Minimum Bear Handgun Caliber?

XMP

XMP

Joined
Feb 9, 2007
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Just wondered what opinions everyone had on the minimum caliber for bear protection while hiking/backpacking. BTW I'm thinking specifically of grizzlies.

I've usually opted for .44mag in a 4" SW 629, but I'd prefer to go with .45acp, since I shoot a 1911 much more accurately than a revolver. Is that too anemic? What about 45 Colt or other calibers?
 
I would say that the .44mag would definitely be minimal for grizzlies. I would feel more comfortable with a .454 casual,.480ruger, or .500S&W. The .45acp wouldn't cut it in my book.
 
.44 mag is the smallest I'd go with. The .45 acp does not have as much stopping/killing power when it comes to bears. I'd go with a .357 mag before I went with a .45 acp.
 
I wouldn't use anything less than a .357 on BLACK bears. If you REALLY want to use a 1911 on Grizz...go ahead and file the front site off.:p
 
.44 mag is really the smallest you should consider. I carry a .357 (because I haven't found a .44 that fits my hands right) but carry heavy hard cast flat nose bullets that are designed not to glance off bone but to turn in to the bone and punch through.

The guy that told me to get them also warned me not to use them unless all the rounds in my rifle were gone and I couldn't climb a tree first. Basicaly he said not to shoot them unless the bear was so close I couldn't miss. Also said something about having an updated will...

If you shoot a semi better than a revolver get yourself a 10mm that shoots oringinal full power loads. I don't remember the original manufacturer but I want to say Norma (the full poser loads). I've heard of several people in Montana and Idaho carrying Glock 10mms with these loads for last ditch bear repellant. Personally I'd find something other than a Glock but thats only because they don't fit my hands either.
 
Shotgun said:
I wouldn't use anything less than a .357 on BLACK bears. If you REALLY want to use a 1911 on Grizz...go ahead and file the front site off.:p
Click to expand...

Is that so I can reverse my grip and beat it on the head?:eek:
 
My $.02 would be .454 casual, but I think it really depends on the person. As the people that tend to "spray and pray" go with DA revolvers or semi-auto pistols. I've found I perform better under stress when I know I've got less rounds (I hunt with single shot rifles). So I carry a Freedom Arms .454 casual (single action revolver). It hits like a hammer and forces me to slow down a split second so I hit my target.

If you think I'm full of it.....look at what pro hunters use in Africa for dangerous game....(slow reloading guns with lot's of WUPP).

You really need to find out how YOU best perform under stress and use it to your advandage.
 
XMP said:
Is that so I can reverse my grip and beat it on the head?:eek:
Click to expand...

I believe its so when he takes it from you and shoves it up your arse it doesn't hurt quite as much. :D ;) :eek:

I would consider the .44mag to be the minimum against a grizz. Not just being able to fire it but to be able to place the shots properly while his pissed off 1200 pound highness is charging at you at 35 MPH from 25 or 50 yards with teeth a gnashing and claws a clawing. Your probably better off just hoping its a bluff charge or that he is just showing you who is boss and will walk away after he throws you around a little. If it that type of charge then if you keep pissing him off by shooting him and only wounding him then your probably going to get killed. I have seen survivors of bear attacks that were just given "warnings". Not pleasant.

I'm no expert but I have read plenty and talked to hunters who have had encounters with grizzlies, including some guides and nauturalists.

KR
 
I had an old Zoology teacher who said the .45 acp was the minimum to carry in bear country, and he had a story about a guy who dropped a bear with his .45 in self defense, at one point.
 
460 S&W, then you have the option of shooting 454, or 45 long colt as well
 
.44mag would be the minimum I would consider seriously, although I admit to using a 1911 (in .45 of course!) when I've had a rifle handy, but I was afraid I wouldn't be able to deploy it quick enough.

I would really hate to be lying there, getting chewed on, thinking, geez, I really can't get this rifle pointed at the bear with my one free (or remaining) arm!

