Handgun caliber for bear

[Mr.Glock]

Seriously, it would depend on the firearms you have. If a strong 45lc, you can load it to near 44 mag loads. If not I would go with the 10mm even if it is in a pussy Glock.

I figured you’d be a sword man only.

 

[NINEROUND]

Seriously, it would depend on the firearms you have. If a strong 45lc, you can load it to near 44 mag loads. If not I would go with the 10mm even if it is in a pussy Glock.

Just the models listed in the poll.

 

[RickN]

Just the models listed in the poll.

I know that Blackhawk is listed as safe with hotter than normal loads, but I do not know by how much. Some of my old manuals had a separate section just for them.

 

[retrieverman]

I know that Blackhawk is listed as safe with hotter than normal loads, but I do not know by how much. Some of my old manuals had a separate section just for them.

I know single actions have been used for a couple hundred years as a self defense weapon, but given a choice, I sure wouldn‘t choose one over a double action.

 

[Snattlerake]

We will be taking a trip mid-June of this year to Montana. On the itinerary is travel to Glacier National Park and we will be staying on the Swan River near Bigfork. I have the four options available to me handgun-wise for hiking and other outdoor activities. Which would you choose? Personal bear encounter stories are welcome. I am NOT buying another gun for this trip, so please keep the “you should get a ____” out of any replies.
I also plan to take a Mossberg stuffed with 8-9 slugs for around the rental house, but I’m just mainly curious about ya’lls choice for a sidearm. Let’s hear what you have to say, and yeah, I realize this topic is beat to death already, but it’s fun to vote, right?

None of the above but one of these three choices might work.

 

[NINEROUND]

None of the above but one of these three choices might work.

View attachment 333406

 

[NINEROUND]

So, with all the youtube testing that I have been watching on this subject (because I am obsessesed with this kind of stuff) I decided to do my own redneck-ery test. Attached are pictures of the set up:

1 Dollar General teacup plate covered by a cowhide piece of leather
Approx. 30 used IDPA targets
Backed by 3/8" particle board
Held together with duct tape

 

[NINEROUND]

First up was 10mm handloads fired from my Glock 20. It consists of 180 fmj over 8.4 grns of Longshot. It honestly gets over 1200 fps. Fairly mild to shoot. Picture results below.

 

[NINEROUND]

Next was my handloaded 45 Colt. 255 grn LSWC over 6.0 grns of HP-38. Same target set up. Hole on the left was the particle board exit. Test gun was my Ruger Blackhawk 4 5/8".

 

[NINEROUND]

Last was my 200 grn fmj handload out of my Glock 41.