Throw away that 10mm and get a can of bear spray.

Bear country is rarely if ever "not windy", and wind often renders all sorts of sprays ineffective, and if the spray comes back at you- your sight and breathing may be so damaged that you can't make a run for it.

The correct answer is BOTH.
I binged on some BearSafari (photographer guide) videos in a bay in Alaska - keep in mind the Grizzlies there have almost constant excellent food supply which is definitely a factor - and he carries both.

Learned : females bears with cubs are trending in favoring to being around people because it keeps males wanting to kill their cubs to send them back into estrus for their genetic propogation at bay. Bear A399 good example.
 
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Is 10mm really enough? I know it's been the latest topic of preferred round for bear defense, but are there any actual examples of it being used effectively?

Anyone hunt/hike in an area where you cannot conceal carry? Where I am, you cannot carry in any government owned parks (state,county,etc) not sure if that is the norm throughout the country. I'd like to take my 3 year old camping this year, but really only considering it if we go somewhere that I am legally allowed to carry. However, I'd need to first purchase a handgun with a caliber that works. Sold a bunch of my handguns a while back, right now my largest is a .40.
 
Is 10mm really enough? I know it's been the latest topic of preferred round for bear defense, but are there any actual examples of it being used effectively?

Anyone hunt/hike in an area where you cannot conceal carry? Where I am, you cannot carry in any government owned parks (state,county,etc) not sure if that is the norm throughout the country. I'd like to take my 3 year old camping this year, but really only considering it if we go somewhere that I am legally allowed to carry. However, I'd need to first purchase a handgun with a caliber that works. Sold a bunch of my handguns a while back, right now my largest is a .40.
First off, I don't live in bear country nor do I plan to visit.

Wolves and big cats are exciting enough for me where I live

Caliber, bigger the better but you have to be able to hit what you are shooting at.

I read once where the best way to practice is to stand at the bottom of a steep hill and have someone roll a 55 gallon barrel at you.

That best mimics a charging bear.............
 
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Is 10mm really enough? I know it's been the latest topic of preferred round for bear defense, but are there any actual examples of it being used effectively?

Anyone hunt/hike in an area where you cannot conceal carry? Where I am, you cannot carry in any government owned parks (state,county,etc) not sure if that is the norm throughout the country. I'd like to take my 3 year old camping this year, but really only considering it if we go somewhere that I am legally allowed to carry. However, I'd need to first purchase a handgun with a caliber that works. Sold a bunch of my handguns a while back, right now my largest is a .40.
If you can dump 15/16 rounds of 10mm into a charging bear, I personally believe I can do that more accurately than I can dump 5 rounds accurately out of my 460ES. I do know that I personally am faster and more accurate with my G40 than I can my 460es. Also think about how fast you can reload a common 10mm vs large frame wheel gun. Obviously training more with the 460 would help this matter, no question at all, but I do think the 10mm is a viable tool. Certainly other options, 44mag, 454 casull and even rifles/shotguns.
 
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Is 10mm really enough? I know it's been the latest topic of preferred round for bear defense, but are there any actual examples of it being used effectively?

Anyone hunt/hike in an area where you cannot conceal carry? Where I am, you cannot carry in any government owned parks (state,county,etc) not sure if that is the norm throughout the country. I'd like to take my 3 year old camping this year, but really only considering it if we go somewhere that I am legally allowed to carry. However, I'd need to first purchase a handgun with a caliber that works. Sold a bunch of my handguns a while back, right now my largest is a .40.
What type of bear you got?
I finished an Idaho BLACK bear that got injured by a car. Used a Makarov 9mm that went right through the front of his skull. In general i still wouldn’t recommend a makarov though.

When I visit grizzly habitat I might carry a 44 magnum, or a 9x19. I’m actually more distrusting of 2 leg animals than I am of the 4 leg variety.

Also…
 
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10mm with light in chest rig behind binos.

Can carry on pack belt too, but not as fast.
Stays on me when I set pack down with no juggling holster to belt (how I used to carry in bear woods)

I have been around a quite a few bears at less than 50 yds.
Including a handful with cubs (new or 1 yr old).

Nasty people still scare me more than bears.
 
