ON OCCASION DO ALSO CARRY MY 870 PUMP GUN IN 12 GA WITH RIFLED BARREL WITH SLUGS , SLUGS AND BUCKSHOT AND JUST BUCKSHOT WHEN MOSTLY THINK I MAY NEED TO COVER SNAKES, BEARS AND LIONS ALL IN SAME WANDERING. Considered by many to be the most versatile North American big-game cartridge, the .338 Win. Wow dude, for real? You have to do more than say there are books out there, you have to read em. The Glock 20 chambered in 10mm has become a popular carry choice in bear country. . I forgot to mention it, and you should get credit where credit is due. Had he chosen to come my direction, theres no telling what would have happened. Two questions: He was able to stop the attack by shooting the bear as it charged at him. They must have been some real badasses.. 3) Self defense from a bear attack with a pistol is a cautionary tale at best, correct? GO FIGURE. And they degrade over time, and must be replaced. The bears run in and out of the visual field of the video camera. He never said pistols were 100% effective. The Army even ranted against the 30-40 Krag as being ineffective. Wow. Does anybody, anywhere, have any idea what Hank means? What is the title of Craig Boddingtons book? Im comfortable carrying the .38, with better bullets, where I hunt. His raging confrontational writing style that relies upon fabricated facts, is so close to his that I wouldnt be surprised if it was revealed that he indeed is actually my nephew. Any dolls at all? But I do know this. (Another was uncovered after I wrote the last article.) However, the goal of this article is simply to address the question of whether the .300 Winchester Magnum is within the ideal range of suitable calibers to harvest grizzly or brown bear. Thankfully he decided to scale the cliff because it was a good 20 seconds or more before I could undo the straps to my rifle and get it pointed in his direction. Please dont take out your rage on your wife or kids tonight. Whats your excuse? However, most bear encounters are under less than perfect conditions. For example, I said Ive made lower-48 black bears leave my campsites a lot more than 29 times just by sounding irritated. I am a fan of the .38 but grizz country aint the place for it. Lets face it. But how much time have you spent in the far northern woods so far in your life?. He carries a .375 H&H mag. ALL ANIMALS UNPREDICTABLE, BEEN BUCKED OFF FOR NO APPARENT REASON BY MY USUALLY DOCILE AND FAITHFUL PINTO SEVERAL TIMES AND BITTEN BY MY SCOUT DOG IN NAM ONCE ON AMBUSH WHO REDEEMED HIMSELF BY SAVING MY LIFE THE NEXT AMBUSH. Why the Alaskan was designed as a snubbie? When it comes to recognizing and responding to a bear attack, few people have as much experience as Alaskas Steve Nelson, a former research geologist for the U.S. Geological Survey whos spent the last 41 years teaching bear defense courses in the Last Frontier. Among other things, I subscribed to Alaska Magazine for about twenty years, beginning in 1975, and Backpacker Magazine from the same year, but until the early 2000s, when its subscription subcontractor made it way more trouble than it was worth anymore, and subscribed to Outside magazine for many years, along with Backpackinglight.com. I am skeptical. I prefer to carry a flat nose jacketed bullet. For many backwoods trekkers, hunters, and homesteaders the 44 mag is the mainstay of their bear defense. If I had to camp for the night. The .45 Long Colt revolver (or just Colt) fired a larger diameter bullet, with greater weight, and a significantly higher velocity than the .38 Long Colt, or even todays .38 special standard loads. Polar bear attacks are expected there, and tourists are not allowed unless they carry a high powered firearm. The author carries a Glock 17 in 9mm or a Ruger in . Never needed it, but I remember he let me shoot it, almost knocked me over! Your comment is just what the doctor ordered. That may no longer be entirely true, but the 44-mag cartridge is still a formidable piece of kit. When carrying 44 mag ammo for bear protection, it is also important to be aware of the range at which you are likely to encounter the animal. Hes an intelligent and well-educated man who honestly believes his own be-afraid B.S., but its still be-afraid B.S. Do not go into bear country without a firearm; preferably a 12-gauge shotgun w/ slugs and/or 00 buckshot, a lever-action .45-70, a .44 magnum revolver, a 10mm semiautomatic with full-power ammo, an AK-47, and an AR-10 are all decent options. Any way you slice it, the .357 has proven itself as a worthy close-range bear stopper. So, I asked about this. Or cant hunt them easily/legally so shoot yourself a moose and wait around for the main event? They are lucky to have survived given they left their primary defensive weapon in a tree! The minimum caliber for black bear is .30-06 Springfield. All in the family wish him nothing but the best, however his violent and irrational demeanor makes him a true pariah and danger to himself and anyone around him. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. https://leeprecision.com/mold-6-cav-c430-310-rf.html Bruh it's a black bear not a Grizzly. I havent seen anyone advocate using a pistol as an offensive weapon for bears in this thread, or in the article, it is specifically about using a pistol as a defensive weapon on a charging bear. .600 Nitro Express (900gr Kynoch solid at 2,000fps)(7992 ft lbs): 159.4, *** I have always acknowledged your educational and army background and qualifications when Ive criticized you. The bear had 2 options, attempt to scale the rocky cliff one direction, or head straight my direction. Since grizzlies tend to be more aggressive than black bears, more problem encounters occur with grizzlies than other bear species. 3. I have been asking for people to send in documented instances of people attempting to use pistols to defend against bears for over a year. My cousin lives in AK and Ive helped him dress a bear. I was awfully struck by the Santa Cruz mountains-area hiking book I read. WHEN CLOSE TO HOUSE CHEST RIG WITH SHORT BARREL S/W .44 MAG OR SUPER RED HAWK .44 LONG BARREL. But how much time have you spent in the far northern woods so far in your life? 8. And they dont work well if you dont shake the cans from time to time, just like spray paint. I dont have any particular issue with what youve said so far, but you must understand that by refusing to give any actual citation of your sources you are undermining your own argument. American Buffalo Knife and Tool Co. is adding to its line of Roper Knives with the new Sunset Series Tumble Weed. test, none of us were looking forward to running the S&W 329 PD with the Hornady 240-grain JHP loads I had brought along. They dont. How many you need? I saw a buckle with a strap running through it. .44 Remington MagnumConsidered by many to be the minimum for big bear defense rounds, the .44 Remington Magnum was first introduced in 1955 for revolvers and gained widespread popularity in the 1970s thanks to Dirty Harry. We better remember that when we are out where the truly strong are. Unlock the Benefits of Knowing Your Winchester Serial Number, Complete Buyers Guide to the Sig Sauer P228. While not stated in the account, one of the pictures indicates the first, crucial shot, was to the center of the bears chest. Oh, and the other key to using .44 Magnum to successfully stop a large grizzly bear attack is HAVING IT ON YOUR PERSON. These things WILL hurt you and & then kill you: .454 Casull Developed by Dick Casull and Jack Fulmer in 1957, the .454 Casull is a dangerous game hunters dream come true. Startled bears can be extremely volatile as can those with a fresh kill if they perceive that you are threatening to take their dinner. The 9mm can kill bears but is considered underpowered by experienced woodsmen. .378 Weatherby Magnum (300gr FMJ at 2,925fps)(4,263 ft lbs): 47.0 I cast and powder coat these: Heard that from a park ranger or game warden, no doubt. The key to using .44 Magnum to successfully stop a large grizzly bear attack is using heavy, hardcast lead bullets and having a 6+ inch barrel to boost muzzle velocity (over short-barreled revolvers). This is really what the .44 mag was designed for., Yup. Scopes, guns, boots and other tactical stuff in-between. . I NEVER SLING OR STRAP MY SMOKE POLE, ALWAYS IN HAND AND PISTOL NOT SECURED UNLESS DOING SOMETHING WHEN IT COULD FALL OUT IF TUMBLE. No Time For My 338 or the 12 gauge we had in camp, I got up slowly, turned and fired a shot from my S&W Alaskan Backpacker 44magnum, that was just enough to turn the Big Boar, he leaped the 20 foot distance between us in one bound, and landed just to our left, ( my partner fired ( as the Boar was flying through the air) and hit the Boar, through the the lungs with his Backpacker 44 mag, the Boar hit the ground and leaped away from us, (this would be a V shaped leap) we found him the next morning about 80 yards from camp back in the woods, Dead!! According to Hornady's data, the XTP bullets from a 7.5-inch barrel clock at 1350 fps and generate . A 44 mag with hard cast will travel a long ways through meat and bone if youre up close. Make sure to practice with your chosen firearm beforehand, and always check local regulations when traveling in bear country. Human beings in the woods. Heres an excerpt. You should be using slugs, and not just your average deer slug but hot ones, and you can forget about buckshot. However, bigger is not always better in my opinion. Hunting grizz is much easier than defending against a charge but both my uncles stoped charges. and 2700 fps, thus delivering massive energy