I figure 8 .45 slugs ought to at least slow down gentle ben enough to let me get that rifle going.

But if I didn't have a long gun available, I would not go below .44mag for any money! My uncle uses, what, I think a .480 ruger? Something along those lines for when he is trapping.
 
.44 mag is the standard. Use a hot hard cast load. You can use more gun, but then the gun is usually much larger and the added recoil slows repeat shots. I think most of the purpose of a bear gun is to give you the confidence you need to stand your ground when you get a bluff charge. A .41 mag would probably do similiar, but I would only use a .357 if I was rolling around on the ground with a bear, and would save the last one for myself.
 
Not to throw a wrench into the machinery here, but someone once pointed out to me that there is no record of anyone ever surviving a grizzly attack with a handgun that was a 44 mag or smaller. I realize these types of records may not be plentiful, but I have never seen such a record. Has anyone here, or does anyone have firsthand experience?

A well-known former hunting guide used nothing less than a .375.
 
Here is one of my personal favorites for hiking in bear country. I usually fire 240 gr. hardcasts at around 1180 fps out of this little barrel. My thinking is the bigger the better with bears. But you get to big and you don't carry it. Here is my favorite compromise. I have taken javalina and deer with it but never any bears.

44andthebiggie.jpg
 
My minimum would by my .454 Casull. I'm not sure I would be comfortable with a .44 Mag. YMMV, I'm sure there are some folks who could drop a griz with a 44, but I don't think I'd want to try.
 
I think the important thing here is what you are going to be able to use efficiently. I'd rather hit a bear 3 times in the face with a .38 than miss 6 times with a .44 or .50.
I have a video of a bear dropped in half a second at 10 yards with a bow. It was a massive old grizzly and it wasn't through the eye, right through the skull. It was a compound bow, but as a stickbow shooter I'd expect similar results even with a longbow or recurve of the right poundage and setup.

I'd like a Ruger Alaskan as an ideal griz piece but it is probably expensive to feed and practice with.

Consider ammo type too. I doubt very much a bear hit in the head with a solid from a .357 is going to be doing much mauling that day.
 
I go into griz country a lot, carry a .41 mag...a lot of folks up here opt for the .44 but when i bought there wasn't a ti version out. Since my gun is light enough to carry all day with gear it's always avail, some of my buddies with the .44 or .454 leave theirs on the wheeler, camp, truck, log, anywhere but on them.

Good friend of mine carries a .45 auto. he's been in griz country a long time...and has killed many big boars with a bow, if you were to need a backup that's the time he uses a .45. I still opt for a min of .41 but prefer my magnus broadhead :)
 
Here in AK a .44 mag is considered the minimum. I have a .460 S&W Magnum, but I also carry a .44 mag at times. The problem with the X frame revolver is the weight.

The following is from the Alaska Dept of Fish and Game website.

"Firearms should never be used as an alternative to common-sense approaches to bear encounters. If you are inexperienced with a firearm in emergency situations, you are more likely to be injured by a gun than a bear. It is illegal to carry firearms in some of Alaska's national parks, so check before you go.

A .300-Magnum rifle or a 12-gauge shotgun with rifled slugs are appropriate weapons if you have to shoot a bear. Heavy handguns such as a .44-Magnum may be inadequate in emergency situations, especially in untrained hands.

State law allows a bear to be shot in self-defense if you did not provoke the attack and if there is no alternative. But the hide and skull must be salvaged and turned over to the authorities.

Defensive aerosol sprays which contain capsicum (red pepper extract) have been used with some success for protection against bears. These sprays may be effective at a range of 6-8 yards. If discharged upwind or in a vehicle, they can disable the user. Take appropriate precautions. If you carry a spray can, keep it handy and know how to use it."

Good points to keep in mind. If you are going to buy a gun to carry for protection, be familiar with it and be able to shoot it. Bear spray is great, but just like guns isn't always effective.

Best course of action is to be conspicuous. Make noise, let them know you're coming.
 
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