I find these threads interesting too. I see the "badge of manliness" being linked to carrying gigantic revolvers and somehow equating the protection of ones self from black bears with shooting cattle on a ranch in Texas.
I also find it interesting that from the time this continent was settled until the early 20th century, when folks in the woods were far more likely to be attacked by bears (since there were more of them), they somehow survived carrying muzzleloaders and revolvers chambered "only" in 38-40, 44-40 and 45 Colt's.
And then there's the irony that some of todays manly handguns and their cartridges for which they are chambered, are the rough equivalent of some of the old black powder rifle/carbine cartridges, you know, those old cartridges that have been deemed obsolete for over a century?
A .40 caliber 190-200 gr. hard cast bullet @ 1200+ fps- a 10mm Auto or a 38 WCF loaded with black powder and fired from a 130+ year old rifle, take your pick.
A .45 caliber 300 gr. bullet @ 1600 fps can be had in the 454 Casull or the 45-70 Trapdoor, take your pick.
A .50 caliber 435 gr. bullet @ 1300 fps can be had in a .500 Linebaugh, or if you want to step up a bit in power, grab an old 1866 Springfield chambered in 50-70 whose BP load propelled a .50 caliber, 425 gr. bullet well over 1400 fps.
If a man shoots a .44 Special well, will another 200 fps from a magnum really help him when a bear is on top of him?
35W