on target. Backpack straps and holstered guns dont get along well. Every 1.5 pages, it tells you that youre now at the exact trail spot where yet another guy from yet another sawmill was killed by a grizzly on such and such a date. NOT A SHILL FOR BUFFALO BORE, REMINGTON, HORNADY OR WINCHESTER, BLACK HILLS OR OTHERS BUT JUST LIKE THE WAY THEY HAVE ALWAYS HELPED ME SELECT THE PROPER ROUND FOR THE SITUATIONS I WOULD BE IN. Sure makes it shorter and lighter, easier to carry and draw. Other calibers that come to mind are the Desert Eagle in .50 cal and the 10 mm. Do you actually think that you impress anyone by imitating other men? The Griz, as he is often called, is actually the North American Brown Bear. .300 Remington Ultra Magnum (180gr Nosler Partition at 3,243fps)(4,202 ft lbs): 25.7 There is no definitive answer to this question as different bears will respond differently to various types of bullets. Here are some tips on how to do just that: Many people have this question, and the answer is not a simple one. Having gone on several backcountry hunts in bear territory, I am well aware of the need to carry a pistol that can be effective against grizzly bears. But whenever he's in an area with a serious and credible grizzly threat, he likes his 12-gauge shotgun loaded with slugs. Are you melting snowflake? The second and third time I used bear spray was against overly aggressive dogs. I suppose if one hit a bear in the eye with a .22 cal. Im not criticizing him for that, but he didnt say it was his research. I do have one. . I distinctly remembered this one! Im certain this is the most butthurt Ive made anyone on this website since that crazed lefty threatened to sue me. For general backpacking in grizzly country, MeatEater Founder Steven Rinella has carried both bear spray and a .44 Magnum revolver. Presumably he removed it when they started cleaning the moose, which is probably the worst time to do so. WHEN FURTHER A FIELD ALSO CARRY MARLIN SS 1895 LEVER WITH BUFFALO BORE RECOMMENDED ROUND IN 45-70. Likely a happy accident for them due other evolutionary happenstances, but they are around because the weaker ones arent. One of the more powerful handguns available today, the .454 is capable of pushing a 300-grain Buffalo Bore bullet at 1650 fps with 1,813 ft.-lbs. For hiking and camping, I prefer a chest rig. of energy at 1550 fps, which is more than double that of the 10mm and four times more energy than the 9mm. Otherwise, anyone thinking a handgun is good for bear defense should file off the front site and lubricated really well. 2018 by Dean Weingarten: Permission to share is granted when this notice and link are included. Heres a look at the eight best charge-stopping bear cartridges ever made. That which is asserted without evidence can be dismissed without evidence. I have watched ballistic videos from a FBI training video in shot placement. As Nelson has seen in bear defense training, many shooters have cycling issues with the 10mm due to the limp-wrist syndrome, something that isnt an issue with a revolver and is the last thing you want to happen during a bear charge. I doubt any bear could withstand two quick rounds from this one to the head! Unfortunately, most everything else on this page is hogwash! In general, you should always try to avoid any conflict with bears if possible. Bear Gun Shootout: The .44 Magnum. NOT UNUSUAL TO HAVE BEARS CLOSE TO CABIN EATING BERRIES OR GETTING A DRINK. Other guys alcohol. That was when I pointed the revolver and fired at center mass. Make sure youre familiar with your firearm and its capabilities. Assumption. ======================================================================. The majority of my travel is either via ATV or Snowmachine, while not on foot. I am not looking to go toe to toe with a Grizzly, but if I am out bow hunting or have set down my rifle to gut a deer it is far better to have a handgun that will effectively penetrate a large animal than to scramble for my rifle if I get charged. of energy at 1500 fps, while the 495-grain DDupleks leaves the muzzle at 1410 fps with 2,180 ft.