Could this possible end the bear pistol/revolver threads forever?

[ECVMatt]

This is a pretty good read:

https://www.ammoland.com/2019/08/ha...r-attack-73-cases-96-effective/#axzz5wtQI8UPC

It kind of sums up my general feelings on the subject that the gun you practice with the most will work the best when you really need it the most.

The author was able to identify 73 documented uses of handguns against bears which resulted in a success rate of somewhere around 96% of the time. From the lowly .22 LR to the mightiest of magnums, handguns in general seem to work effectively on bears.

While I am sure the debate will still rage, it seems like handguns of decent caliber stop bears.

Thoughts?

 

[DocRock]

Wait. You want to end firearms and caliber wars threads around bears? Do you hate Jesus and America?

 

[JeeperCreeper]

Yeah but if they used a .500 magnum, they would be a 100% successful...

 

[sequins]

I would never use less than 44 magnum for bear

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Oh boy!

 

[Kano383]

Good. Now we can start a thread on the number of magazines one should carry when toting a .22 in bear country...

 

[toivo]

Could we have a thread about using an air pistol for bear protection? That should be fun.

Springer, multi-pump, PCP, or CO₂?

 

[Jammersix]

Good. Now we can start a thread on the number of magazines one should carry when toting a .22 in bear country...

Well, if one carries a .22 LR for bear defense, one can carry many, many reloads, because .22 LR is small and light.

 

[earlthegoat2]

Lately the bear gun thread starters have been going a little more stealth.

Such as, Rifle for Hunting in Bengal Tiger territory.

Hog Calibers.

Most Hog Caliber threads have a shred of Bear Thread in them even if nobody wants to admit it.

It’s kind of fun to call them out on it by saying that it is totally not a bear thread.

Then there are the final type of bear threads that link to an article that has already been linked to numerous times in the past for the very purpose of yet again justifying such and such as an adequate bear gun.

 

[Kevin Keith]

One .429 magnum (ok, .44 magnum) 250 grain hard cast in the ear and it's nite-nite Smokey. Only you. Then there's this.

This tune came out in 1959 so maybe it could go in the thread with the Bannermann catalog or Monkey Wards or which ever one was about 1959.

 

[eastbank]

on a frontal charge from a 500-700 pound bear, the only shot that may kill or stop it would be a direct shot to the eye(getting into the brain) and with it coming at 30-40 mph I wonder how many times you could shoot a big bear(not a 90 lbs cub) with a .22 before he ate you, or you could use it to shoot your friend in the leg so you could out run him.

 

[SharpDog]

Ultimate Bear Gun

 

[HB]

In order to need a “bear gun” you have to leave your computer. In that regard the “bear gun” threads save a lot of lives.

 

[Pat Riot]

 

[DM~]

on a frontal charge from a 500-700 pound bear, the only shot that may kill or stop it would be a direct shot to the eye(getting into the brain)

Not completely true...

When I've been charged, the bear kinda quartered a bit to me in an arc, making a high frontal shoulder/spine shot possible. More often though, the head "bob's" low enough, for a hit to the spine just over the head... A spine shot puts them right down!

Your millage may vary...

DM

 

[The Evangelist Cowboy]

there will be bear threads until bears die out, and even then we will have threads about best calibers for supposed bear sightings in areas they once roamed...

 

[skeeterfogger]

Lots of variables. Read an article about a bear attack in Alaska. Found the body and a 38. Found the bear. Killed it. Had 38 bullets in it. Still ate the guy. So in that case it didn't deter the bear.
Salmon fishing guides usually carry 12g mag, 00, slug, 00, slug, slug... and go for the face.

 

[danez71]

Could we have a thread about using an air pistol for bear protection? That should be fun.

Springer, multi-pump, PCP, or CO₂?

The multi pump has one very nice advantage in that you can adjust the # of pumps, similar to 'down loading' in the reloading circles, for the relatively smaller black bears and increase the # pumps as you get closer to Kodiak grizzly brown bear country.

 

[Jim Watson]

Maybe if I could get some curare.

 

[The Evangelist Cowboy]

Lots of variables. Read an article about a bear attack in Alaska. Found the body and a 38. Found the bear. Killed it. Had 38 bullets in it. Still ate the guy. So in that case it didn't deter the bear.
Salmon fishing guides usually carry 12g mag, 00, slug, 00, slug, slug... and go for the face.

38 .38 bullets in the bear? That dude mustve mastered the revolver reload.

 

[Kevin Keith]

38 .38 bullets in the bear? That dude mustve mastered the revolver reload.

Maybe it was one of those guns they use in the movies.

 

[Rule3]

Not completely true...

When I've been charged, the bear kinda quartered a bit to me in an arc, making a high frontal shoulder/spine shot possible. More often though, the head "bob's" low enough, for a hit to the spine just over the head... A spine shot puts them right down!

Your millage may vary...

DM

And of course people being charged by a pissed off bear are Always so cool .calm and collected to be able to make a precise shot at the "spine just over the head."

 

[TheWarhammer]

After reading the report, it seems to me the point is "have a weapon on you and be aware enough to get it into use quickly." Some of those stories where someone had to go back to camp to get the gun or get the gun from a locked box and the load it, all while being menaced by a bear... YIKES!!!

In my completely unqualified opinion, carry the largest caliber with which you can repeatedly get rounds on target. A .22 or .380 might be ABLE to get the job done, but I certainly wouldn't limit myself to that small of a round by choice. In that aspect, it's really not so different from carrying for self defense from bad humans.

 

[jmr40]

on a frontal charge from a 500-700 pound bear, the only shot that may kill or stop it would be a direct shot to the eye(getting into the brain)

Nope. Bears skulls are designed differently than humans. A shot to the eye might blind it,but wouldn't touch the brain. If you want to hit the brain aim for the nose.

This has been beaten to death. The proof is overwhelming, a handgun, even less powerful ones as light as 9mm work as well as rifles. Especially if the proper ammo is used. The better 9mm hardcast bullets have proven to penetrate 6 FEET or more.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

Why do we hate bears so much round here?

When we have big game hunters killing enormous bovines with handguns I don’t see how there is any debate. Handguns can work if you know what you’re doing and choose appropriate guns and ammo.

If you think you might need to fend off or put down ANY large animal, a bigger handgun cartridge is better than a smaller one. Choose an appropriate bullet that is designed to penetrate deeply. Done. That’s all that’s to it.

If you want to carry a smaller cartridge, then you still need to pick the right bullet and acknowledge that a smaller cartridge will do less damage and may not stop as effectively. It’s a calculated risk.

Hitting an important part of the animal is the most important part.

Summary of all Bear threads:
Blah blah blah, bear spray. Blah blah blah 10mm is better than 44 mag cuz capacity and lighter gun. No it isn’t. Yes it is. Bicker bicker bicker, 12 gauge slugs are best. Cliche this, cliche that. Mod steps in and says “enough”. Two weeks pass, same discussion.