Washington State Bear Attack Stopped with .45 Long Colt Revolver

AmmoLand ^ | November 30, 2023 | Dean Weingarten

[Clutch Martin]

That is a tale I would be ashamed to tell. Under equipped in Bear country.

I wonder... how good are his archery skills? He is very lucky to be alive. And luck is a hideous goal to place your life upon.

The experience brings out one important fact, animals do not feel sorry for themselves, even when in great pain. That’s the difference! It’s not enough to mitigate the situation. The goal should be to stop the threat. A 45 LC is a preposterous load to consider.

[Disambiguator]

Fudds are everywhere.

[Uncle Miltie]

Choice of weapon and caliber whilst carrying in the Blue Mountains is made more complex by the existence of wolf packs there.

Had the gentleman been surrounded by a dozen plus wolves, he may well have lost the fight due to insufficient rounds.

Further, as Dean Weingarten ably documents, a black bear (non-grizzly) can be defeated by virtually any human-deadly round.

Finally, the mix of predators in the Blues runs from coyotes (known to attack in rare instances), cougar, and bears to wolves.

Therefore, in that general area, I carry 9mm semi-auto with hot loads in a 16+1 magazine, and two extra magazines (16 and 13) in my pocket. Virtually all black bear attacks will be broken with that round (see Weingarten). Shot speed is improved (for me, at least), putting more lead in the critter sooner, and you have plenty of rounds (46 9mm in my case, plus 5 in my .30-06 rifle) to handle the potential wolf pack.

In Griz country, 9mm will also (but less often) break off the attack. Lacking a 44 magnum in my collection, I opt for the .357 magnum Ruger Blackhawk Flattop that I own, loaded with Buffalo Bore hard cast bullets in a chest rig. That round is reputed to crash through 4.5 feet of muscle and bone without fragmenting or stopping. And with Griz, you’ll be lucky to get off three shots before he’s on you, so round count doesn’t matter so much.

Did have a wild dog (escaped pets a generation or two ago) go ape on me from the brush at 70 feet in the gloaming twilight this fall. That thing was crazy. I drew the 9, and slowly backed down the ravine. That critter kept howling while I retreated 1/4 mile to the truck and left. That’s the first time I’ve ever drawn my sidearm in the field.

Anyhow, that’s my program. Opinions vary.

[Gaffer]

Yep. I used to have multiple 45LCs and those hot load 45LC cartridges need beefier pistols or rifles with very sturdy breeches.

[Uncle Miltie]

Read more: https://www.ammoland.com/2019/10/grizzly-bear-attack-in-montana-stopped-with-9mm-pistols/#ixzz8L820MTX9
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Grizzly Bear Attack in Montana Stopped with 9mm Pistols

[Uncle Miltie]

Read more: https://www.ammoland.com/2021/06/handgun-or-pistol-against-bear-attacks-104-cases-97-effective/#ixzz8L82KwhM5
Under Creative Commons License: Attribution
Follow us: @Ammoland on Twitter | Ammoland on Facebook

Handgun or Pistol Against Bear Attacks 104 cases, 97% Effective

[Uncle Miltie]

Read more: https://www.ammoland.com/2021/06/handgun-or-pistol-against-bear-attacks-104-cases-97-effective/#ixzz8L82jLJoD
Under Creative Commons License: Attribution
Follow us: @Ammoland on Twitter | Ammoland on Facebook

We found seven cases where 9 mm pistols were used to defend against bears. All were successful.

[Uncle Miltie]

New wolf ‘pack’ could spell more pressure on Blue Mountains big-game (2017)

https://www.spokesman.com/blogs/outdoors/2017/mar/22/new-wolf-pack-could-spell-more-pressure-blue-mountains-big-game/

[Uncle Miltie]

Washington Fish and Wildlife considering lethal removal of wolves in Asotin County

Aug. 21, 2023

https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2023/aug/21/washington-fish-and-wildlife-considering-lethal-re/

[Delta 21]

never go into the bush alone.

[Big Red Badger]

Jetfire?
Is That the .22 short ?
.
Lucky Guy !

[Delta 21]

I would just as soon shoot a grizzly in the ass with a .22 short as a 9mm Luger. It all depends on your relationship with your hunting buddy.

[Uncle Miltie]

See #27.

[Delta 21]

Those are stories of men's men!

Read the documented cases. Consider the possibilities. Make your own determination about what works, and what does not work.

I would rather face the wrath of a wounded girl friend I "accidentally" shot in the knee than a bear I just shot in the ass with a .22!

[marktwain]

He had 5 rounds in his pistol and 4 more rounds in his pocket.

Makes a case for a 15 shot 10mm.

[Paal Gulli]

" Makes a case for a 15 shot 10mm. "

The Spanish-made Caricato was an 18-shot revolver. However, it also had three barrels and fired in 3-shot volleys

I'd hate to be the gunsmith with the task of regulating three barrels.

[kawhill]

I’ve only hunted in bear country once in my life (not too many bears here in central Kansas), but I carried a Smith & Wesson Model 500 chambered in .500 Smith & Wesson magnum. First time I ever fired that revolver I just about ended up on my backside. Helluva a handgun round, generates more kinetic energy at the muzzle than the old .45-70 Government rifle cartridge which in its day was considered a “buffalo rifle”. Don’t shoot it much, just enough to stay proficient. At my age I wake up sore enough as it is. Regards.

[oldtech]

I get the notion that a .45 is adequate IF the shots can be well placed. Disabling a bear’s hindquarters would probably necessitate a good spine shot, but in a close situation, that would be hard to accurately place. A big Magnum gun should give better odds.

[riverrunner]

I have shot bears with rifles. shotguns and handguns.

Good shot placement is the key to make any of them work.

Proper bullet ammunition selection helps also.

I am always torn between raw power and controllability.

Follow up shots with full power magnums loads are a lot slower to do.