What Gun For Bears?

MaxP said:
I would ask the same question of one carrying a rifle for bear protection. I find the handgun a faster and easier wield than a rifle.
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I'm not saying don't carry a side arm.....I carry everywhere..... I'm just saying don't ever let your guard down....and practice....and try and keep your cool in situations that you need to make the shot...
 
Weflyfast said:
I'm not saying don't carry a side arm.....I carry everywhere..... I'm just saying don't ever let your guard down....and practice....and try and keep your cool in situations that you need to make the shot...
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Agreed.
 
For hunting blackies in thick foliage you can't go wrong with a 44 mag or 444 Marlin lever gun.

For hunting the great bears I'd say a Winchester model 70 in 338 win mag would serve you well.

For protection from blackies the 44 and 444 will do fine. For protection from the great bears a hot loaded 45-70 would be perfect.

Mind you I've never hunted or killed bear, I'm just repeating information I believe to be useful.

At the end of the day trust the people that do or have hunted bear, everything else is educated or non educated guessing.
 
Alaskan Ironworker said:
My brother just had to cancel his kodiak trip, hope you have better luck. I was his backup so im almost as bummed as he is.
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My hunt is booked for the week of 8 June. Canada’s border closing is supposed to expire on 18 May. I think if it does my hunt is still on.

I’ve got my rifle ready to go for international travel and my “bear load” sorted out. Fingers crossed

DD4420C7-D1D1-4A0A-A4AF-DAFAEB041430.jpeg
 
Bummer man, sorry to hear that. Sounds like anyone who drew a tag here in AK will be getting a raincheck for 2 years down the line, since this year’s tags were already drawn. Might have a new bear gun by then, Im thinking .458 or .416 in a mauser of some sort if I keep making these kodiak trips a habit.
 
My great uncle lived and hunted in northern Idaho. He swore by his 30-40 Krag for black bear hunting. He would also use a 270 Win (98 Mauser) at times but he prefered the 30-40 ('95 Winchester).

The ballistics for the 30-40 are similar to the 30-06 Springfield.
 
NoHillForAHighStepper said:
My great uncle lived and hunted in northern Idaho. He swore by his 30-40 Krag for black bear hunting. He would also use a 270 Win (98 Mauser) at times but he prefered the 30-40 ('95 Winchester).

The ballistics for the 30-40 are similar to the 30-06 Springfield.
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Are they? I've got a krag, how are you getting 2800 fps with a 180 gr out of that rifle!?
 
Dog Soldier said:
The chances of a fatal attack by a bear is very rare. Since 1900 there have been 71 Wilderness deaths attributed to bears. The states with the most deaths are Montana number one with 12, Wyoming number two with 11, and Alaska number 3 with 5. There were over twenty which occurred in zoos.
The fact that the numbers are low proves that being armed stopped many otherwise deaths. Bear spray is not likely to save you regardless of the government propaganda. The wind is usually blowing in Brown Bear country. You are as likely as the bear being blinded. It seems to me over the years the handgun has saved more lives than spray. Where you carry the handgun may be more important than caliber. The guns carried on the side in budget-priced leather will be lost during the initial attack. Carry the gun in a strong across the chest holster. This is your best last chance to acquire and fire point-blank into the aggressor. Just some rambling thoughts from an old guy who has survived a lifetime with the Grizz.
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I wholeheartedly agree with you. I carry a 4⅝" Ruger® New Model Blackhawk 41 Remington® Magnum in a Diamond D® Guide's Choice Chest Holster: https://smile.amazon.com/Diamond-Guides-Choice-Blackhawk-Holster/dp/B00JL3V7MC/ref=sr_1_6?crid=1R73ZAAX47VQK&keywords=diamond+d+holster&qid=1555205442&s=gateway&sprefix=Diamond+D+,aps,216&sr=8-6
 
NoHillForAHighStepper said:
Not 2800 fps with 180 grain. BUT with factory ammo, 180 grainers are pushing about 2400 fps. The 220 grainers are only moving about 2000 fps.
Now, I didn't claim they were equal. I said similar...
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400 fps is NOT what I'd call similar, if so, then my .30-30 is similar to a .308......
Eta, to be clear, I'm not starting a peeing match, but I also don't think it fair that some ignorant little brown bear to read all this information, then decide that the lesser powered option is good enough, not knowing he should have really chosen the .303 British or .30-06 instead, depending on his circumstances, that extra 400 fps might make a real difference, I also don't want that tubby lil cubby to assume that all krags shoot multiple weights/lengths well and decide on betting his life on a 150 gr mono, and then realize all his shots are wonky from the excessive freebore. I'm not going to sleep well knowing smokey woulda had a better chance of he'd had better info.
 
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horsey300 said:
400 fps is NOT what I'd call similar, if so, then my .30-30 is similar to a .308......
Eta, to be clear, I'm not starting a peeing match, but I also don't think it fair that some ignorant little brown bear to read all this information, then decide that the lesser powered option is good enough, not knowing he should have really chosen the .303 British or .30-06 instead, depending on his circumstances, that extra 400 fps might make a real difference, I also don't want that tubby lil cubby to assume that all krags shoot multiple weights/lengths well and decide on betting his life on a 150 gr mono, and then realize all his shots are wonky from the excessive freebore. I'm not going to sleep well knowing smokey woulda had a better chance of he'd had better info.
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Well pardon the gell out of me....
How mant people have access to a 39-40 Krsg anyway?
 
NoHillForAHighStepper said:
Well pardon the gell out of me....
How mant people have access to a 39-40 Krsg anyway?
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I'd be willing to bet that every cub that got spoiled by the buttery smooth action of a 98 still has one, aside from myself, I know several other members here have one, so I see no reason to believe that the same ratio shouldn't apply to the bruins.
This is not to say a person couldn't do a lot worse than a bruising krag pressure load for bear country, but even a nitrous oxide injected fiesta won't replace diesel turbo for big jobs.
I'd not complain (nor I think would any gun toting bear) of having a 180 gr partition cruising along at 2250 (no point in hot rodding the ol gal) but if I have a say in it, my r1 running .277" 150 gr Barnes as fast as I can with a spare mag and my blackhawk spitting anything from a 180 Barnes to a 300 gr cast load would both be higher up on the totem pole if we're talking the Rockies or Kodiak, now I am fond of that ol krag, so since you've got me thinking on it, maybe a treed hunt would be cool enough...... probably still bringing the blackhawk though.

So no offense meant, just didn't want the newer sportsmen/women/bears to assume that the -40 and -06 were really so close together.
 
Nature Boy said:
This is getting almost to much to ‘bear’ :rofl:
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Nah, postponing a much anticipated hunt......that's what's unBEARable.......I feel for you sir, I'm hoping the world is less sideways by next year so we can go scout the Rockies, hopefully the American bears are recoil sensitive and stick with soft air bbs.........if not, (and heaven forbid) and they have the internet and check this thread, I'll report back with a new thread on what ARMOR for educated bears is appropriate. ;)
 
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