Hunting & Fishing .45 enough for a bear?

#52
Re: .45 enough for a bear?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: InsidetheStorm</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: TCB</div><div class="ubbcode-body">How about a .22. Couple of those in your hunting buddy knees and you can just walk away :)</div></div>

Shane? Is that you? I thought you died near the end of season 2. </div></div>


Lmao!!!
 
#53
Re: .45 enough for a bear?

I have shot as many grizzly and brown bears as most anyone I know and spent over 45 days a year for years in the mountains hunting sheep. Bear encounters were common. I have had close encounters with hundreds. From Alaska to Montana. I would not dream of carrying a handgun. Just too much weight backpacking. Nor would I ever be seperated from my rifle. EVER. If I walked out of camp 30 feet, my rifle went with me. Any decent rifle will be more than ample for griz with good bullets. I have shot them with everything from .270 Win to 375 H&H. All kill well on head and neck shots. If you cannot see the head or neck, the bear is going the other way. Just take your hunting rifle and GOOD bullets. One load for everything.
Richard
 
#54
Re: .45 enough for a bear?

In my opinion after life long play and work in Alaska dealing with bears in my yard, camp, nose to nose, bluffed and been knocked down and rolled by a bear, nope!

Bear encounters are very misunderstood and reported.

Staple question from clients is; what hand gun do I need to bring along?

Answer; none!

#1 advice is to practice sound bear awareness.
#2 is sound bear awareness means nothing to some bears.
#3 repeat #1 and #2!

The savagery of a wounded bear is something to behold and will soil your skivvies. It is best to avoid a wounded bear at near all cost.

So called hand cannons that are bear stoppers are still hand guns and have about the same penetration "stopping power" of the 30.30 winchester.

If you must have a hand gun, I have to recommend to put the highest odds possible in your favor and that means Ruger Red Hawk in 44 or 454. The heavy frame is heavy but less likely a hot bear load will jam on the forcing cone or jump timing. Two weeks ago I dealt with this very scenario and have many times in the past: a light framed easy to carry revolver had a hot bear load jammed on the forcing cone. Plus, these two calibers are about the most a person can handle one handed. You must be able to shoot what ever hand gun you have one handed and it must go bang. In a bear mauling, hopefully you are on your stomach and playing dead knees tucked up and hands protecting your neck and head but if you get rolled, the bear will roll you around and bite. Protect your head, neck and face with one hand, knees drawn up to protect your core while attempting to get shots off with the other with your hand gun. The hand gun will be between your chest and the bears head / chest. A 10mm semi has a good chance of coming out of battery.

In a bear encounter, its all luck. Of course train and practice bear awareness but it really comes down to luck.

When I carry a hand gun hunting which is very rare its a 22LR Single Six for grouse, ptarmigan, hares, fun time in camp and that is where it stays. I carry my rifle, 340wby with 250gr partitions at 2974 so why do I need a hand gun also. It adds extra weight that adds to my pack and legs.

I have a few boot prints in 20. Bear scare there is not the same on my fun meter as thick southern and coastal areas.

Good luck and have fun
 
#55
Re: .45 enough for a bear?

My brother from Alaska is correct about the light framed 44s. Point of fact, I would never go over 240gn load in a 329 smith. The big 300 gn monsters will damage you and the pistol in abut that order.
 
#57
Re: .45 enough for a bear?

I would listen to the guys who live and hunt in Alaska. Ask your guide what he uses. I have never hunted in Alaska but have gone many times in Canada for black bear. My buddy hit one with an arrow and it took off. We went looking for it in the heavy bush. If you want to be scared to death then try looking for a wounded bear in heavy brush where you can't see 20'. I had a 30-06 and wished I had Barrett 50 cal.
You can take your pepper spray and your 10 mm and shove them up. When your ass is on the line then you want a shore thing. Bring the largest caliber you can get. Recoil is not a problem when your scared. If you can't shoot a bear that's as big as a small car then maybe you should not go.
The idea that any hand gun is to heavy to carry that is there to save you from being eatin is stupid. Why bring a large caliber rifle and a small caliber hand gun ? Brake out the desert eagle again. A semi auto is not the best choice but at least you will get one shot off. The S&W 500 mag is the best choice in my opinion.
Think about this, your wife is at the hospital picking up what's left of your body and she asks what happened the police say " his 4.5 lbs hand gun was to heavy for him to carry so he took a .45 so here is what's left of your husband " . Not the way to end your hunt !!! Semper Fi
 
#58
Re: .45 enough for a bear?

Handguns are a last ditch item. I work for the Dept of Fish and Game and we carry 12ga, 338, with some staff carrying 35/70s. The US Forest Service carry 12ga and 375 H&H.

