Bflr
Shot placement has been and always will be key.
L
Makes sense.
So a loud bang is all we need?, will keep my .380 pocket pistol handy, lol
After reading the government literature on these intense encounters, guns are NOT the answer. Instead, call in social counselors to intervene and see what the perp (this time it’s a bear) really wants. What are his (or her or whatever preferred pronoun the bear chooses) demands or grievances. Perhaps there is some sort of middle ground one could seek for the sake of peace. One shouldn’t be too hasty in these situations. Instead use a calm and gentle approach. Speak in low soothing tones. I’m sure they feel misunderstood. Perhaps after starting a conversation, a hug would be in order to reassure the bear all is well.
Depends on the bear and the time of year.
Black bears are usually skittish of loud noises, brown bears a little less and Grizzlies don’t much care. Don’t know about Polar Bears.............
I guess a .9mm in grizzly country is better than nothing but Mr. GG2 carried a .454 Casul during the brief time he lived in Alaska and he was still nervous. In fact his neighbor at the time carrying the same weapon emptied all 6 rounds into a grizzly at point blank range and it died on top of him. The neighbors had to come out and roll it off of him. True story.
I shared an indoor range once with a gentleman who was trying out his brand new Ruger Super RedHawk in 454 Casull. He let me try it out, loading it with
3 rounds. I’ve shot a Smith & Wesson Model 29 .44 magnum, and I actually enjoyed that. I shot 2 rounds and gave it back. I was flinching so bad I could hardly hold the thing. I’m not a big guy, and shooting that .454 was…..brutal.
If they're not reported, how do we know that they're seriously underrated?
My .45 is for scaring a bear. My AR-10 is for killing a bear.
This has been clear for years. Every time I’ve see a history of encounters, even a 22LR was effective in getting the bear to leave.
I don’t believe this study at all. It is considering that bears may run away. To stop a bear with a less than perfect shot takes a high caliber slug. Anything less is either scaring the bear or making him mad. Don’t expect to scare away a mother bear.
Desert Eagle in .50 caliber may be a good choice...
Maybe a flash bang grenade would scare the bear away most of the time?
What is critical is the ability to score hits under extreme stress.
Using a Europellet gun (9mm or .38+P), I can consistently outscore “no caliber that doesn’t start with four” shooters once the scenario adds some stress.
Not even using a charging grizzly, which I imagine adds a bit more stress that we can achieve at the range or in a shoot house.
Too many variables in this one to make any categorical statement. A bear encounter is different from a bear attack, and hunting a bear is different from Mr. Bear hunting you. Still, simple rules: (1) have a gun, (2) hit the target. (3) is arguing about caliber and is best performed at the local saloon afterward.
“Handgun Defense Against Bears, Caliber NOT Critical as Thought...”
Yeah, right. That’s why experienced Alaskan guides carry 22’s.
I’m still packing a Glock 20 with Buffalo Bore 220 gr ammo over a .22 pistol.