Bear defense scenario

W

Wildone39

Joined
Dec 17, 2007
Messages
815
Ok guys im not trying to start a subject on Bear killing or anything. I dont want to hurt any animal unless its absolutly necessary for survival or defense. What i am wondering is, the largest caliber weapon i own for the woods or defense is a Colt Lawman 357 magnum pistol that my uncle left me when he died and a Remington 870 12 guage pump. Which do yall think would be best to carry in the woods for such a purpose in case of cougers or bear?
 
Unlesss you're out hunting or plinking a rifle or shotgun is a little much for woods-bumming. The .357 would be more than enough in the lower 48; if you really have a bear or big cat problem in your area, just get some good 180-200gr hardcast rounds, they would be more than enough.

ROCK6
 
Within a hundred yards a 12 gauge slug will kill just about anything, but I don't see you wanting to carry around a shotgun every time you take a romp in the woods.

If you take the .357, load it with solid loads like someone already mentioned. Hollowpoints will mushroom and won't penetrate bone very well when used on large animals like bears.
 
Do you live in coastal Alaska or far north Canada?

If not, bear encounters are relatively few, and even fewer end up violent unless you're stupid.

That being said, unless you're going out to hunt something I wouldn't bother with a long gun. Your .357 with some Cor-Bon 180-gr softpoints will penetrate well enough (in the continental US, there's very few grizzlies, you're most likely to encounter some sort of black or small brown bear), and will be faster close in where it'll count with cats.

Of course, that's no reason you can't "need" a .44 magnum if you want :D
 
Well if I were to have one or the other in my hand, the 12 Ga with slugs is by far the best choice. However if it comes to what you can have with you at all times in the woods, the 357 makes more sense. Load it with a good hard cast heavy bullet(180 grain).
 
870 w/slugs for bears and O buck for cats if encounters are a probablility.

Glock 20(for me) if encounters are unlikely but preparedness is desired.

2Door
 
I live in an area with a lot of black bears and cougars. IMO, the best defense against animal attacks is preventing them from happening in the first place. There are many good books about this. Black bear and cougar attacks are extremely rare, especially considering the huge number of people who live, hike, and camp in their habitat, but I usually carry either bear spray or a .357 with 180 gr. hard-cast bullets. I use these: http://www.buffalobore.com/ammunition/default.htm#357 I sure wouldn't want to carry a shotgun around all day, especially for something that will probably never happen.
 
The 12 guage with slugs is far superior to the .357 for stopping power. Your margin for error is almost nonexistant with the .357 if a bear charges you. You will not have time for a slow bleed out death.
 
Whenever you see a post titled something like "jungle knives" or "review of a new found knifemaker" and the poster is Bearthedog, avoid opening the message. This will save you lots of money and then you can affort to buy a 12 guage shot gun with a slug.
 
INFI Kid said:
The 12 guage with slugs is far superior to the .357 for stopping power. Your margin for error is almost nonexistant with the .357 if a bear charges you. You will not have time for a slow bleed out death.
Click to expand...

But really, when you think about it if you shoot a bear with a .357 center mass it wont react? No doubt the 12 guage will have better stopping power but the trade off between a long gun vs a pistol may favor the pistol in this situation. Hes not hunting.

The .357 is still a weapon, designed to kill. It will do its job if used correctly, just as the 12 guage will.
 
INFI Kid said:
The 12 guage with slugs is far superior to the .357 for stopping power. Your margin for error is almost nonexistant with the .357 if a bear charges you. You will not have time for a slow bleed out death.
Click to expand...

This is true and for most, unless they practice firing under pressure and time, won't even do much damage with a 12 guage at a close range charge. You would be pretty lucky to get a close range stop of a bear with a .357, but it's better than a knife. First rule of thumb is to make plenty of noise and avoid them:D

ROCK6
 
Ottoshot said:
But really, when you think about it if you shoot a bear with a .357 center mass it wont react? No doubt the 12 guage will have better stopping power but the trade off between a long gun vs a pistol may favor the pistol in this situation. Hes not hunting.

The .357 is still a weapon, designed to kill. It will do its job if used correctly, just as the 12 guage will.
Click to expand...

It probably will not react nearly fast enough to keep you safe unless you hit the brain or spinal cord. The only benefit of the pistol is ease of carry. That's it. The shotgun is shooting a .50 cal bullet which will create a much bigger wound cavity and make it a little easier to hit something vital for a quick stop.

If a bear charges the best you're gonna get is 1 or 2 hurried shots. Even if you put both of those shots in the COM the bear could very possibly still maul you or kill you then bleed out and die some time later. Bears do not react like people when they're shot.
 
ROCK6 said:
This is true and for most, unless they practice firing under pressure and time, won't even do much damage with a 12 guage at a close range charge. You would be pretty lucky to get a close range stop of a bear with a .357, but it's better than a knife. First rule of thumb is to make plenty of noise and avoid them:D

ROCK6
Click to expand...

Yeah, I'd have to think most people might not even get a shot off unless they had the gun already drawn in the case of the pistol. Then to score a one shot stop would very very unlikely.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top