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If you have to shoot a bear with a pistol....

bagsjr
I'm rafting in an area with lots of bears. One has been getting slightly aggressive and has been charging people, bluffing so far but rangers want to either move him or take him out. In the mean time, if I need to protect from a bear with a small firearm, I can't carry a rifle, what is the best bear stopper? 44 mag Thompson? .223 pistol? Desert Eagle 50 caliber? Wouldn't want to shoot one, but if I have to I'd prefer to make an effective shot.

Thanks
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Comments

14 comments

Date Votes
  • txlawdog
    I would take my raft and go someplace else! But that's me!

    I know of folks carrying a 44, 460 and 500 for bear. I can't speak from personal knowledge, but I know plenty of bear have been slain with those calibers. I would get a Smith 44 and carry some extra loads. Or I might even try to carry two revolvers with a caliber that begins with a least a 4.

    Good luck.
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  • RtWngExtrmst
    If you can afford it, get S&W 460. If not, get a used S&W mod 29. In either case, practice with it as much as possible. These guns are a handful to shoot, but can take down a good sized bear with proper shot placement.
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  • bagsjr
    Yep the S&W 460 looks perfect. I can't afford it but it must be mine.
    Thanks a bunch.
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  • hunterX
    My 44mag bears loads consist of 300gr hard casts. If I were pressed to using factory loads , Federal cast cores 300grainers is what I would choose. I believe those factory loads still hit 1100fps from a 4 inch barrel S&W. Those 300 hard cast slugs can penetrate a lot.
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  • 5mmgunguy
    You didn't say what kinda bear? Black? Brown? Grizzly? Black 44 Mag Brown 44 Mag ok, Grizzly 460 S&W.
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  • bagsjr
    This is actually perfect. A bear survival kit!

    I just don't like the yellow grip. Easily changed.

    http://v4.beta.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=133395017
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  • bagsjr
    Only black bears.
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  • He Dog
    12 gauge slugs.
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  • ruger41
    Since you are only encountering black bears a .44 Mag loaded with a load from Buffalo Bore or Garrett will do the job so long as you can be cool under pressure-which means brain or spine shot.
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  • partisan
    +1 on the 12 gauge slugs!!!!
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  • I.Shute
    IAI Automag IV .45 Win Mag with 2 extra magazines.
    If the bullets don't kill him the loud blasts will scare him away.

    Or a .45-70 revolver, - best choice.
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  • anderson1773
    454 in a raging bull chest bandolier holster for quick draw and lots of practice or raft somewher else like the other guy said
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  • hk-91
    I know i use to own a dessert eagal .50 AE and i'm sure that would put one down. I blew a badger litterly in half with one. We wont talk about the deer i shot with one. Or the coyot, fox, rabbit, tv. But trust me IT WILL PUT A BEAR DOWN. I bought this to take on my first bear hunt but didnt get to go on it ( first son was born around hunting time) and sold it for a HK_91 and S&W 357 mag pistol. with i didnt have to sell either of them and still had them but family matters came up. Anyway if you have a dessert .50 take it along.
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  • RCrosby
    Along with whatever sidearm you choose, check out a good book on bear anatomy and whatever sources you can find on hunting bears. Skull is shaped more or less like a football and it's not all that hard to bounce a slug off of one, even with the heavy hitters. You don't want to be doing that, even with a blackie. There's a world of difference between hunting and self defense when it comes to the big bruins. Most close encounters can be resolved with a little ice water in the veins.
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