buck460XVR
New member
Studies and experience show that this is the best caliber one can carry for bear defense. Problem is, it's not the answer most folks want to hear.
load for bear
- Thread starter riverratt
- Start date
Deaf Smith
New member
Buck,
If you are 20 yards off and your WIFE is being mauled, is that bear spray gonna stop him?
If the bear is already in your tent? Chasing other people?
Yes there is value in bear spray, but it is not a cure all.
One would be wise in bear country to have a powerful firearm and yes, bear spray.
Deaf
If you are 20 yards off and your WIFE is being mauled, is that bear spray gonna stop him?
If the bear is already in your tent? Chasing other people?
Yes there is value in bear spray, but it is not a cure all.
One would be wise in bear country to have a powerful firearm and yes, bear spray.
Deaf
the bear calibre thread.
Ahh the what calibre for bear question.
This is the first time I've ever heard .44 (spl) recommended.
I would not want to take a shot towards my wife unless at contact range so If I'm going in that closely I would just dump the whole danmed can in the beasts nose/ eyes then shoot (repeatedly)!
Ahh the what calibre for bear question.
This is the first time I've ever heard .44 (spl) recommended.
I would not want to take a shot towards my wife unless at contact range so If I'm going in that closely I would just dump the whole danmed can in the beasts nose/ eyes then shoot (repeatedly)!
I live in Kentucky, too. I used a bear sighting to "justify" a new 10mm 1911 a couple of years ago. I mostly just needed an excuse to buy one. 
Thread here if interested: http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=494531&highlight=bear
I know, it's not a revolver, but my point is to pick a handgun in a major caliber that you like and use the bear as justification for buying it.
Thread here if interested: http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=494531&highlight=bear
I know, it's not a revolver, but my point is to pick a handgun in a major caliber that you like and use the bear as justification for buying it.
walks with gun
New member
As fast as a bear can move and that lighting is usually dismal, I could see the Glock 10mm as a real possibility with full power loads. More ammo could mean more hits. As much as I love my sixguns, auto's and mags are easier to carry.
buck460XVR
New member
Well Deaf, you can blast away from 20 yards with a big bore handgun at a bear huggin' your wife, but not me. I shoot a lot of handgun, but still would refrain and use the spray first a close range. While it might sting her eyes, at least I wouldn't be responsible for adding another hole in her. Same goes for chasing other people. Real life is not a Dirty Harry movie or T.V. cop shows and the average internet forum member that needs to ask "which gun for bear" cannot shoot well enough to safely "snipe" a bear that is kissing distance from another person. You could be the exception, maybe.
Beside the chances of hitting the person being mauled, because of the position of the bear when mauling someone else, odds are you are not going to kill the bear instantly, but only enrage them, even with a killing shot to the vitals. Hitting the CNS on a rapidly moving large animal with a handgun while under duress is not an easy task for most folks either. This is true also if the animal is wrestling with someone else next to you in a tent.... in the dark. Again, you may be the exception.
Most bear sprays work out to 10 yards, and in most cases the spray does stop them, far more efficiently than handgun calibers in the hands of the average Joe. While a handgun is a good idea, in Black Bear country, odds are if you become prey, it will be from a two legged predator. BTW...bear spray works well on them also.
I use to drag a trailer up to Mack's Inn west of YNP and had many griz visits. Had one walk past my campfire chumfing the whole time. I once came across a pile of poop on a trail in western Montana I had walked an hour earlier minus the poop pile and if griz poop kind of resembles people poop except bigger, and more then whatever broke and crashed thru the bushes going up a hill may have been a griz. I thought it was and went down the trail doing 360s shooter unholstered down the trail until I got to another lake that had some people.
Buck's probably right about bear spray, I bought a can and did as the manufacturer suggested and took it out in the back yard to test and see how it sprayed, anyway the area I was in was a choke fest for half the day, the can is still in a closet never carried.
Buck's probably right about bear spray, I bought a can and did as the manufacturer suggested and took it out in the back yard to test and see how it sprayed, anyway the area I was in was a choke fest for half the day, the can is still in a closet never carried.
Deaf Smith
New member
Well Buck, note that when I posted about bear guns in this thread above I mentioned 12 Gauge Mossie shotgun and Brenneke Black Magic Short Magnum one-ounce, 2 3/4″ shotgun slugs.
