woof
Member
Why would someone be prepared for a poor little black bear that never hurt nobody and go totally unprepared for... BIGFOOT! That's right, a 9 ft tall, 800 lb bloodthirsty sasquatch! Bears. Please.
Shotgun or lever action for bear
- Thread starter Readyrod
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SaxonPig,
can't give national, or beter still, continental statistics. but when i lived in AK, moose attacks outnumbered bear attacks by far.
after seeing some of the tourists parking their land yachts in hwy 3 armed with only a camera, standing WAY too close to cowinkle and her babies, i'd hafta blame it on the "disney syndrome".
gunnie
can't give national, or beter still, continental statistics. but when i lived in AK, moose attacks outnumbered bear attacks by far.
after seeing some of the tourists parking their land yachts in hwy 3 armed with only a camera, standing WAY too close to cowinkle and her babies, i'd hafta blame it on the "disney syndrome".
gunnie
MCgunner
Member
Who says there has to be a real bear problem for someone to post a bear thread? I don't own a bear gun, of course, there ain't a bear within 400 miles of me. ROFL!
My 92 is handier than a 94 Winchester, a bit lighter, neat, neat little gun. I think the 92 in .454 Casull or .480 Ruger would be a heck of a neat little gun to carry in bear country, lighter than an X frame and danged near as small. ROFL! But, mainly, I post it to refute the "I don't need no pistol firin' carbine" crowd. A .480 Ruger out of a carbine rivals the .45-70 for horsepower and the gun is so friggin' handy. Get it in stainless, perfect for the Alaskan coast.
Only critter other than humans I worry much about down here is when I'm kayakin' in a bayou where I know there's big gators. I just carry a little .38 in a fanny pack. A .38 to the head of a gator will ruin his day. I can usually scare 'em off, though I've had one I couldn't seem to keep away from my fishing cork, just had to move. LOL But, a big gator that got too close, I just wouldn't risk trying to scare him. Normally, in a boat, you don't have a worry, but I got this kayak last year and it's kinda like you're IN the water. Kinda spooky when there are big gators about. Here again, gator attacks ain't that common, but you just never know.
My 92 is handier than a 94 Winchester, a bit lighter, neat, neat little gun. I think the 92 in .454 Casull or .480 Ruger would be a heck of a neat little gun to carry in bear country, lighter than an X frame and danged near as small. ROFL! But, mainly, I post it to refute the "I don't need no pistol firin' carbine" crowd. A .480 Ruger out of a carbine rivals the .45-70 for horsepower and the gun is so friggin' handy. Get it in stainless, perfect for the Alaskan coast.
Only critter other than humans I worry much about down here is when I'm kayakin' in a bayou where I know there's big gators. I just carry a little .38 in a fanny pack. A .38 to the head of a gator will ruin his day. I can usually scare 'em off, though I've had one I couldn't seem to keep away from my fishing cork, just had to move. LOL But, a big gator that got too close, I just wouldn't risk trying to scare him. Normally, in a boat, you don't have a worry, but I got this kayak last year and it's kinda like you're IN the water. Kinda spooky when there are big gators about. Here again, gator attacks ain't that common, but you just never know.
Uncle Mike
Member
[/QUOTE]
HAHAHA.... Aint it funny how most of the talk around here concerning the awesome stopping power of said cartridge centers on the big bad bear?
And... and you guys are b a d ... I spewed coffee all over the place!....hehehe 'disney syndrome'... love that! hehehe
HAHAHA.... Aint it funny how most of the talk around here concerning the awesome stopping power of said cartridge centers on the big bad bear?
And... and you guys are b a d ... I spewed coffee all over the place!....hehehe 'disney syndrome'... love that! hehehe
Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow
member
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- Nov 14, 2007
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- 13,146
Tough call, but probably shotgun, pump, with hardcast slugs, if I *really* thought I would run into a grizz, and wasn't hunting.
Yeah, mama moose opens up a can of whoopa$$ more often than a bear, in my understanding. The best *question* probably, is "which OC spray for meese, feral dogs, and russian strain hogs".
