Alaska bear protection: any point in taking one of these?

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I'd take the 45 and extra mags. Neither round is going to drop one in it's tracks unless you get off a shot that penetrates the brain.

The thickness and angle of the front of it's head will probably make that a huge challenge. I'd rather have more rounds to try and slow it down as much as possible.
 
Sour Kraut said:
Sounds like you have a nice trip scheduled! Enjoy the country, it's beautiful there.

There will be others in my group that will be armed, so I hoping we will have better fire power. We Intend to be very careful and aren't anticipating trouble, but want to be prepared. My brother just bought a new Kahr P380 that he is bringing to put some rounds through. I told him that his job was to fend off the mosquitoes with it!:D
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Dear Sour Krout,

Sounds like you are way ahead of a lot of folks who don't even ask the questions you are asking. Having both pepper spray and your .357 puts you a lot further ahead of the majority of folks you read about in these bear attack articles all the time. Most are just out running around in bear country like they were taking a walk in a city park or the beach.

Fortunately, the grizzly population in Northern Idaho is quite low compared to places where you will be fishing in Alaska. Secondly, they actively hunt the black bears around here so they are usually far more scared of us than we are of them. You can't count on that 100% of the time, but in general, that is true here in this area more often than not.

Have a great trip and do bring the .380 for the mosquitoes. :what:That sounds about right. LOL
 
While it isn't ideal, I have seen a bear brough down with a 357. Long story but one of self defense(my father), the bear was shot in the neck, while trying to smash through a window. It was a black bear, but it happened around Circle,Alaska. It was a Colt Python with a 2 1/2" barrel.
 
bear spray, like you planned, and your .357mag with the best ammo you can afford, and can practice with before you go.

And then step back, take a breath, and realize you're planning for a very, very frightening, but unlikely situation.

You're going to have an amazing time! :) My dad's up there right now. Took his K-frame .357mag 4", and doesn't feel undergunned one bit. They're just being smart about their encounters, and aware of their environment when they go into bear country.

I've been up there, and it's such beautiful country that I can't wait to get back.
 
I agree with the 180's already suggested. I would make those 180's Buffalo Bore. So far, they seem to be the only ammo supplier that does not embellish their velocities. Quality stuff. The 180's are what I load when in bear country and without my 44.

Those 180's are averaging 1285 fps out of my 3 inch SP101 by the way. :fire:
 
I lived in Dillingham for two years. Enjoy the fishing--Alaska is a great place for it!

Just wanted to chime in to say "Don't count out the .380."

My two bear encounters were both ones where firing a shot to scare them off worked. The first time I used a .380 pocket pistol, and the second time I used a .458 SOCOM carbine. Both bears were equally scared and ran just as fast.

So yeah, if you need to shoot a bear to kill it, bigger is better, but it's worth having ANY gun around because you never know when a real loud noise will do just the trick.

Aaron
 
Ok folks.....I have the BB 180 GRN rounds and my wife's 686. Will pick up bear spray when I get there. My nephew will have his 454 Casul. I'm also packing a small air horn which supposedly can scare them off at times.:eek:

This is all insurance only, as we are going to take precautions to avoid an encounter. The weather is improving up there and I can't wait!

Thank you all for your suggestions, comments and encouragement! I'll give you an update when I return! :D
 
Aaron Baker said:
I lived in Dillingham for two years. Enjoy the fishing--Alaska is a great place for it!

Just wanted to chime in to say "Don't count out the .380."

My two bear encounters were both ones where firing a shot to scare them off worked. The first time I used a .380 pocket pistol, and the second time I used a .458 SOCOM carbine. Both bears were equally scared and ran just as fast.

So yeah, if you need to shoot a bear to kill it, bigger is better, but it's worth having ANY gun around because you never know when a real loud noise will do just the trick.

Aaron
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I hope you had both with you at the same time!:what:
The more options the better....I'm all about scaring rather than "trying" to take a bear out. Avoidance first.....short of that, Bear spray, air horns, warning shot, etc.
 
I carried my BB 180's up in Montana today. Funny, no bears seen at all!!

Better ready than not ready. Have a great trip and stay close to your nephew.:neener:
 
I would pack the 357 loaded with a heavy bullet such the 180 gr. already suggested. The 686 will easily handle that hot of round.

However if you go into a bar packing the 357 don't be surprised if they will only serve you lite beer.
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hahaha...:D

My dad just got back from Alaska. Said that most of the Rangers/NPS guys that he had the chance to talk to carried 454 Casull revolvers, if they carried a sidearm.
 
I'm sure it has already been said but bears aren't the only threats you might encounter. I'm sure some will come and state that you shouldn't even bother with anything less than a rocket launcher but a .357 magnum with some heavy bullet commercial loadings is no slouch and is a much better choice than nothing.
 
SwissArmyDad said:
hahaha...:D

My dad just got back from Alaska. Said that most of the Rangers/NPS guys that he had the chance to talk to carried 454 Casull revolvers, if they carried a sidearm.
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.454 Casull is not something that all of us can handle when it comes to the recoil of this beast.

