Alaska bear protection : 12ga or 7.62 ?

[Headly Jones]

Okay I want to go to Alaska this summer. Currently I have a 12 ga pump action, 30-06 bolt action and Ruger Mini 30 in 7.62

Which one would be the best rifle to carry around for self defense from bears ?

Personally I think the Ruger would be best because I would have the capability to get off 20 shots with it and I think there is a 150gr bullet for it.

The 30-06 packs some punch but in all probability you would only get one shot off on a charging bear vs at least 10-12 rounds with the Ruger.

The 12 ga would be good with a slug but again I dont know how many shots I could get off, maybe 1 or 2 ?

[Coded-Dude]

bear mace.

[dieselpower]

bear mace.

and a cow bell.


when you sneak up on a bear..it gets mad and kicks your butt. if it hears you coming or knows where you are...it stays away from you.

when a bear attacks at night...its hungry...bear mace is the best answer to a hungry bear or a mad bear.

[jayboy74]

I second the bear mace and something to make noise , Talking loud etc would work , A bear that hears you coming will get out of the way , One you surprise will as mentioned early kick your Azz, We only have black bear here but the same principles apply , I have seen bear mace used and it works. If you do not want to trust bear mace alone i would recomend a large caliber handgun , 500 s&w etc , I would recomend what ever you get make sure its very reliable =)

[Full Clip]

Mace, cowbell and the shotgun with slugs.

[toby]

400-600# or more, bear charging at 35 MPH from you don't know where? and your going to get off how many little 150 grainers? and maybe connect with how many of those? this is if in-fact you even see it coming. I'd go for the 12 and slugs, and bear mace.

[jyo]

Back when I was moose hunting in Alaska, EVERYBODY was packin' a .44 mag or .454 Casull (my choice) sidearm and there were several Rem. 870s about the campsite (short barrels, some with pistol grips and always flashlights available for night work). A 12 ga. is the gold standard for bear defense!

[maddoggie13]

Mace, cowbell and the shotgun with slugs.

+1 shotgun with slugs...

[1lostinspace]

12 Gauge slugs!

[Librarian]

Old joke:

Bear Advisory

The Forest Service has issued a BEAR WARNING in the national forests for this summer. They're urging everyone to protect themselves by wearing bells and carrying pepper spray.

Campers should be alert for signs of fresh bear activity, and they should be able to tell the difference between Black Bear dung and Grizzy Bear dung.

Black Bear dung is rather small and round. Sometimes you can see fruit seeds and/or squirrel fur in it.

Grizzly Bear dung has bells in it, and smells like pepper spray.

Alaska DNR says

[IGOTDIRT4U]

Back when I was moose hunting in Alaska, EVERYBODY was packin' a .44 mag or .454 Casull (my choice) sidearm and there were several Rem. 870s about the campsite (short barrels, some with pistol grips and always flashlights available for night work). A 12 ga. is the gold standard for bear defense!

Yeah, common knowledge to have BIG cal revolver and slugs in the shotgun. Both. Together. All the time.

[San FranPsycho]

the gauge with slugs is what my grandpa packed whenever he was doing work outside up there. Sometimes with a large caliber sidearm, .357 being the minimum

[TNP'R]

my question is if hes flying or not because driving i think will be a big hassle. ive always wondered if someone owned guns and decided to move to alaska how would they get their guns there because they have to go through canada.

[say12]

the locals say if you only carry a handgun for bear protection all you need is 1 round in the in the cylinder....... to shoot yourself when the brown bear gets ahold of you!

[timmyb21]

Mace, cowbell and the shotgun with slugs.

Right here. Those 12 gauge slugs will do the job as a last resort.