.45 vs .357 buffalo boar for bear defense

[Dog Soldier]

Very good D.B. Yes, many dollars from the West Coast and their activist fought our gun rights in parks and on public lands.

 

[Sunray]

In the equation of a charging PO'd black bear, a hot load, isn't going to help, regardless of the calibre. Less so if he's within 100 yards. Yogi can cover 100 yards in under 6 seconds. You will never be able to recognise the threat, draw, aim and make an accurate shot in that time.
"...200lb pussycats..." That's, um, barely, a bear. Yogi goes to 500 pounds depending on where you are. Cindy can run nearly 400. Averages 250ish in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park area.
In Yosemite, you're not allowed to have bear spray and you get to comply with all applicable state, local, and federal firearms laws. And discharging a firearm for any reason in the Park is illegal to start with.
https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/safety.htm
In California you'd be illegal anyway. Up to a ten grand fine, up to 3 years on the county jail and a felony conviction for concealed carry.
http://www.shouselaw.com/25400.html
"...not listed with the Department of Justice as the registered owner of the gun..." Will get you another charge and penalty.

 

[Deaf Smith]

Again, instead of disrupting this thread with your pseudoscience and "proof," start a new thread in the "Non-firearm Weapons" section and I will dismantle whatever you have there. Okay?

Sorry but FIREARMS are being compared to bear spray. That was the essence of the TWO STUDIES YOU POSTED as proof!

But you won't defend them against my showing they are flawed.

Deaf

 

[Dog Soldier]

As far as I know you may carry rifles, shotguns and handguns in Yellowstone. No hunting or shooting. It was that way some years ago. During hunting season the Feds patrol the park boundaries to catch hunters who wander into YNP lands.
Bear attacks are becoming more prevalent outside YNP. Wyoming is asking that they be removed from the endangered list. We were banned from taking Grizz back in 1973. I think??

 

[OC-Trainer]

Sorry but FIREARMS are being compared to bear spray. That was the essence of the TWO STUDIES YOU POSTED as proof!

But you won't defend them against my showing they are flawed.

Deaf

You also stated that the Bear spray study was flawed. No matter, start a thread wherever you see fit, and I will dismantle it there, then.

 

[Merle1]

Hello everyone. We are planning on going on an extended trip where black bears are known to frequent. I really only have two options to carry a handgun on the trip, so please do not suggest a larger caliber as of course I would love to have a 44 Magnum but it's not in the cards. My choices are strictly 45 ACP in a 1911, or a 357 revolver 6 shots.

I am planning on getting Buffalo Bore rounds, and yes the ballistics on the 357 look superior however I have a few concerns. First I have six shots in the 357 as opposed to 9 in the 1911. More of a concern of mine however is permanent hearing damage that would be caused by the 357 in close-quarters proximity with my family, as opposed to the temporary discomfort of the 45. Also I'm a much better shot with the 1911.

Not sure if I should also put ease of a mag chance in the equation of a charging bear....but there is the reloading speed.

So what gets the nod: revolver in 357 or 1911 in 45?

If a bear is charging you - you won't get a chance to reload.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

No where did I state anything about not taking a gun....actually I said just the opposite.

No where did I quote you directly or mention you by name so....... whatever.

Knowledge of Black Bear habits, how to not attract them to your food sources and what to do first if one encounters one, is what will avoid an attack and will have a larger impact on keeping most folks alive than the gun they carry. If one is backpacking or traveling into the backcountry of Yosemite, food canisters are required. This is the knowledge folks need to give to the OP, not what their personal preference in handguns is. I think this was addressed at the beginning of this thread by Drail

You are assuming that the op doesn't already have this information and is ignorant. Where did he say that? If I missed it sorry, but otherwise it's pretty arrogant to make assumptions about his knowledge base when you don't know him from Adam. Seriously though, if I missed that statement please point it out.

He asked a gun question on a gun forum. Seems pretty reasonable that people would answer the question asked instead of using the thread to prattle on about how much they know about an animal. I also think making an ammo suggestion is pretty reasonable too since it's gun related. Whatever that particular ammo is labeled is irrelevant if it gets the job done.

For the record, I believe with good habits and knowledge bear encounters will almost always end well. But the OP didn't ask about any of that.

 

[TomJ]

I hope I'm not derailing this thread, but can someone explain to me why it's legal to carry guns in national parks but not shoot them if necessary? What do they think we're going to do with them if not shoot them?

 

[X-Rap]

Same reason you can carry a gun in downtown Denver or St Louis but can't lawfully shoot it.

 

[Deaf Smith]

You also stated that the Bear spray study was flawed. No matter, start a thread wherever you see fit, and I will dismantle it there, then.

.VS. the firearms study OC, .vs. the firearms study. The bear spray study YOU COMPARED TO THE FIREARMS STUDY TO IS FLAWED. That is the comparison YOU made was flawed. Hint hint.. your saying (or shall I say Dr. Smith saying) firearms are not as effective as bear spray.

Deaf

 

[OC-Trainer]

.VS. the firearms study OC, .vs. the firearms study. The bear spray study YOU COMPARED TO THE FIREARMS STUDY TO IS FLAWED. That is the comparison YOU made was flawed. Hint hint.. your saying (or shall I say Dr. Smith saying) firearms are not as effective as bear spray.

Deaf

What part of start a new thread (instead of continually disrupting this one) and I'll discuss it with you there don't you understand?

 

[ugaarguy]

This has drifted off topic and into a continued inter-personal disagreement that I have neither the time nor energy to clean out of this thread. So, we're done here. OP, I hope you got the information you needed.