What is the smallest pistol caliber you would carry with you in bear country?
- Thread starter Super-Dave
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MeekAndMild
New member
.44 magnum using .44 specials.
Dr. Strangelove
New member
Hmm...
Don't these threads get fun? I'd say forget about the pistol and get yourself a spooky gunship to fly close air support. There are even some based in North Florida, so that saves some on the gas... 20mm Gatling guns and a 105mm howitzer make even your polar bears and grizzlies want to think twice about stealing your trail mix...
Hey, I'm just having fun; not trying to put you down. I moved to Georgia from Florida (Bradenton) six months ago and I spent quite a bit of time in the woods and on the water while I was there. I ran into plenty of four legged and two legged critters in the woods and can't say I was ever worried about the four legged kind. Mostly the two legged variety was satisfied with a wave or an exchange of pleasantries and the four legged ones, well, they didn't stick around long enough to get acquainted.
I don't normally carry a gun with me in the woods unless I'm hunting but just for fun here are my thoughts as a former Florida resident. (I'm assuming from your post you are asking about Florida specifically)
You can't open carry in Florida unless on private land, so it's not like you can walk through the woods "man on point" style. If a bear gives you time to take off a pack and get a pistol out you've got time to go the other way. Sure, you can conceal carry as long as you aren't on National Forest land. Do you really want to hike in clothes to conceal a .44 mag or some such gun in 95 degrees and 98% humidity? Have at it but not me.
A couple of people a year get shark bit swimming, diving, etc. in Florida. Does that mean I drag my 48 special AB Biller speargun with me every time get past my knees in the water? No. (By the way, it's a lot of fun, try spearfishing sometime. Sort of like shooting a rifle underwater. At fish.)
Having been a Florida resident for 7 years, I can honestly say I would worry more about a trip to the quickie mart than a hike in the woods. I've run into gators, far too many snakes to mention, sharks, moray eels, (not in the woods) and some very curious barracuda (not the car), but none have hassled me for money or broken into my jeep. (Well, the neighbors cat did pee in it one time..)
Anyway, to keep this on topic Super-Dave, I can choose between a 9mm, .22LR, and a .44 caliber blackpowder as pistols I actually own. I'd go for the 9mm, because, well, if anything can soak up 15 9mm rounds and keep going, I guess it deserves to eat me. I'd like to think I would be tasty.
Super-Dave, I'm just bustin' your stones, but as a former Florida resident, enjoy that beautiful state but don't worry about the bears. If one attacks suddenly, unless you're walking around all combat patrol style, you're not going to have much of a chance anyway. But do watch yourself on the way to/from the woods. Lots of crazies down there.
Don't these threads get fun? I'd say forget about the pistol and get yourself a spooky gunship to fly close air support. There are even some based in North Florida, so that saves some on the gas... 20mm Gatling guns and a 105mm howitzer make even your polar bears and grizzlies want to think twice about stealing your trail mix...
Hey, I'm just having fun; not trying to put you down. I moved to Georgia from Florida (Bradenton) six months ago and I spent quite a bit of time in the woods and on the water while I was there. I ran into plenty of four legged and two legged critters in the woods and can't say I was ever worried about the four legged kind. Mostly the two legged variety was satisfied with a wave or an exchange of pleasantries and the four legged ones, well, they didn't stick around long enough to get acquainted.
I don't normally carry a gun with me in the woods unless I'm hunting but just for fun here are my thoughts as a former Florida resident. (I'm assuming from your post you are asking about Florida specifically)
You can't open carry in Florida unless on private land, so it's not like you can walk through the woods "man on point" style. If a bear gives you time to take off a pack and get a pistol out you've got time to go the other way. Sure, you can conceal carry as long as you aren't on National Forest land. Do you really want to hike in clothes to conceal a .44 mag or some such gun in 95 degrees and 98% humidity? Have at it but not me.
