Which round is best in a backup handgun?

My fear is a Black bear will respond to my Coyote call and I will need to try and stop it when it is charging at less than 20 yards. My backup is a Taurus Public Defender with 2" barrel. Is the 410 slug or 45 LC better?
Thanks,
Mike

Colt!!!!!

12 guage slug

All I have is a 20 ga pump. Will that do?

I'd probably choose hard cast 45 Colts.

45 Colt with 250 XTP over max charge of H110.

My thoughts, as well.

Back up means you want power if your primary fails. In WV I use 5" Raging Bull or 7 1/2" Super Red in .454. Out of state I use .475 Linebaugh. All three are light, not bulky to carry, and big enough to handle game you might encounter in those areas.+

I am not sure if the Taurus will handle Ruger .45 Colt loads, but if it will I would go with at least a 300 gr WFN hardcast with a max H110 load.

20 ga. pump would work fine! alternate 00B and slugs. No blackie will get by that. Under the stress of an animal attack, the shotgun is easier to direct hits into vital areas of the target. Unless you're "cool hand" Luke!

Doc

X2

I'd rather have a shotgun than a Taurus PD if it came to that.

The .45 Colt IMO. 335 grain WFN over a stiff charge of H110/296 comes to mind.

The .410 slug is about about equal to the 32acp round. Accuracy with the .410 is not great as a .410 caliber bullet down a .452 bore is not great. Stick with the 45colt ammo you shoot the best,it happens fast.

I won't argue the effectiveness of a 20 gauge shotgun slug, but when I think "back up" I don't think long gun. I think belt gun, one that won't impede my primary mission and has the power to get the job done. If by chance a blackie happens upon you on your setup, chances are it will quickly depart upon your discovery but if not.......there isn't a critter walking this continent that is impervious to a warm 45 Colt load ;-)

Its easy to give advice to situations that one has never experienced and though I have never had a black or brown bear charge me, I`ve hunted both and I can tell you that of all the guns and calibers you list, my choice (on the off chance of a black bear charge) would most surely would be the 20 gauge.... A pissed off bear, intent on tearing you to pieces, is a very hard animal to to put out of action which is why bear guides carry high energy back up`s.....

779 lbs I think is the Potter County record for a black bear shot about 2005, I always carried down there, It"s bear country, if it came down to it, and if a shotgun was is arms reach, thats what I"m going with,out on the trail we had handguns, and had bear encounters, we carried 45"s and 44"s

.44 Magnum with 255 - 300 gr. hard casts

This is why I enjoy hunting black bear with dogs every year. You get to see how effective your chosen caliber/load/bullet is on an agitated and adrenalized bear. It's not like catching them unaware. It's been very educational for me.

Whit...what is the most effective CTG/Cal on black bear you have witnessed used?

282

Very very true. My cousin shot a very very salty bear with a 454 load that was loaded down. A fairly hot 45 colt load with a sierra 300 gr bullet. Bear lived 5 seconds after being shot. Its on video

To answer your question - I would choose the 45LC over any .410 round for an angry bear. The buckshot or finer shot loads are good for up close home defense but not for stopping a bear.

I appreciate everyone's thoughts and suggestions! THANK YOU! I think I'll go with the 45 LC on a bandolier outside my jacket. I hope to have a yote come within range and get one this year! God forbid I need to use the backup!
Thanks again,
Mike

Mike, of those two calibers I would definetely choose the 45 colt. I'd run 25 or 30 rounds through that particular piece as the accuracy with colt loads have been horrible at any distance. You need to know how far out your group comes apart ,if it does. It will be comforting to know at what distance you can hopefully start putting them into action accurately if the need arises.

.410? Only if you want to piss the bear off further! "Back up gun" in my mind means pistol on your hip that can be drawn quickly and used for a close up encounter where a long gun would be worthless.

45 Colt would be my hands down choice, and IS my personal choice for a sidearm while in the woods. What load? That would depend on what handgun. You obviously don't want a "Ruger only" load in your Taurus, Colt SAA or S&W Mountain Gun. Either way, it should be stout enough to penetrate a few feet in a big bear, but not so powerful it isn't controllable after the first shot. I wouldn't use a hollowpoint. You want maximum penetration. Hard cast need only apply.

Quoted for truth!

Killing the bear and stopping the bear are two very different things.
Most handgun rounds will eventually kill a bear. On the other hand, most will not stop a charge on one intent on messing you up.

Heavy, hardcast, and deep penetration is what you want.

If not hardcast, perhaps one of these.

http://www.beltmountain.com/punch.htm

Absolutely! The Foster 20 gauge slug is softer than a good hard cast bullet in a 500 Linebaugh, but similar weight and velocity, 382 gr at 1450 fps. The sabot rounds are a better choice, Hornady 20 ga 2 3/4" 300 grain SST at 1800 fps (probably long barrel so expect less) uses the same bullet they load in the 500 S&W Mag.

I would use a Ruger Blackhawk Hunter in 45 cal if I could find one AND it was affordable. The 45 colt loaded as heavy as is safe in your gun and is accurate.

S&W 44 MAG SNUBNOSE WITH HARDCAST.CANT GO WRONG.ALSO I AGREE,SHOTGUN IS NOT A BACKUP.