.45 ACP bear defense load?

Status
Not open for further replies.
Hmm, folks quoting statistics about bee stings. Well, the numbers they spout may be true. So yea, there aren't all that many bear attacks per year. And, I guess you can take comfort in that. RIGHT UP TO THE TIME YOU BECOME ONE OF THE STATISTICS. Hey, it's gotta happen to somebody, right.

Seriously though, if all I had was a .45 acp, I'd take it along. If I could afford something better I'd get that. Either way I hope you enjoy the trip. Alaska is some pretty country, and as long as you aren't in one of the areas inundated with mosquitos this time of year, it should be a very pleasant trip.
 
Seriously though, if all I had was a .45 acp, I'd take it along. If I could afford something better I'd get that. Either way I hope you enjoy the trip. Alaska is some pretty country, and as long as you aren't in one of the areas inundated with mosquitos this time of year, it should be a very pleasant trip.

Thanks Jeepnik, I plan to! Leaving on Friday, should be awesome! And AFAIK, we are not in skeeter country.
 
Today, 01:16 PM #46
Ash
Member

Join Date: May 10, 2004
Location: Mississippi
Posts: 3,793
Treadwell didn't survive, that's the point. He went running around in a mine field. Marveling that he survived in the mine field for as long as he did does not change the fact that he blew himself, and another, up. He was eaten by a bear. I suppose I could play Russian Roulette and folks could marvel by the fact I had a sixth sense about where the empty chambers were. I could even give the bullet a name, and talk to it. Spin, click. Made it another year. Spin, click, that guy knows his guns. Spin, boom. Boy, did he know his revolvers. He just made one mistake...
__________________
Read Rise of the Dark Son!!http://www.amazon.com/Rise-Dark-Son-...4488373&sr=8-2 http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/rise...dle/1104139515

Actually he did survive for 13 years but in the end succumbing to his complete lack of regard for his own safety which he could have easily provided with some simple measures. Would we chastise a courageous vet who survived for 13 years prior to being killed? No, of course not.

I actually admire him in some ways for having the courage to live among these bears even if that was quite short sighted in many ways. He did choose the right bear population because inland grizzlies are much more aggressive due to lack of food sources compared to the coastal brown bears.

Treadwill did understand well standing his ground. It is a viable bear defense tactic and that is about all that he did right when you look at his actions. For that, it takes courage to be able to stand your ground and I do give him credit for being able to do that over and over again. That is a a behavior that we should emulate if caught in a confrontation with bears.

I saw another video in a Scandinavian country of a man standing his ground with a brown bear. That takes courage to overcome the natural reaction to run. Yes, I do give Treadwell that honor which he demonstrated time and time again and why wouldn't we.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O6GcWhlGF3o
 
I feel like I should clarify that this was heavily laden sarcasm directed toward the above poster at the time. It would appear some did not pick up not this. Apologies.

If you use some of these. :D :rolleyes:

People can understand your meaning, more easily.
 
And....?

Haven't shot a brown or been charged by one. Have hiked and fished in AK.
The impression that I have gotten after reading all the posts herein is that the OP really wants to carry his .45 ACP.
Repeatedly, though, the advice in this thread is to go with bear spray (documented by the AK F&G people to be more effective than a firearm) and/or a pump shotgun loaded with Brennekes.
So....what will it be?

I carried a 10mm Glock that had been lent to me by a friend.....more for protection on lonely highways than for bear defense.
I have a very clear memory of walking through a few hundred yards of woodland along the Kenai while salmon fishing our way from Homer to Anchorage.....emburdened with rod and waders, etc., I remember thinking that there was just no way that I could get to the gun quickly enough if a bear popped out of the brush. No way. And probably not with bear spray either, unless it was in my hand and ready to use. And no way to manouver quickly in the muck that made up a good part of the trail from road to water.
But...we did not have the bad luck of a confrontation on that day or any of the others that have followed since.
 
Treadwell's actions not only got his girlfriend killed, but also the bear that ate him. He claimed to work with Grizzlies but, well, they weren't, they were Alaska Brown's which are less aggressive. Spin click. Spin boom. Sorry, no honor in that.
 
Last edited:
Well, I think the answer is pretty clear. Carry bear spray, the 45 is for the less fuzzy threats or a last ditch when the spray fails.

I do want to respond to one other post. The fellow who said that the 45 was made to harass and not kill or some such. I believe you are referring to pre-ACP 45 which was generally traveling at 600 or so fps. The 45acp was brought about due to the inadequate 38 loadings at the time to be a better man stopper from the history I have read. Do you have some other evidence contradictory to this? If so I would love to read it. Please share if you dont mind. Thanks!
 
Hey Chalk, take pictures and post them where appropriate. Show those who haven't been there what they are missing. I need to head back up that way, it's been awhile.
 
