Which handgun for grizzly?
- Thread starter Ruger480
- Start date
I would personally prefer a rifle. If I had the choice between the two cartridges you listed I'd probably take the 10mm with some stout loads behind a 200grain (or heavier) bullet.
Both will 'work.' the semi auto, having higher capacity, and likely capable of higher rate of fire, would be my preference.
Both will 'work.' the semi auto, having higher capacity, and likely capable of higher rate of fire, would be my preference.
waveslayer
New member
If you can shoot accurately .44 and bigger. If you want 15 rounds 10mm. I would carry both
Art Eatman
Staff in Memoriam
Through the years of answers to this very common question, the Alaska guys seem to figure that maybe a .454 Casull might be a good starting point.
The deal is not about killing, in a hunting sense. It's about stopping, which generally means breaking heavy bones and/or deep penetration.
The deal is not about killing, in a hunting sense. It's about stopping, which generally means breaking heavy bones and/or deep penetration.
Art Eatman
Staff in Memoriam
Me? I plead "iggerance". From the standpoint of control of a powerful handgun, I'd likely stop at the Casull. The only one I ever shot was a 6" Taurus Raging Bull; it was quite controllable. Since it would be a limited-use critter, I doubt it would have a quality-control or durability problem.
I'd carry my G-20 loaded with 16 rounds of 200 gr Double Tap @ 1300 fps. I know it isn't nearly as powerful, but those loads are going to give almost as much penetration. Not nearly the energy or diameter, but the penetration might be just as important.
I base my decision on 2 things.
#1. The 480 is a HUGE gun that could very easily get left behind just when needed. Honestly, there are a lot of small lightweight carbines I'd rather carry all the time than lug one of those things around. The G-20 will be on you all the time. Possibly as back up to a rifle. I view the big bore revolvers as a primary hunting weapon more than a SD weapon.
#2. Stopping an animal that size before it can get to you with anything less than a large bore magnum rifle requires as much luck as anything else. The 10mm gives you 16 chances to get in a lucky hit vs 5-6 with a big bore revolver.
Truth is a can of bear spray is probably a better choice than either.
I base my decision on 2 things.
#1. The 480 is a HUGE gun that could very easily get left behind just when needed. Honestly, there are a lot of small lightweight carbines I'd rather carry all the time than lug one of those things around. The G-20 will be on you all the time. Possibly as back up to a rifle. I view the big bore revolvers as a primary hunting weapon more than a SD weapon.
#2. Stopping an animal that size before it can get to you with anything less than a large bore magnum rifle requires as much luck as anything else. The 10mm gives you 16 chances to get in a lucky hit vs 5-6 with a big bore revolver.
Truth is a can of bear spray is probably a better choice than either.
I'd take the 480. I'd be curious to know the general area you intend to travel in. In much of grizzly country the density of grizzly bears is less than one per three hundred square miles, and a weapon is more a matter of insurance with the true likelihood of encountering a grizzly being quite small. In other areas you can expect bear encounters as the norm. If you're heading into an area with a high bear density, I would strongly advise a rifle or better a twelve gauge shotgun.
Once you've been within thirty feet of a brown bear a few times, a rifle or a shotgun no longer feels heavy. In fact the idea of being out of reach of a shotgun or a rifle makes you feel a little sick, but if you do carry a rifle or a shotgun by no means leave the big sixgun. A big sixgun may not be perfect, but it is always there.
Once you've been within thirty feet of a brown bear a few times, a rifle or a shotgun no longer feels heavy. In fact the idea of being out of reach of a shotgun or a rifle makes you feel a little sick, but if you do carry a rifle or a shotgun by no means leave the big sixgun. A big sixgun may not be perfect, but it is always there.
I'd take the 480 cause... well...I have one and don't have a 10mm. 
Seriously, if you shoot the 480 well, I'd take it. Along with some spray. It's going to be your backup gun, more then likely used only in case of an attack that will most likely happen quickly and at a very short distance without a chance to get 10 half accurate shots off let alone 15.
