[andy]

slug ballistics. The 20 ga is 330 grs at1200-1300 fps. Put a 330 gr bullet in a 6" barreled .44 mag, and it won't crack 1200 fps, I promise you. So, no, the .44 mag is NOT a "stopper" of bears or cape buffalo, with body shots. So it is a VERY poor choice of handgun,even if you DO live on the Zambesi River.

 

[andy]

Most don't even consider the 20 ga slug to be adequate for taking 100 lb deer.

 

[Magnum88C]

Of course not taking into condiseration projectile construction AT ALL. . .one of these days you'll get up to the LAST century in technology.

 

[.45 COLT]

Won't argue 20 vs .44. Different guns, different uses. BUT - Andy, get your ballistics figures right. A factory 20 gauge gut-bucket slug is about 275 grains, with a MV of 1580 FPS.

I don't load (or shoot) .44 Magnum, but in .45 Colt, I'm pushing a hard-cast WFN 335 grain bullet at a MV of 1325 FPS, that out of a 4 5/8" barrel. I know that the .44 can't beat that (safely), but it can come close.

DC

 

[andy]

IF the 20 ga is 1575 fps, I'll takeit WAY over the 3/4 oz version. I seriously doubt it, tho,even out of the 3" magnum.

 

[andy]

no, they are NOT "different uses" if they are both carried as "bear defense"guns. I am just pointing out that guys are FOS about the idea of a "powerful"(ie, ONE shot per second) pistol,and BODY hits being the way to go. BRAIN hits are necessary to stop charges. Brain hits do NOT require lots of power,altho a fair amount of penetrationof bone is often necessary. For instance, I'd take a good 223 carbine over a bolt action 458 for the job, ANY day, because I get 4 times as many TRIES at the brain, inthe same timespan, and the 223 has MANY other uses,the 458 has none.