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OK, this is based on little experience but lot's of thought. Experience is one Black Bear with the .38 Spl. hey, it's what I had. Gun was a 38/44 outdoorsman with 38/44 level ammunition. That's a .38 Spl. loaded to near .357 mag. level and the cartridge was the forerunner to the .357 mag. The bear was in the process of dragging a female camper from her tent when I shot it.
Second instance was a wild boar in full charge. I took that one down with two fast shots.
So what does this have to do with the question? Both animals were shot and killed with hard cast bullets, the Lyman #358156 to be exact and both cartridges were loaded to absolute maximim for the guns used.
A deer shot broadside with a Remington 240 gr. jacketed hollow point shed the jacket in the shoulder blade while the lead core went on through and lodged in the off side lung.
Another deer shot with Elmer Keith's pet load (240 gr. cast bullet over 22.0 gr. of H2400) in the same general location, bullet punnched though the shoulder blade, passed though both lungs, punched through the off side shoulder blade and as far as I know may still be going.
I'f I'm going to carry a handgun for bear protection, it will be one of two Rugers I have. One is a Super Blackhawk in .44 magnum that has a standard Blackhawk grip frame. Barrel is 4 5/8". Bullet will be a hard cast 300 gr. semiwadcutter loaded as hot as the gun will safely stand. This is strictly a very short range deal as the bullet will hit about 6 to 8" high at 25 yards.
The second gun is a Ruger Super Blackhawk Bisley with 5.5" barrel in .45 Colt. Bullet at this point is a 250 gr. Keith style SWC. I would preer a 300 gr. bullet but the Lyman #457191 casts at 457" and sizing in to .454" just about wipes out the lube grooves. It too shoots about 6 to 8" high at 25 yards.
Now if I were in Grizzly country, and I had to get up in the middle of the night to do my business, I believe I'd pack a rrifle or shotgun and the handgun as back up. Sometimes a sneak attack just might have your butt on the ground to where you can't bring a rifle into play.
Now in the tent, the handgun would be what was close to hand. have tou given any thought as to how you would swing or even work a rifle while that bear is gnawing on your tender frame while you're trapped in that sleeping bag? Nope, my thoughts are that handgun loaded hot with heavy hard cast bullets would be the way to go.
The bear that was dragging the woman from her tent was dragging her sleeping bag and all. I shot that bear twice right behind the ear double action.
he fact that those heavier than standard bullets in the .44 and .45 shooting high at 25 yards won't mean squat when that bear's head is only a few inches from the gun's muzzle.
The important thing, I would imagine is if it's you that's being chewed on, try to mainain enough presence of mind tp not only grab that gun, but try to place your shots in that bear's head. It's gonna be hard enough getting an arm out to get the gun and do what has to be done when all the while you're freaking out and soiling that sleeping bag.
Paul B.
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