Dantana,
I'll be carrying the same revolver and loads this fall when I'm caribou and moose hunting. If we happen to get into a brownie, we'll take a couple pics.

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Be popular? Heck, I have enough friends.
and...
"That way lies madness".

I personally tested Griz's 405 grain idea in the 44 mag and with that bullet at 1020 fps it penetrated and was caught by the 13th jug. The bullet penetrated a true course through the jugs. Test distance to point of impact was 10 yards.

Keep in mind that as a defensive load where shots would normally be taken in feet and not yards, this would be some decent bear medicine. The load is very easy to control in the Redhawk and Blackhawk Revolvers, and quick followup shots are easily accomplished.

This is where I take issue with the BIG, HEAVY, or overly POWERFUL handguns....a defensive weapon needs to come into use FAST, and followup shots require speed and accuracy. The Smith X frames (460 and 500) are large, heavy guns........and for "hunting" purposes I can see where they would come in handy, but, for that "instant" where speed and accuracy are necessary, I would choose a standard sized handgun in the 41, or 44 mags or 45 LC with suitable loads for the purpose.

Something to keep in mind here...the 44 mag has taken every large game animal on earth....the 41 mag has brought down large game including elephant, and the 45 LC can be loaded to the same ballistics as the 44 mag in modern handguns. I would rather be proficient with any of these, than lug a larger, heavier handgun around regardless of how much power it produced.

Be realistic and sensible in your choice, and carry a handgun that you can be proficient with..........

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"You should not use a rifle that will kill an animal when everything goes right; you should use one that will do the job when everything goes wrong." -Bob Hagel

I personally tested Griz's 405 grain idea in the 44 mag and with that bullet at 1020 fps it penetrated and was caught by the 13th jug. The bullet penetrated a true course through the jugs. Test distance to point of impact was 10 yards.

Keep in mind that as a defensive load where shots would normally be taken in feet and not yards, this would be some decent bear medicine. The load is very easy to control in the Redhawk and Blackhawk Revolvers, and quick followup shots are easily accomplished.

This is where I take issue with the BIG, HEAVY, or overly POWERFUL handguns....a defensive weapon needs to come into use FAST, and followup shots require speed and accuracy. The Smith X frames (460 and 500) are large, heavy guns........and for "hunting" purposes I can see where they would come in handy, but, for that "instant" where speed and accuracy are necessary, I would choose a standard sized handgun in the 41, or 44 mags or 45 LC with suitable loads for the purpose.

Something to keep in mind here...the 44 mag has taken every large game animal on earth....the 41 mag has brought down large game including elephant, and the 45 LC can be loaded to the same ballistics as the 44 mag in modern handguns. I would rather be proficient with any of these, than lug a larger, heavier handgun around regardless of how much power it produced.

Be realistic and sensible in your choice, and carry a handgun that you can be proficient with..........

__________________
"You should not use a rifle that will kill an animal when everything goes right; you should use one that will do the job when everything goes wrong." -Bob Hagel

On my first trip to AK I carried a 44 Mag with 300 Grain XTPs. It made me feel more comfortable until the bush pilot advised me that I should file the front sight off... when I asked him why... he said "you wont want a front sight on it when the grizzly sticks it up your butt"...

The bush pilots we flew with carry large cans of pepper spray! They claim is shuts the bear down right-away vs. them mauling you while absorbing lots of ammo. Maybe carry both! Just a thought...

Back a few yrs ago any handgun carried for the purpose you mentioned was suggested that the front sight be filed off. That was so that when the bear jambed it home it didnt hurt so much.

I've lived ion Alaska 43 years. I've carried .357s, 41s, 44s, 45LCs 454s and now I carry a S&W 460. The 460 has it's pros and cons. Recoil is not as bad as the 454 Raging Bull I carried, or the Ruger Redhawk in .44 mag. The Smith has a brake. Then there is the noise. The shooter gets a muzzle blast you would not believe till you shoot one. I am hard of hearing so I always wear Action Ears, even while skinning game. Never, never, never shoot a 460 S&W without hearing protection, period. It will damage your hearing.

But I will say I love the 460 and how it handles Bears. I shoot Cor Bon 395gr HC 1525fps, 2040ft/lbs of energy. Works for me.

Three years ago my partner and I was skinning a Grizzly I had shot. I heard something in the brush nearby. Suddenly there was a Grizzly standing, 15 yards away woofing at us. We both drew and fired at the same time. Two shots each. Bear fell over backwards and started making a gurggling sound. It kicked a few times then got quite and still. Both my shots were on the left side of the chest, about two inches apart. One of my partners hit at the base of the neck, tearing up the windpipe and esophagas, then out missing the spine. His other shot hit in the middle of the neck, this one hit the spine and shattered about five inches of bone. Both of us made killing shots, just his was more immediate.

I got a wild hair one week couple of years ago and decided I needed a .460 Smith & Wesson, which gave me several options as far as hunting and shooting went. However, it didn't take me very long to realize that my .44magnum was as much pistol, as I could ever handle and still hit my targets at 10, 20 and 30 feet.

