Bob BHOFM
by Bob BHOFM
(Apple Valley, CA)
More idle thoughts from an idle mind.
Earlier on this web site I read something about guns used to take bears. So many people are in
the dark about the power of different calibers. Even some "experts" seem to be lacking reason.
I personally know a man who frequently hunts big game. He is much more experienced than I am so I try to be careful about what I say around him. After all I don't need any help looking like a fool.
He is going back to Alaska for brown bear this year. He decided the gun he used the last time (.300 Win mag) isn't big enough so he bought a .375 H&H (think elephant gun) On his hip for a "back-up" he carries his old .44 Mag. When I asked him if he was going to get a larger sidearm he looked at me like I was nuts and informed me that the .44 would take anything on this continent. I asked him if he would hunt brown bear with a 30-30. Again I got "that look" and was informed that a 30-30 wasn't suitable for any big game in America. I didn't bother to tell him that the 30-30 had taken more deer and elk than any other gun in this great country and more than a few brown bears I also didn't care to exacerbate the situation by asking him if it would be ok if his guide carried a 30-30 to back him up.
OK, to get down to the meat of the matter, wouldn't carry a 30-30 in big bear country either but I sure as heck wouldn't put as much faith in a .44 Mag revolver. At the muzzle the .44 Mag delivers about 1000 foot pounds of energy compared to the 30-30 at about 1500 ft lbs. At 50 yards the 30-30 is even more impressive but if a person has fallen back to his/her back-up weapon he/she sure as heck doesn't have 50 yards.
Well I can only hope the above mentioned hunter shoots straight the first shot or that his guide is fast with the back-up. I want to see him out at the range next year bragging about his "Dirty Harry" gun. I'm pretty sure I'll keep my mouth shut. :)
