Bear protection

[TonyM]

Big Bore revolver Vs. Bear Spray (Sorry, no rifles :hand:)

Which one do you/would you use and why?

[wrangler]

I would use the bear spray first. the 500 or 454 would be in my other hand.

[00TJ]

Big Bore Revolver....

If the bear is already charging/coming at ya..Spray will piss it off more !!!
That bear wants to eat you and thats it..

Just my .02

[JEH97LX]

I use one of these:

http://www.ruger.com/products/superRedhawkAlaskan/images/5303.jpg

If I had to do it again, I'd get the 454 version so I could fire cheaper rounds for target practice instead of mags. Otherwise, I chose the 44 mag so it would be easier to use for my wife and 44 mag is pretty common.

When working in the field (anywhere in Alaska pretty much), it's nice to have something that can stop a bear if needed. From what I've read, the effective use of spray is about 8 feet. With wind, you could incapacitate yourself (what I like to call seasoning).

[dtkw]

Interesting topic, bears....If I were to live in bears country, I'd carry my trusty 458 socom rifle. First round solid follow by a hollowpoint then back to solid...at least that how you should load when traveling in bear country, I was told. However, I have never had to shoot one so far. Most of the time, unless a eating bear or mother bear, most would just rather walk away from you. Of course, if you love to carry a berry pie for snack...then......

[TonyM]

It's nice to be able to use the 458 like that... however, I also carry my 454 on my hip as my backup.... depending on where the 458 is...lol

With ANY autoloader (Any rifle I guess for that matter)... a back up/plan B is a good idea wen dealing with life or death situations.....

[Rebel GMC]

Use them both just to be sure. Also take a slower person you don't like along for good measure.

[ryantowry_81]

i was told bear spray is just seasoning so you taste better.....

i dont personally have a big bore revolver yet but it is in the works. i usually use the trusty 12ga with slugs or a semi auto 308 for now...

[sasalaska]

For many years now I've used a S&W 629 4" Barreled, 44 Mag. Works fine. In the last few seasons I started carrying a S&W 329 4" Barrel 44 Mag, 1/2 the weight and 1/3 more recoil. But if it's light weight you will have it on your hip and not back in the truck or back at camp. What you have on you at the time of need is critical to your well being.

Contrary to popular belief you can skull thump a bear with a large caliber pistol (with appropriate power) works just fine. There's a 1/4" of fur/skin and 1/4" of grissel, then about a 1/4" of bone. After that it's brain matter (off switch). Any shot other than a skull hit leaves you open for crunch time. You don't want to experience that! If you survive that, there's lots of stitches and cosmetic surgery in your future.

I know we are addressing large handguns, but real bear medicine is a semi-auto or pump 12 ga with #1 copper or nickle plated/buffered buckshot and you shoot them in the face/head at 10-15 yards and you keep shooting until it's dead on the ground.

Accuracy counts. so carry the weapon you can shoot the best under extreme stress. Practicing is essential too, your muscle memory is what your body does under stressful conditions. That will be the thing that saves your bacon when it really matters. Bears are bears, not people, so treat them with respect and stay clear of them, or you too can become plopsy on the trail, like Mr. Treadwell and his girlfriend.

[TonyM]

That's what is nice about the 458. It makes for a GREAT brush gun... better than the 45/70 IMO as far as effectiveness in a situation like that. The low velocity huge rounds don't produce a whole lot of recoil so re-aquireing your target is rapid as well.. and you get 12 of them to send down range per magazine (11 in some, depending on follower).

However, for practicality purposes, carrying a shotgun in addition to your hunting rifle is probably not a good idea if on foot for any duration of time.

[BLB]

I know we are addressing large handguns, but real bear medicine is a semi-auto or pump 12 ga with #1 copper or nickle plated/buffered buckshot and you shoot them in the face/head at 10-15 yards and you keep shooting until it's dead on the ground.


