The minimum caliber for defence against black bear at close range?

[Jeff F]

I've taken two black bear with a .357 and heavy hard cast SWC bullets. Both were shot under 15 yards and both went down with 1 shot. The last one was about 3 years ago the second weekend into deer season, decided to raid our camp just before dusk. I had a tag and took him with my sidearm. He was a boar about 150 lbs, dropped hard at the shot but started kicking its hind legs. I think he was DRT but there was a few people around and I didn't want to chance him coming back to life so I made sure with a second shot to the head.

 

[evan price]

Ruger Alaskan in .44mag. It is a fairly big but short barreled pistol since you already have the big .460 smith, the Alaskan is a perfect size for a "backup" sleeping bag gun at near point blank ranges.

 

[wildburp]

Do not

The best defense for black bears is do not bother them. That is also the best defense for any wild animal; do not interrupt feeding, ****ing, or deficating. They really get pissed off. Just like us.

 

[XDKingslayer]

155mm howitzer.

If you have a PO'd black bear that close, and it's in attack mode, you're pretty much toast. It's adrenaline will carry it to you regardless of round placement. Anything short of vaporization is too little.

 

[enfield]

12 gauge slugs

 

[bb21]

45 ACP

Well I guess I may get some slack for this but I think it should be said. For a back-up I think you could go with a high caps 45 ACP and be just fine, or even a .40 S&W with +P loads(Greater Penetration?). Remember this is a back-up. True black bears are extremely muscular, for those who haven't shot and skinned a black bear the amount of muscle that they have is truly amazing. I think that for the average black bear the .460 will do the trick and as a last resort 14 rounds of 45 ACP would suffice. Can you imagine shooting anything at close range with even 10 rounds? And with 230 gr. Cor-bon DPX+P’s? I would imagine most people hunting with a handgun will be good shots and should get quite a few rounds off if necessary. Chances are a black bear will run not attack, chances are that a well placed shot from the .460 will do the job and chances are you'll be in a tree stand and your back-up will more than get you through your situation. I don't mean to be argumentative by my post just realistic. My .02 cents. Good luck and be safe.

 

[Thefabulousfink]

Lets think about this logically: what type of situations are you going to need a backup gun in?

You are hunting with a .460 revolver which is more than potent enought to take a little black bear (and yes they are little compare to other bears). When you encounter a bear you will probably allready have your .460 out or just as close as you backup gun, so why would you need another gun?

1. Your revolver fails.
2. You miss, either with all 6 or the gun jams.
3. You hit but only wound the bear, again with all 6 or the gun jams.

In the 1. if the bear doesn't notice you, you should have time to draw your other gun and fire. In all three, if the bear notices you it will either run away or charge. If you need a backup, you will need it FAST, I would recomend an auto loader (like the 10mm). Draw quick, empty the mag, and pray.

.357s, .44s, and other revolvers are all good against bears, but don't offer you anything that your .460 doesn't. If I was hunting with your setup, my back up would be a high capacity auto so that when the SHTF I can bet my life on 12 10mm rather than 6 .44 mags.

Also the best backup is to have a buddy with a 12ga at your side (lots quicker than drawing anouther gun)

 

[stevelyn]

 

[.45 AUTO]

In my opinion if it is good enough to use for hunting then it is good enough to use for defense for whatever the game animal is. Black Bears are not the biggest bears around, nor are they the most aggressive. I would say that for a minimum caliber would be like a .45 Auto or .357 Magnum.

 

[ChCx91]

why arent more people suggesting .45 auto? is it really that hard to think about using a semiautomatic .45 to hunt black bears? especially if you have more than 10 shots in the magazine, im pretty sure a full clip of .45 auto would drop a bear, even if none hit it in the head. am i wrong, and if i am, please reiterate this to me.

 

[Loanshark]

A .45 auto for a back up... maybe? If I've decided I need to pull my backup weapon.. for whatever reason, I'm gonna feel better with a 10mm than with a .45acp. I think in most circumstances a .45acp could handle a black bear with no problem, but for that 1 in 100 scenario the extra power could decide who's eating who.

If you want a backup for your pistol why not bear spray??

 

[Cliff47]

Mind you, I have never run up against a bear of any color, but I would think that something in a .50 BMG would be sufficient (preferaby belt-fed). It may be overkill on my part, but I have a certain fondness for my hide intact.