A couple of people a year get shark bit swimming, diving, etc. in Florida. Does that mean I drag my 48 special AB Biller speargun with me every time get past my knees in the water? No. (By the way, it's a lot of fun, try spearfishing sometime. Sort of like shooting a rifle underwater. At fish.)
Having been a Florida resident for 7 years, I can honestly say I would worry more about a trip to the quickie mart than a hike in the woods. I've run into gators, far too many snakes to mention, sharks, moray eels, (not in the woods) and some very curious barracuda (not the car), but none have hassled me for money or broken into my jeep. (Well, the neighbors cat did pee in it one time..)
Anyway, to keep this on topic Super-Dave, I can choose between a 9mm, .22LR, and a .44 caliber blackpowder as pistols I actually own. I'd go for the 9mm, because, well, if anything can soak up 15 9mm rounds and keep going, I guess it deserves to eat me. I'd like to think I would be tasty.
Super-Dave, I'm just bustin' your stones, but as a former Florida resident, enjoy that beautiful state but don't worry about the bears. If one attacks suddenly, unless you're walking around all combat patrol style, you're not going to have much of a chance anyway. But do watch yourself on the way to/from the woods. Lots of crazies down there.
And I have seen a great big draft horse dropped dead with a 22 lr revolver.It had a badly broken leg.
Most of Europe thought the .32 ACP was a great police round.James bond thought it excessive.The first application of the .22 was a SD handgun.Outside of wars,the .22 has probably killed more men than any other round.People aren't bullet proof.Shoot me with a .22 short and I'll probably go off and die without a hospital.
So why is the advice to carry something with a .4 in it's caliber designation?
.25 pocket autos are so much nicer to carry,and they are cute!!
After all,a rapier used to work just fine.
Or did serious people with real experience say"I want a bigger gun because this maniac on PCP...
I'm taking the man's question serious.
I'm no great expert,but I'm not armchair.Hunting calm,relaxed bears over bait a person can be patient and pick the shot.The bear doesn't know what hit him.
I'll suggest a number of these opinions are coming from folks who have never killed anything with their 9 mms or .45s.I'll suggest fewer have killed a bear with a 9mm or 45.I'll suggest fewer still have killed a PO'd bear that was tearing up a human being.
We have now arrived at the definition of armchair experts.
Step into this scene.You are in Alaska.A 200 lb Black bear slams into your and his teeth are scraping your skull (or he is on top of your wife tearing her face off)
Up till this point,it doesent matter what you are carrying.Its about carrying.That WAS the priority.
Now,bloody screaming terror and violence,what do you want your right hand to find? Stopping it is the priority.Oh,gosh,that was her cheekbone and eye he just tore out.
Yeah,I'd say a PA-63 in 9X18 Makarov is nice and light,cheap,and what is most important,obviously,its not one of those wheel guns.Cant carry one.Uncool.Has to be a semi-auto.
Most of Europe thought the .32 ACP was a great police round.James bond thought it excessive.The first application of the .22 was a SD handgun.Outside of wars,the .22 has probably killed more men than any other round.People aren't bullet proof.Shoot me with a .22 short and I'll probably go off and die without a hospital.
So why is the advice to carry something with a .4 in it's caliber designation?
.25 pocket autos are so much nicer to carry,and they are cute!!
After all,a rapier used to work just fine.
Or did serious people with real experience say"I want a bigger gun because this maniac on PCP...
I'm taking the man's question serious.
I'm no great expert,but I'm not armchair.Hunting calm,relaxed bears over bait a person can be patient and pick the shot.The bear doesn't know what hit him.
I'll suggest a number of these opinions are coming from folks who have never killed anything with their 9 mms or .45s.I'll suggest fewer have killed a bear with a 9mm or 45.I'll suggest fewer still have killed a PO'd bear that was tearing up a human being.
We have now arrived at the definition of armchair experts.
Step into this scene.You are in Alaska.A 200 lb Black bear slams into your and his teeth are scraping your skull (or he is on top of your wife tearing her face off)
Up till this point,it doesent matter what you are carrying.Its about carrying.That WAS the priority.
