A bear is a formidable foe and can be largely unpredictable. While most will turn and run if they think humans are near, there are some that simply won't care.
The bears that are likely not to care are mothers with cubs and those who won't hear you coming over the sound of their own paws crashing through the underbrush.
Suddenly you're standing face to face with a wall of claws, fur, and muscles.
Hopefully, you've packed a weapon capable of either fending off or taking down this beast.
But not all firearms are the equal, and what you think will save your life may in fact just piss the bear off.
Check out what we mean on the next page.
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me neither
Neither do I
500 Mag Smith . I’ve hundred grain wadcutter or hollowpoint talon.
HP’s on a thick target such as a bear may not have enough to get where it needs to. Turns into a mushroom on impact and you got a whole lot of flesh to pass through on a critter that size, wouldn’t recommend.
I’m talking about real bears, don’t know what you’re thinking
good choices
Excellent choices.
I’m all for either, being as you can use .38 in a .357, but much easier to find .38 ammo so it takes the cake for me.
Only +p I’ve ever used was for a keltec p32, stuff will sure make you wish you never pissed nobody off that’s for sure haha.
Shotgun with hardened slug
I think I would forgo the .22 LR as in the picture. lol
Shotgun slugs
I carry a 44 mag Ruger Redhawk.
there are no grizzlys there
Off the shelf I use Hornaday critical defense in .44 mag
lol, The 357 is a great caliber. just made me think about the old days………. I always teased my friend .. telling him I was glad he brought his girls gun ,in case we came upon some chicks , LOL always teased him but he could always out shoot me with his girls gun
I live in the brush in Alaska. I’m always packing. There is not a caliber big enough for poor shot placement. Anything is better than crying. Being alert and smart about things like food storage are more important. Chances of an attack are minimal. I love how people think there are bears hiding behind every tree. Most Alaskans prefer a .44 loaded with solid bullets not hollow points. Depending one what I’m doing I carry from .22 lr, 380, 9mm, .357 and .44. For a side arm.
I’ve spent the past 30 years remote country bow hunting including living in Alaska. Over the years and several close calls in Alaska I have come to 1 conclusion. Most folks don’t have the training to actually hit the mark on a charging pissed off bear with a handgun. A pistol gripped 12ga with extended mag tube and slug barrel is a much better choice. Alternate slugs and 00 buck shot in the tube. You can shoulder sling while backpacking. Hitting your target is much easier than a sidearm. Plus put a whole lot more lead into the target
A bear? .357 or better.
44mag, 454 casull
elephant gun to be honest. .50 caliber rifle, i’ve seen several, there is one lever action i like. 2 desert eagles. fifty cal. sniper setup with shorter barrel. i mean if we are talking grizzlies. light saber lol.
that will work on the gang banger , and that what I carry but in bear country, If you have a choice go as big as you can. my 45acp will stop a man . but a 500lb 800lb, 1000lb grizzly?? I would have more firepower
Rhea Tippmann
357
454 ruger Alaskan
12 gauge loaded with Brenneke Black Magic 3″ Magnum slugs and a Ruger Suoer Redhawk.45 Casull loaded with Barnes TSX ammo…
It’s hilarious that most folks think the bear are everywhere in AK just waiting to eat somebody. The few close calls I had were usually stumbling across a momma and cubs. Each time was my fault for not paying attention.
Solid bullets break bones. That’s what you need for a big bear. Crack that melon.
.44 mag…can’t beat 1480fps.with a 240 grain…good stopping power and exlnt penetration.
I live just north of Baltimore so the worst I have to worry about is the BLM protestor. They ran wild around here a year or so ago. Keep a .45ACP loaded next to the bed.
10mm glock 20.
I don’t care what any body else says. If you are looking for the best handgun option that is it. Period.
.45 LC with 340gr Bear Stoppers or .44 mag with same,….
A phaser.
.357/.41 magnum is minimum
Reeboks, Nikes, or Addias, dammit!!!
Bear spray works better, but have a 460 S and W for back up
I’ve got an Alaskan .44 as well.
It’s funny how the next time might not be a next time. I’m going to go with 44
Taurus tracker with jacketed flat points. Makes a big mess .
Either the 44 mag. Or the 500 mag
Colt anaconda. . . That will stop them
Lived in Alaska for 17 years. I carried a Taurus Raging Bull in .500 magnum. Used to carry a .44 with “bear” loads, but after firing the Bull, I changed my mind. Never had to use it on a bear, but it was comforting knowing that .500 slug had the ability to change even a brownie’s mind.
Wow such overkill, my .50 M2 Browning puts them down just fine….
Bring on the flaming…..
I believe that I can protect myself from bears better with a .40 than a .44 Magnum. I used to have a S&W 629 and it was a blast to shoot but if I ever had to use it on a bear I probably would have still gotten mauled. It was enough of a bang that out of 6 shots I might, might, get one on target in the heat of the moment. But my Sig I believe I could do better. With a dozen shots I’ll get 8-10 on target at a moment’s notice. Granted at the range they’ll all be on target, I’m talking panicked reflex shooting. It seems like several shallow wounds might be better than zero to one deep wound. And remember that bears aren’t indestructible, they so feel pain, so shooting them with the lighter load will still do something. I won’t use my .22 on them, but my .40 is just fine.
Good point. Only problem with an auto loader is if a bear is on top of you, it can knock your gun out of battery, keeping you from even firing one shot.
Would say the same. That 4570 would be a marlin 1897 model (scout BTW)
I carry a stainless Ruger NM Super Blackhawk 7.5″ alternately loaded with Hornady 300gr. XTP & cast 300gr. I do believe bear to be even stealthily than a big cat, having had their tracks on top of mine but never hearing/seeing them until least expected.
Blunderbuss the original bear protection
nothing less than a 357 or 10mm
I like the.357 it’s a versatile weapon that. An shoot many different shells. Shot placement is always the best
A piece of slate. If you can’t make your own weapon you’re called a woman.