Originally Posted by rojodiablo

Excellent choice on the 22short!!!!! (Funny joke!!!)

If I am dealing with black bears, a .38 special will do damage and turn them. A .357 magnum is better.
If I am dealing with brown bears, or white bears??? Nothing smaller than a .44 magnum. PERIOD. I got to see a decent size grizzly pick up a horse carcass and drag it some odd 30 yards to a log pile to stash it.

Yes, a horse. A full grown horse. Grabbed it by the neck, lifted up a bit and walked off with it like a cat carrying a rabbit. All you could hear is wood being turned as the bear half buried the horse. I do not believe the bear killed the horse, but it left no doubt in my mind as to the sheer strength of a brown bear. And, the sheer size. A grizzly is Huckin' Fuge!