How would the .45 LC do against a Bear?

[Tailwind]

Buying a Taurus Judge and was wondering about the usefulness of the .45 LC bullet as a hiking load. Any thoughts would be great. Thanks in advance.

[Smokewagon]

You hear a lot about .44 mag. often being the go to or bigger on bears. I've heard that a .45 Colt can be hot rodded to equal or rival a .44 mag. in guns built to take it. Don't have any idea about grizzlys, but maybe the smaller north american bears. I'd hate to take on a bear with a handgun, but I'd want the biggest caliber available to me.

[Flyer]

I wouldn't load 45 Colt to that hot in a Judge.

I happen to know someone here local to me selling a 44 mag Raging Bull if you're interested. It's polished blue, 8 3/8 and comes with the scope rail. If you're interested PM me and I'll try and talk him into shipping it.

[DRAEGER]

Another forum has a thread on that... not that I like sending people to other forums when our's is the BEST... (lol)

http://www.thehighroad.org/archive/i...hp/t-3057.html

In essence they say something like CorBon's .45 LC Magnum +P would work on Black Bear, but probably not a great choice on Grizzly.

Also, I agree with Flyer too. Make sure the gun is up to the challenge of the hotter load.

[airwrench]

If you expect to encounter a large bear I would recommend the .44 magnum.

It has the combination of penetration and knock down power you would need for an
aggressive large animal.

[NYPD]

Probably the best all around hunting/hiking cartridge in a handgun is the .460 S&W---gives you three options (.45 Colt, .454 Casull and .460 S&W.

Unfortunately, only S&W produces revolvers in this chambering at the moment.

[DRAEGER]

Guess the real question is would any of us willing put a 45 LC heavy-hot-load in a Taurus Judge. Not me, I would however happily carry the judge for normal hiking or fishing in non-bear country. I heard or read (forgot which... lol getting old) that you are more likely to run into a cougar, wolf/coyote or snake before you'd be harmed by a bear.

[dingo3497]

Some type of weapon is better then nothing. If you just plan on taking a stroll and all of a sudden you encounter a bear and all you have is your CC weapon. But if you know you are traveling in bear country for awhile and can expect to see them, take the advise of the previous posters and get as much gun as you handle.

[.452dia]

I have an Old Style Ruger Vaquero that I carry on me when camping and trout fishing in Black Bear territory. Not the new style that has been lightened up for Cowboy Action Shooting. I shoot some very hot and heavy loads through this gun with no ill effects, (325 grain wide nose from LBT). Still I always keep a shotgun with slugs as close as possible. In Grizzly territory I would still wear the Ruger but also keep the shotgun or my Marlin 1895 in 45-70 within arms reach. I would really rather not try killing a P***** Off Grizzly with any of them but if I had to then this is what I'd go with. To answer your question, "YES" the 45 LC can be loaded to beyound 44 mag power but only when used in a very strong revolver such as the Ruger Blackhawks or Old Style Vaquero's.

[slapy5150]

I just seen an episode of Personal Defense TV that was in regards to bear attacks. There first choice was a shotgun. But when the shotgun failed they switched to .357 mag or 44mag. The biggest thing they pointed out was shot placement. Right between the eyes seems to do the trick.

Had a friend back in Michigan that was a guide for Black bear. The dogs would tree them then the hunter would shoot. When the bear fell out of the tree he would step up an put a .357 behind its ear and it would be all over. There are bigger guns then a .45 lc , but make no mistake 45lc make a big mess.

There was a man recently that stopped a Grizzly with a .45 acp 1911. Probably still made him spoil his fruits, but the shot placement was key. Right in the face.

With all that being said, I would carry Bear spray and the biggest handgun I could find. And a shotgun. And a Bazooka. And a change of underwear.