Posted on 08/15/2018 5:14:45 AM PDT by w1n1
It’s best to be mindful when you’re out in the wilderness, especially when in bear country. Which means you should be armed. When you head into bear country, you must accept that you are no longer at the top of the food chain. Luckily, most bears usually do not want any trouble and will leave the area as soon as they detect you.
However, this is not always the case and you should be prepared to defend yourself if you get in a life-threatening situation.
Firearms should only be used as a last resort to defend yourself from a bear.
A charging bear can move extremely fast and only a hit on the bear’s central nervous system (brain or spine) is guaranteed to stop a bear in its tracks.
Even on the biggest bears, the central nervous system is not a large target, so stopping a determined charging bear with a gun makes for some very challenging shooting.
Even though you may be carrying a powerful hand cannon, doesn’t mean you’re proficient with it when its time to use it while under stressful conditions.
Because of this, you must practice drawing and shooting your chosen gun extensively. Remember: even the biggest and most powerful bear defense guns are not guaranteed to stop a charging bear if you don’t make a good shot.
Here are some picks for the best bear defense handguns that are available on the market today:
Smith & Wesson Model 629
Ruger GP100
Taurus Raging Bull
Ruger Super Redhawk Alaskan - Read the rest of this full description of bear defense guns story here.
Thanks Moses, I needed that this morning LOL
We have almost five acres of heavily wooded land, which was not like this when we moved in ‘02. Since around 2010, we’ve had evidence of bears cleaning out the bird feeders in our front “yard”, which does make me concerned about gardening.
Carrying a gun heavy enough to stop a bear seems impractical.
I’d probably just faint if I saw something like that coming toward me.
The best defense weapon is the one that’s in your hand when you’re trying save your hide.
LAWS rocket
Be done with it...
I was thinking the same thing. We're not talking about target shooting here--that bear is presumably moving at you, perhaps very quickly. The "human factor" takes over, and you've got to be very accurate with your weapon...a shotgun will likely only agitate the bear, so you need something with bullets--large bullets--the kind that likely make some recoil. What if the first shots miss? You're shaking as it is, now you've got seconds to fire and knock that beast down. Can you do it?
Makes sense for anyone carrying anywhere.
When I’m out and about on the ATV, the Smith 629 is my companion.
No kidding. We have one similar to that. It’s heavy.
Always wear your Addidas and take along one of these in case of a jam-up:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spontoon
I had an Alaskan Guide Gun in 45-70 with a ultra long eye relief scope. Lever action. I suspect it would have done the job.
Excellent account.
My insurance policy whenever I go hiking is my Ruger Redhawk .44 magnum. That’ll stop even a Grizzly though I would prefer not to ever have to try.....
My colleague is the great great great nephew of George Drouillard.
MFO
That image is hysterically funny, Jonah Hex! I laughed and laughed. ^_^
https://youtube.com/watch?v=khyZI3RK2lE
Yes shotgun loaded with slugs and a .454 Casul
Load that up with slugs and you should be good.
IIRC, Christopher George, at the end, uses a LOS or a bazooka to destroy the bear.
I saw it in the theater, and thought, "Boy, that was some pretty bad special effects for the "explosion".
I trust AM Shooting Journal on bear defense advice like I trust Harvey Weinstein on dating advice.
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