My grandpa and I were talking about the migration of black bear back into ky today and that conversation went to what handgun we would carry wile hiking or bow hunting in grizzly country. Then we were discussing what is the most common pistol carried by those that live there, so i figured I'd ask y'all. Those of you that live in grizz county what gun/caliber do you carry wile your in the woods?
load for bear
- Thread starter riverratt
- Start date
It depends on the area.....in tight brush I carry a Uberti Walker or a S&W 624 with hot SWC hand loads.
Situational awareness is much more important in preventing you from becoming bear fodder. You have to watch for track and scatt and wallows and bear feeding areas and pay attention to odors that are not right. Even that lack of bird song around you can be an indicator
Situational awareness is much more important in preventing you from becoming bear fodder. You have to watch for track and scatt and wallows and bear feeding areas and pay attention to odors that are not right. Even that lack of bird song around you can be an indicator
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This is probably the one of the most discussed subjects on TFL. You can do a search and learn a lot. I like big bore revolvers. It's one of my "hobbies". But in brown bear country (Wyoming elk hunts) I carry a simple .44 Magnum 4 inch Redhawk with Buffalo Bore 340 grain flat points. I also carry a canister of bear spray. I hunt up there with a friend. We both have spray. We decided one mans the spray and the other the large revolver.
Riveratt, you are going to get a bazzilion opinions. Any large caliber magnum handgun will suffice, shot placement is paramount.
Riveratt, you are going to get a bazzilion opinions. Any large caliber magnum handgun will suffice, shot placement is paramount.
USMC 77-81
New member
I agree with Siggy's minimum recommendation. Personally, when I'm in the bush I generally have a rifle. My part of Idaho has mainly black bears but we're not far from 'official' grizzly area. I strongly suspect the bears don't obey boundary lines.
buck460XVR
New member
I don't live in Griz country, so I can't answer you there. But, I have lived in Black Bear country all my life and never found it necessary to worry about having a "bear" gun with me everytime I'm in the woods. I worry more about how to keep from being attacked by "Bear" ticks than Bear.....
So far it sounds like the ol' .44 mag and the .44 spl has the majority. I wouldn't have suspected the spl even being in contention here, interesting. I called the .44 mag and my grandpa said nothing less then a .454, he also said that probably most people now carry a .500 s&w. I also figured I'd see a couple .45 colts with ruger only loads, but they ain't turned up yet.
jetinteriorguy
New member
Don't forget the .41 mag, it would have no problem with a black bear.
As big a cartridge as you can be accurate with in extreme, stressful, circumstances. But it won't make a lick of difference if Yogi or Cindy is PO'd because you interrupted 'em(or got between Cindy and The Kids) and are under 100 yards away. Yogi and Cindy can cover 100 yards in less than 6 seconds. You will never be fast enough to recognise the threat and react.
No handgun cartridge will ever stop either of 'em in their tracks either. Physics doesn't allow it.
Of course, just having a firearm with you when bow hunting maybe illegal too.
"...probably most people now carry a .500 S&W..." Ammo's too expensive. Starts at around $60 per 20. Not exactly common either.
No handgun cartridge will ever stop either of 'em in their tracks either. Physics doesn't allow it.
Of course, just having a firearm with you when bow hunting maybe illegal too.
"...probably most people now carry a .500 S&W..." Ammo's too expensive. Starts at around $60 per 20. Not exactly common either.
Deaf Smith
New member
River,
While I love good revolvers, especially my .44 S&W 629-1,
I'd say get a light weight Mossburg 12 guage shotgun and use Brenneke Black Magic Short Magnum one-ounce, 2 3/4″ shotgun slug.
http://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/20...ll410-brenneky-black-magic-short-magnum-slug/
Note what that 12 guage slug does in the test at the 'truthabouthandguns' blog.
A cheap Mossie pump cost $200 or so, and one can carry it chamber empty, 4 in the tube and a Tac-Star 4 shot side saddle with 4 more slugs.
