Fun question..454 Casull or .44 mag?

[fightingquaker13]

I have been semi considering a BFG in a 4" revolver. The goal would be to eventually match it with a lever carbine for bear stopping/hog hunting purposes. Sanity says go with .44 mag. It wins on all counts except for bears. Yet, and here is the sticking point, its easier and cheaper to find .45 Colt than .44 specials, which will be 99% of what gets shot from the thing. This is a low priority plan, but I would be curious to hear thoughts.
FQ13

[tombogan03884]

For where you live a .357 is enough for bears. It's not as if you are going to run into a Kodiak or Griz in little Havana.
The 454 was developed for BIG bears, (that were handled pretty well with 44 mags before that )
If you feel the urge for a big bore blaster I'd go with the .45 Colt the guns and ammo are less expensive, you can still get the 454 lever gun and shoot .45's in that.
Ask Haz about the Ruger's, he has the Redhawk, but a Vaquero and a Puma would make a nice pair.
Might even break your addiction to plastic   

[fightingquaker13]

I guess I should have said that I'm thinking of getting a gig in Montana next summer. I'm a bit old to do the trout bum thing, but hey, in this economy? If you can't be prosperous you can at least have fun.My research job is drying up and I can do it from anywhere. The basic plan is to get a basic low wage gig selling ice cream in Jelly Stone or slinging hash and doing the paying work via computer, while I get to go trout fishing. Big bears are therefore an issue.
FQ13

[tombogan03884]

In the Ruger's you can load the .45 pretty darn hot. Same bullet as the 454 and at pistol range 1200f/s muzzle velocity might as well be a 454.
IIRC that is the load Haz was talking about. See what he has to say.

[m25operator]

Depends on the money you want to spend, if I were spending a lot of time in big bear country, I would get the S&W 500, .45 colt, .454 casull or .500 S&W with 400 + grain bullets. It is made in the 4" configuration with muzzle brake, but it does bark with the big dogs. Failing that, the Redhawk in .454 Casull would be a good choice, but man will it bounce you.

Check your PM's.

[Sponsor]

[sledgemeister]

Why not a 6" barrel? Its not true what they say, an extra 2 inches makes all the difference!

[ellis4538]

I'd go with the .454!  I believe you can still shoot .44 in it.  Stock up on .44 Special ammo when you see it...maybe have Wally World or your local GS order some for you.  Or even reload some yourself.

JMHOFWIW

Richard

[TAB]

smith makes a bear defense kit that has like a 2" snubby 500 and some bear spray in it pretty cheap.

I'm not sure which would hurt worse, a bear attak or shooting a 2" snubby 500.  best option is hand the gun to the bear and have him shoot you. lol

[sledgemeister]

I'd go with the .454!  I believe you can still shoot .44 in it.  Stock up on .44 Special ammo when you see it...maybe have Wally World or your local GS order some for you.  Or even reload some yourself.

JMHOFWIW

Richard

I wouldnt shoot a .44 in a .454 different chamber size etc To do so would not be the brightest thing imho.

[fightingquaker13]

General rule. .45 Colt will work .454. Whereas .44 special will work in .44 mag. At least I think I'm right. If not, please correct me.
FQ13