Oh, I will be taking plenty of pictures! I will be fishing, not hunting, but I bet most folks on here are known to toss a line or two...we are gonna do a bunch of halibut, cod, and rockfishing, and maybe some crabbing. We will also be heading upriver some too, and that is where the bear concers came in. Thanks for the replies!
 
grizzly extreme
Perhaps it is not clear, but Grizzly Extreme in .45 is not for grizzlies.

It is marketed as a light-weight SD round, not as an anti-bear round. It seems to not be able to penetrate even 9 inches of bare balllistic gel. It would be a terrible bear hunting round...and a worse bear stopping round.

In bear country, I'd prefer a gun and pepper-spray. If you had me choose only one, and the gun was a .454 Casull with 400gr GCHCs @ 1400fps, I'd choose that. If the gun was a .45 ACP loaded with Grizzly Extremes, I'll take the spray.
 
When I went fishing up in AK many moons ago the guides carried 12 gauge pump guns loaded up with slugs. They also carried bear spray and told all of us to make sure we made plenty of noise so we would not sneak up on and surprise a bear. You would be better off with a cow bell than a .45acp.
 
They also carried bear spray and told all of us to make sure we made plenty of noise so we would not sneak up on and surprise a bear. You would be better off with a cow bell than a .45acp.

Agreed. The best use of a .45ACP in bear country would be to fire it into the ground every 10 minutes or so as you walk, to scare the bears away. :rolleyes:
 
Although I'd rather have a long gun in bear country, if all I had was a pistol, I feel I'd be well enough protected with my Glock 21. I prefer the 230gr. bullets over the lighter ones for more mass and with 13 rounds I believe it would deter an attack as long as I was making hits.
 
I personally think you might want some pepper spray. Might be more helpful "deterring" brown bear than any .45 ACP load. JMHO.



Quote:
I am sure either of the .45 loads would work in deterring said bear(s)...




I'm not. Of course if you hit his CNS, that'll stop him; but that entails getting to the CNS. I'm just not sure how the battle of .45 ACP vs brown bear skull might go.

I'm also not sure about the meaning of "deterring"--you mean deterring the bear after he's already charging you, or just when you first see him?

I agree, and bear spray will keep you out of legal trouble. The best .45 for bear is called the .460 S&W magnum and no auto pistol I know of comes in this chambering. The guns for it are big enough, I don't know that a .45/70 carbine wouldn't be handier, though I guess you could fish with an X frame in a bandoleer holster and it'd be readily at hand, more'n I can say for a long gun.
 
Here is a summary of this thread:

1. .45 ACP is probably not a suitable bear round.

2. Barring purchasing a new and more suitable firearm, bear spray is an acceptable-to-good alternative.

Thats pretty much that. Timothy Treadwell being compared to a vet offends me personally, but being personally offended isn't why this thread is being closed. It is being closed because at this point there just isn't much else to say.
 
Any .45 ACP will work screwed in your ear. Any .45 ACP might work screwed into the bear's ear.

Probably none of them will be able to help you via firing at a running bear.
 
Today, 04:10 PM #65
TimboKhan
Moderator


Join Date: April 14, 2005
Location: Greeley, CO
Posts: 6,282
Here is a summary of this thread:

1. .45 ACP is probably not a suitable bear round.

2. Barring purchasing a new and more suitable firearm, bear spray is an acceptable-to-good alternative.

Thats pretty much that. Timothy Treadwell being compared to a vet offends me personally, but being personally offended isn't why this thread is being closed. It is being closed because at this point there just isn't much else to say.
__________________
First Battalion, Seventh Marines, 1990-1994

Dear TimboKhan, just making an analogy that Treadwell did in fact survive 13 years among the bears which is a statement of fact whether folks like that or not. The surprising fact is that he lasted 13 years which is way beyond any predictions of what his actions should have resulted. We all know of his eccentricities and delusional thinking, but heck, he did understand body language among bears and in that one aspect, he did what is recommended standing his ground.

If he had added an electric fence and pepper spray, I suspect he would still be out there telling his little bears, "I love you." In that aspect, I respect him for having the courage to stand his ground against these huge bears. I have watched his films over several years and it is clear that Treadwill did understand the dangers including the risk of death.

I have admiration for any person that faces his fears and confronts them. Whatever his psychological motivations, Treadwell did in fact live in close proximity to these bears for 13 years. Did his lack of concern for his own safety and his girl friend's safety ultimately lead to his death, absolutely!!

Sadly, his outcome was completely predictable in the end but I do respect people that as crazy as they may be who confront their internal demons. How many of us have ever confronted them in such a direct manner? Yes, plenty to criticize and condemn in his actions, but sorry, I admire his courage as well.

I believe our fascination with Treadwell as a nation must stem from an underlying admiration of what he did even though his actions are and should be condemned in their totality but in the end, I cannot condemn him in total personally. Just my own opinion and others of course are free to disagree.

BTW, I am a veteran of the Armed forces and I served honorably for 9 years and was promoted to the rank of Major before I left for civilian life. I likewise have the utmost respect for the sacrifices that all veterans gave in service to this nation.
 
Last edited:
Well worded, though i disagree. This time i will remember to close the thread!

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top