Handgun for Grizz protection? Pics....

[Bigeasy]

With all the talk about bear encounters, and what handgun to use for bear defense, I thought these pics might be interesting.  They were posted on a wildlife photography site I belong to.
 
The photographer who took them was in Yellowstone, doing a little wild life photography, when a Grizz came running at him from the brush.  He stepped back and took the photos with his spare pocket camera while the Grizz mauled his $15,000 camera rig.  When the bear was done, he headed toward the photographer, who was unarmed.  The photographer yelled "get out of here", and the bear ran away.....
 
Not sure what the point is to this post, other then the cool pictures, and the reason most of us carry a big bore on the hip in bear country..
 
Larry

[Wyo. Coyote Hunter]

  Impressive animal...thanks for the photos...

[kynardsj]

Scary situation. No grizz in Alabama but if I lived where there were bears my 45 LC Redhawk would always be on me with some heavy loads in it. Photographer should at least carry one of the bear spray devices like mace or pepper spray.

[1911crazy]

I keep on telling myself that the most famous handgun hunter of all time Elmer Keith has killed every north american game with a handgun in the calibers of 357mag,  41mag and 44mg.  Now its which one do you feel safe with?   I'm bear country and as I get older I feel safe with the 44mag or the 45long colt with 300gr bullets.   I think the 357mag and 41mag will do the job too.

[NickSS]

That was a small Griz in the pictures and I have sean much larger ones in Alaska. A large caliber handgun might make me feel better but a 375 H&H mag or a hot loaded 45-70 lever gun or 12 ga shotgun loaded with slugs would make me feel a lot better.  I saw a frien of mine plant two shots from a 338 mag into a Kodiak Bear (big Griz) and it required one more from my Marlin 45-70 to finish it off before it could get to us.  It died about 10 steps from us.  So do not go looking for Griz with a handgun except if you are one a really good shot under pressure and two have someone with a rifle backing you up.

[Couger]

 
Incredible pics!
 
Glad the grizzly was more curious than mean/mad and didn't need to be killed.
 
 
 
From recent reports I've read or know of, grizzlies around the greater Yellowstone region (inside and out of the park) commonly go 500-700 pounds!  IOW, they rival the grizzlies in inland Alaska and Canada (NO I am not including coastal "brown bears" or other such coastal-salmon/fish-eating-"grizzlies" in this statement!).  Grizzlies in the Denali Nat'l Park often go 450-600 pounds or more!
 
In a handgun, .44Mags or .45Colt's shooting ammo propelling 280-300 grain bullets are choices I'd consider for a sidearm in bear country.
 
But if I could carry a longgun wherever an encounter might occur, I agree packing a .375H&H, .45-70, or really powerful 12ga slugs are better than any wheelgun.   

[Wyatte]

My personal favorite handgun for out in the woods is my Smith and Wesson model 657-4 41 magnum Mountain Gun.  The Mountain Gun configuration is very handy, and I think the 41 mag is just right for an N-frame, especially the Mountain Gun. For factory ammo, Federal 250 grain Castcores get the nod.  Of course, as others before me have stated, a handgun is a last resort proposition meant to be there just because and in case, but a long gun in a heavy caliber, or proper shotgun would usually be superior.   I need to clarify this statement, however, by admitting that I have as yet to shoot or carry this gun in the field. It is still my favorite for this purpose, and that's the reason I acquired it.  I have other 41 mags as well, and have always liked the cartridge.     wyatte

[PAHUnter04]

I have had a few bear encounters, both Black & Brown. My favorite revolver in the back woods of PA is my S&W 329 PD 44 Mag. It has a Scandium frame with a Titanium cylinder. It weighs just 26 ounces. And this sucker shoots. Yep it hits hard in three places. The front, the back and the pocketbook. 
 
I was hunting in Montana for Elk one year and ran across a Grizzly one to many times to be cum fortable. It was in the middle of a snow storm, but when you gotta go, you gotta go. Don't ask me how but I got separated from my rifle. To make matters worse I had a Bull Elk down and it was getting dark. I was NEVER without a handgun again when hunting the far reaches of the Great West.
 
For Alaska I don't screw around. It is a 375 H&H Magnum or a .338 RUM for the bears, backed up by a .50 S&W 4in strapped to my waist. That big Smith stays by my side in the tent at nights. 
 
Regards PAH

[S.B.]

S&W 500 magnum, need I say more?

Steve

[Savage]

I don't live in Griz country, but if I did, the .500 S&W would be my choice if it had to be a handgun. Why? Because they don't make a .600! lol
Savage