At least you noticed squib round and didn't follow thruI was just shooting mine today in 44 magnum. And we're shooting some super hot Buffalo Bore rounds through it. In fact one of the rounds I shot was a squib and the bullet got stuck in the barrel so I had to punch it out. Fortunately I didn't fire another round behind it.
I haven't shot that gun in several years and the rounds I had in the cylinder were slightly corroded from The Gun oil I last used to clean it and the gun oil seeped its way into the round and killed the powder.
Anyway we had a good day shooting.
Good point! There's a lot to be said of ergonomics when it comes to big magnums, not only recoil management, but being able to steady it for a decent shot...none of those revolvers are going to stop a Bear if you can't hit it. I find it interesting that increasingly Alaskans are adopting 10mm Pistols to carry against Bear (and varmints)This is one that I just don’t get. Most people I know that have one are carrying it for bear defense and are open carrying it in a chest rig. Why not carry a S&W model 460V in 460 XVR with a 5”? It can shoot 454 casull and 45 long colt. Hot 454 casull loads are quite manageable in that revolver instead of the ruger Alaskan, plus with the 5” you get more velocity out of it.
Semi auto 10mm’s offer decent penetration with the right load but far bigger magazine capacity. The Glock G40 is a popular choice. 15+1 rounds of 10mm vs 5 or 6 rounds of 44, 454, 460 or 500. Not to mention controllability, quick reloads and ability to mount modern lights and optics.Good point! There's a lot to be said of ergonomics when it comes to big magnums, not only recoil management, but being able to steady it for a decent shot...none of those revolvers are going to stop a Bear if you can't hit it. I find it interesting that increasingly Alaskans are adopting 10mm Pistols to carry against Bear (and varmints)
600lbs at 25 mph in the bush so 25' away, you won't have reload time.
IIRC Bob Milek wrote about shooting a black bear with a 357 and it bounced off the skull.
Need a bullet that will drive deep.
I searched, but didn't find it: Back in the 70's +/- I saw a picture of an Inuit that had used what was clearly an AR-15/M-16A1 to take a Polar Bear...those bastards are massive!I'm too old, too cranky, and maybe too arthritic to shoot any revolver with a caliber starting with a .4xx or .5xx.
My bush carry has moved to a Glock 20 with 220 grain hard cast 10mm ammo. 14 rounds of that is enough to take down anything in North America short of a polar bear.