Bear Defense

[off road]

This my first bear thread. I read several mentions about 158 grain for 357. That happens to be the biggest ammo & gun that I own.

So, my question is... will that do the job on a bear if I hit him center mass? Just looking for a yes or no answer. Thanks.

Run what you brung! A .357 is better than nothing at all.

I carried a .357 backpacking for many years (black bear country), and never felt particularly nervous. For a 4" or longer barrel, I like Hornady 158 gr. With shorter barrels, you won't get much expansion with the heavier bullets, because of the lower velocity. Be ready for a fast follow up shot!

 

[jpickar]

Will a 357 with 158's do the job? In most cases.

Carry bear spray and use it first. Use the 357 for follow up if needed. That is what I do when I do not expect anything larger than a blackie or lion.

Even here in MT the paper work and justification is rediculas if you actually shoot a bear or lion.

I would rather educate a bear that going for humans is not nice with bear spray.

John

 

[Texas Jack Black]

:roll: :roll: :roll:

 

[jpickar]

Texas Jack Black

Please tell me of your experiances and thoughts.

John

 

[David LaPell]

I will have to say that I was inspired....

http://www.guns.com/loaded-for-bear-handgun-self-defense-for-bears.html

 

[ExMachina]

I will have to say that I was inspired....

http://www.guns.com/loaded-for-bear-handgun-self-defense-for-bears.html

interesting. by stressing the importance of rapid shots, that article implicitly makes a case AGAINST single action revolvers for this purpose

 

[LuckenbachTexas]

To the 357 guy. You might find some of that Buffalo Bore 357 ammo of interest.

I carry Tabasco Sauce with my 32 H&R, thought it might make me taste better.

 

[David LaPell]

I will have to say that I was inspired....

http://www.guns.com/loaded-for-bear-handgun-self-defense-for-bears.html

interesting. by stressing the importance of rapid shots, that article implicitly makes a case AGAINST single action revolvers for this purpose

Actually what I was getting at is to practice putting as many shots on target as possible. There was nothing in there stating that it could not be with a single action revolver. Having owned many (my first revolver being a Blackhawk) I can tell you that in the hands of someone with experience, you can get those shots off pretty darn quick with a SA. If you practice shooting the gun quickly, you will learn its limitation and yours.

 

[jpickar]

The pics with the griz going after the guy is right in our back yard, just over the mountain from us.

I know David Lapell. He has a lot of info for his age. Experiance is the best teacher.

Bears know when you can and can't hurt them. If we could hunt them they would be more fearful of us. A sow that has a bad encounter with humans will teach her cubs to be fearful of man.

John

 

[ExMachina]

Actually what I was getting at is to practice putting as many shots on target as possible. There was nothing in there stating that it could not be with a single action revolver. Having owned many (my first revolver being a Blackhawk) I can tell you that in the hands of someone with experience, you can get those shots off pretty darn quick with a SA. If you practice shooting the gun quickly, you will learn its limitation and yours.

i cannot comment definitively, but all the rapid SA shooting i've seen has been two handed--the one-handed CAS i've seen has never seemed that fast and sometimes even boarders on being fumbly. is it reasonable to assume that a proper two-handed grip will always be attainable in a high-stress situation?

so i'm just sayin' that if it were me and i was going to take that article's central message to heart, I'd pick a D/A .357 (or .44 special) over a S/A magnum hand cannon.

 

[Texas Jack Black]

Texas Jack Black

Please tell me of your experiances and thoughts.

John

Quite simply put .Does an individual have what it takes to walk the walk or do they just talk the talk. Will a person stand their ground and do what they have to do . I have taken eight Black Bear with handguns from 44/40 up to 45 Colt all with black powder loads. Shot placement and luck help.Remember a handgun is just a big punch it makes a hole and unless you get lucky and hit a vital area the bear may bleed out but only after you are chewed up or dead.
Use common sense and shoot what you can handle, keep your insurance current and have a will. Then go out and enjoy life. Life is to short to worry about Bears.

T J B

 

[chris_]

so i'm just sayin' that if it were me and i was going to take that article's central message to heart, I'd pick a D/A .357 (or .44 special) over a S/A magnum hand cannon.

How about a DA magnum hand cannon? :lol:

 

[tek4260]

I've shot deer with a 500, 475 Linebaugh, 480, 45 loaded hot, and 44 magnum loaded hot. Bullet weights from 440gr on the heavy end and 300 on the light end (plus a few with 240's in 44). That deer is just as apt to run 100 yards as it is to fall within 20 yards, even when shot through the heart and lungs. Now how good is that big revolver going to do against something as big as a bear? Probably better than a magazine full from a semi. How many hits could you get off? Maybe 2 for every 10 fired under pressure. The bigger the better in my book so I'll take the revolver, but realistically if you are charged, you are toast unless you have a rifle, a cool head, and time.

I've seen one bear while hunting. It walked down a trail and right up to the tree I was in. I had a muzzleloader and I didn't feel threatened in the least. It looked up at me and sniffed around a bit then walked off. I got out of the stand about 30 minutes later and walked the same way he went(to my truck) by flashlight. Guess I am just not that worried about em. I was too excited about telling everyone what I had seen.

 

[jpickar]

We understand each othe TJB. :wink:

Bears are not a problem unless THEY want to be a problem.
Then nothing is big enough.

John

 

[sp]

Quite a bunch of thoughts.

I was once armed with a 9 weight fly rod in S.E. Alaska when I came upon a small black bear. This scared me so I started carrying a 1911 then somebody told me that was not enough gun. Then I was accosted in a parking lot by a human preditor but was able to retreat with the bear inadequate 1911 in hand. Then I saw a large bear (grizzly) being cut up and knew that probably a bigger handgun than the 1911 would not be certain.

