Posted on 09/21/2018 5:51:02 AM PDT by marktwain
I coat the bullets in my .44 magnum with bear spray. That way the spray gets to the bear faster and from farther away.
I don’t even think a pistol would stop a charging grizzly. Maybe a shotgun.
“Threats within arm’s reach are closer than you think...”
Bear spray... I laugh every time I hear this.
My “Bear Spray” is a 0.357 Magnum.
Nothing less than a .300 H&H...
In light of the rising frequency of human/grizzly bear conflicts, the Montana Department of Fish and Game is advising hikers, hunters, and fishermen to take extra precautions and keep alert for bears while in the field.
We advise that outdoorsmen wear noisy little bells on their clothing so as not to startle the bears that aren't expecting them. We also advise outdoorsmen to carry pepper spray with them in case of an encounter with a bear.
It is also a good idea to watch out for fresh signs of bear activity. Outdoorsmen should recognize the difference between black bear and grizzly bear poop.
Black bear poop is smaller and contains a lot of berry seeds and squirrel fur. Grizzly bear poop has little bells in it and smells like pepper spray.
You need to up the ante with a grizzly more like a 454 Casull or 480 Ruger to start with.
Pistols have been used to stop charging grizzly bears numerous times.
I first heard this joke when we moved up to Alaska. The other saying up there is that you don’t have to be all that fast to run away, just faster than the slowest person in your group. Rip to the guide, tragic for his family.
And now Caliber Choice,
Revolver,
Semi-Auto and
Shot Placement
Will be Discussed.
I’m taking a Nap.
A 12 gauge auto or pump with rifled slugs or 00 buck is the best remedy for a charging grizzly, unless you have a 45-70 cal rifle ready.With the auto 12 you can triple tap and that stops them dead. Usually it turns them to the side and then you can get to the tender parts with follow up shots.
A 12 gauge slug would have been a good choice.
Id go with a .22. Plinking is so much fun. Maybe the bear would join in and afterwards both sides could go their separate ways having enjoyed a pleasant day of shooting and a new found mutual understanding.
Why take a chance:
Using bear spray is the result of listening to tree hugging gaia worshippers.
Thinking that we can co-exist with wild animals in our backyard like bear, coyote, mountain lions, bobcat, alligators. Kill them and you go to jail. They eat you and it is just nature.
Yup. Bear spray sounds really cool in the commercials....until you are face to face with a 10 foot tower of teeth and claws. Then a .44 magnum seems to be a better choice.
Great. How effective is a 357? I carry one.
Effectiveness depends on what load you carry and on shot placement.
What you want is a full power .357 load with hard cast lead bullets for deep penetration, like these: https://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l=product_list&c=162
What you do NOT want to use are semi-jacketed hollow points, like the kind you would carry for everyday self defense. The key to stopping a Grizzly is penetration, and a hollow point won't give you that.
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