Bear attacked people ... they used "cracker" rounds to scare it off ... oops...

[Bakersfield_Grizzly]

I used to live in Canada and polar bears were a big problem, especially in late fall when they are waiting for the ocean to ice over. They will hunt humans and can be found around ANY garbage. I am not so sure any handgun rounds will down a polar bear. The description of a Volkswagen is about right. They are worse than grizzly because their hide and fat are so thick prior to getting to the vitals.

My dad once killed a black bear trying to get in our kitchen window with a shotgun blast with birdshot from the back door (~12') I was surprised at how big of a hole bird shot made from that distance. I would rather shoot from a distance than up that close but I guess Dad did not think we could wait for the RCMP to show up.

[bernieb90]

how well would 12g slugs work on a bear?

It depends on the design of the slug. Our American style Foster slugs were designed to flatten, and expand on deer sized game. European Brenneke style slugs don't expand and penetrate much better while cutting a nearly 3/4" diameter wound channel. 45-70 is also an excellent choice as are the other big bore lever gun cartridges.

[Ag_Surfer]

Cracker rounds for white polar bears? Racist!

how that's funny

[Kolo589]

[SWalt]

^^^^

LOL

[sirgiles]

It's Canada, and you have to jump through hoops to have a gun, and more to load it and use it. To shoot something and kill it, infinite hoops.

I am a big fan of bear spray. It works, and if I never am a data point in the ammo argument, that is ok with me.

not really that hard to acquire a firearm. one just needs to get a possession and acquisition license(PAL) by attending a class and pass the test. in fact, this is a better way to becoming a responsible gun owner that i've ever seen. lots of my friends in vancouver have it.

[sirgiles]

12 rounds of .45 Super. All else fails magazine change and dump another 12 rounds.

you're kidding right? you actually think you can get off 12 rounds on a charging bear?

[Armsmaster270]

Cracker rounds are 12ga rounds with M-80 firecrackers in them. Used by airports to scare birds off the runways. One brand was Colt Teleshot.

[beretta929mm]

In Russia, people attack bears

[falar]

not really that hard to acquire a firearm. one just needs to get a possession and acquisition license(PAL) by attending a class and pass the test. in fact, this is a better way to becoming a responsible gun owner that i've ever seen. lots of my friends in vancouver have it.

Sounds like a terrible infringement on their rights to me.

[jben]

The funniest part of all these threads is that so many Calgunners think they need guns for BLACK BEARS in California.

[falar]

The funniest part of all these threads is that so many Calgunners think they need guns for BLACK BEARS in California.

When I was in SNP last month there were black bears everywhere but the biggest one I saw was probably 150lbs. One had 2 cubs that she barely outsized, couldn't believe she could have even bred at that size. My wife and I were discussing how small the bears were when some crazy old hippy woman wheeled around to give us a stern lecture on how dangerous they were.

[aatruong]

Cracker rounds for white polar bears? Racist!

That's funny right there

[negolien]

Ruger Super Redhawk Alaskan ftw

[Ronin2]

Polar Bears? Damn!

I can imagine what a "bear cracker" might be. I had a box of "seal bombs" made for and sold by CA Dept of Fish and Game. They were much more powerful than an M80, waterproof and were supposed to scare sea lions away from fishing boats. I can imagine that one in your hand would do a lot of damage. I was told the sea lions learned to ignore them.... Hense my ability to buy a box in Mexico for 4th of July fun off my boat dock....

Bear crackers might be similar special made pyrotechnics the state or Feds give out to fisherman and citizens as a non lethal alternative. One I would personally not rely on.

For me....in bear country? A 12 gauge with the first round or two hot OO buck to slow it down enought make sure I can get the next five slugs into it. Oh yeah... A 44 magnum for me if I miss with the shotgun.