[chipp]

My uncle has some property in upstate Pa.
He asked me today about an airlite Snubbie for protection from bear. I'm not a hunter. He has a 357 with 4in barrel. He was told 357 is the minimum.
Please help me with advice?? 357 for bear doesn't sound right to me. If So what ammo and barrell length?? I would appreciate any input as He is a great Uncle!!

[RCL]

They can grow the bears pretty big in Pa. :what:
I would think a .44 Mag would be a good minimal choice.

[84B20]

chipp,

Check out the thread I started on this subject for more information.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=185589

[mbt2001]

Dude...

A .357 is plenty for bear. I am tired of people dissing the .357. Yes a .44 would work better. A .454 would be even better. And so on and so on until we have you out in the field with an RPG and you can barely lug the thing.

In all honesty, you need a 6" barrel. The velocity reduction from a 6" to a 4" in the .357 magnum is critical. As Chuck Taylor says, "when the barrel size shrinks from 6" the .357 loses it's magic."

The question that you need to ask, is when that bear is running at you, do you have the nerve to stand your ground, draw and put a bullet in the vitals??? IF you can do that, then ANY GUN will work. We are talking about breaking the spine or putting a shot between the eyes. Even a .25 could do that. So ENOUGH GUN is incidental. If you were HUNTING THEM, then a .357 would be the BAREST MINIMUM and I would advise going higher. But for PROTECTION, the rules change. Carry something you shoot well with that is easy to pack and unobtrusive. Also, get the BEAR PEPPER SPRAY! That stuff works!

[30-06 lover]

A gun wuld be my secnd choice...I would get pepper spray.

[JGReed]

Tell your uncle to do a little research on bear attacks in Pennsylvania and then decide. He's fine with what he's got.

[birddog]

A gun wuld be my secnd choice...I would get pepper spray.


Ah yes, pepper spray. Also known as "seasoning".