[RANGERAIRBORNE]

Actually , a fair number of grizzlies are taken up here with .308's. Bullet selection is very important- you really need penetration on those animals, and a .308 would not be my first choice for a big bear (by the way, I saw a polar bear up here two weeks ago).

Most serious bear hunters go with the 30-06, or even the .338 (talk about penetration!). As always, shot placement is the critical factor. For chance encounters, I carry a Remington 870 with slugs and buckshot.

I had a conversation in the sports store at Fort Wainwright a few years ago with a hunter from the "lower 48" who was going moose-hunting- he asked what pistol to carry for grizzly bear encounters. Of course, the standard answer is that it doesn't matter- just be sure to file off the front sight, so it doesn't hurt so much when the bear shoves it up your @$$. (Of course, now hat S&W has a .50 caliber revolver, we may have to rethink that...)

[mamelukesabre]

For bear encounters....a 12 ga. pump action slug gun will do just fine. or maybe one of those short barreled marlin rifles in 45-70. I prefer the shotgun...more versatile.

As for pistols, I think a 6" barrel ruger chambered in 44 mag would do if your big enough to shoot it one handed rapidly and accurately.

[cavtrooper21]

You know, thats not the first time I've heard that comment about handguns and bears....
Still makes me laugh.
I noticed the Canadian Game wardens and the Alaskan Fisheries(?) officers carrying 12 gauge pumps when there is a bear in the area. Sounds like a good idea.
Yea, I would use a .308 on a grizz or polar bear. With the right load, in MY Mauser, with back up, with a BIG gun. Just in case, because the world isn't perfect.

[GladesGuru]

Perhaps you didn't realize that the "lower 48er" was planning to shoot himself rather than be eaten alive. So the real question is "How big a round is needed to penetrate the abnormally thick skull of a numbskull"?