Exactly, a bear on a mission can cover a lot of ground in a VERY short amount of time...
Bear country pistol
- Thread starter dkwellman
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Best way to figure it is to compete against a friend on a dueling tree. There are a couple of walk-aways: you'll "see" what an effective caliber is (a 9mm might not turn the plate, while a .45 will shudder the whole contraption); if you're really competing ... you'll get that added 'stress factor' ... and know what you can handle and what you can't.
The best advice in this thread (and one of the things I love the most about this forum) doesn't come in the way of caliber recommendations. It addresses the practical nature of facing-off with a bear and how one "practices" for such an encounter: Draw|Shoot ... Draw|Shoot|Shoot ... Draw|Mag Dump // Develop an effective shot cycle and then incorporate the efficiency of an autoloader.
I don't EDC a .45 because my paws won't afford an effective combat grip (1911 excepted). Never even bothered to pick up a 10mm for that same reason: it won't work for me. I win matches with .40 and lose them with 9mm. Simple.
The best advice in this thread (and one of the things I love the most about this forum) doesn't come in the way of caliber recommendations. It addresses the practical nature of facing-off with a bear and how one "practices" for such an encounter: Draw|Shoot ... Draw|Shoot|Shoot ... Draw|Mag Dump // Develop an effective shot cycle and then incorporate the efficiency of an autoloader.
I don't EDC a .45 because my paws won't afford an effective combat grip (1911 excepted). Never even bothered to pick up a 10mm for that same reason: it won't work for me. I win matches with .40 and lose them with 9mm. Simple.
WYO300RUM
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memtb
Well-Known Member
That's a bit of a stretch…..some of you folks north of the border need to learn a bit more about hunting handguns.!
memtb
6.5x300 WBY
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I can EASILY shoot faster with either my Glock 20 or 40 10mm with 15 rounds than a 44 or 454 or 445supermag shooting 5 or 6 rounds accurately. I'D BE TAKING 10 MM ALL DAY. Unless I was hunting one then it's the other way.
6.5x300 WBY
Well-Known Member
How true. My next handgun just might be a Freedom Arms Premier 475. 350 to 400 WFNGC. WILL LEAVE A MARK ON ANYTHINGThat's a bit of a stretch…..some of you folks north of the border need to learn a bit more about hunting handguns.!
memtb
Well-Known Member
Just received exactly that from my Daughter and SIL for my Birthday/Christmas …..too darn nice to shoot! A beautiful firearm to say the very least!
I guess that I'll continue to use my 460 S&W with my cast/powder coated 400's.
I'll also add to this conversation with, IMO, anyone thinking that they can get a magazine of 10 mm's accurately placed in an attacking bear…..was shooting the bear well beyond a distance that will stand in court as an "attacking bear"!
For me personally, I hope to get one "well placed" shot on an attacking bear…..anything beyond that is simply winning the lottery! JMO memtb
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6.5x300 WBY
Well-Known Member
Holy chit what great kids. Lucky dad
Situational Awareness is key in any life altering situation. Much like carry a concealed weapon in public/private settings; we are supposed to find an escape route & or exhaust all other options before we start sending rounds down range. In a surprise bear encounter, do whatever it takes so protect & defend life. In a non-surprise bear encounter, get out of dodge & live to hunt another day. Getting close to a Grizzly Bear in theory sounds like an extreme adrenaline rush. However, we can not control or dictate what Mother Nature will do. Explaining this to a Game Warden & or United States Fish & Wildlife Officer will get picked apart & the fines & or loss of hunting privileges will not be worth the consequences. Keep calm & carry on 
fta0303
Well-Known Member
I'm well past my days in the woods. One thing I'd do differently is to put my pistol on a lanyard. The apprehension of grave bodily harm is enough for self-defense against humans. A man with intent within 21 ft should make you fear grave bodily harm. What's the rule for a bear ? He's always armed, twice as fast, strong and hard to stop as any human. A bear within 50 ft chuffing, chopping, tearin' up the ground or just making a beeline for you poses the threat of death. If you survive, leave the woods immediately and don't contact any authorities. They'll treat you worse than the bear. You're better off with a 375 Ruger unless you're within contact range. And always use your head.
WYO300RUM
Well-Known Member
10K fine here if found intentional. If that's the right word for you didn't have to kill the bear.Situational Awareness is key in any life altering situation. Much like carry a concealed weapon in public/private settings; we are supposed to find an escape route & or exhaust all other options before we start sending rounds down range. In a surprise bear encounter, do whatever it takes so protect & defend life. In a non-surprise bear encounter, get out of dodge & live to hunt another day. Getting close to a Grizzly Bear in theory sounds like an extreme adrenaline rush. However, we can not control or dictate what Mother Nature will do. Explaining this to a Game Warden & or United States Fish & Wildlife Officer will get picked apart & the fines & or loss of hunting privileges will not be worth the consequences. Keep calm & carry on
memtb
Well-Known Member
Thanks…..an unbelievable and unwarranted gift! And a bit of clarification should be added, she's actually my step-daughter…..but, I consider her my daughter! memtb
marksman1941
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How many of y'all have actually used a handgun on a bear? Theres 10 pages of pure theory and assumption in this thread, with maybe 3 posts that have actual experience. A lot of regurgitation of oft quoted lines, a lot of "I've never felt undergunned carrying _____" with no justification for it.
I've been in the same boat, and packed a 329pd for years with 305 gr bear loads thinking "this is more than I'll ever need!" while archery hunting deer in northern Idaho. But, that choice was based on how heavy of a gun I wanted to carry and how much recoil I could handle. It had zero to do with what would actually work on a bear.
I've been in the same boat, and packed a 329pd for years with 305 gr bear loads thinking "this is more than I'll ever need!" while archery hunting deer in northern Idaho. But, that choice was based on how heavy of a gun I wanted to carry and how much recoil I could handle. It had zero to do with what would actually work on a bear.
My kid with holster I set up ,before I had a custom one made.The brush is like that in a lot of spots here.The bears usually warn you with a huff.Im carrying same in picture.Rifle hunting is like a dinner bell to them in certain areas. Ive had grizzly beat me to my own kill on LR.
