Guns, Bows, Shooting Sports, and Hunting pistol

[BIGNASTY]

Ok, just an observation from a southern reading all of this, but here is how I see it. Odds of running in to a grizzly while hunting out west in the mountains, pretty slim, odds of surviving attack from grizzly no matter what size firearm you are carrying pretty slim also. So the way I see to increase my odd of survival and to help the gene pool is to always take a a tree hugger with you to the back country show them how you are protecting the environment, and if for some reason you have an encounter pull out that 22 Deringer and shoot the tree hugger in the knee. This way you have giving them a sporting chance and also changing their view on gun control. In all honesty though when it is your time it is your time, just make sure you are right with your maker.

Odds arent as slim as a person thinks. Bears where we hunt have been trained to hear a gun shot & relate that as the dinner bell. Once game is on the ground TAKE YOUR POLAROID DRESS THE GAME AND LEAVE!!!

Just our observation and experience

 

[Killgore]

An acquaintance of mine while bow-hunting out West, concealed himself and started using his elk call. What he called up was a mountain lion that he didn't see until it was directly in front of him and within five feet, starting to pounce. His 1911 saved the day, but he had some real explaining to do and wasn't able to keep any kind of trophy, except his underwear that nobody wanted to see.

 

[BIGNASTY]

Yep, ammo cost and recoil can both be high. That said, you don't have to shoot full house rounds if that's not your cup of tea. 454 Casulls are very easy on the shooter in my 460. Never tried any 45 Long Colts, my suspicion is they'd be a notch above 22 mgs. Obviously the 460 is on bottom with 3x8 Leopold with the very seasoned 44 Redhawk (bought in 86) top.
View attachment 97667

I wouldn't be so quick to dismiss the 45 LC if in the right weapon and loaded right its a formidable round & in a weapon that costs FAR LESS than the totally impracticable ones pictured. If used as a protection piece the scopes are Useless!! None of the guns that I use as bear stoppers have scopes, I really don't think that your going to have the time to find a bear in the scope while one is XXXXing their pants. It was mentioned above in another post that they move fast, IMO that is an UNDERSTATMENT they are LIGHTING FAST. This talk has been about Grizz and Cats, Let me tell you from experience that a " Militant Black Bear with a South Central Los Angles attitude can cause some serious damage.


http://www.garrettcartridges.com/45 454 tech.html

http://www.garrettcartridges.com/defensive.html

http://www.customsixguns.com/

 

[moparguy]

Big, NO dispute on scopes NOT being the way to go for a bear protection piece. I posted the pic just to illustrate the size difference in the 460 and my 44 Redhawk.

If I were carrying a short gun for bear protection I'd likely go with a 460 Smith with 5" barrel and absolutely "no" scope. Given my druthers I'd rather have a 45/70 Marlin or slug filled 12 ga.

The reference to a 45 Long Colt and a 22 mag was in regard to the recoil I'd expect if I fired a 45 LC in my scope fitted 460 being as mild as a 22 mag pistol's recoil, relatively speaking. All totally due to the 460 weighing 5 1/2 lbs and having a muzzle brake. 454 Casull factory hunting loads feel about like a comparable 44 round in the Redhawk. Based on firing 454 rounds in the 460, I expect the 45 LC would be a very shooter friendly round. Their's a whole nuther topic regarding determental effects of 45/454 ammo in a 460. But that's a conversation for another day.

One of the two pieces pictured (44) is responsible for a lot of meat on our family table, the Redhawk along with a 35 Rem Thompson Contender have averaged a tad over 3 deer per season for 30 years. That's their primary purpose. The 460 is the new big gun, carried in dark timber when elk hunting and for deer when (up to) a 200 yard opportunity might happen. Quite practical for the intended use (if one enjoys putting meat in the freezer with short guns).

The image below shows the relative size of the rounds being discussed. 45 Colt, 454 Casull and 460 Smith

As I mentioned earlier, these conversations are always an interesting diversion. It's Always good to hear from those that actually live the life we often talk about and share their first hand experience.

Thanks for your insight and input Big.