Hunting bears with a pistol..

S

Super-Dave

New member
This is a follow up from the previous "smallest pistol you would carry in bear country"

I now have a glock 21 sf and a glock 17.

If I go into bear country, I have decided to carry the glock 21.

My question is which ammo should I use,

185 grain semi wadcutter , 200 grain semi wadcutter or 230 grain fmj?

MY first guess is that I might get the greatest penetration from the 200 grain.

My reasoning is the extra velocity should help punch this bullet deeper than the 185 due to its larger weight and it might penetrate deep than the 230 due to its extra velocity.(alot of velocity is lost breaking the skin)

What would you take to use in a .45 acp in bear country?
 
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If you insist upon a marginal cartridge, forget any FMJ of any weight and use a 230 grain Silvertip, if you can find 'em. No .45ACP bullet(nor any other pistol cartridge) will stop Yogi with one shot anyway. In any case, Yogi isn't interested in you. You smell of nothing but trouble to him and he'll avoid you like the plague.
 
I would use the heaviest flattest nosed semi-wadcutter I could get my hands on and still feed reliably........either jacketed or cast.

Stay away from the Silvertip or any other hollow points. Hollowpoints are designed for defensive use against humans and some animals. They have limited penetration by design to mitigate liability issues of over-penetration collateral damage.

In the case of bear hunting/defense, penetration is your friend when you are taking about crashing through heavy muscle mass and bone. Don't worry about bullet expansion. Holes in vitals are what you need and if you are using a .45, you are already expanded.
 
What would you take to use in a .45 acp in bear country?
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Living a little dangerously aren't we?

I wouldn't take a .45acp into bear country. At all. But if you don't feel undergunned...happy hunting.
 
I'm assuming enough practicality that the .45ACP is intended as a defense firearm and not the primary hunting critter.

Me, I'd go with either a max load 200-grain SWC or 230-grain hardball. Mr. Bear would definitely learn about IPSC style self-defense in the original Jeff Cooper style of "shoot until the hostilities cease".
 
I'd stuff that .45 with a 230 grain RFP that feeds absolutely without fail and 7.0 of Unique. I prefer a MUCH more powerful caliber when in bruin company. I've seen a black bear of some 400 pounds take 6 shots with a 35 Remington and still be alive for at least 3 minutes; plenty of time for him to swat the snot out of you and make you bleed. Pick a bigger gun; or make sure you have a DR. in camp to stitch you back together. If it scratches, bites, or stomps and gores, you are NEVER overgunned.
 
I have an idea..

Pick a bigger gun; or make sure you have a DR. in camp to stitch you back together. If it scratches, bites, or stomps and gores, you are NEVER overgunned
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Since I am in emergency medicine and have sutured hundreds of people over 11 years, I will volunteer my services - Just choose an Alaskan hunt and buy my ticket also - I can hunt with you, and will be there to suture you up if you need it - for free:)
 
I've read every post in both threads. I find a lot of what I consider bad information from folks who make no claim to actually being confronted by dangerous game. I also find a couple of posters who have been confronted by dangerous game, up close and personal, which is, as I understand it, the purpose of the exercise.

I have taken charges and stopped them at 2 yards. I have also killed about a dozen animals classified as dangerous game - meaning they will eat, stomp, throw and otherwise try to kill you if possible. I have killed them with rifle and revolver and here's what I know: bigger is better in most cases. Pistols and anti-personnel (SD) ammunition is not appropriate.

I wouldn't go Salmon fishing in Alaska rivers without my .500S&W. It's not about hunting, it's about STOPPING the charge/attack. The only time you will need a gun is when the bear comes for you, in which case he will be coming at full speed with his anger up and at relatively close range; a fast, moving target. You will likely have time to get off 1-3 shots max before he hits you. If you manage to hold onto your revolver after impact (lanyard?), you will want to press the barrel into his body at the nearest point and begin to pull the trigger until the revolver goes click, click, click. Pistols are not suited to this contact type shooting and are prone to failure in these circumstances. When shooting an animal off a partner or loved one with any type of firearm, place the barrel against the animal and understand trajectory, otherwise you risk killing the person instead of or as well as the animal.

Shotguns are great for camp defense, but are unlikely to be readily deployed while standing in the middle of a river with a fishing pole. I encourage everyone to give serious consideration to mental imaging of what they will do under the circumstances described by me and others who have some experience with these DG animals in the gravest extreme. Most DG contacts do not result in charges, but the one that does can ruin your day.
 
NO not hunting bears, Suppose I was hunting deer with a bow. I would want to take a pistol with me for bear control. If I am taking a .45 acp which ammo is best to have in the gun?
 
What kind of bear are you protecting against? If you are in your home state (Florida, as you list it), then you must mean a Black. I might use a .45, but I'd still be more comfy with hand-held artillery such as a .44 mag or even better, a .500. This is your life you are talking about, after all!
 
Oh sheesh we're talking about Florida bears. Just give the little guy a swift kick in the arse and tell 'em to move on :D
 
I've think a 45 ACP is plenty for black bear self-defense. I've got a 45 Super I carry for self-defense in black bear, lion and grizzly (not Alaska) country. Sure I'd rather have my 375 H&H with me, but I don't want to carry it lol ...

Regards,
Chuck
 
This all depends... in my eyes at least, on the intent of this trip into bear country.

If you are hunting the critters ditch that .45acp and buy yourself a magnum revolver... the bigger the better because you want clean one shot kills and no animal suffering.

If this is a hiking trip or some such thing and the gun is an absolute last resort defense weapon then I would be ok with that. Bears, especially black bears dont want anything to do with you personally. Keep food stored away safely and observe basic precautions such as making noise and staying alert. You are not likely to have trouble with a black bear unless its mama and you get between her and baby.

Load heavy, know the gun, and dont stop shooting till that critter is in the dirt if you get charged.

My personal choice for hunting would be a lever action rifle chambered in something fairly heavy. My choice for last resort defense against a charging bear would be a shotgun with a short barrel loaded up with some pretty heavy slugs and maybe a round or two of buckshot at the end for real up close and personal stuff.
 
NO not hunting bears, Suppose I was hunting deer with a bow. I would want to take a pistol with me for bear control. If I am taking a .45 acp which ammo is best to have in the gun?
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Ok may want to get some new specs...reread the title of your thread
 
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