Bear rifle. Will 44 mag be enough?

[pathfinder76]

Ok. So it’s useless fun. I can support that.

 

[SHELL SHUCKER]

Dumb buggers need not goof around in bear territory.

 

[Ardent]

Ok. So it’s useless fun. I can support that.

I think you’ve missed my meaning. Useful, with an asterisk, and indeed fun.

 

[FatCatsDad]

Would stacking the magazine with alternating slug, buck, slug, buck have an advantage of just slug or just buck ?

 

[Claven2]

I just do not understand the point of even owning a rifle in a cartridge designed for a handgun. It’s only purpose would be some kind of self imposed handicap.

When real men lived more than a day’s ride from the nearest mercantile, having your rifle and revolver take the same ammo was a massive advantage in n simplifying your supply chain and making life more cost effective.

Today, a pistol calibre rifle is mostly for fun, nostalgia or collectibility. And they work well as a nuisance animal carry rifle. I use one to dispatch unwanted porcupines and the like.

 

[Dogleg]

Bear taps guy on the shoulder...."you're not here for the hunting are you"

older joke... maybe not pc but....haha

Yeah, I remember that one.

Had an interesting situation a couple mornings ago. A cinnamon sow was getting a little irate at a bait site so I thought I’d scoot up the ladder stand with my rifle and wait her out. With the benefit of hindsight I should have checked to see if there was already a bear in the tree first. Makes for an interesting minute or so.

 

[X-Treme]

Yeah, I remember that one.

Had an interesting situation a couple mornings ago. A cinnamon sow was getting a little irate at a bait site so I thought I’d scoot up the ladder stand with my rifle and wait her out. With the benefit of hindsight I should have checked to see if there was already a bear in the tree first. Makes for an interesting minute or so.

 

[brybenn]

I consider the 44mag in a carbine about equal to a 50 cal muzzleloader as most use sabots now days. I'd have no issue hunting and Canadian big game with a 50 cal front stuffer. The 44 mag in a lever gun gives u alot more firepower on tap

 

[brybenn]

I consider the 44mag in a carbine about equal to a 50 cal muzzleloader as most use sabots now days. I'd have no issue hunting and Canadian big game with a 50 cal front stuffer. The 44 mag in a lever gun gives u alot more firepower on tap

 

[brybenn]

lol well that escalated quickly.

Funny I was in my local store and saw a few boxes of 348 there on the shelf.

 

[boxhitch]

Would stacking the magazine with alternating slug, buck, slug, buck have an advantage of just slug or just buck ?

yes

)

(eating popcorn)

 

[Evanguy]

Would stacking the magazine with alternating slug, buck, slug, buck have an advantage of just slug or just buck ?

i would say just slugs, what is a few 45gr 30cal soft lead balls stopping under the skin going to do other then make it more mad

at 1600fps the lead balls will have 250ftlb of energy, just a little more powerful then a 22lr stinger.

 

[Butcherbill]

Would stacking the magazine with alternating slug, buck, slug, buck have an advantage of just slug or just buck ?

Why bother, if it comes down to shooting a bear in close (10-15m) what do you even want buckshot for? If I’m dealing with something that wants to make a meal out of me I want to kill it, not piss it off more or wound it and make it someone else’s problem.

 

[Gatehouse]

Also buckshot on bears is most effective within about 12 yards. Your pattern isn’t opening up that much at that point so much of the advantage of buckshot (hit probability) is quite negated. Buckshot on bears has its place- close range where you are concerned about over penetration that a slug may give.

 

[Bravo22]

Travel the wild country with a .54 Hawkins. If that isn't sufficient carry a Howdah 4 barrel .577 as a back up. Or just stay home.

Better yet just stop pissing the bears off !!!!

 

[Rman]

Why bother, if it comes down to shooting a bear in close (10-15m) what do you even want buckshot for? If I’m dealing with something that wants to make a meal out of me I want to kill it, not piss it off more or wound it and make it someone else’s problem.

If this is the case, then a shotgun should be among one of the very last choices...

R.

 

[Evanguy]

If this is the case, then a shotgun should be among one of the very last choices...

R.

Right, people just love the idea of a shotgun. I'd prefer a 18' barrel 3006/308/303....... anything that shoots a 180gr at 2400 fps or faster. But like a 7mm, 300/338 win mag thats a whole new level

Something like a 416 or 458 with a solid bullet burning 100gr of powder would probably roll a bear over if you were really looking for bear defence.

My 500 Jeffery is 18" barrel and shoots a 570gr solid bullet at 2200.. makes a shotgun look like a silly choice

And I say 18" to level the playing field, because that what most "bear defence" shotguns have.

 

[Butcherbill]

If this is the case, then a shotgun should be among one of the very last choices...

R.

So you’re saying a hard cast 12g slug won’t kill a bear up close?

 

[0faustus0]

Slug penetration:
https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/for...0-Unofficial-12ga-Slug-Penetration-Comparison

Buckshot penetration:
https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php/1724640-Penetration-Test-II-Buckshot

I think the results are very conclusive ..... you want a slug ....

 

[Evanguy]

So you’re saying a hard cast 12g slug won’t kill a bear up close?

It would kill for 100% sure..but is it ideal? Or would it be better than a rifle?

This thread seems to have moved to bear defence opposed to just killing one while hunting. And to answer the original question yes a 44mag would kill one as would a slug in a shotgun or a muzzle loader.

Not ideal in a defense situation but perfectly capable while hunting