Black Bear self defense handgun/rifle

[FFemt5287]

I just have an S&W X-frame in .460 magnum with the 5" ported barrel. Not a BEAST to shoot accurately, but the follow up shots are a bit slower than .44 magnums of comparable size I've fired. I also like the ability to use .454 casull and .45LC in it. When I go to VT, I carry it with 300gr HP's in .454 casull. Just a bit less recoil, allowing for slightly faster follow up shots.

 

[theodore]

Know some avid bear guides. One from kodiak island and other from california that used dogs. CA are all black bears and kodiak are all very large brown bears.

This is based on the guides I have talked to.

CA black bear-
-44 mag is the favorite(perfect penetration/knockdown combo)
-the 357 mag is the second choice(penetrates the best but less knockdown).
But this guide prefers his client to use rifles so the 30-30 is the way to go. The 45-70 is overkill for black bear, really messes them up.

Kodiak bears-
Doesn't recommend handguns, he told me some scary stories on brown bears taken that already bullets in it hide (mostly 9mm).
375H&H works best for hunting in his 11+ year of experience with clients.
The 45-70 is the way to go for defense. He takes most of the trouble causing kodiak bears out with a 338 win mag at a distance cause they are huge.

Hope this helps, I'm sure whatever you end up with (shotgun, handgun, rifle), you will be well-protected.

 

[Outerspace]

Great info, thanks. The pistol would be a backup, of course, but it looks like it will come down to shootability for me between 454 and 44 mag.

 

[J E Custom]

Great info, thanks. The pistol would be a backup, of course, but it looks like it will come down to shootability for me between 454 and 44 mag.

A lot of good suggestions and I will add mine.

If you are going for dangerous game I would recomend a rifle that is up to the task maby
even a little bigger because there is no such thing as over kill on dangerous game !!!

Then I would recomend a 44cal or bigger for self defense. When I say self defence I mean
when everything goes bad it will save your life.

I will not carry a semi auto anything because just when you need it, it fails or you forgot to chamber a round and you only have one hand free so you become lunch.

A short barreled revolver is what I recomend and carry because If for some unfortunate
a large predator has you down you can use it with either hand and if it misfires all you
have to do is pull the trigger again and you have a new round ready to save your life.

The reason for the short barrel is simple. quicker and easier to draw if you are pinned down,
can be placed in a vital area easy and you not going to be able to aim it anyway.

And you can stick it in his mouth if you have to and game over.

I'm not trying to scare you just get you to thinking about what the weapon is for and how easy
and dependable it will be in the worse case scenario

Once your mono e mono a rifle becomes almost impossible to use.

Anyway just food for though.

J E CUSTOM

 

[MN Hunter]

Black bear medicine

Remington 870 12ga
Slug, 00buck, Slug

Back up Ruger Alaskan 454 casul
You can practice with 45 colt ammo and carry it with full house 454 loads

 

[theodore]

Bear pepper spray works really good too.

 

[J E Custom]

Bear pepper spray works really good too.

I have never tried to use anything non lethal I guess because the the bear has lethal
thoughts and normally wants to dish out some real pain with extreme prejudice.

I have seen felons that all the pepper spray did was **** them off and I consider a bear
tougher than most felons , so I will pass on the pepper spray and continue to carry a Big
pistol that will level the playing field .

After several encounters while bow hunting (Not allowed to carry a firearm) and having
them want to share my tree I decided to start carrying a concealed firearm and take my
chances with the authority.

The last one forced me to shove an arrow down his throat when he not only climbed
the tree but wanted to share my tree stand. later when I talked to the game warden
he said there was a big silver back that had harassed other bow hunters that were
in His turf. I told the warden that I shoved the arrow way down his throat and that he
probably would not make it .After that I carried a snub nose 44 !!!!

J E CUSTOM

 

[trebark]

The last one forced me to shove an arrow down his throat when he not only climbed
the tree but wanted to share my tree stand. later when I talked to the game warden
he said there was a big silver back that had harassed other bow hunters that were
in His turf. I told the warden that I shoved the arrow way down his throat and that he
probably would not make it .After that I carried a snub nose 454 !!!!

J E CUSTOM

You are one tough cookies. I nearly crapped my pants just thinking about this scenario.

 

[Pdvdh]

If you go with the 500 S&W revolver, make sure to get the muzzle-braked version. Then the recoil is comparable to a 454 Casull.

I'm talking brown bear. A 44 Mag revolver is sufficient to defend against a black bear, will kick less and be more manageable to shoot.

 

[J E Custom]

You are one tough cookies. I nearly crapped my pants just thinking about this scenario.

Thanks 280 but I'm not that tough. you do what you have to when things go bad.

I tried swatting him on the head with the broad head and he would not be discouraged
so the next step was to hurt him and I already had the arrow in my hand and things were
getting a little dicey so when he opened his mouth to show me his BAD I rammed it down
his throat and that seemed to take the starch out of him. (And I was glad because I was running out of ideas).

Buy the way the racing stripe in my shorts was believed to be the results of this encounter.

J E CUSTOM

 

[specweldtom]

I have no experience with bears up close, but my choice would have to be a short barrelled (20-24") 12 ga pump with a slug on top, then two 000 buck and slugs again for the rest. For a minimum handgun, a 4" model 29 S & W with 240gr heavy jacketed bullets, or preferably a 5 1/2" .454 Casull Super Redhawk and 265gr Corebons.

I still wouldn't feel good, but would have a chance, maybe.

Off the question........... I'm the guy who said if I ever get to hunt a big bear, I'll use the .460 Wby. Nothing like a 500gr jacketed roundnose at nearly 8000 ft/lbs. I'd feel pretty good about that. Nothing sporting about messing around with an animal that can outrun a racehorse and decapitate you without even trying.

My racing stripe is yellow and higher up than the one JE is talking about.

As I recall, the Alaska F & G people say that if you are attacked by a black bear, fight back. You're what's for dinner.

Tom

 

[Westcoaster]

JE Custom, well done. Last time I had one that close I was using a chainsaw. I agree, at the time you do what you got to do, looking back I kind of shudder.

To the original poster, lots of good council already but here is my two bits worth.

Heavier bullets, even traveling slower are better than light bullets. Your current 30 30 is probably better than a mini 14. Bears are not armor plated they are just heavily muscled and boned animals that are remarkably powerful.

Whatever you shoot, shoot it very well and practice a lot so that it's as natural as pointing your finger if that makes sense.

I personally prefer CRF bolts but the best for you is what you are comfortable and effective with.

As far as rifle cartridges I think the 3006 type power level on up is good with more power (if you can shoot it well) being better.

My goto hunting rifle is a CRF bolt 338wm. My stopping rifle when I'm backing up hunting partners on Grizzly hunts is a big bore CRF bolt.

 

[Outerspace]

JE
Heavier bullets, even traveling slower are better than light bullets.

Thanks for this, I wonder about it. Back in school in engineering class or physics we learned 1/2mv squared, mass or velocity being interchangeable. When you get into advanced stuff it gets tweaky though.

I have yet to find online any study of this phenomena related to bullets and game ie bigger slower bullets being more effective, would be interested in any references. I trust the wisdom of the people with loads of experience, it just doesn't show up in the energy charts at the Federal Ammo site.

 

[theodore]

jbmballistics.com

click on calculations, then click on trajectories. Then you'll have a page of info to fill out. sinces its close range(under 500 yards), all the details doesn't matter, just select the bullet, velocity, max range(you don't need 3000 yards) and range increasement then calculate. Viola, you see drop, energy, velocity...