Deaf
While I love good revolvers, especially my .44 S&W 629-1,
I'd say get a light weight Mossburg 12 guage shotgun and use Brenneke Black Magic Short Magnum one-ounce, 2 3/4″ shotgun slug.
http://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/20...ll410-brenneky-black-magic-short-magnum-slug/
Note what that 12 guage slug does in the test at the 'truthabouthandguns' blog.
A cheap Mossie pump cost $200 or so, and one can carry it chamber empty, 4 in the tube and a Tac-Star 4 shot side saddle with 4 more slugs.
Deaf
22-rimfire
New member
If you are worried, carry a rifle.
Probably More Than Anyone Wanted to Read
Grizzly’s and black bears are wide spread here in western Montana. Also, mountain lions and wolves are pretty common. Moose are also around and a cow with calf or a bull during the rut can be just as dangerous. Most of the time you will never see the predators even though they may be very close – moose are seen quite often.
Montana (L48) grizzlies aren’t particularly large when compared to coastal or inland grizzlies of the far north. Although extremely variable depending on the season, adults are around 185 centimeters long (Foresman 2012) and weigh around 200 kilograms (440 Lbs) in males and 130 kilograms (287 Lbs) in females (Kasworm and Manley 1988). Black bears are typically smaller. This in no way diminishes the unbelievable power of these bears. Bears in the 800 Lb range are occasionally reported (one was killed by a truck several years ago), but are very unusual.
Although highly unlikely, every year hunters in Montana have bear confrontations (both grizzly and black). Bow hunters are particularly at risk (emulating elk smells and sounds attract predators). It is legal to carry a firearm while bow hunting, although it may not be used in any way to harvest a game animal (this includes “finishing off” a wounded animal) during the archery only season.
There are going to be situations where you are just SOL. You will not be able to use you’re chosen method of defense (handgun, rifle, shotgun, or bear spay). Up close surprise attacks as an example – where you will have to fight for your life while on the ground (rifle/shotgun not much use) or play dead. There will be other times that you will have an opportunity to defend yourself. There are no guarantees – you can only do what makes you most comfortable in situations you can control.
In addition to bow hunting elk, I’m in large predator country walking the dogs almost every day, year around. I usually carry two guns. I pocket carry a Kahr CW45 loaded with Buffalo Bore 255gr hard cast flat points and for the most part strong side carry a .44 Mag (either S&W M69 or 329PD) loaded with 260gr WFNGCs over a max charge of H110. I say for the most part because being an “enthusiast”, I’ve been known to carry heavily loaded .45 Colts, .454 C, .480 Ruger, .475 LB and 500 JRH. For the most part however, I prefer double action handguns that you can be fired one handed with either hand and from any position – therefore the aforementioned .44s or a .480 Ruger Alaskan. There is no way I’m carrying a rifle/shotgun when engaging in any of the above activities
There are a lot of different handguns in the woods (also a lot of bow hunters and other recreationists) – these will vary from .22 LR to .500 S&Ws depending on the individual’s perceived threat. For me, the .44 Mag loaded for the largest potential threat is about as small as I prefer to go. With that said, my son feels more comfortable with a 10MM glock 20 (he’s more worried about wolves).
I would rather have a handgun and not need it than not have one and need it.
Here’s a real interesting story about GPS tracking of Grizzly’s following hunters:
http://www.foxnews.com/science/2014...rizzlies-as-follow-hunters/?intcmp=latestnews
FWIW,
Paul
Grizzly’s and black bears are wide spread here in western Montana. Also, mountain lions and wolves are pretty common. Moose are also around and a cow with calf or a bull during the rut can be just as dangerous. Most of the time you will never see the predators even though they may be very close – moose are seen quite often.
Montana (L48) grizzlies aren’t particularly large when compared to coastal or inland grizzlies of the far north. Although extremely variable depending on the season, adults are around 185 centimeters long (Foresman 2012) and weigh around 200 kilograms (440 Lbs) in males and 130 kilograms (287 Lbs) in females (Kasworm and Manley 1988). Black bears are typically smaller. This in no way diminishes the unbelievable power of these bears. Bears in the 800 Lb range are occasionally reported (one was killed by a truck several years ago), but are very unusual.