I almost bought a .454 Casull Ruger SRH. I test fired it with a .45 LC and a full power .454 Casull. Since I was able to hang on to the gun when I shot it, initially, I was going to buy it. However, after thinking about how one full load made my hand go numb for 5 minutes, I decided to go with the .44 magnum instead.

Yuu have to be able to handle whatever gun you choose as your woods gun. You have to be able to practice with full power loads. I am satisfied with my pick of the .44 magnum over the .454 Casull. With my BB bore loads, I am right up there with the .454 Casull anyway.

Heavy .44 Magnum +P+ Ammo - 340 gr. L.F.N. - G.C. (1,478 fps/M.E. 1,649 ft. lbs.) - 20 Round Box

NEW HEAVY 44 MAGNUM +P+
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http://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=54
 
Bear spray is the first defense for you.

Take one of the pistols (they can't hurt) as it's nice to have options. Neither is ideal for bear defense.

Assuming the .45 is a full size 1911 with asteel frame and if you are willing (and have time) to make modifications and check them out i'd go with it.

A different recoil spring and fireing pin spring can convert a 1911 to fire .45 Super safely. Usually a 28 lb recoil spring is used. .45 Super will give you 600 ftlbs + with bullt weights up to 230 gr. There are loads heavier than that but I'm not sure on the springs needed. In any case use FMJ or hard cast solids.

A different barrel with attached compensator will change it to .460 Rowland. 750 ftlb + with 230 gr loads. This is the best choice if you can set you gun up for it. Use FMJ or hard cast solids if you can find them, premium hunting hollowpoints are second choice, golden sabers are third.

If you are not able to modify the .45, or if you have a model other than the 1911 style I listed, go with the .357. Get heavy hard cast solids from a good premium manufacturer. If you have to get hollowpoints / soft points, go for the heaviest weight you can get your hands on - you don't want them to expand.

If you can't find heavy loads for the .357, or your gun doesn't like them (accuracy). The .45 will still work. Get premium +P FMJs. Avoid the cheap FMJs - velocity is usually on the low side. If you have to use HPs, go with Golden Sabers in .230 gr. You don't want anything that will fragment.

Good Luck and have a good trip.
 
Take your 357 and load it up with the stout buffalo bore hard cast, but it might be to your advantage to have a good 12ga riotgun nearby loaded with 1-1 1/8 foster slugs or remington's buck-hammer slugs. I consider any hand gun as minimal when confronting a grizzly good for a backup but make your primary a shotgun if you have one. Unless your toteing a S&W 500 or something similar. "hand artillery"
If it were me I'd want every advantage I could get when dealing with an animal who may be looking to have me for dinner.
 
Great advice guys...thank you. I'm hoping someone will have a shotgun. We will at least have a 454 (OUCH!), and my 357 w/ 180 grn BB.
 
enjoy your trip.

just keep some distance between the two of you so you can shoot the bear off of each other!

murf
 
surprised that one of the seasoned Ak backcountry experts hasn't pointed out the weakness of the bearspray 1st with the firearm as backup. If faced with an aggressive bear confrontation, I'm told you'll be lucky to get off 1 or 2 shots. You certainly aren't going to be able to give the beast a couple blasts from the spray and then go to the gun. To be at all effective, the bear will be only 10 or 15 yards away when you react. Chose one or the other, but don't fool yourself that you will have time to go with plan B if the spray doesn't turn back the charge.
 
bassdogs said:
surprised that one of the seasoned Ak backcountry experts hasn't pointed out the weakness of the bearspray 1st with the firearm as backup. If faced with an aggressive bear confrontation, I'm told you'll be lucky to get off 1 or 2 shots. You certainly aren't going to be able to give the beast a couple blasts from the spray and then go to the gun. To be at all effective, the bear will be only 10 or 15 yards away when you react. Chose one or the other, but don't fool yourself that you will have time to go with plan B if the spray doesn't turn back the charge.
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You make a good point......No time for indecisiveness! One should decide ahead of time what to do. Good food for thought...thanks.
 
Bear spray first and a handgun as a backup does not apply to switch between them during an encounter.

It's more like carry and plan to use bear spray. But have a handgun if bear spray is unavailable / out of reach or to give some chance if it's inneffective.

Kind of like planning on using a shotgun for defense but having a handgun "just in case".
 
Screw the bear spray, I'm spray'n lead preferably 12 gauge. I'll save the pepper for the stew pot.
 
Update: limited on silvers early morning. Saw one black bear nearby. Shot 357 mag and 454 Casull at paper plates for practice.

The 454 was not as punishing a I expected. :D
Going out again Tuesay and Wed.
Beautiful up here!!:p
 
:evil:Hey try some of the pepper spray on yourself first before you use it on bears just to make sure it is effective.:evil:

Glad all is well. Send us some pictures when you get a chance.

God bless,

Alaska444
 
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