Bears: best shot

[Spirit 1]

Hi all, wondering about the best shot on a bear with a handgun. Bears are around here and many times it's impossible to carry a long gun, or I don't happen to have one with me.

Knowing bears are real fast movers and lots of fat, flesh & fur, where's best to place the shot with a pistol? I've heard that deep center in the chest is about the only hope for any kind of quick stop, hoping to hit the heart.

Most often carrying a 9mm and thinking FMJ might be best for penetration. Yes, I'm fully aware that 9mm is far from being a good choice for bear. I know head shots are pretty much hopeless because of the thick skull.

What I'm asking is when one doesn't have the choice, has only 9mm, where to shoot that critter? Assuming him charging....?

Thanks!

[Oceanbob]

Shoot a bear with a nine and you will only make him madder.

Bear Spray is a better option.

I really don't think most people have the shooting skill to kill a charging bear with one or two shots from a .44 magnum. Which I consider the MINIMUM caliber on a bear. Follow up shots from a .44 Magnum are difficult at best.

Bear Spray is a better option.

Of course, when backpacking most .44 magnums are heavy and who wants to have one in a holster while hiking..?..not me.

For me, "If" I go hiking or backpacking I carry a Glock 29 in 10MM. Sure, it's not a .44 magnum but it is better than a nine. 10 rounds of Bullalo Bore is what I would carry.

http://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=219

Probably the second best option is to carry a .22 pistol and always go hiking with a slower partner. As soon as the bear charges, shoot your partner in the leg and run. hehehe.

Be well
Bob

[-hanko]

What the board definitely needs is yet another bear thread...

Hi all, wondering about the best shot on a bear with a handgun. Bears are around here and many times it's impossible to carry a long gun, or I don't happen to have one with me.

Knowing bears are real fast movers and lots of fat, flesh & fur, where's best to place the shot with a pistol? I've heard that deep center in the chest is about the only hope for any kind of quick stop, hoping to hit the heart.

Most often carrying a 9mm and thinking FMJ might be best for penetration. Yes, I'm fully aware that 9mm is far from being a good choice for bear. I know head shots are pretty much hopeless because of the thick skull.

What I'm asking is when one doesn't have the choice, has only 9mm, where to shoot that critter? Assuming him charging....?

Thanks!

If, by "around here" you mean Montana, Idaho, Alaska, or any of the traditional brown bear haunts, you should already know a 9mm is useless...if not, learn.

Otoh, if you're speaking of a location where brown bear don't live, you're asking about black bear. They are NOT fast movers. For blackies, you're better off with bear spray.

The only charge you might expect would be if you're ignorant enough to get between a sow and her cub.

I'd suggest learning about bear habits...you probably won't hit a "charging" bear and if you got lucky the 9mm is not the choice for bear. Grab some bear spray.

hth

-hanko

[LovingTheYear1911]

30-06 pistol, duh!

Honestly speaking, I have seen bears while I go hiking and almost all the time, they will run away. Unless you enter a mama bears territory with her young near by, you will usually see their fury butts running away from you.

On the other hand, if you meet a big cat..........

[Distro]

Bears are very socially awkward. Just ask the bear what they are doing there, and they will run away.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rk8pRJ7jV94

[RealBarber]

S&W 500

[osxgp]

S&W 500

Agreed. or the S&W .460 magnum

[eqlzr]

Hi all, wondering about the best shot on a bear with a handgun.

Thanks!

A bear with a handgun is worth far more alive than dead.

[chim-chim7]

+1. I have a 500 Magnum 4" barrel that I keep around for hiking in Bear country. I am not going to end up on the news dead from a Bear attack. I constantly train with it, and can shoot a 5 shot string pretty fast and accurately. I also make my own rounds tailored to my style. I would not consider anything less if your really serious about safety with a pistol. Nothing but a serious Magnum round is going to keep you from getting killed by a raging bear. The bear might die later on but not before he gets to your first. People who carry 9mm, .40,.45 are foolish.

[Spirit 1]

Yeah, well, thanks guys. 8 replies & every one missed what was said in the introductory post:

"Yes, I'm fully aware that 9mm is far from being a good choice for bear."

"What I'm asking is when one doesn't have the choice, has only 9mm,"

So I guess I never will find out where, in what part of their body, is the best & most effective place to shoot a bear.

Thanks anyways! I'll keep searching....

[Jasonaspears]

I would think that if your only hope is a 9mm, I'd shoot for the head trying for a shot between the eyes.

[Tiberius]

I doubt a head shot would work - I've heard of rounds deflecting off bear skulls (and off human skulls too - lots of variables there). In a no choice, get eaten or use the 9, I'd try for a throat shot - maybe you could nail the spine. Of course, you could just wait til you've been eaten, then shoot from the inside - at least you probably wouldn't miss. In that situation night sights would probably help.

If you're going to shoot a charging bear with a 9, you might want to save the last round for youself, for when the bear is getting medieval on yo ***.

Seriously, there's some good advice above. Blackies don't need shooting, and if you're in grizzly country, you're going to want something more. Otoh, there's always the golden BB theory, but you'd hate to bet on it. There's an internet story about a guy in Alaska who went for a walk, got charged by a grizzly and dropped it with a Ruger .454 Casull. The gun - a revolver - jammed after 4 shots due a high primer on one round. But 4 was enough for a weak and starving bear.

If it were me, and 9 was the only choice, I'd go FMJ, +P+ if I could, and avoid center mass and go throat/eye/head. I'd also be buying lottery tickets if I thought I was that lucky.

[bob7122]

a bear would be on you before you could aim properly and get a nice shot that would go into his nose, eye, ear and kill him. bear spray ready to go would be best, it really works or either .454 casull/ 44 mag mare's leg that would be cool.

a bear charging you is quick and won't give you enough time to aim. bear spray is like a chemical shotgun that is super powerful.

hopefully someone can post a vid on how fast bears charge.

[Remaxman]

If you get charged by a bear, the absolute best place to shoot with a 9mm would be directly into your own skull!
Don't bother shooting the bear as it will only make him more pissed off!!
My brother is a wildlife Biologist who has worked with bears and other large predators. He and others that have had experience with bear attacks will most likely agree anything smaller than a 357 mag is MUCH to small to try and stop a bear and even a 357 is questionable. Most would recommend either a 44, 460 or 500 magnum. I understand in a emergency situation you need use what you have, but if you intend to be anywhere in bear country I suggest you plan ahead and take the right weapon. Why take a chance?

[joelj320]

I say if a bear in on top of you because you pissed it off try shooting it in the mouth I guess