Posted on 02/23/2022 4:02:27 AM PST by marktwain
Just because this worked doesn’t mean you wouldn’t be better off with a .44 magnum or one of the big .45s or .50s
Hunter #1 was either very lucky or a skilled shooter, maybe both.
I’m with you on that. The 38 is a hell of a round. It’s really a victim of its own success. So widespread for 75 years that it is simply not cool and trendy. For man or beast it is just fine. And wide variety of loads for the task. Inherently accurate too.
“Inherently accurate too.”
It is that.
In many states, going afield for big-game archery season while armed with a handgun is a violation of wildlife/hunting laws/regulations. This applies even if you are a licensed handgun carrier. These regs make no sense, especially in bear country, IMO.
A very interesting article for a change. Muchly appreciated.
Thanks for posting. I hunt in Montana and live in griz management area. I never fail to read these and learn something every time.
I just turned 80 and I too like the 38 snubby as my go to, every day, won't leave home with out hand gun.
I also have a 357 Magnum in my vehicle and carry a 9MM semi-auto on occasion, but I feel very comfortable with my 38 never fail wheel gun.
I understand the younger folks liking a semi-auto because of the high capacity and the ability to rapid fire heavy cover shooting but I feel more at ease with my wheel guns {I do carry speed loaders}.
It is kinda of a David-Goliath story. In that the woman knew the anatomy of the enemy and limits of her weapon so well that she placed the bullet in the small (maybe 2-inch circle) where a .22 could kill such a massive bear (giant). Was not a “lucky shot” but a deliberate kill.
Precisely correct.
In addition, she was very close and expert in using a weapon she had many, many years experience with, in killing large numbers of creatures.
She chose the time and place of the encounter, was prepared, and had the element of surprise.
Bingo.
At close range, <10 feet, a 22 right in the snout will stop anything. Probably won’t kill. But, even an enraged bear will back up a bit to wonder why it is no longer breathing — at least thru its nose.
OTOHand, the same right into either eye will immediately kill.
I am amazed, tho, that a 38P thru the side will do that much damage. Damn! I thought only a rifle would penetrate that much.
If they are close enough a 38P+ has a ton of velocity. 50 yards out…not so much.
I would hate to have to test my theory.
Eye shots are not so clearly lethal, because of the peculiar geometry of bear skulls.
The angle has to be correct for a shot to the eye to enter the brain.
Here is an article on the subject.
We hunted this country for Mulies back around ‘76 and had dropped a couple. We were miles back in and we drove our jeep with our kill in the back to the nearby river to wash up. We were out washing up. We saw fresh tracks in the mud. They were about the size of dinner plates with claws as long as your fingers. Then we heard a grizzly in the nearby thick brush. I was the only one armed at the time and my .270 felt more like a pea shooter than a rifle at that short range. I was carrying a .38 revolver but didn’t even consider it for a second. Needless to say, we got the h3ll out of there in a hurry you wouldn’t believe. No doubt the blood smell had gotten his attention.
Bear scat may have little bells in it, but I’ll bet they can’t pass a 8-inch 454 Casull.
Certain laptops? It's always political.
I would be interested to know if the cartridge was .38 Special or .38 Special +P. A jacketed +P is a step up from the old lead round nose loads.
Live in Alaska bear country 50+ years. Killed my share of bears including one that broke into my house. Nearly always have the .44 in reach and wouldn’t hesitate to use it on a small to medium black bear. Black bears scare easily and I have a 97% chance of chasing them away by throwing rocks and making noise.
Brown bears on the other hand are scary big (some over 1000 pounds) territorial, and very unpredictable. Short barrel .375 H+H in high risk brown bear country. The only good a handgun will be in a big bear encounter is to use it on yourself as the bear is tearing you apart. Be sure to bring a can of bear spray so you are seasoned properly!
The Alaska department of fish and game has a bear protection course where they have a bear sized target that is attached to a pulley system to make it “run” at you at bear speed. You shoot with a variety ove weapons to see if you can hit the target. The poorest performance by far was with a handgun with less than half the participants in my class were even able to hit the thing. Best was with shotguns. So much depends on experience!
In real life, pistols of a large variety of calibers are 97% effective in defense against bears.
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