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?
Activities in grizzly country
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Pizza Bob
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
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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!
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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
.
ruggyh
Member
The most important thing to have in big bear country is a understanding of bear behavior and respect. These will reduce of a brown bear encounter that is likely to result in conflict dramatically.
For any firearm rifle or handgun, if it is not in your hand it won't matter much.
Most common handgun calibers with the right bullet in combination with proper shoot placement can kill a big bear.
If you feel the need to have a side arm choose one you can shoot accurately and quickly on a moving target and use bullets of sturdy construction.
Again the most important thing you can take into big bear country is understanding of bear behavior.
be safe
Ruggy
For any firearm rifle or handgun, if it is not in your hand it won't matter much.
Most common handgun calibers with the right bullet in combination with proper shoot placement can kill a big bear.
If you feel the need to have a side arm choose one you can shoot accurately and quickly on a moving target and use bullets of sturdy construction.
Again the most important thing you can take into big bear country is understanding of bear behavior.
be safe
Ruggy
Echo40
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I've never been in grizzly country and probably never will be, but if I was for whatever reason headed into grizzly country then I would pack my Mossberg 590 Shockwave 12 Gauge loaded with Brenneke Black Magic Magnum Slugs.
It's small enough to carry with ease, can be quickly deployed, and weighs just slightly more than a Smith & Wesson Model 500, yet is much easier to control.
It's small enough to carry with ease, can be quickly deployed, and weighs just slightly more than a Smith & Wesson Model 500, yet is much easier to control.
Charlie Foxtrott
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This works for me.
And it carries well all day long in an El Paso Saddlery tanker rig.
And it carries well all day long in an El Paso Saddlery tanker rig.
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Myself and 4 friends made yearly week long float trips on various rivers in Alaska. We saw bears on every trip that I can remember, one trip we counted 23.
I carried a Marlin Guide gun in 45-70 on the raft and a 4" 629 in a Bianchi on my belt.
In over 10 years of trips we only pulled the guns out one time that I remember. Rounded a tight shallow bend in the Kanektok river and ran up on a sow with 2 cubs. Had a nervous stand off ( she was standing UP) for a few seconds before they disappeared in the brush.
Never fired a shot in all those years but wouldn't think of going unarmed.
3 of us carried .44s and we had two 12 ga. plus my Marlin spread between two rafts.
I forgot to mention that I used Garrett super hard cast loads in both my .44 and .45-70
I carried a Marlin Guide gun in 45-70 on the raft and a 4" 629 in a Bianchi on my belt.
In over 10 years of trips we only pulled the guns out one time that I remember. Rounded a tight shallow bend in the Kanektok river and ran up on a sow with 2 cubs. Had a nervous stand off ( she was standing UP) for a few seconds before they disappeared in the brush.
Never fired a shot in all those years but wouldn't think of going unarmed.
3 of us carried .44s and we had two 12 ga. plus my Marlin spread between two rafts.
I forgot to mention that I used Garrett super hard cast loads in both my .44 and .45-70
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Buick
Member
Choice of ammo in the slug guns should be paramount. I wouldnt be a fan of old school lead "pumpkin balls, for example, having experienced them stopping in smallish whitetail deer. Now a well constructed all copper solid projectile is probably a better offering. Personally id take a stout rifle like a .45-70 or up.
While I agree that slug guns and big bore rifles are more effective, my choice has always been a big bore revolver loaded with heavy slugs. It is on my hip when ever I am awake and on top the tote by my cot when I am sleeping. Doing stuff like setting up camp, cutting and hauling wood, cooking, casting a line and the rest of outdoor life would be a lot more difficult with a carbine or shot shotgun strapped to me. Plus, I believe I could be out of the holster quicker than any reasonable sling that l kept the gun out of my way. Walking around hunting I am carrying either my 338WM or my 350 Remington mag.
You have to have the gun on you and ready to deploy quickly.