Yeah, mama moose opens up a can of whoopa$$ more often than a bear, in my understanding. The best *question* probably, is "which OC spray for meese, feral dogs, and russian strain hogs".
Readyrod
Member
I know what you guys mean about the moose. Once when I was treeplanting one guy on our crew was chased across the block and knocked down by one. Another time we spooked a mother and she ran off. Everyone was oohing and aaawing at the calf like it was a Disney movie, I was telling them to get the heck out before mom came back.
The thing is that when you get into real remote wilderness at the right time of the year it's sometimes thick with wildlife. Then the chances of seeing bear or moose is no longer 1/1000, it can drop down to once per week or even daily. I've had enough close encounters that I don't want to take any chances. From the sounds of it I should prob just get the shotgun. I gotta think safety here. It's just that those Marlins look so cool and 10 shots of .44 mag (if you get to shoot them) have got to do some kind of damage.
BTW the most dangerous moose IMO is the one you hit with your car. The car takes out the legs and the body goes through the windshield. Very messy.
The thing is that when you get into real remote wilderness at the right time of the year it's sometimes thick with wildlife. Then the chances of seeing bear or moose is no longer 1/1000, it can drop down to once per week or even daily. I've had enough close encounters that I don't want to take any chances. From the sounds of it I should prob just get the shotgun. I gotta think safety here. It's just that those Marlins look so cool and 10 shots of .44 mag (if you get to shoot them) have got to do some kind of damage.
BTW the most dangerous moose IMO is the one you hit with your car. The car takes out the legs and the body goes through the windshield. Very messy.
KMD
Member
I agree with the .454
I used to work in the woods and I carried a rem 870 loaded with slugs. Now when I go fishing or hiking my .454 M92 goes along with me it is a lot lighter and packs enough punch to stop any critters around here. I wish I had it when I was working in the woods.
hillbillydelux
Member
.454 or .444 marlin. Either one will make bears dead.
bad_aim_billy
Member
Probably a 9mm Highpoint Carbine would be my first choice, paired with a Phoenix Arms .25 ACP with +p ammo for penetration as a backup gun.
Well, let's not forget our helmets in case we get hit by a meteorite.
Keep an eye out for invading Martians.
Call the hospital and have an emergency surgical team standing by every time we drive the car.
There's being PREPARED and then there's being PARANOID.
At the very least, could the next 10,000 people tempted to raise the gun for bear issue please just check the 10 to 12 million previous discussions on this topic?
Besides, what's the point of asking folks on this forum what gun to carry for bear attack? Anyone here a bear biologist? Anyone here experienced with fending off attacking bears? How about deciding if you want to carry a gun all by yourself and figuring what gun you feel most comfortable with on your own?
Keep an eye out for invading Martians.
Call the hospital and have an emergency surgical team standing by every time we drive the car.
There's being PREPARED and then there's being PARANOID.
At the very least, could the next 10,000 people tempted to raise the gun for bear issue please just check the 10 to 12 million previous discussions on this topic?
Besides, what's the point of asking folks on this forum what gun to carry for bear attack? Anyone here a bear biologist? Anyone here experienced with fending off attacking bears? How about deciding if you want to carry a gun all by yourself and figuring what gun you feel most comfortable with on your own?
22-rimfire
Member
I think you need a body guard packing a 416 so you can keep your hands free, or so you can carry your 44 mag and feel good.
Just make a reasonable amount of noise in the woods and you most likely won't have any bear problems. Unlike Yogi or booboo, bears really don't like people, they just like pic-a-nic baskets. So, the moral of the story is don't bring any picnic baskets with you.
Just make a reasonable amount of noise in the woods and you most likely won't have any bear problems. Unlike Yogi or booboo, bears really don't like people, they just like pic-a-nic baskets. So, the moral of the story is don't bring any picnic baskets with you.
i wear a seatbelt, also...