We sometimes take the 12ga loaded with slugs out to the cabin in case of bears. A bit off topic from the handgun vs mace. But in using shotguns vs bear hows buckshot vs slug? Something said about a semi auto 12ga loaded with slugs lol

[Camp Cook]

I have never carried pepper spray and probably never will...

I pack a shortened to 4.25" Ruger Super Redhawk in 454 Casull when I am in black bear country I load it with 300gr XTP-Mags @ 1500fps when in grizzly country I load up with my Beartooth 405gr WLNGC's @ 1330fps.

[TatWhiteTrash]

I am going to get the s&w bone collector 500. Getting a nice chest holster and it will never be more than a button snap away. :sifone:

[Camp Cook]

Check out www.mernickleholsters.com these are the best holsters for back country carry I have ever found.

Here are some pics with me & my SRH...

thumb break cross draw/belt/speed loader pouch

http://www.hunt101.com/data/549/medium/321884_25_inch_SRH_Crimson_Trace_Grips_006.jpg

http://www.hunt101.com/data/549/medium/321884_25_inch_SRH_Crimson_Trace_Grips_007.jpg

chest/shoulder holster has identical snap thumb break release this holster rides just inches higher than the cross draw so I only have to slightly change my draw so have no issues switching between them.

http://www.hunt101.com/data/533/medium/Nov_2007_017.jpg

Here is a pic of my 454 Casull SRH's 7.5" & 4.25"/Crimson Trace laser grip I've sold the longer gun to a buddy now.

http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/medium/452_handguns_rifle_018.jpg

[JEH97LX]

But in using shotguns vs bear hows buckshot vs slug? Something said about a semi auto 12ga loaded with slugs lol

I've used a mix of buckshot and slugs in the past. Buckshot was more for the noise/scare factor. I wouldn't rely on a face full of 00 to kill a big bear outright, but it could deter, daze, blind, or otherwise effectively stop a charge more quickly than a misplaced slug. Noise is probably your best weapon in either case.

I wouldn't have a problem with an autoloader as long as it can handle the longer magnum loads and was reliable. I personally prefer pump but that's only because I'm more familiar with their function.

[Jessco]

I have owned a 329pd since '07, and have carried it for bear protection since then, until it malfunctioned once while plinking and the hammer locked open. S&W had it back to me in short order with some new hardware, but I no longer trust the lightweight gun with my life. I am currently carrying a Super Redhawk Alaskan .44. It's a heavier bulky frame, but I've heard they're ultra reliable and also can handle the 340gr buffalo boar loads.

[JEH97LX]

Jess, that's the same thing I carry, and they are real solid. Imo, more of a working gun than an heirloom.

Folks will swear by a glock, but I had a similar issue with a Glock 19. The first time shooting it from the factory one of the pins holding the trigger worked loose and fell out. I stuffed it back in, but it became a single action (had to cock it to fire a round). I ended up having to disassemble the thing at home, learn how it all goes together and put it back together right. I still have my doubts about its reliability, but so far it has held up well.

[Polack]

Id have to vote for a 12ga, Im dont have the arms to level a hand cannon accurately, especially if my life depended on it. but even my gf could unload a shotgun into a bear if she needed to(i think she may even be a better shot)

[warpig]

[QUOTE=JEH97LX;6657]I've used a mix of buckshot and slugs in the past. Buckshot was more for the noise/scare factor. I wouldn't rely on a face full of 00 to kill a big bear outright, but it could deter, daze, blind, or otherwise effectively stop a charge more quickly than a misplaced slug. Noise is probably your best weapon in either case.

I killed a huge brown bear with a single blast of bird shot (7) to the face years ago while grouse hunting, a bit lucky maybe but I have also killed otters at 80 yards with buckshot on a regular basis. So my vote would have to be buckshot.
I would like to see a 12 gauge auto pistol.
Save the pepper spray for the scrambled eggs in the morning. If the wind is blowing 70 I still don't have to worry about the lead blowing back at me.