Another Bear Thread (Well... Sort Of...)

[Guyon]

I haven't posted here in forever, but it's good to see the place is still open. I'm looking for advice on some ammo and accessories for backpacking and camping in what I'm told is black bear country along the TN/KY border. I've used the search function here and read a lot of threads and other sites on the matter. Given my current economics and what I have available, here's what I'm thinking...

1) Buy a big old canister of Counter Assault bear spray, know how to use it, and keep it handy. This article was informative in this regard: http://www.adn.com/2008/04/20/381252/spray-proves-its-worth-in-bear.html

2) Hike and camp sensibly. Make noise. Cook/eat food away from camp. Store food away from camp.

3) Load for bear best I can.

4) Be sure I can outrun at least one of my hiking buddies.

Regarding ammo and accessories, I seek some advice. I do not own a .44, and I do not think one is in the budget prior to a trip. However, I do own a 4" S&W 686, and I would like advice on several fronts.

a) Ammo? Best I can tell, this stuff is the best thing out there for the .357 Magnum when it comes to large animals: http://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=100 It purportedly pushes a 180 grain hard cast at 1375 fps in my gun. Is there any thing better for the .357?

2) Holster? Since I'm hiking in southern summer heat, I was looking at nylon in particular and am considering some of the Bianchi Accumold duty holsters. Does anyone have a favorite strong-side holster in nylon to recommend?

3) Belt? Given the heat/sweat factor, I'm also looking at nylon for the belt and seeing good things about the Wilderness Instructor's belt. Here again, does anyone have any recommendations?

As it is, the four items above (bear spray, ammo, holster, belt) are most likely going to run me in the $150 to $200 range. I'd love to get a .44, but it just ain't going to happen before the trip, and the gun is going to be a crap-my-pants backup to the bear spray anyway.

 

[Lost Sheep]

Sounds like a good plan

Your plan echoes mine.

Be aware of bear behaviour. It can vary, depending on the time of the year and what they might be foraging.

Make myself as unappealing a target as possible.

Bear spray

Firearm if necessary (nothing ruins a good hike or fishing trip like chasing down a wouneed bear or having to report a defens of life shooting to Fish & Game and all that entails).

Study up on bear anatomy and plan where you think you can put a bullet reliably that will anchor the animal. Central nervous system hits are hard to make, but breading a shoulder should slow a bear down enough that you can keep away from danger long enough to make a humane, certain kill shot.

Hot weather is not usually a problem around here, so my holster choices would not be useful for you, but I can recommend Rob Leahey of Simply Rugged. He makes a fine chest holster that keeps your gun away from deep water when fishing and available whether you are wearing a backpack or not. Honest, honorable and produces good leather products, but does not work nylin or plastic that I know of.

Lost Sheep.

 

[Sport45]

I'm no expert, but it looks like a good plan to me.

4) Be sure I can outrun at least one of my hiking buddies.

A HBWC over 3 gr of Titegroup should be plenty to kneecap your buddy if you don't think you can run faster than he does.

 

[jhenry]

I would not have a problem with that pistol in black bear country. OC bear spray should be top on the list though. I can tell you that any type of belt carry while backpacking will be hugely uncomfortable and impractical. While backpacking I usually carry a pistol in the top flap of my internal frame pack and have it situated in such a manner that I can reach above my head and draw fairly easily at any point. Wearing a pack and a hip holster is not only difficult, it makes it almost impossible to draw the weapon correctly. A chest holster is a possibility if you simply must open carry. You may want to try some of these tings out at home and prior to hitting the trail.

 

[pythagorean]

If I didn't have a 29-2 I'd be carrying the 27-2 as well. I think the .357 is really a grand handgun cartridge. The difference between the two in an actual confrontation wouldn't matter as much as knowing the shot or shots have to be into the most damaging and incapacitating areas of the target being presented most likely on the fast move!
If anything I'd be shooting into the nose or mouth to break up that area from biting me as effectively as it can, messing up the throat, jaw, teeth, arteries and nerves around there before feeling a lung or heart or brain shot was possible!

 

[jmortimer]

The hard cast bullet from Buffalo Bore should shoot end to end on most any bear you will encounter and will shot through the bear on a broadside. With dangerous game penetration is a real good idea and that is what you will get. As they say in a close encounter shoot at the nose.

 

[Sarge]

Wild game is unimpressed by ballistics charts or the grandness of cartridges. The BB load is about the best you're going to do with a 357. Hammer the head if you can, shoulders if you cannot, then hammer the head with whatever you have left. Try to hit it square-on so the bullet don't slide around the skull.

Tell you how crazy I am... last time I hiked around Chugach State Park (Alaska, in April) I carried either a 2" SP101, loaded with Alaska Backpacker 200 hardcast (970 fps) or a 1911 loaded with hardball. Or both. Always carried a reload for both. Didn't have anything bigger, that was reliable, at the time.

Today it would be a 45 Colt Old Vaquero loaded with 325's at about 1150, plus the Missus toting the Rossi Trapper, loaded the same, for about 1365 fps.

 

[coltaholic]

bear

the 357 with buffalo bore loads will do the trick, if placed right. In a confrontation, you will be shooting haed-on, and the only spot that will absolutely put him down is the central nervous system. Between the eyes, just behind the skull, between th ears, or judt forward of the ear if broadside, on in the eye if quartering toward you.
A bear has the slowest metabolism in the animal kingdom, so a shot to the vitals will not stop him in time for your to survive his death-throe attack. A jaw shot might prevent him from biting you, but those claws can do as much or more damage than the teeth.

avoidance is the best defence, always.
good luck,

 

[Guyon]

A HBWC over 3 gr of Titegroup should be plenty to kneecap your buddy if you don't think you can run faster than he does.

I'm debating between a leg shot and a quick slit of the Achilles.

I can tell you that any type of belt carry while backpacking will be hugely uncomfortable and impractical. While backpacking I usually carry a pistol in the top flap of my internal frame pack and have it situated in such a manner that I can reach above my head and draw fairly easily at any point. Wearing a pack and a hip holster is not only difficult, it makes it almost impossible to draw the weapon correctly.

Thanks for that. I'll play with the carry options and see what I can do. I like the idea of the gun up top in the pack if it's easily reachable. Out of sight so as not to freak out the non-gun folks, but quickly accessible when in need. That scenario would be ideal.

As for the spray, I'm thinking this holster on the left shoulder strap of my pack:

Or maybe this chest rig: