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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Michael Caffaro
The author doesn’t really clarify anything other than advise against huge wheel guns.
Unless you live in a state where you can carry more than ten rounds.
.357 with some hot loads!!
Caliber alone w/ standard ammo: .44mag hands down.
However, even a 9mm with a Lehigh Xtreme Penetrator cartridge will avg. 16-20″ with impressive trauma.
So it depends on factors – as others here have stated:
*Placement/Accuracy of the shot.
*Design + power of the projectile.
*Ability to pull off a shot before being attacked.
*How many rounds you want to spend on a kill.
Personal note: Pepper spray (and skunk essence) work very well on bears who are not enraged or rogue.
My sidearm is .45acp, not a sure-shot bear killer.
A rifle is better suited for the task, but if bears were a frequent threat – some better choices are 4.10 raging bull by Taurus. / Ruger Redhawk DA .44 / 6.5CBJ / Wildey 475 — or any such neo-modern rifled handgun in .308/5.56/7.62/.223 which (although I consider them mini SMG’s) are becoming quite common.
Well said
Samuel Adams
You apparently are not aware that most Bears will avoid a human. The bell is a old trick to make bears aware of you so not to startle them unexpectedly.
Your mastiff will be a nice treat for the bear and give you time to get away.
BAZOOKA
6″ guns off the Missouri
Mitch Server I suggest you do some more in depth research on bears and also Tibetan Mastiffs. The TM has guarded livestock in the Himalayan region for a few thousand years. As in, fight off wolves, leopards and bears with success.
But you go wear your stupid bell in moose country and let me know how it felt getting stomped to death by a bull moose in rut there Tinkerbell.
Bears do stalk humans and kill humans. It is not a matter of startling them. They smelled you long before they heard you stupid.
You see, I can get insulting right back at ya. Tell me To stay at home…. My home is out in the country of dangerous animals. A good well trained dog will let you know when the bear is over 200 yards away there Tinkerbell. I have seen people like you get carried out in pieces that weren’t in the bears stomach. A Griz charging at you will make you piss your pants.
Heck even a black bear at full charge is quite impressive. Meanwhile go educate yourself on Tibetan Mastiffs And what are called rogue bears which in reality is a male/boar pissed off that you are on his turf.
I will stick to having my dogs and guns and stay alive.
Below Is a pic of a male Tibetan Mastiff. And that is just an average size one. To me he is a puppy dog. To trespassers on 2 and 4 legs he is your death bell.
Chase Cory If you have a Ruger check out the Buffalo Bore .44 340 gr. +P+ flat point. Hot round, deep penetration and a bone crusher.
Samuel Adams
As I said the stories are amusing and yours is at the top.. You blow hard. Go play with your dogs.
Glock 20 10mm
Well for me it’s the option of putting 16 .40 cal hollow points plus a spare 15 just in case the first 16 don’t at least back the animal off.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Mkx1T4ckl0U
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Mkx1T4ckl0U
LMAO
Apache
BFR 45/70 Gov
Depends on your region. Here in Louisiana we have small black bears and hogs. 357 Magnum is plenty here. Up north I wouldn’t carry less than a .44 magnum
What ever you know how to handle and have on you
Glock 30 with .460 Rowland conversion kit 🙂 https://www.460rowland.com/product/compensated-glock-30-conversion/
Bear… What kind of bear? Black bear or Grizzly? Black bear a 44 mag should be plenty. Grizzly… 454 or 500 s&w with a shotgun full of slugs for your main weapon.
lol
50 cal Desert Eagle.
I went with a 357mag, my dad decided on a old dirty hairy style s&w 44 mag, either way we aren’t gonna have any problems
.454 Casull was made for bear
.454 Casull
.454 casull
41 mag
S&W 629 “Talo”, 3″bbl, .44 mag., loaded with Buffalo Bore 255 grain Keith style, hard cast projectiles, or possibly 300 graders.. Both are great penetrators.. I also include a few extra HKS speedloaders filled with same as a backup… I also feel confident with my Ruger Speed Six, 2 3/4″ bbl stainless steel in .357 mag with similar hard cast projectiles in that caliber.
S&W 629 “Talo”, 3″bbl, .44 mag., loaded with Buffalo Bore 255 grain Keith style, hard cast projectiles, or possibly 300 grainers.. Both are great penetrators.. I’d also include a few extra HKS speedloaders filled with same as a backup… I also feel confident with a Ruger Speed Six, 2 3/4″ bbl stainless steel .357 mag with similar hard cast projectiles in that caliber.
S&W 629 “Talo”, 3″bbl, .44 mag., loaded with Buffalo Bore 255 grain Keith style, hard cast projectiles, or possibly 300 grainers.. Both are great penetrators.. I’d also include a few extra HKS speedloaders filled with same as a backup… In addition, I feel confident with a Ruger Speed Six, 2 3/4″ bbl stainless steel .357 mag with similar hard cast projectiles in that caliber.
I really enjoyed how thoroughly you explain your opinion. I live in S.W. Mo so the worst I have to encounter would be black bears or possibly a wildcat. I carry a .45 and feel like it would be sufficient enough. What is your opinion on how well a .45 in grizzly/moose country?
I have run Ito a couple black bears in northern NY who were more interested in my good than anything else, and the only thing I know about Brown’s and griz is that don’t want to be near one ever. You’re comments are interesting, and obviously some of you have a lot of experience. The thing that always concerns be is if you spook one and don’t have time to engage. It is absolutely amazing to me how damn fast they are. Especially when you couple their size and speed with how unlikely it is that you will even get your weapon drawn and get any shots off, let alone hitting the mark. Just read a good article about a guy who surprised a griz (Montana? I think) he was with his dog, who also didn’t pick up on the bear. Had pepper spray, too. Never got it out. Sow with Cubs. Mangled him pretty good, and threw him like a top. Lucky to survive. You never know with those buggers.
Personally, as much as I love my Rottweiler I’d rather him get eaten than me. I mean that would be heartbreaking but I’d still be alive
.357 magnum. Love it. Penetrates better than a .45.
I’ll check out the Buffalo ammo. I handload most of mine… I have been working on a combination for a 260gr for my .45acp.
Sig 220
That’s what I carry in AK..
My glock 40 mos its 16 rounds of 10 mm buffalo bore at 728 foot pounds
Glock 9mm? Why not just yell “stop” at them? It’s cheaper.
Ruger super red hawk, .44 mag with 180 grain +P
Travis Rasmussen
Put a couple of schnauzers with him and he’ll be fine.. Lol
Shot placement. Mass and Diameter.
44mag or 50 desert eagle
454 casual !
just stay out of the woods Leave the animals alone! killing does not have to be the answer
Ruger .44 mag 300g.
50 desert eagle