Posted on 03/31/2023 5:23:01 AM PDT by marktwain
I had a friend who was camping in the mountains in Colorado with his girlfriend. A large black bear came into their camp and was not interested in leaving. He had a compact 40 cal and fired it into the ground in front of the bear which convinced it to leave.
The only good bear is a dead bear.
Warning shot to the brain works well.
When I was in Northern Arizona I went to get ammo for my dads Ruger 44 that I inherited after he died. I told the wise old man behind the counter I wanted something that would stop a grizzly. He looked at me and laughed and said you come across a grizzly you’re more likely to shoot your buddy’s leg off with that thing.
The Colt Python is a revolver I started coveting way too late in life — well after their value went through the roof. I had to content myself with a Ruger knockoff (which of course I have since lost).
Thats funny i have lost a couple of my hand guns also.
Thats funny i have lost a couple of my hand guns also.
I have a S&W .38 spl that I am planning on trading for a S&W .357 mag. I'll still be able to use up my .38 spl rounds.
In the database I and others have compiled of all known instances of pistols fired in defense against bears, the .44 magnum is the most common caliber used. Out of 123 cases where only pistols were used (no combination cases), 37 were with .44 magnums. All were successful.
Not with the YouTube I watch
Consensus is high powered rifle with penetration ammo 300 mag minimum
Id carry 340 weatherby minimum
For pistols seems 44mag is good but 10mm high cap are best
Always penetration rounds
.45 has been found repeatedly in the skull or just under the hair and super thick hair hide and fat layers with little penetration
.357 would be bear minimum
My Python cost about $450 back when I bought it at my uncle’s gun shop.
The shop and my uncle are long gone...
I’ve never encountered grizzly except long range of several hundred yards
They can close 50 yards in a few seconds
It seems 10mm with chest rig best
My experience was 70s when there were far fewer around than now
Especially around Yellowstone area
There are 38 Special rounds out now that have .357 stopping power using hard-cast(deep penetrating)bullets and very modern powders that reduce the need for extreme .357 pressures to achieve high bullet velocities.
In compiling the database, I and others repeatedly ask for the documented failures.
One .22 LR; one .38 special, one .357 magnum.
Read them, and it is easy to see how the failures occurred.
“The front paw print was 8 inches wide...”
Gulp.
Interesting. I’ll have to look into that. Thanks.
“My "Front Paw" is only six wide; but can handle a ".357" if necessary.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.