Bear Attacks Stopped with Handguns

[Aeneas]

I spent a bit of time in Denali and the coastal areas a few years ago. The inlang grizzly top out at 600lbs, theres basically nothing to eat.

The coastal ones get the salmon buffet every late summer, and they average 1200 lbs.

I read that as being twice as big. I was close enough to a pn inkand bear to smell himnand touch him if i wanted, and 6000lbs is pretty damned big.

Absolutely 600 pounds is a massive creature. I think that pretty much puts it in the monster category.

[Nothingontv]

While hunting bear its a 30-06 rifle with 165g and a .45 on the hip.

[Notpc]

I think the third time you try to shoot the bear with a pistol, the bear will figure out you are not there for the hunting! "Old joke, not really suited for posting"

[tundraboomer]

Alaska resident here. Bear encounters are common, even in "the city". Had a co-worker who was mauled on his property just outside of city limits a couple years ago but survived.

Unless hunting or heading deep into the bush, most of the people I know (myself included) carry a large caliber handgun and some sort of penetrator round. 10mm handguns with Buffalo Bores are common and easy to come by but I use Underwood Xtreme Penetrator rounds in my .45 ACP, a round which is still not common there for some reason, and somewhat expensive to obtain.

More often than not a round fired into the air will scare a bear off. But as stated above, a sow with a cub is unpredictable, as is a starving or injured bear. When I hike with my dogs in the larger parks within Anchorage municipal limits, which are essentially small wooded forests surrounded by houses or businesses, bear and moose encounters are a problem but I prefer to not carry the bulky 45 so I carry a 9mm with +P Xtreme Penetrator rounds. Not optimum but it's my EDC and I know I'll at least hit my target with it so it's better than nothing. When I get done with our walk and get back to the truck I swap the mag for one with JHPs or Hornady Critical Defense rounds before I holster it for EDC purposes.

Grizzlies are not unheard of in Anchorage, but not common. We had one in my neighborhood in East Anchorage for a few weeks last summer that would come around tipping over trash cans. Black bears are common but not anywhere near as dangerous as a grizz. If you fire a gun in Anchorage though, you'll have a lot of explaining to do even if you are defending against a bear. Penetration is good, but a bullet traveling a long distance could do some collateral damage so nobody walks around town with a rifle slung over their shoulder.

[MJB]

My buddy got charged in the clear lake area...... notice the shot placement

[Franklincollector]

I’m heading to Alaska this year to visit my cousin. On hikes I will carry a Benelli M4 on my back with Dixie Slugs, and a glock 20 with 16 rounds of hard cast. My cousin is going with a 458 socom pistol and a 454 SRH.

I do NOT want to be snacked in by a bear. I’ve spent hours and hours trying to figure out the best combo.

What do you think?

[smle-man]

A friend of mine worked at a mine in Alaska. Pump shotguns loaded with slugs were on hand for the workers on the grounds as bears were everywhere. Probably what I'd choose too.

[i like boys a lot]

Good choices, I trust the G20

[200Apples]

Unfamiliar with Dixie Slugs, but, in any event, I'd go with Brenneke slugs. The soft Forster/Foster-style slugs widely available locally would not penetrate.

Brenneke are what the Norwegian Gov't requires in your 12 gauge, and/or minimum caliber .308 Winchester if rifle, for the polar bear country all over the island of Svalbard.

As for a handgun to save your life in a North American bear attack? A nice, big Ruger Bisley Blackhawk chambered in .480 Ruger or .44 Mag or .45 Colt, using .45 Colt +P. Either cartridge should be loaded with minimum 335 grain WLN.

Then again, Rich Pasquarello killed a big New Mexico black bear with his GP100stoked with 158 grain jacketed soft points in .357 Magnum...

[Springfield45]

Remember a bear can run 35 mph, in 100 yards that's a few seconds. He'll be on you in a jiffy. Unless you get a head shot he's going to get you. A head shot will be ulmost impossible while he's running at you and your shaking all over the place. A body shot will still provide him with adrenaline.

For your protection, a slow heavy shot of a rifle without a scope is your best defense. Personally I would not use a 300wm against a large brown bear. That's why I like my 45-70, 540gr.

Did you even read the article? It is not about rifles. It is about your last defense with a HANDGUN before you become bear scat. It even says it in the TITLE.

I am not saying I know anything. I admit I have never been in a bear attack like 99% of everyone else. I Have carried a .45 in bear country with hollow points. I think that is stupid now. If I do it again I will be carrying a .44 Mag with FMJ's for penetration.

[humble servant]

My buddy got charged in the clear lake area...... notice the shot placement

Dam! Single action too. I know it's second nature with practice but with a pissed off bear charging you with bad intentions I'd be afraid to fumble around trying to cock the hammer.
Good for him. Nice shot.

[DolphinFan]

When I fish in the Sierra Nevada I usually carry a .357 magnum. When Hunting I always carry a .44 magnum.

[JusticeQuest]

'Grizzly Man' documentary (Idiot eaten by grizzly in Alaska):

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=1339313

[200Apples]

MJB

My buddy got charged in the clear lake area...... notice the shot placement

Good shot!

While a picture can be worth a thousand words, please tell us the caliber and load (most importantly, bullet weight and type) your friend was using that day.

[codypaint77]

I did

Did you even read the article? It is not about rifles. It is about your last defense with a HANDGUN before you become bear scat. It even says it in the TITLE.

I am not saying I know anything. I admit I have never been in a bear attack like 99% of everyone else. I Have carried a .45 in bear country with hollow points. I think that is stupid now. If I do it again I will be carrying a .44 Mag with FMJ's for penetration.

I carry a Ruger .454 Bisley here in North Idaho, while deep in the forest. If I have the choice, I would rather carry my 45-70.

If we're talking black bears, a .44 would do. If we're talking large brownies, better have something bigger. I'm not saying it won't do the job but unless it's a fatal shot, that bear will maul you. Scenario: your hunting, you scare a bear, he charges you, not a false charge, he's 75 yards from you, he's at his top speed 35mph, you draw, you're shaking, good luck!