I want to get a good pistol to carry with us for when we go camping in the mountain west in areas where grizzlies, mountain lions, and other creatures are about.

What's a good caliber that we could use to defend ourselves if attacked with a large bear? I have a .357 magnum, but I'm concerned that may not be enough.

I've considered bringing my .357, and getting a rifle in that caliber, too. Or, do I need to buy a .44?

I'd rather have too much than too little power, if you know what I mean.

If there are really grizzlies around, you need to carry either a big rifle or a shotgun. A handgun won't get the job done. I'd recommend either a Marlin Guide Gun in .45-70 or a 12ga with an 18 or 20 inch barrel.

quote:

Originally posted by scobun:
If there are really grizzlies around, you need to carry either a big rifle or a shotgun. A handgun won't get the job done. I'd recommend either a Marlin Guide Gun in .45-70 or a 12ga with an 18 or 20 inch barrel.

That's a good point. Where we go camping in the Tetons, there are signs all over the place about bears. I don't know if there are grizzlies, but I've heard there can be, and I would rather be ready than not.

What load would you use in a 12ga? Are there a couple of choices?

quote:

Originally posted by scobun:
If there are really grizzlies around, you need to carry either a big rifle or a shotgun. A handgun won't get the job done. I'd recommend either a Marlin Guide Gun in .45-70 or a 12ga with an 18 or 20 inch barrel.

Except packing a rifle or SG along for a maybe encounter is likely to see the rifle left behind when you need it the most. IMO, a 357mag w/ 158gr or heavier softs is fine for mountain lion, thin skinned, lightly boned. For bears, I would want a 41mag min. w/ heavy bullets. A 4" bbl. will pack more easily & more likely to be on your person when you need it the most. If you decide on packing a short bbl. SG, nothing but slugs will do the job.

just use a 22LR. its all about shot placement right.

quote:

Originally posted by firedoghfd:
just use a 22LR. its all about shot placement right.

I have friends that still enjoy hunting bears. They use 6" - 41s and 44s. They also bring rifles - ??? - as backup, but enjoy the challenge with pistols.

For mountain lions and you can pack just about anything. A .45 or .357 would be a fine choice. As others have said, lions are not hard to stop, but unfortunately the first sign of an encounter is usually them sinking their teeth into your neck. They are incredibly elusive and the cases of attacks I'm familiar with are where a small adult or child is ambushed, where having a firearm honestly wouldn't have mattered. It is a sad but true statement that sexual predators and cougars behave much the same way, you are much more likely to be attacked when you are alone and are seen to be less likely to defend yourself. Travel in a group, keep your kids close, and make noise and you shouldn't have a problem.

If there are black bears around, the good news is those aren't as aggressive. They are still built like an Abrams tank, but I've been face to face with them and they just aren't usually more than curious. Only when you get up into Canada do black bears get large enough and mean enough to actually prey upon people. I took a bear in 2003 in Saskatchewan that was 7ft and 400lbs, approaching the size of an American Grizzly. Here is the pic that is on the outfitters website:


The bad news about the Tetons is that there are Grizzlies in that area, and that they also have little fear of man. Because of their protected status, many of them treat a rifle shot as a dinner bell. They know that when a shot rings out, an animal is on the ground and the race is on. Many Elk hunters have been run off of their kill by Grizzlies, this is more true the closer you get to the National Parks in the area. They associate people with food (as in what is in your car, pack etc.) and will run you off if they see an opportunity to have a snack. They are MUCH more aggressive than the black bear and won't back down from a fight.

I've never shot a bear with a shotgun, so I can only try to use what I've learned from my rifle experience. Bonded or hard cast bullets are best.

As far as 12ga loads with the big bears, it seems that it is still bullet construction and shot placement are what count most. It takes a tremendous amount of force to get sufficient penetration on a large bear to cause a fatal wound. I wouldn't discount 3 in mags pushing 00 or 000 buck since I'd think that would be enough to get the job done if you could score a hit on the skull. I'd go no smaller than 00 buck, and would opt for the meanest 3" mags.

Watch this video, and then decide what you'd feel best equipped with if you had to deal with a charging grizzly.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMbnmLLnsfw&feature=related

I'd suggest looking at the Glock 20 in 10mm, good cartridge and minimum 10 in the mag, easy to carry and lots of stopping power

Im up in northern Canada and its one of the most popular pistol among the oil and gas guys for the reasons above, a few carry a 44 magnum revolver

I dont know of anyone shooting a grizzly yet but the guys tell me the 10mm works great on black bears

I've carried a Taurus Tracker in 357 mag for years in New Mexico (Bear, Rattlesnake and Cougar country). I carry 4 rounds of 180 gr Cast Core and 3 rounds of snake shot. I do not feel under-gunned.

This topic seems to come up every once in a while.

For me, I like the SW 629 (.44) Mountain Gun w/ 300gr hardcast loads. It is light enough to carry all day but still powerful enough for most situations.

My father likes his G20 with 230gr Hardcast Double Tap 10mm loads. With 15+1 capacity, that is hard to argue with as well.

I would recommend .41/10mm or better for outdoor SD applications IMO.