Seriously, if you shoot the 480 well, I'd take it. Along with some spray. It's going to be your backup gun, more then likely used only in case of an attack that will most likely happen quickly and at a very short distance without a chance to get 10 half accurate shots off let alone 15.
Dirty_Harry
New member
Disclaimer* I have no experience, and I probably never will.
I would take the one you shoot better. The extra rounds of the 10mm isnt really a perk, as you will be lucky to get 2 shots off in a charge.
I would take the one you shoot better. The extra rounds of the 10mm isnt really a perk, as you will be lucky to get 2 shots off in a charge.
Sure Shot Mc Gee
New member
I don't know if I would want to tangle with a grizz period. To purposely try and stand one's ground on a bear charge especially a big full grown grizz's only having a revolver to rely on. Nope not for this old Irish rooster I know my limitations. Being a total surprise event {which would be more likely.} Where the bear see's you before you seeing it and standing tough. That's not courage. That's frozen in the headlights behavior. As it's said for everything in life >bigger is always better.< In this case I would have to agree with a member of Staff. 454 Casull or 500 S&W and having a pocket full of bullets would sure ease a little stress. Reason for my preference. I shot a friends 454 Casull Ruger once in the past and know first hand the energy it produced. If a 500 S&W measures up to being the same. Either would be a marginal choice.
buck460XVR
New member
In all seriousness, as a backup to a primary gun, the slim odds that you'll need to use it, along with the facts that show us, that in the majority of cases, handgun caliber is a moot point in the eventual outcome of a legitimate grizzly attack, I say take the one that carries the easiest along with bear spray.
Wild Bill Bucks
New member
Facts are, I don't hunt anywhere but Oklahoma, so that makes my pretty impervious to things like, shark attacks or being mauled by grizzly bears. This thread however, did arouse my curiosity about what kind of time you would have, to make a decent shot if it did happen.
After a little research I found that a grizzly can run at a speed of approximately
35 MPH which translates into roughly 51 feet per second or 50 yards in 3 seconds. I would think that by the time I figured out the bear was actually attacking, he would have covered at least 1/2 of that distance which would leave me around 1 1/2 seconds to draw a weapon and fire a well placed shot.
Moral of the story is I don't think having either pistol is going to keep me from being bear poop.
After a little research I found that a grizzly can run at a speed of approximately
35 MPH which translates into roughly 51 feet per second or 50 yards in 3 seconds. I would think that by the time I figured out the bear was actually attacking, he would have covered at least 1/2 of that distance which would leave me around 1 1/2 seconds to draw a weapon and fire a well placed shot.
Moral of the story is I don't think having either pistol is going to keep me from being bear poop.
Idaho rockchucker
Inactive
Fishing from river banks in Alaska I trust my life to a 460s&w with 350gn+ heavy cast .
They will stop a charging grizz and if you do miss the muzzle flash and noise dose detour them to.
Just my .02C
They will stop a charging grizz and if you do miss the muzzle flash and noise dose detour them to.
Just my .02C
Someone help an old guy out: a few years ago, one of the departments in Alaska actually did a detailed look at violent bear encounters.
I can't remember the exact stats nor how it was worded from but I was surprised that 25% of the gun users never had time to actually use their gun b/c the encounter happened so fast.
So, between the two, I would say that capacity is not going to be your main issue. Getting to your piece quickly putting it on target quickly will be the first hurdles.
That said, the report also pointed out that bear spray was more effective than guns insofar as the encounters where the users used spray to defend themselves more often ended with fewer injuries to the humans.
Oh, and stop wearing bacon aroma after shave!
I can't remember the exact stats nor how it was worded from but I was surprised that 25% of the gun users never had time to actually use their gun b/c the encounter happened so fast.
So, between the two, I would say that capacity is not going to be your main issue. Getting to your piece quickly putting it on target quickly will be the first hurdles.
That said, the report also pointed out that bear spray was more effective than guns insofar as the encounters where the users used spray to defend themselves more often ended with fewer injuries to the humans.
Oh, and stop wearing bacon aroma after shave!