Which round is best at stopping something at 50 yards, or less...
a 45 Long Colt (revolver) or a 3" 410 Slug?

And what manufacturer do you suggest?

Thanks,
Mike

To some extent that will depend on what the something is...
Heavy boned, thick skinned, etc.?
1500# Brown bear or coues whitetail?

And I what also have to ask what it is being shot out of as well? What does the firearm shoot the best?

Using a Taurus Judge with 3" barrel & 3" cylinder.

Black bear.

What little I have seen with the judge,I'd say niether unless you are talking point blank(accuracy issues).I have some bear experience and unless you like it close(use of hounds) I'd find another alternative.

45 Colt hands down. Here is a test of the judge. Read it and then you be the judge.

http://www.theboxotruth.com/docs/bot41.htm

A 96 gr slug just doesn't cut it. My .380 will probably do just as well. As far as I am concerned the Judge is just a bunch of marketing hype. Unless I want a snake gun just give me a standard 45 Colt.

I'll take the 45 Colt on this one. As far as snakes go give me the Speer 45LC shot shells in my Ruger and they will kill em just as dead as the 410 Judge.

I have a Bond Arms 45/410 and it is only for snakes.
I'm looking to sell it to a friend next week as I feel the Rugers do just as well with the shot shells.

45 colt 265 grain hard cast!!!!

Well said, I agree completely.

What's your optic gonna be?

I use a .475 Linebaugh for bears. However, if I had to use a .45 Colt, it would be with Buffalo Bore's heaviest load, since I assume from your question that you do not handload. I would discourage someone from trying to use the Judge at that distance for accuracy reasons, although it is fine for use across the car or across the living room.

Mike I've never fired a Judge, but from the reviews I've seen I have to agree with the others.
The Judge is probably a great gun for it's intended purpose. Stopping a thin skinned animal (human)at very short "Give me your purse" or "get out of the car" ranges. I believe Tarus actually marketed it as being the ultimate tool to stop carjackers.
When you start extending the range (anything over 10yds?) & asking it to perform with accuracy you aren't being fair to the gun. You are asking it to perform a task it wasn't manafactured for & was not in it's designer's intended purpose.

Now all that said, I would also pick the stoutest 45 Colt load it will handle IF IT WILL SHOOT IT WELL. I doubt it will because the bullet has such a long jump before it hits the forcing cone & enters the barrel.

THANKS to all for your excellent info and advise.
I probably should have explained my intended use....
the gun will be used primarily for self defense when camping by myself in remote sites. In addition, when Coyote hunting I want to have a back-up in case a Black Bear responds... which, God forbid, would probably be at close range... less than 20 yards. If I understood all the great thought provoking info... 45 Long Colt seems to be best for the latter.
Again, thanks to all,
Mike

Might not be my 1st choice, but up close & personal with the heavy 45 Colt loads I bet it will poke a hole right through him!
Good luck on the coyotes!

Vance,
Very curious what your choice would be?
Mike

Well living in Alaska bear protection is a constant concern. My standard carry guns (Not for hunting, but as "just in case" guns for hiking, & other outdoor activities) are either 45 Colt or 41 mag (in that order) in Ruger Blackhawks with 4&4/8" barrels.
They are inexpensive (relative term I know) to purchase used, light, & compact, & they carry some punch. Either would do the job for you but I would get 45 Colt for your purpose if I was buying.
If I was starting from scratch & had the money to play with custom stuff I would have Wapati Rod from the forum here make me a very plain Jane parkerized 4.5" 5 shot Ruger Blackhawk in 480 Ruger, but I live in brown bear country.
My choices are of course subjective...

Vance,
Many thanks!
I'm on a limited income, so I'll stay with what I've got
THANKS,
Mike

I understand limited income! Like I said, at short range with heavy 45 Colt rounds you'll poke a hole all the way through.

An interesting note. Taurus just came out with the 28ga "Raging Judge".
http://www.taurususa.com/2011newcatalog/?catalog_page=6

And, S&W unveiled the "Governor", their own version of the Taurus Judge.
http://www.chattanoogan.com/articles/article_192528.asp

Now they are coming out with a shotgun only revolver without the option of a pistol caliber as a self defense gun?

And the dang thing weighs 5 lbs.

I just don't buy the concept of a shotgun pistol as a self defense weapon, even if it is a 28 gage. Now a 12 gauge long gun is another matter. Like P.T Barnum said there is a sucker born every minute.

While I agree to a great degree Hank, the best selling point I see is to folks that live in a situation where thwy absolutely can not have projectile penetration through walls like apartment dwellers. I will say I don't want to let anyone shoot me with that sucker at home interior distances!

That would be very nice!