Our staff spend thousands of man hours in the bush and in my 12 years with the Dept have only seen our staff in SE AK involved in 1 DOP (Defense of property/person) shooting. Some of the 12ga folks use cracker shells to help avoid problems.

Here's the story. What it doesn't say is Kent is left-handed and was firing a right-handed rifle.

http://juneauempire.com/stories/062605/loc_20050626010.shtml
 
#59
Re: .45 enough for a bear?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ykrvak</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Sounds like a good time. Do you fly into Van Curler's (sp) on the east fork? I've done some stomping around in that neck of the woods although it's been a while. The leaves have started to change a bit out my way and it's been raining like crazy. Must mean moose season is right around the corner. Again, good luck and enjoy your trip. </div></div>

Yup. We land at Van Curler's and take the river back to Fairbanks. Not sure if it's the East Fork but that's the area we're gonna be in. Thanks to everyone for their input. I have decided that besides my .300WM, which I plan to have within arms reach at all times I am bringing this puppy. It's a Sig 1911 Scorpion that I converted to a .460 Rowland. I figured 9 rounds of .44 Magnum performance in a nice little package ought to answer the mail.




That being said, I'm also bring this bad boy.
smile.gif





Thanks to all for their insight and opinions.
 
#64
Re: .45 enough for a bear?

I wrote the following and thought it posted a quite a while back "normal for living the bush". A lot of good advice has been given and you have decided wisely.

Is a 45ACP big enough for Grizzly?
NO!

45 ACP is better than nothing.

Is 45 ACP big enough for black bear?
Yes but is marginal.

45 ACP is not enough to reliably stop a charging Grizzly. If the bear is on top of you and you put the muzzle to the base of the scull then pull the trigger it will work. Been there done that and have the scars to prove it. A 44 mag or larger revolver is a better choice but in my opinion handguns will not reliably stop a charging Grizzly.

Your best bear protection is to use your head and be smart. An unprovoked bear charge is very rare and using common sense will solve most bear problems before they start.
I work and live in the one of Alaska highest concentration of brown bear (costal grizzly) I have guided over 100 Alaska bear hunts and love firearms. Yet I am a believer in bear spray especially inside a tent at night. Far less likely to shoot the guy in the tent next to you. Bear spray will probably solve the problem or at worst case give someone a chance to get a rifle or shotgun.
We guide hunters spring and fall I only carry a rifle. Hang gun stays in the tent at main camp.
Fishing trips during the summer we are around bears almost every day. 2 of my fishing guides carry bear spray and a 2 carry large cal revolvers. Personally when I leave the lodge to guide fisherman I carry a 4” S&W 29 in 44 mag loaded with 320 gr hard cast bullets but not loaded to hot. I also issue bear spray to my clients but common sense is still the best first line of defense.
If you are flying in the Alaska bush and plan to bring bear spray bring a small 30 cal ammo can to put the bear spray in. If your pilot still will not let you bring it on his plane duct tape the can to the wing strut or the landing gear or if the plane is on floats put it in the float locker.

Good luck with your hunt.

Jerry Jacques
Alaska Master Guide #110
 
#65
Re: .45 enough for a bear?

My rule has always been, If you have to ask if something is enough you already know it is not enough.

I carry a Smith and Wesson 329 pd. This is a scandium ( so its really lite weight) 44 mag. Put this package with a keith richards hard cast bullet and you can stop a bear with easy. This gun is really light weight so you will always have it on you.
 
#66
Re: .45 enough for a bear?

I used to carry my Kimber 1911 .45 for bear/moose in the woods and I was tired of dealing with carrying that brick (love it but its a heavy piece). Last year I started looking into other options and came across the 44Mag 41Mag and 10mm. The first two are only revolver (to my research) and the 10mm in SemiAuto. I ended up getting the Glock 20 in 10mm. Way more penetrating power compared to the .45, a heck of a lot lighter and more rounds. To reiterate a statement below though. That is a back up to good bear practices and bear spray!

I guess it also depends upon where you are, if your dealing with Griz or Black
 
#67
Re: .45 enough for a bear?

I agree with everything Alaska guide said,I spent 19 years on Kodiak,guided bear hunts on the south end,in my early days,I carried a .41mag,once I had a close one with a wounded 9 1\2 footer, I had a 12 guage with 00,slug,00,slug...after unloading the shotgun,(15ft away, bear was down)not tell the 4th shot,I unloaded the 41...later I was in the area and took a look at the bones after the birds had picked them clean,I found a vertabre with a .41stuck in it,thats right,it was not broken,it just stuck in the bone,one of the slugs was curled up in his eye socket...,that was the last time I carried a pistol or a shotgun for Bear,I packed a 375HH when guiding,never let me down.For me Your hunting rifle,and bear spray is a very good choice,and you won't have that chapped spot from packing that hoggleg around.
Good luck on you're hunt!
 
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