SaxonPig,
always felt the same way myself. until i was riding the six wheeler with mama on the back upon jumbo dome behind usibelli coal mine. [healy, AK area]
we we looking for good sized bullwinkle tracks in way of deciding whether to hunt there that fall. on the way back down the cutbacks of the goat trail two track that leads up from the mine road, ole dummass spots some fresh moisture {undried} prints in the sandstone at roadside. not a drop of rain that day, just a very fresh print. i was wearing a size 11 boot, that measured just short of 13" stem to stern, after i got home.
the bear track was longer. momma was videoing my side by side comparison when it dawned on me how fresh it was. my voice in background says, "LETS GET THE HELL OUTTA HERE!"
THERE THE CLIP ENDS. luckily, not with the same aire of finality as some others i have seen.
ALL I HAD ON ME WAS A LOADED 1911 + 2 MAGS IN A "JACKASS" SYSTEM. galco mfgd. they call it the "miami classic", but i can't bear the sprocket and scrubbs imagery of that, hence the predating "jackass" moniker.
i can sympathize with Readyrod...i didn't even see this kid, and had to throw that pair of underwear away!!!
it created all kinds of very ugly imagery in my head. and the thought that i could have gotten my wife mauled by my lack of preparation was utterly unforgivable in my mind. i was NEVER caught in deep boonies that light in the armament department again.
gunnie
SaxonPig,
always felt the same way myself. until i was riding the six wheeler with mama on the back upon jumbo dome behind usibelli coal mine. [healy, AK area]
we we looking for good sized bullwinkle tracks in way of deciding whether to hunt there that fall. on the way back down the cutbacks of the goat trail two track that leads up from the mine road, ole dummass spots some fresh moisture {undried} prints in the sandstone at roadside. not a drop of rain that day, just a very fresh print. i was wearing a size 11 boot, that measured just short of 13" stem to stern, after i got home.
the bear track was longer. momma was videoing my side by side comparison when it dawned on me how fresh it was. my voice in background says, "LETS GET THE HELL OUTTA HERE!"
THERE THE CLIP ENDS. luckily, not with the same aire of finality as some others i have seen.
ALL I HAD ON ME WAS A LOADED 1911 + 2 MAGS IN A "JACKASS" SYSTEM. galco mfgd. they call it the "miami classic", but i can't bear the sprocket and scrubbs imagery of that, hence the predating "jackass" moniker.
i can sympathize with Readyrod...i didn't even see this kid, and had to throw that pair of underwear away!!!
it created all kinds of very ugly imagery in my head. and the thought that i could have gotten my wife mauled by my lack of preparation was utterly unforgivable in my mind. i was NEVER caught in deep boonies that light in the armament department again.
gunnie
22-rimfire
Member
Honestly speaking, bears make me nervous. I never felt like I had to shoot one in defense, but packing something like a 41 or 44 mag revolver always makes me feel like I have a fighting chance during one of those one-in-a-million encounters with mother nature.
I prefer a rifle over a shotgun. That is just me. Something like a 450 Marlin would be fairly good medicine. No gun is perfect in reality if a bear is trying to defend their territory, thinks you are the aggressor, or is hell bent on killing you. I have not shot a 45/70 so lean away from that caliber unless I started reloading it. I feel sure a lot of large bears were killed with that caliber in the late 1800's to early 1900's.
I prefer a rifle over a shotgun. That is just me. Something like a 450 Marlin would be fairly good medicine. No gun is perfect in reality if a bear is trying to defend their territory, thinks you are the aggressor, or is hell bent on killing you. I have not shot a 45/70 so lean away from that caliber unless I started reloading it. I feel sure a lot of large bears were killed with that caliber in the late 1800's to early 1900's.
Maverick223
Member
My thoughts is the lever action 45-70 would be best for hunting bears. Although for protection from bear I would choose a shotgun with Brenneke slugs. Why do you ask...because if I am actively hunting I won't mind the extra weight and plan on longer distances than the 12Ga is ideal for. For defense the average shotgun is a little quicker and the engagement distance will be shorter. Another thing to keep in mind is what you will be doing when you need the gun. If you are deer hunting I would take the 45-70 for added distance and it can easily take both deer and bear. If hunting something else, camping, hiking, etc then I think you will be better served by the shotgun. Was that confusing enough?
