OCD1 said:
Going to N Ga, TN area. Where we usually go there are lots of Black Bears and berry bushes. We are not camping overnight but take day trips, hiking etc. Due to the amount of berry bushes and exposure to people the bears are not really afraid of humans. Never had a problem with one and they usually will run away if encountered. I would never like to shoot any animal but some of them are pretty fearless.
But you never know. I do not want to lug around a 44spl or mag revolver. I usually carry a compact 9mm for two legged problems but that did not seem adequate.
A J frame 357 seems pointless with a 2" barrel so I was thinking my HK USPc 40 SW with a lot more rounds.
I only want to bring one gun so I figured the 40SW would work?
OCD1 Sir,
My first post was kind of in jest, as a lot of my post are in general. But, seeing how this is a sincere question I should have given an equally sincere reply.
So here goes. I've spent a fair amount of time in the backcountry that has a good population of black bears as well as grizzles. With scores of contacts, I have only killed one black bear that took exception to my trespassing in his territory and it took two pretty good placed shots from a medium bore rifle
(.348 Win. 250 gr ST) at spittin' distance (10 or 12 feet) to turn him and I'm not all that good a spitter.
I have bumped into bears on the trail while packing supplies into our camps...I give them critters full right of way, with no regard to size, color or species, they get a free roll if'n they will let me be. A bear of any size is a lot better at his business of maulin' & killin' than I am.
After a close encounter with a 'big' bear I kinda re-thought the whole sidearm for bear protection...A big ol' boar stole a whole caribou from us and covered it up in the willows and was a layed up right close just wainting for it to ripen some. That bear rested his case on possession being nine-tenths of his law, we yealded to his authority. That little .300 Win Mag I was a totin' felt more like a skin't sapling that a deadly weapon.
Back to your question of calibre, I have personally carry a revolver the likes of a 24 or 624 3-5" with stout handloads while just going about my business in 'bear country' for years. Your 9mm with +P FMJ will penatrate good enough at close range (read at distances from a few feet to muzzle contact) while ya slow the carnivore down some by feed it a foot, leg and or what ever your not usin' to try to repel it off'n ya, if you catch my drift.
If I have other folks in my charge to look out for or livestock to protect, I carry a rifle. Namely the one pictured below...
'86 Winchester 20" Take-Down .45/70
Hope this helps.
Su Amigo,
Dave
I hope to get out there some day.
