What to carry into the woods?

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ssmith1187

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While working on the deer blind this past Saturday with my daughter (age 12), this little guy came rambling out of the woods at 75 yards.

We certainly weren't in fear at any point, and I'm a firm believe that 99% of the time the bear will get out of Dodge long before any potential harm can occur. However, it did get me thinking. Walking in the pitch black of opening morning of deer season I still would not want to come nose to nose with one regardless of the size. So what would be the minimum handgun (caliber and barrel length) you would feel comfortable taking into the woods with you?

We go into the woods, work in the woods, play in the woods and never really gave it much thought before this spectacular encounter.

FYI, this occured in central Wisconsin parallel with Oshkosh.

All the best,
Steve
 

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Same as mesinge2 a 3" 629. I have never had to use on a bear but it has taken a bunch of deer and other stuff. Almost all of the deer were one shot a less than 50 yards. I have taken most of NA big game with a 454 but it is too much gun for just walking with the dogs and around the farm and I am comfortable the 629 will work on black bear.
 
I would say a 4 inch revolver in .357 mag minimum.
That's just my opinion. If you're a fan of autos, a 10mm would do the trick on a black bear I imagine, but since you posted this in the revolvers section, I guess not.
 
Either my SR1911 or S&W 686. Lately it's been the 1911, but I try to keep the use equal between them...I don't want one of them to get jealous and stage a mutiny :D
 
I'd carry a nice camera (nice pic) and a handgun that'll make more than 400fpe throwing a good projectile.. probably a hard cast SWC.. out of an auto also. Hit it in the right spot and it's done.
 
My two cents

I do some technical work for my local animal control department and, on a whim, I talked to a few of the guys who deal with or have otherwise had run-ins with bears. I don't take this as gospel but they are more informed than me. The nearly unanimous consensus was that, at least in hand-gun calibers, the .357 and .44s would give you the greatest chance of a take down (who really carries a 500 around?). I was a little surprised that 9mm would be preferred over say a .45 since, even though it is a smaller caliber, it would have a better chance of penetrating the fur coat and fat layer. They mostly agree though that having a 12 gauge slug or 30-06 would make them a lot more comfortable.
 
I think it was Ruark or Capstick that'd brain stunned elephant with a 9mm Hi-Power.
I'd not use FMJ on anything but paper though (well, except elephant brains).. SWC or a tough but expandable HP.
 
If you were OK with semi-auto, a Glock 20 (10 mm) carries 15+1 and a Glock 29 (10 mm) carries 10+1 flush fit or 15+1 extended mag.

For revolvers, .44 mag is probably what I'd use. Sure, you could go .500 S&W.

If you're carrying a long gun, a 12 gauge with Brenneke magnum slugs seems like a good option.
 
My main woods carry gun is a Ruger Redhawk 4" 44 Mag. I prefer it for packing because of the shorter bbl and it also has just enough weight to make the heavy recoiling loads bearable but not too heavy. I have no problem carrying it all day on the hip.
 
Whenever I'm in the woods of the Pacific Northwest I carry this Taurus® Mdl 425SS4 in 41 Remington Magnum chambering. I feel very secure and well protected carrying this gun..........
Taurus425SS4left_zpsff6e7b06.jpg
 
Stainless 4" Security Six, 357 mag. I carry hot loads in the cylinder

Good choice. You have to be able to shoot EXTREMELY WELL under pressure or you may as well have bear spray. Ive killed several bears, two of which knew I was there and weren't happy about it. One dropped in his tracks with a single shot from a 22lr Single Six through his skull. The other soaked up as many 357 magnums as I had in two revolvers. Many of which glanced off of his face.

My point is that any gun you can shoot very accurately under pressure will probably suffice. If you can't then it won't matter.
 
Just buy a cannon because by the time this thread makes the third page that's where you will be! :rolleyes:

These threads always deteriorate into needing a hand cannon to protect yourself in the woods from Black Bears. It's no wonder our ancestors survived long enough to make our generation possible using those pitiful guns they owned!

I carry different guns in the woods at different times. Sometimes a 4" M686, other times a 5.5" Ruger Vaquero in .45 Colt. (and even a 5.5" New Vaquero in 38/357 at times)
 
i typically carry a gp100 with 158gr swc or BB 180gr. i recently acquired a 3.75" bisley super blackhawk in .44mag that i'll likely take out a time or two as well.

shafter, how much did the bear you shot with the single six weigh? one shot kill on a black bear with a .22lr handgun...that's the first i've heard that one.
 
I think that you're fine with a 3" or 4" 357 mag revolver. If I am strictly carrying for protection, it would be either a 3" GP-100 (357 mag) or M57 (41 mag).
 
Son and myself, for years, carried 4" 357's just in case we found the bear that hadn't read the behavior book. Odds are that you will never need one,
just don't get between sow and cub! We had several encounters, no shots
fired.
Dan
:cool:
 
Where you are, I would probably pack a .357 of some sort. I would go for a barrel length between 3 and 6 inches, easy enough to shoot and ammo won't break the bank. Also, you could use it for plinking or home defense if needed.

I usually carry bear spray along with a handgun, I'm a belt and suspenders kind of guy.
 
Oh, he's a cutie. Pepper spray would be my preference if I were up there visiting my sister et al. A .357 would make me comfortable, but I wouldn't want to have to put down a little black bear who just came for the doughnuts.
 
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