I have heard about bears being killed by .44 mags and with my limited knowledge of shooting bears a .44 mag would be better than a .45 auto or a 9 weight fly rod.

 

[Boge]

There was a story on the Internet a year or so ago about two hunters in Alaska that EMPTIED their .500 S&W Magnums into a huge Brownie or Griz and never phased it! The bear charged and dropped literally at their feet after their guide pumped some 45-70's into it.

The bear soaked up TEN .500 Magnums like Sponge Bob!!

Farewell and adieu to you fare Spanish ladies
farewell and adieu to you ladies of Spain,
for we recieved our orders to sail back to Boston
never more shall we see you again.

 

[jpickar]

A #9 weight fly rod is not much between you and a bear! :lol:

An eskimo, (sp), woman several years ago was attacked by a polar bear. She jammed her glove cover hand in the bears mouth and pulled her hand out minus the glove. The bear choked to death on the glove.
True story. Use what you have. But don't think all you need is a pair of gloves in bear country.

Maybe if you ran that flyrod up his backside it might have an effect! :lol:

John

 

[saint_nick3]

Between growing up outside Yellowstone National Park and living in Alaska, I have managed to stay alive with only a browning buckmark on my hip 99% of the time. By far the best item for bear defense is the melon on top of your shoulders. If you really want to be worried about any bear, you better put Polar bears on the top of your list. When you see one, you already know it wants to eat you.

If all else fails, quitting is not an option, which can be seen in these stories.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/story/2010/08/13/nunavut-polar-bear-punch.html

http://www.adn.com/2008/08/05/484087/eagle-river-man-fights-attacking.html

 

[WESHOOT2]

This my first bear thread. I read several mentions about 158 grain for 357. That happens to be the biggest ammo & gun that I own.

So, my question is... will that do the job on a bear if I hit him center mass? Just looking for a yes or no answer. Thanks.

No.

 

[Anonymous]

Just ordered some 320 grain 44 cal ammo for my New Super Blackhawk. Thats about the best I can do with what I have. I really can't afford a 105 howitzer, altough it would be fun to shoot.


Rich

 

[Marthor]

This my first bear thread. I read several mentions about 158 grain for 357. That happens to be the biggest ammo & gun that I own.

So, my question is... will that do the job on a bear if I hit him center mass? Just looking for a yes or no answer. Thanks.

No.

If you read the link posted previously, it says 357 is minimum. In the story, he stops the bear with hollow-point ammo too. My 158 grain would be more suitable than that for penetration. So, the short answer is yes.

http://www.guns.com/loaded-for-bear-handgun-self-defense-for-bears.html

 

[jpickar]

Yes or NO

NO

John

 

[steve8261948]

Do a search I've seen some posts here where they are doing conversion to .45 Redhawks with cylinders from Super Redhawks in .454 Casull. They look like the perfect answer to your question.
Steve

 

[Bucks Owin]

This my first bear thread. I read several mentions about 158 grain for 357. That happens to be the biggest ammo & gun that I own.

So, my question is... will that do the job on a bear if I hit him center mass? Just looking for a yes or no answer. Thanks.

Probably "eventually" but not as fast as you might like...(or need! :shock: )

JMHO, it's a grey area.. :wink:

 

[Donaldjr1969]

Not to add fuel to the fire, but I think the only guns capable of guaranteeing a successful one shot bear stop is a Barrett with Raufoss ammo.

Well, an XM-214 loaded with AP ammo may do the trick as well. :lol:

 

[Marthor]

Maybe the way I worded it implied I meant one shot. In reality, if you're firing at a bear close range you probably won't stop firing until either 1) you're empty 2) the bear has fallen over or 3) the bear has got you and you lost your gun.

So, to be more clear... Is 158 grain 357 six shots capacity good enough to defend yourself against bear?

The story linked had him empty his 357 gun and he was using hollow-point and he stopped it. He could have done better with more penetrating ammo. So, based on that, I think the answer is yes.

 

[chris_]

Maybe the way I worded it implied I meant one shot. In reality, if you're firing at a bear close range you probably won't stop firing until either 1) you're empty 2) the bear has fallen over or 3) the bear has got you and you lost your gun.

So, to be more clear... Is 158 grain 357 six shots capacity good enough to defend yourself against bear?

The story linked had him empty his 357 gun and he was using hollow-point and he stopped it. He could have done better with more penetrating ammo. So, based on that, I think the answer is yes.

That bear was literally on top of him. The object is to not let it get that close.

 

[LuckenbachTexas]

"The object is to not let it get that close"

That my friend is easier said than done in my encounters. Its like they just appear from thin air.

 

[Jeepnik]

I've held off and watched this one with interest. I like bear threads, all sorts of "stuff" comes up. So here's my take.

If you seriously intend to be attacked by a large and toothy critter, a long gun is the way to go. Personally, I prefer a Marlin 1895 GS with some heavy hardcast bullets loaded at top pressures. You can buy it or make it, your choice.

But you cannot have a long gun ever in your hands. So for a backup, I choose a .45 Colt Blackhawk. Again with the heaviest hardcast bullets I can get or make, and again loaded to the top of the recommended pressure levels.

Will they work? Hey, live is a crap shoot, but you can at least try and "load" the dice in your favor.

 

[Boge]

...If you seriously intend to be attacked by a large and toothy critter, a long gun is the way to go...

Hey, my last date resembled that!!! :lol: :wink: