New twist on the bear ammo question

Okay, let's settle this once and for all. Anyone who has shot two grizzlies in the head at close range, one with a tiny bullet and one with a fat one, raise your hand and tell us which worked best. The rest of you, pipe down ...

Lmao!!!!! Best post of the week
 
Okay, let's settle this once and for all. Anyone who has shot two grizzlies in the head at close range, one with a tiny bullet and one with a fat one, raise your hand and tell us which worked best. The rest of you, pipe down ...

Naw.........such anecdotal experience proves nothing.

We'd need a controlled peer reviewed study of at least 300 dead bears.

:D
 
Use blocks of wood or metal plates of different thicknesses. Shoot with .357M and .44M having the same speed and see which has the best penetration. Larry

Use the same type and hardness bullet. I use Oregon Laser Cast 158 SWC and 240 SWC. Both bullets going over 1400 FPS. The .357M will go through one side of a 20 lb. propane tank but the 44M goes through both sides. That leads me to believe that the theory that the smaller dia. will penetrate more is false. Larry
 
Says a lot for his shooting ability.

And his running ability.

Looks like the 10mm with heavy cast bullets is the go to hand gun up in Alaska. A lot of people carry a 44 Magnum along as backup.

I had a bear in the drive way when I came home one night. I started carrying my 44 Magnum when I walked the dog after that.
 
In addition to bullet weight, velocity, caliber, and SD, bullet shape makes a difference in penetration. Most people think a pointy bullet means deeper penetration, but testing has proven bullets with a flattened nose tend to penetrate in a straighter line than pointy or round nosed bullets, less likely to deflect and change direction (veer from the intended aiming point). That's why many newer FMG big game rifle bullets have flat noses. They penetrate deep and straight.

In actuality, any of the bullets listed by the OP will kill a black bear with a head shot.

Larry
 
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This can be analyzed to the tenth degree with charts, graphs and 8x10 glossies. When we are done, there will be one thing that has always been true, and will always remain true. I matters not whether it travels on two legs, four legs, swims or flies. If it gets hit anywhere near a vital spot with one ounce of pure lead traveling at 1700 fps (the specs on my box of Winchester 12 ga slugs) it is going to die.
 
OP here, thanks to everyone - was hoping I'd learn something and I did. The practical answer is probably, while a smaller projectile does focus the force more, a heavier projectile will have more force and so it's a trade-off (like everything else).

Now headed out back, 357 and 44 in hands, patiently waiting for 2 twin bears to attack at identical pressure/altitude specs...
 
This can be analyzed to the tenth degree with charts, graphs and 8x10 glossies. When we are done, there will be one thing that has always been true, and will always remain true. I matters not whether it travels on two legs, four legs, swims or flies. If it gets hit anywhere near a vital spot with one ounce of pure lead traveling at 1700 fps (the specs on my box of Winchester 12 ga slugs) it is going to die.

Just so your slug is better than this one. I doubt that it would do anything deadly against the skull of a grizzly bear.

It looks to be far too soft. Griz might have a headache while crunching your bones as he finished his lunch (you).

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FKge3FF0Hx4[/ame]
 
Does the caliber REALLY MATTER?

Or is placement what Really Matters?

Clipped from internet.

"Attempting to scare off a grizzly bear with a gunshot turned out to be a costly mistake for a Casper man, as the round from his . 22 caliber rifle wound up killing the animal. In Park County Circuit Court in November, Brent Stalkup, 38, pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor count of taking a grizzly without a license."

The fine was $25,000 which I find to be outlandish for this event.

I personally know a man who shot and killed 2 relative small black bears in Idaho 45 years ago with a 22lr rifle in the eyes area, I guess the skull is thin there.

I know of another man who intentionally shot a bear in the nose with a 22lr which did make the critter leave his camp area.

Personally, I would do neither of these things, with my luck it would really pissoff the bear and I would be served to his friends and family at his dinner table.
 
Does the caliber REALLY MATTER?

Or is placement what Really Matters?

Yes.........with the .22 the placement must be perfect.

So perfect that it's mostly a matter of luck........bad luck if you didn't intend to kill the bear and the game warden nails you.

Large calibers like the .458 Winchester give you a little more leeway.

They also make more noise so the game warden is more likely to hear you and spoil your fun day.
 
Figure I would be carrying either the 45.70 (430gr) or 44mag (265gr) rifle both using flat nose rounds with the 10mm on body with 190gr flat nose. If they doesn't work then maybe the odor will drive them away :D
 
Figure I would be carrying either the 45.70 (430gr) or 44mag (265gr) rifle both using flat nose rounds with the 10mm on body with 190gr flat nose. If they doesn't work then maybe the odor will drive them away :D

If that doesn’t work , it wasn’t meant to be. When your time is up. Your time is up.
 
This seem to me to be that best study of what has actually worked in the real world. 93 cases. Multiple calibers. 97% success rate.

Update: Handgun or Pistol Against Bear Attack: 93 cases, 97% Effective

For me, the takeaway is: use the gun YOU can get multiple hits quickly with and load it with something that penetrates. No need to overthink it. You're not engaging in sport hunting.
 
There are solid copper slugs, and heavy jacketed slugs as well, or even steel sabot rounds. A riot shotgun with a load of slugs is likely your best bet. A Shockwave in a back holster you pull over your shoulder and fire quickly (assuming you aren't wearing a pack) might be a smart idea.

Glock 20 or 40 with heavy hard cast 10mm are popular as well.
 
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