-lbs. They routinely feed on the gut piles of hunter-killed elk and, along with their cousins Alaska brown bears, are known to try to claim carcasses from hunters. You cant speak of the pros without also talking about the cons in any situation. Woot! Great choice. Next to Bison, they are the second largest cause of fatalities and mauling s in Yellowstone Park. Doug shot the bear and stopped the attack. and it bounced around inside its cranium it might stop it. I suggest reading up on bears and forget the dual-fisted Indiana Jones fantasy. Gun Watch. This way it wont hurt you as much when the bear shoves it where the sun dont shine. When I need it, I simply have to grab my pistol and pull. A sold core flat nose bullet has a better chance of penetrating a grizzly bears heavy skin, thick coat, and large bones than a hollow point that is designed to expand as rapidly as possible. Comparatively, the 44-magnum ammunition I prefer to carry for bear defense is much cheaper than some. My state used to require a class and a license to buy pepper spray, and I lived there, so I took the class. During the 10mm vs .44 Mag. The .357 is also available in smaller-framed revolvers that fit smaller hands, making it ideal for women and less experienced shooters. Yes, the 7mm Remington Magnum is A GOOD CHOICE for grizzly or brown bear hunting, under average conditions, from a mid-range distance, with a medium grain expanding bullet, and with correct shot placement. Above the lower 48 states, as you get farther and farther north, black bears do get bigger and bigger, more and more aggressive, and more and more dangerous, and you just might have to shoot one. Does a 44 Magnum rifle kick? I learned things that could make the difference between success and failure. Best thing in the world? And that was from a pretty stout rifle round, .300 Win Mag IIRC. Be be over armed -not under. You should instead be astonished of its success and dominance instead of blaming it on things like youre made up fake news. Can a 44 Magnum kill a bear? With a 3-inch barrel and a six-shot cylinder combining for a weight of just 25 ounces, this gun was made to be both carried and shot. When one of us has an animal down, one guts, the other stays ready for a bear. This is a website about guns, not WebMD. The 44 magnum is almost unspeakably more powerful than the 22 rimfire, so of course it will kill a bear. Of which he found 29 accounts. Its also capable of sending a massive projectile, like Buffalo Bores 430-grain hard-cast bullet, at roughly 2000 fps and 3,600 ft.-lbs. LOL! I dont even know if Hank The Anonymous was insulting me, or how, or about what, because Hank cannot use words. 44 mag ammo for bear can be a life-saving tool, but only if it is used correctly. Dean made a claim and provided evidence, then you made a claim and provided none, and when asked to provide evidence you refused and essentially said it was up to Dean to disprove your claim, which is not an intellectually honest way of aproaching a discussion. We have to do better. Penetration is key, so hard cast lead is the way to go. Copyright 2023 National Rifle Association, Women On Target Instructional Shooting Clinics, Volunteer At The Great American Outdoor Show, Marion P. 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The 44 magnum is no exception. of energy. That means having the right gear, and knowing how to use it. For more information on how to protect yourself from bears, visit the website of your local hunting or outdoors store. No joke, a full house 44 Mag in a rifle kicks. I dont know if I would call it a design. So be sure to keep an eye on the animal until it is definitely dead. Large caliber handgun ammunition is expensive. I run a 480 Ruger now days but I took a lot of hides with my old Ruger Blackhawk and most dropped where they were hit. The 44 magnum when compared with the other large-caliber bear defense cartridges is rather lightweight in the recoil department. Youve all read how much ground a bear can cover in a few seconds..he kept his cool and did everything right once the holster fiasco was passed. Yet, they have no idea what it feels like to pull the trigger much less shoot that pistol. As he fell, he bit at the ground and ended up with a mouthful of sod. They made it to a small hunting cabin but went to find some firewood outside and upon opening the door, the bear was going to come in! CALLED BUFFALO BOAR AND USING ONE OF ROUNDS THEY RECOMMENDED FOR MY SITUATION AND BEARS. The article is not an argument against carrying a long gun, but a reason to carry a good back up as well. Always remember to check local regulations regarding firearms when traveling in bear country. I mention this one because of its immense stopping power at extremely close distances. The statistics lie with the .44 magnum as an effective handgun against a grizzly bear attack. So, show us the instances that will change the percentages. Bears, including grizzlies, have been killed with 22 long rifles. The hunters violated the most basic safety rule when cleaning game to pack out. That same bullet in a .357 Magnum exits a four-inch barrel upwards of 1,400 fps. I have fifteen articles on the Alaskan revolver in my archives, and i learned something from them all. In the ever-evolving world of social media, we are constantly looking for new ways to connect with our readers. You have access to the Internets, just as others do. Grizzly bears enter a state of hyperphagia in the fall, a condition that provokes gluttony