Underpowered for backpacking in brown bear country?

[Rickstir]

Look for bear poop. Very easy to tell the difference. It smells like pepper spray.

 

[NMGonzo]

Shotgun

 

[gordy]

As a kid growing up in minnesota, We had lots of black bears around (yes I know they are not grizzly bears) My grandfather just walked threw the woods and banged on a old steel pan with a wooden spoon and the black bears just ran away. It seamed that they were more scared of us then we were of them.
I think that if you can't come up with a gun to carry with you in the woods. Then maybe you should not go in the woods.

 

[ShadyScott999]

I believe I would carry my Marlin Guide Gun in 45/70. I don't know if it is lighter than my 870, but is a lot easier to carry.

 

[AzBuckfever]

There have been some comments on one particular matter in a confrontation with a bear (Grizzly or Black) don't matter. Obviously it's going to be a tense situation. Both for the hunter/hiker and the bear. So as said, what if the spray doesn't work. Bear spray in a sense is just pepper spray (maybe higher scovial units but I'm not sure) So that being said, you shoot that crap and you better make damn sure you hit that bear right in the face; because you're gonna catch it as well.
2nd was the .40.....To me this is almost a joke. I understand the comfort of a weapon for self defense, but we're talking about a freakin' BEAR here Thicker hide, more dense fat, etc. Better make sure your on target and able to stay there while the wetness is running down your leg if you're gonna shoot that bear
3rd - Rem 870.....see answer above. Although it does have more power/force, better make sure you're on target.

Although I have never been in a confrontation with a bear, I can assure you that just like any mother (animal or not). Aint nothin' gonna stop them from getting at their babies (which is likely the confrontation you will be in). My advice would be to speak softly (have your pepperspray in one hand), slowly back, walk, do whatever you can to escape the line you're in from the bear to the cubs. If the bear charges you, well, as they say....hit the deck and play dead. May not be a bad time to believe in god at that point either, if you don't already

ONE RULE: If you don't know the difference between a black bear and a grizzly when you're in a confrontation, climb a tree. If it climbs up after you, it's a black....if it knocks that bastard down, it's a Grizz....either way, you're f*ct

 

[lobo9er]

xd shot in front of the bear just ahead of it has a chance to ward it off. If its all you have its better than not bringing anything. samething with the shotgun. your not going it alone are you? If you have a .40 and another has a shotty i think you will be fine. It is an excuse to accur a little debt though

 

[AzBuckfever]

Love the minigun. How long does a minute worth of handloads take to make up?

If you have a Dillon 1050, about 3 hours....but it'll be the best 3 hours of your life considering it would be the funnest minute of your life

 

[AzBuckfever]

Lets not forget maybe 2 of the most humorous, but also probably the 2 most rediculous videos of all time....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0CNgwZgoKFc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tEIGqD80N6U&feature=related

Granted both incidents are with lions, but look at the comparison of a lion vs. a bear.
Lion Bear
Faster Thicker pelt
smaller More fat
more agile Gonna mess you up a lot more if it gets ahold of you....

And think about how many people were shooting at those lions, regardless of their skill. I think the true saying, "couldn't hit the broad side of a barn" comes into real meaning when that barn is charging at you at 25 mph with big teeth

 

[Mandolin]

I think something along the lines of MHI's Abomination should be standered-issue for lion hunts. A lot of slugs fast seems like a good idea. Remind be never to go hunting in africa with out either: multiple peolpe with AK-47s, Saigas, or AA-12s Or, 2: an a Huey gunship standing by. 2 miniguns FTW