Food for thought
Though I live in Colorado and have hiked and camped all thru out the state I have never had an encounter or even seen a bear. I took at trip up to northwestern Wyoming and did some camping and their where signs in the campsite about grizzly bears in the area.
When I returned to Colorado I decided to do some research and came across this website.
http://www.absc.usgs.gov/research/brownbears/pepperspray/pepperspray.htm
If you read thru the whole thing he bases his conclusion on analysis of 500 incidents.
I would carry both pepper spray and a weapon.
Though I live in Colorado and have hiked and camped all thru out the state I have never had an encounter or even seen a bear. I took at trip up to northwestern Wyoming and did some camping and their where signs in the campsite about grizzly bears in the area.
When I returned to Colorado I decided to do some research and came across this website.
http://www.absc.usgs.gov/research/brownbears/pepperspray/pepperspray.htm
If you read thru the whole thing he bases his conclusion on analysis of 500 incidents.
I would carry both pepper spray and a weapon.
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Maverick223
Member
My idea of bear spray...a magazine filled with these...
It's 45-70 for all who are wondering.
It's 45-70 for all who are wondering.
TheFallGuy
Member
- Joined
- May 27, 2009
- Messages
- 124
I had a marlin 1895gs in 45-70 when I lived in Kodiak. It was reliable, accurate to 100 yards with factory irons, and very pretty... I never got a chance to use it for its intended purpose but it did go on many trips north of fairbanks...
Readyrod
Member
I would definitely carry bear spray. That was a good article colomtn, I needed to read that. I also just read an article on Elmer Keith and the polar bear that he bagged. It took 5 near perfect .44 mag hits on a bear that didn't know where the shots were coming from. Impressive feat but I think I'll forget about the .44 mag for big bear. I'll go for the shotgun or maybe a 30-06.
Readyrod
Member
Ok maybe 45-70. Is it easy to find at gun shops? What's the selection like? How common is the round?
Maverick223
Member
Yes...somewhat poor...pretty common for about 136yrs.
IMO the Hornady LeveRevelution is the best 45-70 ammo. It is however too hot for older guns like a trapdoor.
Several thoughts:
The 44 Mag, 30-30, and similar rounds have certainly killed a lot of bears and will continue to do so, but there is a huge difference in shooting a bear while hunting and stopping an attack. Something bigger is adviseable.
In a levergun the 45-70 would be my 1st choice, but I'm going against the grain and recomend a good quality CRF bolt rifle with a low powered scope or iron sights. There is a reason why guides and PH's hunting dangerous game use them for backup rifles.
If you invest the time and effort into learning how to shoot a bolt rifle you will find they are just as quick for multiple shots. They are a simpler action with less to hang up. They can be even lighter and easier to carry than a levergun.
The 44 Mag, 30-30, and similar rounds have certainly killed a lot of bears and will continue to do so, but there is a huge difference in shooting a bear while hunting and stopping an attack. Something bigger is adviseable.
In a levergun the 45-70 would be my 1st choice, but I'm going against the grain and recomend a good quality CRF bolt rifle with a low powered scope or iron sights. There is a reason why guides and PH's hunting dangerous game use them for backup rifles.
If you invest the time and effort into learning how to shoot a bolt rifle you will find they are just as quick for multiple shots. They are a simpler action with less to hang up. They can be even lighter and easier to carry than a levergun.
Readyrod
Member
Jmr40, can a bolt gun be fired as fast as a lever action with practice? That would make choices easier.
6-gunfun
Member
i live in michigan we dont have a whole lot of black bears but their are a few but im just sayin here thay dont most attacks happen wen a person startels a bear and it attacks so range is probly not an issue so id go with the 12ga with big 3" slugs for stoppng power a rifle may have range and penitration but i live below the rifle line and ive seen wat a old solid lead hollow point slug can do to a deer if u hit a bear with that ouch its bad
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