Although highly unlikely, every year hunters in Montana have bear confrontations (both grizzly and black). Bow hunters are particularly at risk (emulating elk smells and sounds attract predators). It is legal to carry a firearm while bow hunting, although it may not be used in any way to harvest a game animal (this includes “finishing off” a wounded animal) during the archery only season.
There are going to be situations where you are just SOL. You will not be able to use you’re chosen method of defense (handgun, rifle, shotgun, or bear spay). Up close surprise attacks as an example – where you will have to fight for your life while on the ground (rifle/shotgun not much use) or play dead. There will be other times that you will have an opportunity to defend yourself. There are no guarantees – you can only do what makes you most comfortable in situations you can control.
In addition to bow hunting elk, I’m in large predator country walking the dogs almost every day, year around. I usually carry two guns. I pocket carry a Kahr CW45 loaded with Buffalo Bore 255gr hard cast flat points and for the most part strong side carry a .44 Mag (either S&W M69 or 329PD) loaded with 260gr WFNGCs over a max charge of H110. I say for the most part because being an “enthusiast”, I’ve been known to carry heavily loaded .45 Colts, .454 C, .480 Ruger, .475 LB and 500 JRH. For the most part however, I prefer double action handguns that you can be fired one handed with either hand and from any position – therefore the aforementioned .44s or a .480 Ruger Alaskan. There is no way I’m carrying a rifle/shotgun when engaging in any of the above activities
There are a lot of different handguns in the woods (also a lot of bow hunters and other recreationists) – these will vary from .22 LR to .500 S&Ws depending on the individual’s perceived threat. For me, the .44 Mag loaded for the largest potential threat is about as small as I prefer to go. With that said, my son feels more comfortable with a 10MM glock 20 (he’s more worried about wolves).
I would rather have a handgun and not need it than not have one and need it.
Here’s a real interesting story about GPS tracking of Grizzly’s following hunters:
http://www.foxnews.com/science/2014...rizzlies-as-follow-hunters/?intcmp=latestnews
FWIW,
Paul
Black bear are not huge as a rule. A stout load from a 357, 41mag, 45 colt or 10mm is probably adequate with no more than a 44 mag needed in my opinion
Grizzlies just aren't that much bigger, although they are more aggressive and likely to cause problems. I'd use the same gun as with black bear.
Brown bear are a sub-species of Grizzlies, and are much larger and can be aggressive. This is where I'd much prefer a rifle and the 454's, 460's and 500 S&W revolvers start to make sense.
I don't live in grizzly country, but have camped there a few times, in black bear country quite often. I kept a Glock 10mm handy loaded with 200 gr hardcast @1300 fps on my most recent trips. Prior to that it was 180 gr 357 mag. loads
If I were specifically hunting griz or black bear I'd prefer a 6" barreled 44 mag. Wouldn't go after a brown bear with any handgun.
Grizzlies just aren't that much bigger, although they are more aggressive and likely to cause problems. I'd use the same gun as with black bear.
Brown bear are a sub-species of Grizzlies, and are much larger and can be aggressive. This is where I'd much prefer a rifle and the 454's, 460's and 500 S&W revolvers start to make sense.
I don't live in grizzly country, but have camped there a few times, in black bear country quite often. I kept a Glock 10mm handy loaded with 200 gr hardcast @1300 fps on my most recent trips. Prior to that it was 180 gr 357 mag. loads
If I were specifically hunting griz or black bear I'd prefer a 6" barreled 44 mag. Wouldn't go after a brown bear with any handgun.
walks with gun
New member
I've read on these forums some people think the .22 long is a good choice against bad guys so a .22 mag. should be plenty for large bear. Seriously I'd much rather have a carbine if possible.
USMC 77-81
New member
A few have mentioned the 500 S&W, I shot one a few years back and found the recoil made the gun hard to control. Overall I'd say carry the hardest hitting cartridge which you can fire quickly while retaining control. On a related note, keep in mind that when shooting at an aggressive animal, you have more than just the bullet working for you. You also have the 'Blast cone' which contains the noise and percussion of the blast. The noise can send a critter in to retreat (I wouldn't want to depend on it, it may further enrage them), keep in mind that most critters have very good hearing and the noise will be heading directly toward them.