Its my daily carry gun is a 325. Ya, a short barrelled 300Blackout with a couple 30 round mags would be better,, but I just don't see me caring one around all day. I spend lots of time in bear country. I believe I am more apt to have people problems than bear problem sand I live in a real low crime area.
Certain places I might step it up. Last year over between the Gravelly and the Snowcrests they seem to have had more problems than normal. I would still carry my 4" 45colt, but the 350m or 338 would stay real handy. But, hey if I was going into a Chicago slum I would not be caring my 325. Yellowstone and Glacier have so many tourist running around being idiots that I don't worry much inside the boundries. Plenty of bear bait to reduce the odds of one picking me. LOL
You have to have the gun on you and ready to deploy quickly.
Its my daily carry gun is a 325. Ya, a short barrelled 300Blackout with a couple 30 round mags would be better,, but I just don't see me caring one around all day. I spend lots of time in bear country. I believe I am more apt to have people problems than bear problem sand I live in a real low crime area.
Certain places I might step it up. Last year over between the Gravelly and the Snowcrests they seem to have had more problems than normal. I would still carry my 4" 45colt, but the 350m or 338 would stay real handy. But, hey if I was going into a Chicago slum I would not be caring my 325. Yellowstone and Glacier have so many tourist running around being idiots that I don't worry much inside the boundries. Plenty of bear bait to reduce the odds of one picking me. LOL
Some years back, during a meandering road trip we spent ten fall days in the Bob Marshall Wildnerness Area camping alongside a river we flyfished.
Second day there we hear a heavy crashing coming from the high hill across the river, the noise getting louder and louder until a big grizzly comes strolling out of the deadwood he had been bashing on his way downhill...crosses the river 75 yards downriver from our camp and dissapears. By then the Mossberg Mariner 12 guage, loaded with 00, has been pulled from the truck and is firmly in my sweaty hands.
On alert rest of the morning into early afternoon, looking downriver see the bear suddenly appear, grab my bino's and watch him, very big bear with thick golden pelt and big hump between his shoulders, cross the river and begin crashing his way back upslope until all sound of it stops.
Wanting to know what's going on, wife and I walk downstream, follow the bears tracks into a big thicket of ripe Loganberries the size of my thumb, berry smears everywhere, obvous the bear had been gorging.
This went on every day, got to where we enjoyed watching the bears arrival and departure...with the 12 gauge never far away.
Second day there we hear a heavy crashing coming from the high hill across the river, the noise getting louder and louder until a big grizzly comes strolling out of the deadwood he had been bashing on his way downhill...crosses the river 75 yards downriver from our camp and dissapears. By then the Mossberg Mariner 12 guage, loaded with 00, has been pulled from the truck and is firmly in my sweaty hands.
On alert rest of the morning into early afternoon, looking downriver see the bear suddenly appear, grab my bino's and watch him, very big bear with thick golden pelt and big hump between his shoulders, cross the river and begin crashing his way back upslope until all sound of it stops.
Wanting to know what's going on, wife and I walk downstream, follow the bears tracks into a big thicket of ripe Loganberries the size of my thumb, berry smears everywhere, obvous the bear had been gorging.
This went on every day, got to where we enjoyed watching the bears arrival and departure...with the 12 gauge never far away.
My son and a group of friends bow hunt elk in the Gravelly's every fall. Two years ago, they saw 8 individual grizzlys within 100 yard. The bears were very interested in the elk calls. They all carry handguns and always hunt in pairs.
Last year there were a couple of griz maulings in the area. Friend of mine's cousin or nephew (can't remember which) had another guy accompany him with a shotgun while bow hunting elk in the same area.
This is a higher risk activity (vs hiking, fishing or recreating) in large predator (bear, wolf, cougar) country.
FWIW,
Paul
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Ya, but there are a lot of elk in that area. I used to hunt there up on the Ruby river and got one almost every year. I suspect the have gotten a taste for gut piles.
