Smallest caliber you trust in bear country?

H

Hondo44

Member
Platinum User
Joined
Oct 3, 2007
Messages
19,166
Reaction score
20,957
Location
California
What is the smallest caliber you trust to protect yourself in bear country?

My personal favorite defense gun has always been a Beretta Jetfire in 22 short. I have carried it for many years including while hiking. I never leave without it in my pocket. Of course the first rule when hiking in the wilderness is to use the "Buddy System". This means you NEVER hike alone, you bring a friend, companion or even an in-law because if something happens there is someone to go get help.

I remember one time while hiking with my brother-in-law in northern Canada. Out of nowhere came this huge charging brown bear and was she mad. She must have had cubs. If I had not had my little Jetfire I would not be here today. Just one shot to my brother-in-law's knee cap and I was able to escape by just walking at a brisk pace.

It's one of the best pistols in my collection...
 
Excellent choice on the 22short!!!!!:D (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!
 
There are no grizzly bears in California, but seriously, if I were to be in grizzly bear country, I wouldn't even think about a handgun. I would be carrying my Browning Model 1886 rifle with my .45-70 handloads. I'm a little sensitive about being torn apart and eaten.
 
jag312 said:
There are no grizzly bears in California, but seriously, if I were to be in grizzly bear country, I wouldn't even think about a handgun. I would be carrying my Browning Model 1886 rifle with my .45-70 handloads. I'm a little sensitive about being torn apart and eaten.
Click to expand...
Same here, it might weigh more but thats why they make slings. I'd carry a Large Bore rifle with good solids.
I don't mess around when in Bear Country. Yogi and Boo-Boo
ain't having me for no picinick.


chuck
 
Good joke.

I carry a .357 while hiking and hunting. I would like to get a 3" 629 for woods carry. I am also considering a 10mm.

If grizzlies are a concern I would like to have a long gun.
 
Smallest? 5.56mm. It has killed a great many bears in the far north, including a very large polar/grizzly hybrid. Might be worth investing in one of those new 100rd mags from Surefire though. The trick seems to be "hail of bullets". An M4 clone or something of that nature isn't that hard to carry really, and easier to his with under stress than a pistol. For those with access to it, black tip AP (the current version of which delivers penetration along the lines of the old black tip M2 .30 caliber ammo) would probably be nice to have along.

Something smaller? I always liked the Model 58 loaded with Federal 240 gr Castcore rounds. Though sadly I no longer have my Model 58. Still, it seemed about perfect for toting around where humans or animals might be a problem.

In a non black rifle or handgun unfriendly state? 6.5mm Carcano carbines. Short, light, handy. A bit of research will turn up what makes for the "Alaskan" load, which was/is a really killer in its own right.

Have a flash hider/muzzle brake meant for an SKS permanently pinned/silver soldered on and it will keep the muzzle rise down dramatically on a Carcano.
 
I am frequently up in the Berkshires and there are Black Bear up there. The absolute smallest gun that I carry when hiking in the woods is a 3" M65 .357 Magnum loaded with Buffalo Bore 180 grain (Heavy) Magnums. They do an honest 1320 fps out of my 3" M65 and a 180 grain hard cast bullet moving that fast will produce 800 foot pounds of energy from a 3" gun! This is strictly for Bear Protection and I am not setting out to go Bear Hunting!

If and when I was to purposely set out to hunt a Bear, I would not go out with less than a .44 Magnum as a back up and a large caliber Rifle as my primary weapon.

I take the M65 with me when up in the woods because it is light, convenient, and I believe it will do the job if necessary, plus I know I will always be able to carry it with me even if we go into town after our hike.


Chief38
 
GatorFarmer said:
Smallest? 5.56mm. It has killed a great many bears in the far north, including a very large polar/grizzly hybrid. Might be worth investing in one of those new 100rd mags from Surefire though. The trick seems to be a "hail of bullets". An M4 clone or something of that nature isn't that hard to carry really, and easier to his with under stress than a pistol. For those with access to it, black tip AP (the current version of which delivers penetration along the lines of the old black tip M2 .30 caliber ammo) would probably be nice to have along.

Something smaller? I always liked the Model 58 loaded with Federal 240 gr Castcore rounds. Though sadly I no longer have my Model 58. Still, it seemed about perfect for toting around where humans or animals might be a problem.

