I plan on going out west to flyfish in Montana this summer, which means possibly sharing the waters with a Grizz.
Currently I own a Super Blackhawk Hunter in 44 and a ruger SP101 in .357 (short barrel).
I recognize that neither is the "best" for this category, but I don't find myself in these waters regularly and cannot afford to purchase a super redhawk alaskan or something of the like.
Single action with more power or double action with less shots and less power?

I own a SBH and if I was going to share the road with big bears I wouldnt hesitate in the least to take it. The 44 is enough gun and the durability of the SBHH is well known. I know the 357 CAN take bear but I wouldnt feel comfortable with relying on it to STOP a bear on the charge. The 44 however.....well what wont it stop? Just my thoughts.

Which do you shoot better?

How accurately can you shoot the SP101 in DA? I had one and the trigger was brutal in DA. Take the 44, in a holster that won't impede your mobility too much.

I personally would prefer the .44, but the Hunter has a 7 1/2-inch barrel -- to long for my taste for back-up use -- but that's just me. You have a great excuse to buy another revolver (I'm always looking for excuses!).

I have been leaning towards the 44. in the holster. I do shoot each fairly well. The DA pull on the SP101 took a lot to get used to but now that I have it down it hits where I want at 15 yards.

I know i have the excuse, but I have a feeling my excuses have run dry as I had to use a few to get the trip to Montana to be a go in the first place :-) It's like building a tower of legos...the wise ones know when to stop before it comes crashing down.

I hear you loud and clear!

My take on stuff like this may differ from some others. What I might choose to "hunt" bears with would likely be quite different from what I might choose to "defend" myself from a biting critter.

If I'm hunting, (that's an offensive action) I can use both hands. In a defensive situation I just may not have that luxury. For me, given that reality, I'd have to choose a DA revolver or a pistol in a decent caliber. I know what MY limitations are when shooting multiple shots quickly with only one hand, and with a SA revolver - it ain't pretty. And forget the possibility of having to shoot a SA revolver quickly with just my off-hand!

Once a big critter is on you, only a hit to the CNS is going to predictably end the thing quickly and under those circumstances you just need a round that will penetrate at contact distance.

I know some of you remember seeing the still photo sequence of a western state game warden being drug off the back of a pick-up by a grizzly he had just released from a relocation trap. He took a bite or two, but he fairly quickly killed the big sow with his duty sidearm, a .357 revolver.

I don't like either of your choices, but knowing MY limitations as just described, I guess it would be the little SP101 revolver loaded with some 180 gr Buffalo Bores. Even from an abbreviated barrel, at over 1200 fps they should penetrate adequately.

Better hang on tight ;-)

I have shot the buffalo bores and did not think it was too bad. I am not sure I want to do it again just in case it didn't register the first time :-)

I have never (thankfully) been charged by a bear up here. But I have worked with or talked directly to 3 men that have, and another who dropped a charging bull moose from less than 10'.(If it were anyone else, I would have put that one down as a tall tale, but this guy is solid and straight up. It would be like calling Greg a liar if he said he had done something with a pistol :)) The one thing that ran consistent through their stories was that, no matter what firearm they had, rifle or pistol, long or short, holstered or in hand, adrenalin and instinct took over and they did not have to consciously think about drawing their weapon. It was there and firing. The length of the bbl will only be a factor in comfortable carry before the incident, not in speed getting it limbered up.

The one grizzly charged a guide and client from 15 feet. The had a 44 mag and a bolt 338 win mag and a 30-06. The hunters were shoulder to shoulder when he charged. The one fellow emptied the .44, threw it over his shoulder when it was empty and unslung the 30-06 during the melee'. The guide emptied the .338 before the bear was still.

Yet my friend drew a SP101 from a shoulder holster inside his coat and dropped the bull moose with one .357 round in the brain when it was right upon him.

Having said all of that, I would certainly go with the .44 with good Buffalo Bore or Garrett ammo.

jwp475 stopped a hungry griz that came in on a moose he and his hunting partner were skinning with his Bowen-built .475 Bisley. Maybe he can share the details.

I heard that! I've shot full power 158's in a SP101 and it isn't uncomfortable to shoot, it's just a bitch to control for follow-up shots.

Now my buddy on the other hand, has one of those 13 oz Scandium framed S&W J-Frames in .357. It's uncomfortable and uncontrollable with full weight magnum loads.

I used a Bowen built 475L Bisley with an LBT 390 grain bullet cast from wheel weights water quenched at about 1350 FPS. My revolver sported a 5 1/2" barrel. My hunting partner was standing guard as I was working the moose kill when the bear decided that he was coming in despite the fact that we were already there and talking loudly. My partner fired first with a 338 win mag shooting Federal factory loaded 250 grain partitions. The bear went down and turned slightly, as he got to his feet immediately. When my partner had screamed "oh my god he is coming" I immediately drew my revolver from it's shoulder holster and dropped to one knee. As I aligned the sights on the rear of the rib cage as the bear was angling way from me at my angle. My first thought was this is not a good place to shoot, at that same instant I thought anywhere is better than no where and I fired. At the shot the bear 's legs went straight out (spread eagle) and the bear went down to stay and that was that.
The 475 impressed me then, and still does.

My minimum to stop angry grizzly bears is the 45 Colt with 325 grain bullet LBT hard cast at least 1200 FPS to no more than 1400 FPS.

The 44 mag loaded properly will indeed work, but I preffer the 45 Colt. I know of at least one case where the 357 mag saved a man's life. As he was being mauled he evetualy was able to shoot the bear in the mouth. This caused the bear to break off the attack and simply walk away. Several weeks after the attack the Alaska Fish and Game had not located the bear

Thanks for indulging us, jwp!

I have no experience with bears of any kind ,but when a 1200# bear or [range bull] gets you down and hurts you, you will not remember drawing the gun,you will not count shots, and the shots will sound like they are from a long way off.[Recoil is non existant, so how hard it kicks in practice dosen't matter,you will not feel it].At a distance I would prefer a longer barrel heavy loaded .44,but when they are on top of you distance is hard to achive, and I would prefer a heavy loaded short barrel pistol.
If you feel pain later[and you will] it means you won and are still alive.

Use the SBH. Forget the SP-101.

SBHH

No doubt.

Heck, carry the SP as a backup.

Take them all. Can you have too many?

I am leaning towards the SBHH in a diamond D guides chest holster. I will be with two other guys, one with a redhawk alaskan 454 and another with bear spray so this should be sufficient.

on a side note, do you guys think I should go with the extra ammo patch on the holster? http://www.diamonddcustomleather.com/Guides_Choice_Reload.php

If you don't get the job done with yer first 6, it may be a little too late for another 6, IMO, but I guess it can't hurt...other than the cost ;-)

I always carry extra ammo. It's when I don't that I need it. You never know how long you may be out, so I think it best to have it. It won't weigh you done enough not to carry it IMHO.

haha...yeah I didn't plan on having time to reload a single action in the midst of a brawl. I meant for other hunting purposes as this will be my main holster. guess the question is whether or not that would be worth carrying ammo that way, or do you have another means that would be just as proficient and would allow for more ammo?

I use an ammo strip on my PP Bandito and it works wonerfully. I always wear a slide on my holster belt. Extra ammo is not a bad thing to have, but got a little fun out of the bear protection/reload thought is all ;-)

I'd expect you to have at least a full box in your pack.

I have this same setup and wished I would have got ammo pouch when I ordered the holster.

After reading your post I had to include this S&W advertisement from 1966. Go with the 44....

Great ad!!

That definitely is a classic. I hope he had a roll of TP on his other hip :-)