There are USFS requirements/regulations for firearms and designated shooters at remote work camps when dangerous or aggressive animals might be present, specifically in Alaska, but can be applied elsewhere. Many other industries use those same guidelines. When it's determined that a firearm is required at those locations. handguns are not on the list and are not allowed. It used to be a .358 Win was the minimum, but current regs are a minimum of a 30.06 with 220 grain bullets or a 12 gauge pump with 2-3/4" 1-1/4oz slugs. The recommended load-out is a .375 H&H Magnum with 270 grain bullets.
 
Is 10mm really enough? I know it's been the latest topic of preferred round for bear defense, but are there any actual examples of it being used effectively?

Anyone hunt/hike in an area where you cannot conceal carry? Where I am, you cannot carry in any government owned parks (state,county,etc) not sure if that is the norm throughout the country. I'd like to take my 3 year old camping this year, but really only considering it if we go somewhere that I am legally allowed to carry. However, I'd need to first purchase a handgun with a caliber that works. Sold a bunch of my handguns a while back, right now my largest is a .40.
This is how it is in the free states of America…
 

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Remember the dude that got attacked by a bear and repelled it with bear spray? Then got to repell it again another 100yds down the trail? He got pretty fucked up with his scalp hanging off his ears from the first encounter. I bet if he shot and killed the bear before or during the first encounter he wouldn’t have had to go through a mauling twice! 🤣
 
Have been amongst many 4 legged predators.
The grizz is something to be respected.
20 secondish discharge from bear spray.
20-30 FOOT range...some call this 6-10 yards.
Damned hard to reload.
Always more that a bit of wind where I've encountered said.

I'd consider the required range of spray to be already a failure at avoidance.


R
 
Is 10mm really enough? I know it's been the latest topic of preferred round for bear defense, but are there any actual examples of it being used effectively?

Anyone hunt/hike in an area where you cannot conceal carry? Where I am, you cannot carry in any government owned parks (state,county,etc) not sure if that is the norm throughout the country. I'd like to take my 3 year old camping this year, but really only considering it if we go somewhere that I am legally allowed to carry. However, I'd need to first purchase a handgun with a caliber that works. Sold a bunch of my handguns a while back, right now my largest is a .40.

9mm was 100% effective when used.

Use what you can hit with. 1 hit and 5 misses with a 454 aren't nearly as effective as 15 hits and zero misses from a 9mm.

If you can keep hits on an ipsc at 10 yards rapid fire for a full mag with your 40, it's a hell of a lot better than spray.
 
There are USFS requirements/regulations for firearms and designated shooters at remote work camps when dangerous or aggressive animals might be present, specifically in Alaska, but can be applied elsewhere. Many other industries use those same guidelines. When it's determined that a firearm is required at those locations. handguns are not on the list and are not allowed. It used to be a .358 Win was the minimum, but current regs are a minimum of a 30.06 with 220 grain bullets or a 12 gauge pump with 2-3/4" 1-1/4oz slugs. The recommended load-out is a .375 H&H Magnum with 270 grain bullets.
20150811_060143.jpg
that was another day in the Alaska oilfield working remotely.
 
I'm heading to Alaska 1st week of August for a fishing trip , carrying my S&W 10mm for bear protection hopefully I won't have to use it. Went to the range today for a little practice ,took the 10mm and the taurus 44mag tracker that I bought originally for the trip back in 2020 before covid fucked up my travel plans, in the mean time got the smith and shoot it so much better that it's going instead of the 44 , the target was at 7 yards with the 10mm 9 shots the other 6 shot in the mag were at the 25yd target but I didn't save it. But it was still good hits just not as tight and lots of other shots from the 44 that were all over the place . Fuck bear spray . Those shots are low ,so more practice to get that group up a little higher.
 

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The OP is click baiting us because he knows that pepper spray is marketed by the Ursa Major Corporation and was created to add some spice to the average grizzly diet.
Actually (heh) I thought it was interesting that people that used spray escaped without injury whereas the shooters got mangled at about a 15 percent rate if I remember the video correctly. For everyone saying I would blast that bear with x caliber whatever here is a thought. At what range do you start shooting at the bear. Do you wait till it's charging? How fast does a charging bear close distance? Are you going to make perfect head shots as it's coming at you? Sure the bear may bleed out but you're getting mangled if you don't drop it in it's tracks. The idea behind the spray is you have a wide spray that has a better chance of getting it in the face. This will supposedly blind the bear and cause extreme breathing distress that will make it break off it's charge. According to the studies cited in the video it works 🤷‍♂️. Personally I hope I never run into a pissed off bear and if I see it before it see's me I'm getting the hell out of dodge.