

HuntWYODon

Very Active Member
Dec 19, 2011
806
0
Kalifornia
Good plan.

If you go with Jen.............trip her, and run like hell.
I could also shoot her in the leg ??? Then the bear would definitely be accupied with her while I slip out the back door...:)
Nah Jen, I wouldn't do that. I'd stand there and fight the bear like Daniel Boone to protect you. I think... Well, let's what to see what happens... :) I think I'd be more worried about a pack of wolves than a griz. Especially in the Bighorn's. Or a mtn. lion jumping me from behind. You know I'm paranoid about that...Especially in Ca. !
 

HuntWYODon

Very Active Member
Dec 19, 2011
806
0
Kalifornia
Lol hey now! I'll just go with either you or Don.. I'm sure you guys would end up breaking a hip before you could trip me.. Or have a heart attack....
LMAO ! Dam kid's anyways ! We may be older but wiser too ! Old age and treachery beats youth everytime. And hey, you know I have a bad left hip already so no fare and not funny ! ;) Come on Old Hunter, don't let her get away with that !