[giese]

Going to griz bear country sometime and trying to figure out what I should bring. A rifle that is short and light would be nice. I was going to buy a 44 mag revolver but now think that for the same money I can buy a 357 short barrel(which I will have much more use for out side of griz land) for backup and super close range and a rifle for real protection. A rifle would also serve other uses I may have in the future and be easier for my wife to fire while said bear is chewing on me.

A lever action might be nice but I am open to any suggestions.

[ChristopherG]

Take one and call me when your shoulder starts to hurt:

http://www.marlinfirearms.com/firearms/bigBore_levrAction/1895GS.htm#

[Bacchus]

I second the recommendation for a Marlin lever action. You can pick up one in 30-30 if you would prefer a rifle cartridge.

[Mark Tyson]

I second the motion for a 45-70. Decapitation by bear claw hurts worse than any recoil.

[mainmech48]

Marlin Guide Gun in either 45/40 or .450 Marlin. Big Medicine in a small package. Not as hard on the shoulder as one might think, with one of the pre-fit Pacmayr "Decelerator" butt pads installed and fired off-hand. It can be semi-brutal from a bench with heavy loads like the ones from Buffalo Bore. With either 300 gr. JHPs or 405 gr. "standard" loads, it's a relative pussycat for its power: about like 20 ga. with field loads.

Lots of data and components for handloading 45/70. Many options in factory ammo now too.

[treeprof]

Bigger's always better and the .45-70 would be a great choice. OTOH, I wouldn't feel too bad carrying a .44 mag lever gun with a stout load here in the lower 48. Cheaper to shoot for your griz-prep and non-griz activities, and practice is always a good thing.

[cosmonick]

A 454 lever-action is a great compromise of power and recoil.

[iamkris]

There's a guys who makes a takedown version of the Guide Gun with ghost ring sights and porting. Can't remember his name but the gun is called a Co Pilot...Jeff Cooper loves it and seems like it would be the bees knees for a bush pilot or packer.

Older Guide Guns had porting to tame the recoil but I think they discontinued that becasue of the harsh blast from the ports in everyday shooting. If being attacked by a grizzly, wouldn't think you'd notice the gas blast too much...or the recoil for that matter.

[treeprof]

http://www.wildwestguns.com/

[ReadyontheRight]

Another vote for the 45/70 Guide Gun. They are avilable in stainless. The newer ones are non-ported.

I believe there is also a version with pistol grip -- which may help with recoil. It may be a longer barrel, which you could probably cut down to Guide Gun length.

[Kentucky Rifle]

Notice how nobody said much about .357's for Griz? :) It would take a real lucky shot (I'm talkin' the "Golden BB" type of shot!) or a really small Griz for a .357 rifle. If you do go the .357 route, load it with heavy FMJ's. I remember a post on The Firing Line (I think.) regarding the end of the day and some guys just sitting in front of the fireplace in their cabin when a Griz broke through the door. One guy had his .44 mag revolver which was loaded with hollow points. He fired all six shots into the bear's chest and dove out the window. Their guide dispatched the bear with a heavy rifle. Upon examination, the six .44's were stuck in the muscle of the bear's chest--far away from anything vital. The next day the same guy DID kill a bear with his .44 mag, but it was loaded with FMJ's. I think I got the story straight. Anybody else remember the post?

KR

[Cosmoline]

I carry a .357 Security Six around the property, though I have a rifle nearby. It's strictly defensive, for use only if I have to on my way to get more firepower. That said, if you load it with hardcast 200 grain loads from Corbon, and place the shot in the brain pan, even the largest brown bear or griz would die. You just need enough penetration to get through the skull, and the high sectional density and solid nature of those bullets should be more than enough. Considering how small the target is to aim at, there's something to be said for opting for more control with a medium-frame .357 handgun rather than trying to deal with some massive .454 or hot loads from a .44 Mag.

I hiked for a long time with a Guide Gun, but ultimately decided that I'd be better off with better bullets so I now use an old K-31 strung across the front with a quick release. Still haven't found the ideal rifle, but the old BRNO ZKK's in .375 H&H look promising.