Now,bloody screaming terror and violence,what do you want your right hand to find? Stopping it is the priority.Oh,gosh,that was her cheekbone and eye he just tore out.
Yeah,I'd say a PA-63 in 9X18 Makarov is nice and light,cheap,and what is most important,obviously,its not one of those wheel guns.Cant carry one.Uncool.Has to be a semi-auto.
Do they grow black bears real big in Florida?
Those times I'm in bear country I'm carying a .30-06 because I'm deer hunting. So there ya go. I also very rarely see bears so just hiking I only carry the .22.
If I thought a bear was going to chew off my leg (that seems to be the only kind of bear in the hunting forum) I'd like a .45 for bears larger than 200 pounds. I suspect 9mm would do fine for bears smaller than that.
Those times I'm in bear country I'm carying a .30-06 because I'm deer hunting. So there ya go. I also very rarely see bears so just hiking I only carry the .22.
If I thought a bear was going to chew off my leg (that seems to be the only kind of bear in the hunting forum) I'd like a .45 for bears larger than 200 pounds. I suspect 9mm would do fine for bears smaller than that.
Swampghost
New member
.44 Mag first, 1911 second and 9mm. third.
Buzzcook, we used to have a fairly decent population over the entire state. I think that the cattle ranchers doomed most of them and we're just down to a few up in the NW.
Buzzcook, we used to have a fairly decent population over the entire state. I think that the cattle ranchers doomed most of them and we're just down to a few up in the NW.
Super-Dave
New member
How about .357 sig using 147 grain fmj? I think it could provide adequate penetration.
I know what would be neccesary is a round delivered in the right spot that has adequate penetration.
I guess the real question should be:
"Does 9mm fmj or .45 acp fmj provide adequate penetration when shooting a black bear?"
I know what would be neccesary is a round delivered in the right spot that has adequate penetration.
I guess the real question should be:
"Does 9mm fmj or .45 acp fmj provide adequate penetration when shooting a black bear?"
In my example above, all four rounds exited the opposite side and produced significant wound channels. So, I'm not sure penetration is the answer. For predators you need stopping power and you need it now. Carry the largest caliber you are comfortable with.
I now leave the .45 acp home as I don't consider it adequate in bear country anymore. I might add the that this particular bear was initially shot over bait. She just had a very strong will to live.
Sure, you might kill 8 of 10 bears with a .22. But, your not really carrying protection for that are you? You are really concerned with that bear that is extremely ****** and has decided to attack, or mistook you for a meal. Either way, do you really want to go wading in to that fight with light caliber pistol? You can shoot a human with a rubber band and he will likely lay down and die. Large predators are still wired for survival, and will fight long after the outcome should have been decided.
I now leave the .45 acp home as I don't consider it adequate in bear country anymore. I might add the that this particular bear was initially shot over bait. She just had a very strong will to live.
Sure, you might kill 8 of 10 bears with a .22. But, your not really carrying protection for that are you? You are really concerned with that bear that is extremely ****** and has decided to attack, or mistook you for a meal. Either way, do you really want to go wading in to that fight with light caliber pistol? You can shoot a human with a rubber band and he will likely lay down and die. Large predators are still wired for survival, and will fight long after the outcome should have been decided.
.41 rem mag fan
Inactive
S&W .41 rem mag Mountain gun with 250 gr. Federal cast cores
I don't carry this hunting but if I am packing an animal out, it is on my hip. I also like it around when I am fishing in some of the off the beaten path places here in Montana.
I don't carry this hunting but if I am packing an animal out, it is on my hip. I also like it around when I am fishing in some of the off the beaten path places here in Montana.MeekAndMild
New member
OK, I take back my opinion about the .44 special. From now on I'll carry a 5.5 mm Velo Dog if I can (1) find a pistol in that caliber (2) find ammo.
