.45 vs. .357 Mag

[JohnZ]

Sequoia is full of black bears, especially the zone where I hunt.

[ScottB]

Sequoia is full of black bears, especially the zone where I hunt.

And how many hunters have been attacked over the years? nosmatt is correct. I have encountered many bears in the Sierras over the years and have never felt in danger. I carry enough crap when I'm hunting. My rifle is enough firepower. I think I would be a lot more concerned about grizzlies, but they don't live here.

To your question, for critters, a .357 for power, penetration and bullet/load availability. That's what I carry when not hunting, cause you never know. A .44 would be a notch better but not necessary.

IMO, a .45 or any tactical semi is for two-legged threats, but I don't typically hike or hunt in places where I am worried about them.

[locosway]

What's the point of your comment? 41mag, 44mag, 454, 460, 480, 500 etc... they're all as good and most are better than 10mm....this thread is not about 10mm.

All of those come in an autoloader?

I'd go 10mm too, but it's not on your list of choices.

While I do like the .45, I think I would have to go with a .357 when it comes to wild animals. Even if you don't hit the damn thing, maybe the muzzle blast will scare it away..

[B Strong]

You're correct in theory, but it's never a good policy to trust your fate to the kindness of strangers, four or two legged.

lol

black bears are sissies. you will never have to shoot a black bear, unless you are in Yosemite, and have a pack of bologna wrapped around your neck.


for black bears, your side arm needs to be a low, quiet "hey, go away!" and he/she will run like hell.

[tankerman]

He doesn't had a 10mm or a revolver, which was the point of my comment.

I think that folks with little, or no hunting experience tend to gravitate towards autoloaders when talking about hunting.

All of those come in an autoloader?

[locosway]

He doesn't had a 10mm or a revolver, which was the point of my comment.

I think that folks with little, or no hunting experience tend to gravitate towards autoloaders when talking about hunting.

We aren't talking hunting, we're talking backup. If for some reason you need to pull a backup pistol on your hunting trip then you have some pretty big problems. Having the ability to unload 10+ rounds downrange and then reload in a second is a huge bonus. That's were my autoloader comment came from.

With that aside I'd go with the larger round in the revolver over a .45. If you have an animal charging you and you hit it in the head with a .45 chances are it may not do much. Even some rifle rounds have been known to just glance off.

[tankerman]

Back up while hunting is a back up to your primary hunting firearm. Hence the name 'back-up', as in your back-up is available should your primary gun fail.

[1JimMarch]

You want a hardcast of 160gr or more loaded as hot as you can get 'em. Buffalo Bore's 180 is THE best but it's followed closely by loads from Doubletap and Grizzly Ammo.

[LAKA90034]

.357 with the heaviest bullet you can get...

[Rob454]

not to be snarky but if you are wrestling on the ground with a bear those autloaders can fail not going into battery, that is why I like the revolvers for backup. The better backup is the pepper spray, I do carry both though and when hiking and tripping over bear scat I have the spray in hand ready to spray.

WTF are you wrestling with a bear for? IF you're really out hunting you're gonna be (well you should be) aware of your surroundings. if a freaking smelly groaning bear is gonna get the drop on you then maybe you shouldn't be out hunting. Ive been hunting since I was 10 years old or so and i NEVER had a bear charge or get the drop on me. One got close when i was in Montana a few years back but other than that I never had a bear get more than 40 yards away and I knew he was there he knew where i was and he went his way and i went mine.
A pistol is a back up. You should be shooting a threat with the MOST powerful gun you have which would be your Deer rifle ( another argument/reason to carry a real rifle and not a 223 when going out for deer in bear country Sorry AR guys but a 223 you might as well be throwing bbs at the freaking thing)
Anyway when your PRIMARY weapon runs dry then you go for the back up
piece. ( unless you can freaking reload FAST. At that point I dont care if its a 357 44 45 40 10 9 .22 caliber. Most hunters that get injured by bears is due to the fact they did something wrong. That could be anything from both human and bear hunting same prey, to a hungry *** bear going after a human who looked defenseless ( bow hunter) and a easy meal.
Not saying that a bear cant get close enough but it shoudl never be able to surprise you. You as a human are supposed to be the smarter animal

[yoteassasin]

ive used both and i prefer a wheel gun. ive killed my share of pigs with both 45 and 357 and they both drop them like a stone but against a bear i trust a hard cast 357 loaded to 1300 fps over my 45 hunting load a 255 moving 900 fps
............HA why is everybody scared of a little black bear i have never seen one act aggressively unless you are between it and cubs or it is wounded so be smart and shoot straight and FYI mr ^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ive seen more than one kodiak griz take its last breath from an ar In 223

[yoteassasin]

oh Gawd so many LIES do not handgun hunt any thing you belive can become dangerous with a HP. THEY FAIL miserably on hair, thick skin, and bone so if you dont hit any of those i guess you will be fine

[Argonaut]

Handguns are ineffective and a last resort weapon.......But if you "have" to shoot one (Fiction) he will be close.....45 would be my choice over a high speed 36........If you "have" to shoot one at 50 yards the 36 high speed would be better. We sometimes would use a handgun for a finishing shot but they are mostly extra weight. I knew a guy that got playing with his (handgun) on a deer stand and shot himself in the thigh instead of watching for game...........

[yoteassasin]

I think that folks with little, or no hunting experience tend to gravitate towards autoloaders when talking about hunting.

they both work but some times an auto is a PITA to deal with and you have way less powerful options

With that aside I'd go with the larger round in the revolver over a .45. If you have an animal charging you and you hit it in the head with a .45 chances are it may not do much. Even some rifle rounds have been known to just glance off.

BULLETs DONT GLANCE OFF ANIMALS. LEARN HOW TO SHOOT STRAIGHT

Handguns are ineffective and a last resort weapon.......But if you "have" to shoot one (Fiction) he will be close.....45 would be my choice over a high speed 36........If you "have" to shoot one at 50 yards the 36 high speed would be better. We sometimes would use a handgun for a finishing shot but they are mostly extra weight. I knew a guy that got playing with his (handgun) on a deer stand and shot himself in the thigh instead of watching for game...........

WHAT THE HELL IS A .36

[Argonaut]

357 mag is a 36.....The only reason that a 38 special was called a 38....(also a 36) is because 36's had such a bad reputation as a combat weapon in the Black powder revolvers they sold better calling them a 38. A lot of what we do is about marketing.