To me that is the way to go if bears are a real concern.
4 shot Mossie does not weigh all that much and add a 4 shot tac-star side saddle (my Mariner Mossberg has that very setup) is far more comforting.. and capable.
Sure I'll pack my 629-1, but I know handguns have limited ability and a 12 gauge is much better.
MUCH better.
Deaf
Super Sneaky Steve
New member
SP101 works great for Black Bears. Anything larger and the .45 Colt takes over. Hot Ruger loads.
Well we all know the answer to this situation because it actually happened and I posted the information here:
http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=525378&highlight=bear
Except it wasn't the WIFE being mauled it was the HUSBAND. And the answer was the trusty 12 gauge shotgun. Except she didn't shoot it she waded in and clubbed the bear Louisville Slugger style till the bear let her husband go.
Personally I like the information about 'guns for bears' at the beginning of this video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGHKkAvBWUE
I've sat in the break rooms at the lumber mill for 10 years and worked as a sawyer in the woods for my dad for several years. Don't believe all the stuff you read in the newspapers/magazines. I can't count all the close calls I know of that were prevented by rifles and handguns (only the blood and guts make the papers).
And try firing that pepper spray into a breeze and see how accurate the magazine propaganda is. I TESTED that stuff while hiking in Grizzly country because of all the hype from the magazines and National Parks. Well, that was the last time I ever packed my can UDAP spray. I was defenseless when that "slight breeze" pushed that crap back into my face!!! Now.... if the nice little Teddy is polite and agrees to stand down wind, I might trust a can of pepper seasoning over my 454.
You would be surprised how a warning shot of their bow will scare them off before they even get in range of a can of pepper spray.
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Andy Blozinski
New member
This subject comes up a lot. There are always multiple suggestions that you really should be packing a rifle or shotgun. While that might be true, it's also not a good suggestion for many. The reason the question is asked is because the person doesn't want to carry such a weapon and is trying to get advice on the best option for a pistol.
Here is what I've garnered from reading the threads for the past year or so.
Apparently the .454 Casull is the best choice. No one seems to question it has the best chance to get a positive result.
.44 Magnum is the most common choice.
.357 Magnum is considered a borderline choice, but gets mentioned.
Heavy non-hollow point bullets are suggested as the preferable ammo for penetration.
On a different note: Self defense sprays do have a well recognized problem with wind. Gels lessen this problem. If the bear spray is not a gel, it could end up being a hazard to yourself. 10 yards maximum range makes it a last ditch defense in my personal opinion. I would prefer the option of an easily portable pistol that gives the option to possibly prevent something at longer range if given the opportunity to do so. A bear spray gel would probably be a good option for a back-up weapon. If you've plowed a few rounds into the bear and THEN hit him with pepper gel, he'll likely be amazingly screwed up.
Here is what I've garnered from reading the threads for the past year or so.
Apparently the .454 Casull is the best choice. No one seems to question it has the best chance to get a positive result.
.44 Magnum is the most common choice.
.357 Magnum is considered a borderline choice, but gets mentioned.
Heavy non-hollow point bullets are suggested as the preferable ammo for penetration.
On a different note: Self defense sprays do have a well recognized problem with wind. Gels lessen this problem. If the bear spray is not a gel, it could end up being a hazard to yourself. 10 yards maximum range makes it a last ditch defense in my personal opinion. I would prefer the option of an easily portable pistol that gives the option to possibly prevent something at longer range if given the opportunity to do so. A bear spray gel would probably be a good option for a back-up weapon. If you've plowed a few rounds into the bear and THEN hit him with pepper gel, he'll likely be amazingly screwed up.
I've carried a variety of handguns while grouse hunting and finally settled on a Smith .45 Colt mountain gun. I carry it with a cast performance 265gr. gas check bullet on top of 9.5 gr. of Unique for about 1000fps. Excellent accuracy and much less recoil and muzzle blast than a .44 magnum. We only have blackies in our neck of the woods and I've never had to actually use it, thank God. I feel this combination to be a good choice as it would allow for fast follow up shots for protecting myself and the dogs should the need ever arise.
walks with gun
New member
How about less violence, please hug a bear today. Oh and have someone film it so we can all watch.