# What handgun ammunition has the most kinetic energy

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-handgun-ammunition-has-the-most-kinetic-energy/1011959>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [December 21, 2024, 5:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-handgun-ammunition-has-the-most-kinetic-energy/1011959 "2024-12-21T05:10:25Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Showing post:** 21

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**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\
**Post date:** [December 21, 2024, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-handgun-ammunition-has-the-most-kinetic-energy/1011959/21 "2024-12-21T22:49:13Z")

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> [@Wesley\_Clark](#):
>
> A big part of why I was wondering about this question is I was wondering about bears. my understanding is a 12 gauge is the best weapon to defend yourself against bears, but there are certain handguns people recommend.

If you’re expecting to encounter a bear (coming into your home or you going into their area) you should probably consult the prior thread:

> [@Carrying firearms for defense against an aggressive bear?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carrying-firearms-for-defense-against-an-aggressive-bear/1000420):
>
> In this [post](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-3/986588/4874) over in this [thread](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-3/986588), @Broomstick said the following: I have guns, too, but would not use them in self-defense against a bear. The vast majority of firearms are simply not that effective against an attacking or charging bear. The way to safely take on a bear with a firearm is at a distance with a high-powered rifle. A bear attack, on the other hand, is by definition at a much closer range such that a rifle is difficult or impossible to use. And the vast majority of handguns are fa…

And honestly, any practical handgun is a very poor choice against a bear. A shotgun, or as I opined in that thread, a higher caliber short carbine (45-70) would be the far better choice. Again, a handgun sacrifices most of the advantages of a firearm for a huge advantage in weight/size/concealability.

Of the common calibers that are available, vaguely shootable, and so forth, than yeah, if I had only that choice I’d go with a heavy loaded S&W Revolver in .44 Mag. But it’s still a _poor_ overall choice.

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