45 ACP for black bear

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wisconsin

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I'm going camping soon and taking my 45 with, what kind of load would you recommend for protection against black bear?
 
230 grain FMJ-RN.

Deep penetration & the ability to break bones in a bear attack will do you more good then a rapid expansion HP generally recommended for SD & hunting.
And 230 grain FMJ-RN will give it.

But for actual protection against Smokey the campground bear?
I'd suggest an industrial size can of Bear Pepper Spray.

And put the samwichs & garbage someplace besides in your tent at night.
The further away & higher in a tree, the better..

Heres todays news about two rifle toting elk hunters attacked by a bear.
They used Bear Spray to run it off.
http://www.standard.net/stories/2011/09/24/idaho-elk-hunter-injured-bear-attack

rc
 
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If you're wedded to the .45 acp, find a +p rated FMJFP (full metal jacket, flat point). But, once you find the desired round, please, please run a couple hundred through your handgun "before" you rely on it.
 
I would recommend something FMJ and +P. I would question the stopping power of a .45 ACP against black bears, however they are 99.99% of the time deterred by loud noises and groups of people. If brown bears come into the equation, you have an excuse to go out and buy at least a .44 Magnum. Best of luck and keep the food high off the ground! :)
 
thanks for the advice and quick responses. we should not encounter brown bear (northern WI), and due to being a poor college kid i am wedded to the 45. And we are bringing bear spray... you just never know though...
 
I think people over estimate the average size of black bears. If I were in your situation I would alternate 230 grain +P XTP's and some truncated cone 230 grain non-expanding slug, with a non-expanding slug in the tube.

I second the recommendation of bear spray. No one wants to needlessly kill an animal just because you cross paths, but with a non-lethal option you can be way more liberal in your use of it.
 
Bear spray works better.

Keep in mind, if youre car camping, those bears are used to people. Just ignore them or chase them away. I used to camp in NH. They had a bunch of bears. You had to respect them, but they were harmless. One even unzipped my tent. Had one wander through my lot every other night. Just not a big deal. Sneaking up on one when your hiking 10m offroad is way worse. In a campground, no bear is going to be surprized by your being there.

FMJ +P is plenty. It'll work on small bears, it won't on a big one. Use it as a last resort. Youre better off de-escalating the situation. Don't pick a fight with a bear.
 
I've worked on Picatinny Arsenal, 100% in the outdoors. Seen about a dozen, not counting cubs of course :).

No no no, I should have specified. The center of south Jersey is where the bulk of them are. There isn't nearly as many black bears in the northern part of the state as there are in the southern half.

My job involves a lot of deliveries to the pine areas (Wharton State Forest), and that's where they really thrive. I talked to a forest ranger while I was out there once and he said they put several down that weighed in just under 700 lbs. Considering male grizzlies weigh between 500-800 lbs, that's a big black bear.
 
yeah, there's no way in hell i plan on taking one on deliberately. I'd just like a alternative if my none lethal option fails.
my gun is P+ rated so i think ill try the buffalo bore ammo sometime soon
 
LOL in one thread there are people saying 9mm isn't good enough for deer. In this one people say .45auto is good enough for BEAR.
 
I'm using a 1911. and 9mm is more than enough for even grizzly if you use "xtreme fang face ammo" (sorry, had to toss in a mall ninja reference)
 
If it's a really big problem for you I'd strongly suggest you get a bigger caliber gun even if you have to sell the .45 to get it.

I dont see it as being a huge issue, we have never had many issues with bear up on our property. But it never hurts to be prepared
 
Black bear are not typically aggressive. Don't aggravate them, follow good camping policies, and have fun. Don't worry about black bear.

I've had many encounters with black bear, with several up close. One was trying to steal my pack and I smacked it on the butt with my walking stick to chase it away. He was pretty persistent, most of the time all you see is their rear end as they're running away from you. If they don't immediately run, say something to them, like "Hey bear, go away". That's usually all you need. As a last resort, just the report of your pistol should send them running.

I carry in the backcountry, but not for black bear. I'm far more worried about feral hogs and two legged varmints.

Brown and grizzly are a different story. For them, I suggest a rifle. And a scope. And enough distance that you have to use the scope.

Az
 
But should one open carry to show the bear that he is armed or concealed carry so that the bear doesn't know and isn't sure if he should attack or not? :evil:


I couldn't help riffin on a discussion in another thread. Forgive me.
 
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