Double Naught Spy
New member
JohnKSa brings up a good point that bears are not as bulletproof as a lot of people believe. However, there is a downside to the observation that has been touched on already as well. Bears seem to have a propensity to not go down as quickly as people would like. The problem here is that if the bear does get to you before dying/dropping/being dissuaded, you will suffer injuries that will require medical attention. Even brief attacks can yield some significant wounds on people. The question is then one of how bad the injuries are and how quickly medical attention can be rendered. Wounds that might be survivable with medical attention in 1-2 hours may be not survivable if medical attention is further way.
The smallest caliber pistol you should carry in bear country, ideally, is the largest and most powerful pistol caliber you can shoot very well.
The smallest caliber pistol you should carry in bear country, ideally, is the largest and most powerful pistol caliber you can shoot very well.
Jack O'Conner
New member
Shotgun loaded with slugs will stop just about anything. Of course, one must be prepared to prove to a Warden or jury that the killing was justified.
Jack
Jack
Respectfully,I have observed that the gentleman who posted this thread has only mentioned calibers typical to semi-autos.
With few exceptions,the sort of cartridges I believe will break the junction of the shoulders and spine (bone) are heavy revolver cartridges.
Its funny,a +P+ 38 SPL isn't that much less than a 9mm,but nobody is putting it on the list.I think its an auto thing.
So,there is the Desert Eagle,.44Automag,Widley in 45 Win Mag.
Those are what you would need in an auto to equal a Ruger Blackhawk in .45 Long Colt,300 gr bullet at 1300 fps,per Ross Seifred.
But those autos are all big,heavy,and unavailable/expensive.
So if you must have an auto,maybe a hot loaded 10mm but I won't call it bear defense.A big can of bear spray might be better.
With few exceptions,the sort of cartridges I believe will break the junction of the shoulders and spine (bone) are heavy revolver cartridges.
Its funny,a +P+ 38 SPL isn't that much less than a 9mm,but nobody is putting it on the list.I think its an auto thing.
So,there is the Desert Eagle,.44Automag,Widley in 45 Win Mag.
Those are what you would need in an auto to equal a Ruger Blackhawk in .45 Long Colt,300 gr bullet at 1300 fps,per Ross Seifred.
But those autos are all big,heavy,and unavailable/expensive.
So if you must have an auto,maybe a hot loaded 10mm but I won't call it bear defense.A big can of bear spray might be better.
Jack O'Conner
New member
Any USA citizen with zero felony conviction can purchase this firearm. You must purchase correct license from BATF. Contact your local gunshop for details.
Shotgun slug will stop any bear that ever lived.
Jack
Shotgun slug will stop any bear that ever lived.
Jack
Hi,Jack
That is what I truly believed myself when I went to AK.That is why I had my trusty '97 full of slugs beside me when the bear put his paws down on my wife and bit her through the tent.
He was facing me square,semi erect.I put the bead on the tip of his nose and fired.He went right down.He got right back up,shaking his head.I watched the center of rotation of his neck,and shot again.That one broke his neck.The first slug took out his center lower teeth and broke up.
I'm not saying a slug is inadequate.I would recommend a harder slug.
The common dead soft slugs may not do so well against bones.
That is what I truly believed myself when I went to AK.That is why I had my trusty '97 full of slugs beside me when the bear put his paws down on my wife and bit her through the tent.
He was facing me square,semi erect.I put the bead on the tip of his nose and fired.He went right down.He got right back up,shaking his head.I watched the center of rotation of his neck,and shot again.That one broke his neck.The first slug took out his center lower teeth and broke up.
I'm not saying a slug is inadequate.I would recommend a harder slug.
The common dead soft slugs may not do so well against bones.
skydiver3346
New member
Smallest caliber for bears?
The smallest I would consider taking with me would be a .357 mag with 180 grain bullets. Of course, a .44 mag would be preferred, but you asked for the least caliber we would take when being in the woods with black bears.
The smallest I would consider taking with me would be a .357 mag with 180 grain bullets. Of course, a .44 mag would be preferred, but you asked for the least caliber we would take when being in the woods with black bears.