Thinking of trading in my Tauras Judge for a Ruger Blackhawk but not sure what round to get. Would be for Black Bear at 25 yards or less.
Please suggest whether I should get it in 45 Long Colt, 44 Mag, or 41 Mag?
Mike

Any of them would be a marked improvement. The 45LC is my personal favorite of the three, but you must load your own to take advantage of it. If you don't load, the 44 is the ticket. The 41 is easy shooting, and plenty powerful for deer and such, but ammo can be a bit scarce.

Couldn't agree more. I too prefer the .45 over the other choices, but they will all do the job.

Gentlemen,
Forgive my ignorance but what are the disadvantages of not loading my own and shooting "store bought" 45LC?

Mike, the problem is that most commercial .45 Colt loads are of the cowboy action variety in that they are loaded very mildly. The reason is that there are many old revolvers in circulation that are incapable of handling much pressure and for liability issues, ammo manufacturers don't load it hot generally speaking. That said, some of the specialty manufacturers (Buffalo Bore, Grizzly, Double Tap) have +P+ loads for the .45 Colt that allow it to "be all it can be." You will have trouble finding the good stuff on the shelf unlike the .44 mag.

Thanks!
Looks like I'll shop for the Ruger Bisley in 44 Mag

With that issue resolved....
what Manufacturer and load do you suggest in the 44 Mag?

I just took delivery of a Ruger Bisley Hunter in .44 mag but haven't had the time to test drive it yet. It's a nice piece and I can't wait to see how it shoots. You can't go wrong with any of the Ruger .44s IMHO.

With bear as the intended game, I would look at a “heavy for caliber” bullet. Cast, jacketed, depleted uranium... LOL I would buy a few boxes and see what your revolver likes to be fed. I roll my own so I can’t help as much with the choice of manufacturers, but I wouldn’t hesitate to buy the ones Whitworth listed. I would even look at Hornady’s 300gr XTP ammo.

Mike,

the 265 grainers are a perfect compromise, either cast or jacketed. Should work well on black bear, deer, etc.. If using case consider the wider meplat ( flat nose of the bullet ). If using a 240 gr., I would use a soft nose jacketed, not the hollow point, and if cast, a wide meplat.

Doc

Mike,

PS: I have a Ruger 44 Bisley, blue, 7 1/2" for sale. PM if you want more info.

Doc

The Hornady 300grn XTP's should be perfect for what you want. The 240's are good as well, but after experiencing their results on a big doe this year, I would question them on Black Bear.

I'm sure some have had great luck with them, but I personally would prefer a greater margin for error.

These are just opinions however, as I have never hunted bear. I'm sure some will chime that really "know" what they are talking about.

MN

Mike,

I agree with Doc, 265gr to 300gr loads are great for bruins in the 175 to 350 lbs range. But I have to disagree with the round, 45 COLT! Then again I'm a little bias, 45 Colt is why I started hand loading 20 years ago. That is a whole other addiction in its self.

We bear hunt a lot in my area, ranges are 25-75ft depending on the height of the tree. Most of these bears are taken with 44 mags, and 240 gr factory ammo. Jacketed soft points are hands down better then jacketed hollow points for bears. Those clients who prefer heavy for caliber bullets like 300gr XTP's, usually kill the bear with the first shot. Where clients who shoot 240gr JHP bullets normally take two shots sometimes three shots, depending how bad a shot the client is.

If you can get a hold of a Bisley, they are much mor comfortable to shoot in 44mag compared to the Blackhawk.


Good luck,
Adam

Went to a local shop today and held a few 44 mag weapons in 7 1/2
barrels.... WOW! I was surprised how heavy they are!
My health has been steadily going downhill in the last 8 years and I am afraid I am too old and frail to even consider these magnificent weapons.
Thanks! I truly appreciate all the info and help you all have provided.

Just a thought, you might want to try a S&W Mountian gun in 44mag. Shoot specials for practice, and save the mags for the bear.(and sighting in for the different load of course)

Heck, at the distance you are talking about. the right special loads would probly work too.

I have heard that the Mountian guns are really nice and light for packing all day.

Good Luck
MN

Winchester makes some excellent hunting ammo and so far what I've heard about the Dual Bond ammo is good. If you can find any of the Partition Gold ammo (which I think they discontinued) that would be even better.

I am liking my 45 more then my 44. Even though they are equally as accurate. I find my 45 bisley hunter far more comfortable to shoot then my 44 black hawk. The 45 with hot loads is much more pleasant to shoot then the 44. Bothe are equally accurate though.

How much do you attribute to the fact that the .45 has a Bisley grip frame?

Like the rest have said any of the 3 will be a step up from the judge.For off the shelf easy the edge goes to the 44mag.The other calibers are more of a handloaders tool.

WW, I attribute much to the Bisely frame. But also some has to go to the lower pressure rounds that still pack a punch! Not as whippy in my hand.

Mike, Sorry to hear of your health. Wish I ran into you 20 years ago....

I still have a future... even if somewhat reduced. This past
weekend I was camping with my brother & cousin-n-law in the Allegheny National Forest at a remote site. Did some Coyote calling and hunting with the new TC .223 Contender and fishing.
Didn't get anything other than a great time... and the inspiration to get rid of the Taurus! Today, I traded it in on a Glock G19 Gen4. You guys probably fron on semis, especailly 9mm's, but I figure it is highly unlikely a Black Bear will respond to my yote calling and if one does, I'd rather have a semi for up front, close, and personal against either a two legged or four legged critter. yeahh it could have been something to meet 20 years ago... Hell, I used to live in New York, hunt and fish in the Catskills.