This pistol was heavier and put out far more muzzle blast too! I thought I would just work up a light load and practice with it but in reality, you better reload for what your expecting in the wild and not target loads. I just could simply not handle more than 3 or 4 of this loaded ammo, without pain to my hands and wrists. My right hand hurt like the "dickens" all the way home and that was the end of my owning a .460 magnum. My 44 mag has served me well over the last 36 years and will continue to do so with 300 grn Beartooth Bullets in the chamber.

I have hunted alaska, never lived there.
My pistol of choice for huntig cary is my hard chromed 29-2 with a 4" barrel.
Stiff loads hurt at both ends. About as heavy as I want to carry.
I also have a 25-13 mountain gun, 4" barrel, crimson trace sights, not as heavy as the 44 mag.
It could be loaded to do the job, but recoil is stout with heavy loads and the weather in alaska would be tough on that beutiful blue finish.

If you have to carry long distances/backpacking, try a Smith 329pd.

I would carry the biggest gun you could shoot accurately and comfortably. A 50 caliber bullet doesn't do much damage if you can't hit anything with it. Although a couple of well placed 38spl hard cast bullets can save your life.

Gotta say I agree with Greenhorn 100%.

For the little that it may be worth, I once worked with bears in a major zoo. I was in an exhibit with 11 bears of various breeds when they began to tear each other apart. Once the blood began to flow and they began to bawl it was insane. Yes, I got out of the exhibit just fine, but they were sure looking me over.

All I can tell you is that I surely would carry a reasonable handgun but only as plan B. Plan A would be a carbine in as heavy a caliber as you can reasonably manage. That's an answer to a question you didn't ask but I feel it is worth mentioning.

Photo: My Favorite Gun | Field & Stream

I've only been there once and carried my Smith 58 everywhere loaded with 265gr WFN that I casted (Fairbanks). Going back in March to Anchorage and will take either the Smith, Ruger Blackhawk in .41. What every you choose, use a heavy bullet with large metplate. Then practice, practice and practice some more.


CD

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De Oppresso Liber
Iraq: 91',03',04',05',06',08' & 09'
Afghanistan: 09',10' & 11'

If you get a 500 SW or 460 XVR you must wear ear protection when firing them, the 460 XVR is unbelievably Loud! I would not want to be worried about blowing my ear drum in the middle of a grizzly encounter. Also the recoil from either of these cannons is not manageable in a high stress situation with out a lot of practice. The factory loads are $2.50 each at least. In my opinion a good Bear Spray is the best second line of defense with your primary defense being your big bore long arm. If you feel you need a handgun I would go with a .44 magnum or .454, which still are freakin loud with out ear protection but not deafening.

Super Redhawk in .454 Casull.

325gr Lyman bullet cast from Wheelweight alloy results in 345gr with 27gr win 296. Shot into Cottonwood slab, bullet penetrated 27" measured when chopped out. No deformation. Huge meplat on this bullet. Have since toned down the load to 26gr. Very accurate.

Also have S&W .44mag N frame 4"bbl hurts my hand to fire 30 or more factory 240gr. Like the SRH grip better under recoil. Plan to load some Starline .45C loads with the Lyman heavy for more plinkability.

Figure there's going to be bear where you're going? Take a rifle unless you are a handgun hunter...

I'm gonna be the one in the woodpile on this.
When you say you are gonna be woods roaming, are you going to be in the deep interior or coastal. There is a BIG difference between coastal Brown Bear and Interior Grizzlies, to the tune of about 300-500 lbs. I would personally recommend you getting a good can of bear spray and a Glock 20 10mm. Learn the shoot the Glock and learn to use the bear spray. Nimrods that never set foot in AK like to crow about how they would back a big pistol. If you are in thick cover and a bear wants you, you can forget about getting a 4lb pistol into action before he is on you. A griz runs 35mph...It can cover the distance from the pitcher's mound to home in about the same time a fast pitch softball takes. It's brain is about the same size as a softball. Draw and hit that ball before it is on you. Not happening. Bear Spray works. I carry a 10 or a .44 while in the forest of on the river in the Bob but I have more faith in the bear spray.

As a well known guide in AK once said..do you know why lots of bears break their charge at the last minute? Its because of the smell coming from the tenderfoot's pants.

Regarding Bears commandeering kills, same is happening in MT. It is quite disconcerting to have an elk down when you alone. This is a good reason to hunt with a buddy. One person stands guard while the other works.

Just checked into the hotel in Anchorage. Brought my Smith 58 again along with my 870 for some more small game hunting. Smith will be loaded with Ranch Dogs TL-411-255 RF and a good dose of W296. Shotgun will be loaded first with 2 rounds of Brenneke slugs followed by #6.


CD

__________________
De Oppresso Liber
Iraq: 91',03',04',05',06',08' & 09'
Afghanistan: 09',10' & 11'