Kid44
Member
For those of you who partake in activities in grizzly country, what gun do you carry, what ammo is in it and how do you carry it?
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Activities in grizzly country
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Pizza Bob
SWCA Member
I don't but if I did, it would be a model 329 with Buffalo Bore 300 gr hard cast SWC.
Adios,
Pizza Bob
Adios,
Pizza Bob
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shamrocker
Member
I have to agree with growr ......spent many years in big bear country in AK,
I progressed through many bigger and bigger hand cannons. Finally decided they were all not enough.
I filed a form one and cut down a 870 12 ga express. put a birds head grip on it and carried it on a sling, loaded with slugs.
You can buy basically the same thing now in the form of a "shockwave"..... fairly cheep.
either that or a 45-70 marlin (that was my walk the dogs gun)
the sawed off shotgun was my "back country" fishing gun.
that's my 2 cents//its worth what you paid for it.
I progressed through many bigger and bigger hand cannons. Finally decided they were all not enough.
I filed a form one and cut down a 870 12 ga express. put a birds head grip on it and carried it on a sling, loaded with slugs.
You can buy basically the same thing now in the form of a "shockwave"..... fairly cheep.
either that or a 45-70 marlin (that was my walk the dogs gun)
the sawed off shotgun was my "back country" fishing gun.
that's my 2 cents//its worth what you paid for it.
Spent two summers in Alaska back in the 70s..........all the locals had handguns......357 or .44s...... but the preferred "Bear gun" was a 3 inch 12 gauge 20" barrel w/ extended tube filled with slugs......
Pisgah
Member
I have a little bullpup Kel-Tec KS7 12 ga. that would fill the bill pretty well. It'll handle the 3-inchers, holds 6+1 of them (7+1 for 2 3/4"), and is the same length as the Shockwave with the added advantage of a shoulder stock. Can still be handled one-handed, too, if need be.
tominboise
Member
I typically carry either a S&W 629 classic with 250gr Keith handloads, or a Glock G20 10mm with 200 Gaschecked SWC handloads. I use a Gunfighters Inc Kenai chest holster for both rigs.
I've never encountered a grizzly and hope I never do, but there are more of them around Eastern and Northern idaho.
I've never encountered a grizzly and hope I never do, but there are more of them around Eastern and Northern idaho.
Around camp a 12 gauge with slugs. For walking around a 41 magnum with heavy solids in it.
memtb
Member
My wife and I live near and hunt in grizzly country. We carry our rifles only! When in close cover, the rifle is in hand....”not” on shoulder! A rifle (assuming it’s a capable bear-stopping cartridge/bullet) in hand, “trumps” a handgun in holster! Or, for that matter....a handgun in hand! If rushed at close quarters....”you’ll never clear leather”!
“If” I’m handgun hunting” ....I would consider a .44 mag., running 300+ grain hard cast the starting point. Stepping-up from there, a heavily loaded .45 LC, .454 Casull, or a 460 S&W....which is my “hunting handgun”!
If you want to “carry” a hand gun for back-up...pretty similar cartridges. The primary difference, a short barrel....no longer than 5”! I heavily recommend a “tanker style” chest carry holster for your carry rig. Easily and quickly accessible, it carries the weight of the handgun comfortably, keeps the gun out of the way for typical camp chores, etc,. A hip-rig, can be a PIA, when going through the think brush....willows, alder, etc! Obviously, these are just my opinions! Good Luck on whatever you choose! memtb
Addendum: I also recommend a heavy, wide metplat, hard cast bullet....unless you go with a ” heavily” constructed expanding bullet designed for deep penetration with minimum weight loss. I carry “only” the hard cast type bullet. I’m running 400 grainers in my 460 S&W. Speed is not your friend when shooting large, thick skinned, heavily-boned dangerous animals.....penetration is!
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keith44spl
Member
Back in the day when I lived and sometimes slept out in grizzly country...
A heavy loaded 45-70
A 44 Mag sidearm with some serious loads. ( I like the 265 gr bullet over a case full of 2400)
Let me say this, I like bears, both large and small...
I give them the right of way, whenever they will let me.
But, with that said, I've killed one or two that wouldn't take it.
.
A heavy loaded 45-70
A 44 Mag sidearm with some serious loads. ( I like the 265 gr bullet over a case full of 2400)
Let me say this, I like bears, both large and small...
I give them the right of way, whenever they will let me.
But, with that said, I've killed one or two that wouldn't take it.
.
