Posted on 10/21/2020 4:51:24 AM PDT by marktwain
Bella Twin Word Record Grizzly Skull killed with .22 long from a Cooey Ace 1 single shot rifle. Screenshot from North Shore Homestead video, cropped and scaled by Dean Weingarten.
U.S.A. -(AmmoLand.com)-When researching incidents of firearms used to defend against bears, the surprising deadly potential of the common .22 rimfire cartridge becomes apparent. The most famous incident involving the .22 rimfire cartridge and bears is the 1953 world record grizzly bear.
It was collected by Bella Twin of Slave Lake in Alberta Canada. From my article at ammoland.com:
On 10 May, 1953, Bella Twin was hunting small game with her partner, Dave Auger, along an oil exploration cutline south of Slave Lake, in Alberta, Canada. She was 63 years old.
They saw a large grizzly bear coming toward them. Wishing to avoid an encounter, they hid off the side of the cut.
But the bear kept coming closer and closer. The bear got so close that Bella Twin thought it less risky to shoot the bear than to not shoot it. It was probably only a few yards away. Some accounts say 30 feet. Perhaps she saw it stop and start to sniff, as if it had caught their scent. We may never know.
She shot at the side of the bears head. Knowing animal anatomy very well (she was an experienced trapper, and had skinned hundreds, perhaps thousands of animals) she knew exactly where to aim to penetrate the skull at its weakest point.
(Excerpt) Read more at ammoland.com ...
The first shot put the bear down.
The rest were insurance.
Gotcha. I that would explain the pattern.
They eye shot may or may not work.
According to the Alaskan troopers, slugs are excellent rounds for defense against bears.
I bought a Wal-Mart “special” 10/22 years ago for $189 (!). Added a Volquartsen auto bolt release, extended bolt handle and buffer, some Tech Sights (iron sights)...all cheap and easy-to-change-out parts. It’s a sweet thing to shoot...highly accurate and FUN.
Not sure I’d put it up against a bear though.
I have shot varmints with a 22rf at well past 100 yards a scope makes hitting ones target a lot easier.
All my 22s have scopes on them.
So would I but some times one has to play with what you have.
I do not doubt that for a second.
Using my old 22 with a scope, I “shot” a fox directly in the chest at about 25 yards using a scope. It had zero impact on her. I chased her around the yard as she killed two of my chickens and I could not get a bead on her because the scope got in the way.
So I have mixed feelings about scopes with a short range firearm.
The thing about shooting a .22rf is that it requires the shooter to actually know how to shoot, accuracy wise that is. Down through the years I too have killed a lot small game up to and including deer with my .22rf riffles. My latest addition is the Chiappa Little Badger single shot w/folding wire frame stock for easy transport. 2.9# total weight. Have either a scope or a laser affixed with a noise suppressor. Just can’t beat it. Love it. It makes me a much better marksman in the process.
Shoot him from the proper angle and hit the right spot with your .22, and then run like hell.
Id recommend tossing those magazines if theyre that bad. Replace them with factory Ruger 10 and 25 round ones. I have both and they function flawlessly.
Strip the rifle down and give it a thorough cleaning. Check all the mounting screws and make sure theyre snug. Then do a standard sight in. Stock Ruger triggers arent known for being the greatest. There are many better aftermarket ones available if youre so inclined.
But youre smart to concentrate on you first. Chances are youll find a bit of practice improves your shooting far more than better parts.
Theyre great little rifles once you get to know them. Enjoy using it and think of the fun you had with your dad. Then pass that along to someone younger. That would be a fitting legacy for it, I think.
Best,
L
Not enough practice and proper scope set up.
Chest shots normally take some time to be effective.
I killed plenty of running game with a scope sighted 22.
Not enough practice and proper scope set up.
“I could picture a dinky .22 rimfire just pissing off the bear, if you didnt hit it just right. Given my druthers, Id be in a different state entirely, even with my 12 gauge magnum load.”
Occasionally we get black bears this time of year and they get into our trash at night.
I blast them with a phalanx of BB’s from a Umerex Steel Storm. 30 BB’s in 2 or 3 seconds. The bears do not return.
It would be illegal to use a firearm on the bears.
Clearly if I was in the woods I would bring a pistol.
“It came with a scope, but Im not sure a scope is necessary for a .22.”
When you are young and have good eyesight, iron sights are fine. Most of my hunting when I was younger was without a scope.
When you are older (like mid-70s) and wearing trifocals, then you can’t see the sights and the target simultaneously. I need a scope or I can’t see anything.
I just ordered some scope rings for my 10/22 that stand an inch off the receiver and are hollow underneath so you can use scope or sights. Not sure how it will work, but I’ll risk 15 bucks. Especially since the factory scope mount sucks.
Yeah. I have a couple of SKS’s (inherited one from my dad) and a 30.06. I have the .22 for fun and varmints. I don’t know if a scope is appropriate for that.
Anyway, He said the cutoff point for a gun being used on large dangerous game was 1,800 foot pounds of energy. That figure would give you the max range of that round on that kind of game..
I remember The guy was in love with his 270.. That round would be a little exotic for this hilljack (me), but whatever floats your boat, I guess..
Her 22 rifle was held together with wire because it was worn out twice over again.
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