"Best for Bears" caliber poll

[KodiakBeer]

For reference, I mean whatever species of bear lives in the woods nearest to where you live. No specific bear species, but if you live near black bears, put down what you would carry in those woods. If you live near brown or polar bear, put down what you would carry in those woods. I just want to see what people really carry when they are out in the wild.

OK, then define whether you are hunting bears or carrying something for protection. Anything from a .44 mag on up is fine for hunting grizzlies. A .357 will do fine for black bears.

To stop a bear in a defense situation you need to hit his brain. Brown/grizzlies will hit 40 mph on the charge and those runs are usually begun from less than 25 yards. A handgun won't cut it. It has nothing to do with ballistics, but with hitting a 40 mph target (a bear brain) in less than a second.

Black bear attacks are (usually) begun with a series of challenges that escalate into an attack. A handgun will in most cases, serve as protection. You have time to make that brain shot before it turns bad.

 

[Alex23]

454 Casull- really puts the .44 magnum in the shade. And I have one so that is useful.

But seriously, facing something that size I want a rifle with a hot load in it. You can kill a bear with a pistol, but it is not advisable as a first choice...

 

[Dr.Rob]

44 Magnum, though 357 Maximum wasn't on the list that would be my second choice. Dan Wesson 8 inch Supermag is a pretty hefty revolver to carry around all day, but with a good belt and holster it's tolerable.

I pretty much take my .44 if I am going 'into the woods.'

(Edit)

The only bear I ever had to 'run off' wasn't completely deterred by shots from a .44 into the gound, but ran like a sprinter away from crackling firecrackers.

 

[brnmuenchow]

Now that was a BEAR! Good pick "KODIAKBEER", my co-worker want's to know what that thing was shot with?

 

[rcmodel]

brown or polar bear

I got to go with a .25 ACP Baby Browning.

It won't hurt as bad when the bear takes it away from you and sticks it where the sun don't shine.

rc

 

[gordy]

I voted for the 41 mag.
It will do anything a 44 mag will do only better
And I just felt like being difficult.:banghead:

 

[Stevie-Ray]

10mm here. But that is presupposing black bear only, like where I am. For Grizzly, Brown, Kodiak, or Polar bears I would be comfortable with none of the above.

 

[Strykervet]

I went with .22lr since shot placement is key anyway.

 

[480 Alaskan]

well since theres no 480 Ruger I pick mine anyway....


but I`ll pic the 10mm with 200gr xtp...dont care what you say about it, give me 15 chances to hit the "brain" and I`ll take them odds.


still would like 6 .475 cal 400gr hot lead rounds though...

 

[cochise]

I enjoyed reading through the replys. Some pretty funny and some thoughtful.

Here in Florida, going "outdoors" I run into alligators, black bears, oodles of snakes, and the most dangerous of all 2 legged varmits. I guess any of the larger calibars work.

I usaully have a 4" S&W .44 mag. The first two rds CCI snake shot, the others 250 grn Hard Cast. Only had trouble with the snakes, both kind.

 

[Dan Bear]

Hmmmmm. Not quite sure why the 44mag is beating the 454 by a landslide. The 454 is bigger at a substantially higher velocity. The result: more power. I'm not saying anything bad about the 44 but the 454 would be a better stopper.

 

[jonnyc]

"Where do they get such small hunters?"

Way too funny...still chuckling!

 

[Super Sneaky Steve]

Damn, that pic really makes me wanna pick up an Alaskan in 454.

I find the scope mounts hillarious though LOL Who would put a scope on that little monster?

 

[DC Plumber]

OK, I voted 454..........but,

I have both a Ruger Alaskan 454 and a Smith and Wesson 6" 44 mag. With max loads, I am WAY more accurated with the 44mag, but I like the short easy carrying Alaskan. I can't imagine taking a shot at a charging bear until it is right on top of you, how else are you going to get a good head shot? I have my Alaskan for fun, I don't think I'll ever be in a possition to have to defend myself against a bear other than a black bear up north, which I'd have no problem waiting until it was very close and I'm sure the Alaskan would do nicely, but a grizzly........I don't think I'd be able to make a decision that fast. I'd probably soil myself, curl up in a ball and play dead. hehehe

 

[Ducman69]

Where's the heavy 5.56 non-expanding poll option for the headshot?



You've got 30 rnds to mag dump. Sorry, just trying to find a practical application for my new toy aside from zombipocolypse.

Realistically, I'd feel safest with the .500 S&W, followed by a shoryuken if charging at close range.

 

[a-sheepdog]

When I am actually in bear country (Montana), I generally carry my Smith 44 mag with Garrett Ammo. Sometimes I may alternate with my Glock 21 with FMJ ammo, but I feel better with the 44.

 

[dprice3844444]

i still like my magnum research 7 1/2 stainless bfr in 45/70 and 450 marlin

 

[56hawk]

In this thread, lets get a vote for what YOU would actually feel comfortable taking along in bear country. No rifle calibers, and no shotguns. I would really like to see what people are more likely to take into the woods.

"Best for Bears" caliber poll

What caliber are you most likely to take when heading into bear country

Interesting on the different wording here. Realistically I go into bear country most of the time with just a 9mm. Not really expecting to go up against a bear though.

I answered the poll with the 500 S&W though, because that's what I carry as a back up gun when I'm hunting, or hiking way out in the woods.

If I was actually planning on shooting a bear I wouldn't be taking anything less than a 44 Magnum as a backup gun. And of course a 338 Win Mag or bigger for my main rifle.

 

[Kiln]

I was going to vote for Rocket Propelled Grenade launchers for bear defense but for some reason the option seems to have been omitted?

 

[Alex23]

Where is the bear spray option? The only hunter I know who lives in Bear Country says that stuff is absolutely effective.

He was downwind of it once and said it made tear gas and mace seem like high priced cologne...

 

[Scipio Africanus]

Most comfotable, 500 S&W, 4 in". I live, travel and hunt where the bears come in both colors. Last year a fellow was mauled almost to death right in my neighborhood. I really prefer my 45-70 or .458 Lott, but if a handgun is all I can carry, it's the big 500.

 

[Inebriated]

I said .500 S&W, just because 12 gauge wasn't an option...

 

[bangaway]

.45 colt

My hiking areas sport only black bears so 260 grain hard cast and 700 ft pounds. If it is montana/Idaho hiking 325 gr. lyman hardcast and 1200 ft. pounds. Have fun and bangaway.

 

[Pete D.]

pistols

Ideally....if I were in big bear country.....I'd have a rifle chambered for one of the .416s or .458s.
Since I live in black bear country and the beasts often wonder down the drive to the house, when I am concerned - walking with the dog at night - I carry one of three guns: a 1911, a SBH IN .44 mAG, or a Vaquero in .45 Colt.
Pete

It's one of the few handgun calibers that's been proven to reliably stop a charging bear.

"Reliably"?? A handgun? What kind of bear?
"Stop"......to me "stop a charging bear" means that the animal dies before it gets to you, dies in its tracks, stops dead right there and then. There's a pistol that is known to do that reliably to all bears??
I have trouble accepting that.
Maybe the occasional lucky shot - like that fellow up in Soldotna two years who killed one while walking his dog. Lucky guy. Lucky shot. Even then, the bear did not "stop", it almost ran him over.
P

 

[CraigC]

Sad how mature the sport of handgun hunting is yet so many are still so unaware of the potential of these guns.