in preparation for winter hibernation. Some might think about these matters a bit more, so I also wrote some footnotes down below. .458 Winchester Magnum (500gr Hornady DGX at 2,140fps)(has 5083.36 ft lbs): 70.0 Who knows. Overall, the 44 magnum revolvers are lighter weight than the larger caliber handguns. Because so many hunters got bowled over, mauled,and prevented from shooting straight when they tried to shoot from underneath a grizz with long-barreled handguns. Ah I love the kind of hater you are, that you are so jealous of hand guns success even, though you deny you are jealous. Your alcohol. In general, you should always try to avoid any conflict with bears if possible. And to the the post of a guy shot many times with a 9mm, you are correct sir. Mossberg 500 vs 590: Which Shotgun Is Right for You? It provides fantastic retention without the need for any straps, buckles, or the like. .375 H&H MagnumOne of the original belted, rimless magnum rifle cartridges, Holland & Hollands .375 is not only considered one of the best cartridges for hunting Africa, it also has a proven track record for lethality on large-bodied game in Canada and Alaska, including moose and bear. I carry both, with bear spray on my left side and a .44 on my right, so IF the bear spray fails Im not completely f-ed. Favorites include, from top, an S&W in .44 Mag, a Dan Wesson in .445 SuperMag and a single-action Ruger chambered in .41 Magnum. As I pulled the revolver out, a sudden calm came over me, and I knew everything would be fine. The black bear is the only animal in the continental U.S. that can provide the average hunter a reasonably accessible opportunity to hunt dangerous game - game with fangs and claws rather than horns and hooves. It is better to have and not need than to need and not have, in my opinion. He was about ten feet away coming up and over the initial log that I had tripped over. Chuke tests 44 Mag and 10mm Underwood Extreme Penetrator on his actual Grizzly Bear Skull to dispel the urban myth that a bears skull will ward off these kin. Ive clearly enraged you to the point where your more of a danger to yourself and others. .338 Winchester Magnum The favorite among Alaskan guides as a backup gun, the .338 Winchester Magnum was released in 1958 as belted, rimless cartridge. Personally, multiple rounds at close range with 00 buck will rip your fucking eyeballs out, no matter what you are. WHEN IN HOUSE CHEST RIG ALWAYS ON AND PISTOL UNDER PILLOW AT NIGHT. photo from thetruthaboutguns.com. It doesnt mean anything. 1) are these Alaskan hunters from Alaska? So thst you can show all the unknowable how absurd and violent they behive. Mostly considered a revolver cartridge, the .44 Magnum is often chambered in rifles. I could not figure out how it held the gun in place, so I grabbed the buckle and attempted to rip it off. Caliber: .44 Magnum. And by your TV remark, I guess youre a big fan of getting a fat ass by sitting around and watching the box instead of using TV as a tool to make yourself healthy, capable, and strong. I live in a small native village in bush Alaska. If you end up underneath a Grizzly that mauling your ass pre-shot and still-biting-you theres a common, two word, phrase for that kind of situation. There is no doubt in my mind that the .44 magnum cartridge is a viable choice as a bear defense gun. At that distance, a shooter has roughly four seconds to make a charge-stopping shot, which requires a steady hand under intense pressure. 10 BEST PADDLE BOARD AND KAYAK COMBOS 2023 WITH BUYING GUIDE, Grizzly 300 Grain Cast lead bullet wide flat nose, Buffalo Bore 300-grain hard cast flat nose bullet, Buffalo Bore 300 grain jacketed flat nose. I looked in the direction of Reed only to once again see the bear charging at me. Forgot to ask said bear Are you feeling lucky, punk. For big bear defense handguns, the Smith & Wesson 629 is hard to beat. Generally speaking, though, most 44 Magnum rounds should be able to stop a black bear or grizzly in its tracks. Click bait makes me so mad I wish I had a .44 magnum! Very difficult to do, but an absolute guaranteed instant stopper. I had no expectation that the pistol would kill the bear. And whatever you do, never try to approach or touch a dead bear. 2. grizzly charging at 30 mph, but the .44 magnum or better it will require is going to give you exactly one chance in 2.5 seconds to hit that bear precisely in the heart or brain. Taylor KnockOutFactor: Aim for the head or heart if possible. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OniKk-UUWD8, 35 Whelen for Elk: The Perfect Caliber for North American Big Game. Several folks have even successfully killed bears with a 9mm. Never had to shoot a bear with it, and hope it stays that way, but pretty confident it will do the trick if needed.