In a non black rifle or handgun unfriendly state? 6.5mm Carcano carbines. Short, light, handy. A bit of research will turn up what makes for the "Alaskan" load, which was/is a really killer in its own right.
Hunting bears is one thing, but if being hunted and attacked by a big bruin, most often incidents have shown, time and distance for one shot is all one has.

I would want a caliber/cartridge in whatever the platform sufficient for a one shot stop. People have been killed by 'dead bears' meaning the bear did the damage after absorbing killing shots but was able to reach its victim from shear momentum before succumbing. In that case beaucoup foot lbs of energy from the muzzle is your only friend, more than penetration.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
Frankly it is sick and wrong to do such a horrible thing to your poor BIL, think of the pain that .22 to the knee would cause him.... I carry a walking stick, thump him on the head and he's out cold, no pain for the guy. Plus it has the added bonus of no yelling or screaming. I enjoy the quiet of the back country.

To answer the question .44 Mag with 300gr Federal Cast Core has been my side arm of choice. However, I picked up some std pressure Buffalo Bore .45 colts 225 Barnes XPB, claims to pull 950fps out of a 4" Mtn. Gun.... Anyone got a extra Mtn. Gun they don't want????
 
I carried my 4" 686 while fishing in brown bear country.
Next time I see him I'll ask the PH what he had.
 
.357 for me. Just got a Model 60 3" for that purpose as we hike a lot in the mountains and woods around here - and there are definitely bears around. Working at having my girlfriend get here CCW to back me up with the 642 too.
 
.375 Holland & Holland or better yet, .458 Winchester Magnum. Handguns are a poor choice. I seem to recall Elmer Keith or Charlie Askins being quoted as saying "you might better file off the front sight of that revolver if your carrying it for protection in grizzly country, cause it will hurt much less when the bear shoves it up your butt".

Cheers;
Lefty
 
Here in Upstate NY we have black bears that are normally cautious of human contact. I do ride my mountain bike on the Erie Canal trail and they have been seen by others on or near the trail. I have not seen one. There have also been many cases mainly closer to the city on the canal path of 2 legged predators knocking people off their bikes and robbing them or a recent "serial beater" targeting anyone who looked Arabic and beating the snot out of them. They caught him. Therefore I always carry either a .357 340sc with .357's in it or a Combat Commander loaded with ball. I have almost hit deer, turkeys, and once a small child who came out of nowhere while running full bore on the bike. You never know what to expect in life you just have to be prepared for whatever.
 
Hondo44 said:
Hunting bears is one thing, but if being hunted and attacked by a big bruin, most often incidents have shown, time and distance for one shot is all one has.

I would want a caliber/cartridge in whatever the platform sufficient for a one shot stop. People have been killed by 'dead bears' meaning the bear did the damage after absorbing killing shots but was able to reach its victim from shear momentum before succumbing. In that case beaucoup foot lbs of energy from the muzzle is your only friend, more than penetration.
Click to expand...

The polar/grizzly hybrid that was felled via an M16 was in the process of charging at the time.(It was an actual full auto Colt M16.)

Prior to the introduction of the .458 Win Mag (and gun mags writing about it and other large calibers) the .30-06 was considered fine for Kodiak grizzly. There's the head of one, a very very large head, mounted at the Midland's sportsman club. Dropped at close range with a 30-06 according to the information on it.
 
Around here I feel OK with a .38 for black bears and 2 legged varmits.

Course it's a good idea to hike with someone you can outrun also. :D
 

Attachments

  • Be Nice to Fat People.jpg
    Be Nice to Fat People.jpg
    17.4 KB · Views: 138
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Golddollar
Rockin' Country Concert in Lancaster
Replies
4
Views
249
Golddollar
Golddollar
redlevel
That Country Girl
Replies
10
Views
499
bamabiker
B
wood714
Did You See A Gun?
Replies
12
Views
695
venomballistics
venomballistics
MetalMan
Humor 4/16/25
Replies
16
Views
656
YeshuaIsa53
YeshuaIsa53
boykinlp
Alright you children from the 60’s
Replies
17
Views
914
Repeater
Repeater

Latest posts

Back
Top