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Having done time in both Alaska and Eastern Idaho, where the big brown
bears roam, I agree with all those who have chosen 12 Gauge slugs. I
carried them in an old Winchester Model 50, with my S&W Model 29 on
my hip for backup, loaded with 300-Gr. Cast Flat Points.
bears roam, I agree with all those who have chosen 12 Gauge slugs. I
carried them in an old Winchester Model 50, with my S&W Model 29 on
my hip for backup, loaded with 300-Gr. Cast Flat Points.
memtb
Member
Not trying to be argumentative, but a little confused with all the suggestions for the shotgun. Is it a proven stopper when using the proper slugs.....yes! But, I just assumed that “activities” included hunting as well as camp chores. If hunting....a second “long gun” is impractical. Many camp chores, cutting/stacking wood, wrangling horses, etc, require both hands....again, a “long gun” a bit impractical!
As much as I hate to say it.....pepper spray is a good viable option. Decent range, unless spraying upwind, a wide impact area, making aim much less important, and last but not least, when dark/low light conditions.....that fog of pepper spray gets to the vitals, whereas a poorly directed shot is useless! JMO. memtb
As much as I hate to say it.....pepper spray is a good viable option. Decent range, unless spraying upwind, a wide impact area, making aim much less important, and last but not least, when dark/low light conditions.....that fog of pepper spray gets to the vitals, whereas a poorly directed shot is useless! JMO. memtb
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Back in the day when I lived and sometimes slept out in grizzly country...
A heavy loaded 45-70
A 44 Mag sidearm with some serious loads. ( I like the 265 gr bullet over a case full of 2400)
.
I really like that rifle, fine lever action and in my favorite centerfire caliber.
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Need to define "grizzly" - big difference between lower 48 inland griz and Alaska coastal brown bear. Also need to define activities.
All of western Montana is grizzly country. I'm out every day of the year walking the dog, hunting, fishing, or just plain woods bumming. There is no way that I'm going to carry a rifle or shotgun every time I go out.
With that said, here is an interesting article:
Update: Handgun or Pistol Against Bear Attack: 93 cases, 97% Effective | GunsNewsUSA.com
Pick your own poison.
FWIW,
Paul
All of western Montana is grizzly country. I'm out every day of the year walking the dog, hunting, fishing, or just plain woods bumming. There is no way that I'm going to carry a rifle or shotgun every time I go out.
With that said, here is an interesting article:
Update: Handgun or Pistol Against Bear Attack: 93 cases, 97% Effective | GunsNewsUSA.com
Pick your own poison.
FWIW,
Paul
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As Paul105 stated...... a shotgun isn't always practical to have in hand........in my original post I said "preferred".... but IIRC the folks who were out on 'homesteads" kept one loaded by the door.
Two stories I remember......................
First summer; just off the plane riding into Anchorage.... saw a guy on a motorcycle open carrying a "large" handgun. My Dad was a police officer and I'd been shooting for over 10 years and had 8 years on rifle teams.....but still did a double take. The driver just said " you'll get use to it".
I guy I worked with in Anchorage.... but living outside of town; his wife asked him to get her a 12 gauge for their anniversary (or her birthday)...... to keep by the door.
3rdgeargrndrr
Member
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A surplus USArmy M2 flamethrower.
Waiting 15-30seconds for a big one to bleed out while tasting your legs is too long.
Waiting 15-30seconds for a big one to bleed out while tasting your legs is too long.
Depends on which line of the old saying you want to be on:
Old Saying line 1: "Sometimes you eat the bear"
Old Saying line 2: "Sometimes the bear eats you"
If you like line 1 then any of the above posts will probably help.
If you want line 2, chose any of the below pics, easy carry, light weight, cheap ammo......best of all the bear won't get heavy indigestion from the metal....AND the Rangers investigating your disappearance can trace serial numbers from the scat!
Old Saying line 1: "Sometimes you eat the bear"
Old Saying line 2: "Sometimes the bear eats you"
If you like line 1 then any of the above posts will probably help.
If you want line 2, chose any of the below pics, easy carry, light weight, cheap ammo......best of all the bear won't get heavy indigestion from the metal....AND the Rangers investigating your disappearance can trace serial numbers from the scat!
Attachments
DR505
US Veteran
Remington 673 Guide Rifle in .350 Remington Magnum loaded with 250 grain Nosler Partitions at roughly 2,500 FPS.
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keith44spl
Member
In addition to my first post..........
I'm kinda thinking about re-chambering this'n to 450 Alaskan.
20 inch Short Rifle
.
I'm kinda thinking about re-chambering this'n to 450 Alaskan.
20 inch Short Rifle
.
