22-rimfire
New member
If I were choosing from existing inventory, I would choose a 4" S&W Model 57 Mountain Gun for this purpose kept on the hip in a good holster. Chances are I would have 210 gr rounds in it if it ever happened as these things are not planned events, so I would probably not be loaded as heavy as is possible with solids. Either way with a Black Bear, I would feel perfectly comfortable with the scaring off the critter being the first choice.
I used to do a lot of outdoor photography and once got between two black bear cubs and the mother while concentrating on a photo shot from a low tripod (ie a wildflower). They just wandered down to me and didn't see me. Nothing happened. Another time, I had a black bear do a fake charge on me which raised every hair on my body... again while doing photography; in this case the bear was the subject. That bear closed the distance between me and it in seconds. I did get some nice head shots though with the camera. Archery season is another time you can run onto a black bear when in camo on a ground blind. That also makes me nervous, but I don't expect those critters to be overly aggressive generally.
I'd go with the 44 Magnum personally as you already have it. Rifle is too bulky for just general carry without any significant power increase.
I used to do a lot of outdoor photography and once got between two black bear cubs and the mother while concentrating on a photo shot from a low tripod (ie a wildflower). They just wandered down to me and didn't see me. Nothing happened. Another time, I had a black bear do a fake charge on me which raised every hair on my body... again while doing photography; in this case the bear was the subject. That bear closed the distance between me and it in seconds. I did get some nice head shots though with the camera. Archery season is another time you can run onto a black bear when in camo on a ground blind. That also makes me nervous, but I don't expect those critters to be overly aggressive generally.
I'd go with the 44 Magnum personally as you already have it. Rifle is too bulky for just general carry without any significant power increase.
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