What to take in smokey mountain bear country?

[Erocksmash]

Hey fellas,

Question for the greater good.... If you could only take one side arm hiking threw bear country (already have the long gun worked out 1895sbl 45-70) which would you choose and why? Here are the following options...

1.) S&W 1076 10mm
2.) S&W 686 3in 7shot .357
3.) S&W 686no dash no recall 6shot .357

Ammo selection. (Any other opinions appreciated)

Underwood extream penetrators across to board
Hard cast for the lever gun
And I've considered
Buffalo bore 180gr for both .357 and 200gr for the 10mm

Opinions would help
Information/knowledge is power
Thanks

 

[snuffy51]

I would be worrying more about two legged vermin than black bears. We have a bear season if you just want to kill one.

 

[6518John]

I think any of those handguns would be fine, albeit unnecessary considering the big lever gun you plan on toting. Especially considering, that in living in the south/southeast my entire life, on the occasions I have seen black bear, they ran for their lives.

I, like you seem, am a huge fan on Underwood ammo. I don't think you can go wrong there.

 

[Protocall_Design]

What to take into Smoky Mountain bear country? Barbecue sauce (for the bear when it eats you).

 

[The_Truth]

1076 no question. Would load it with either Underwood 200gr XTP or can't go wrong with either 200gr or 220gr hardcast flat noses from Underwood.

A very distant second place goes to the 686 7 shot. 1076 is the one for me.

 

[Ματθιας]

10mm it's good enough for polar bears.

 

[Golddollar]

10mm for sure.

 

[jlrhiner]

A slower girlfriend?

 

[Marshal Tom]

Mosburg Shockwave 12gauge with slugs! Portable, effective and easy to carry!

 

[epj]

I lived in East Tennessee for most of my life. I've seen many black bears, but 99+% were running away from me. Any of the aforementioned handguns would ,work fine, so long as you hit what you aim at. A 30-30 is plenty of rifle for a black bear, but if I were hiking I'd probably leave the 7-8 lb. rifle at home and be satisfied with a handgun. The greatest danger is from two legged vermin.

 

[Kanewpadle]

I would leave the long gun at home and carry the three inch 686.

More recoil? Yes. Chances of needing it? Pretty slim. Weighs less on the belt. I prefer a shoulder holster when hiking.

 

[1morethan8]

Ya don't need no damn gun... just grin him down!!

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XJ1kVDEbcts"]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XJ1kVDEbcts[/ame]

 

[Lt JL]

I'd just take a partner and a .25. Bear shows up, shoot partner in the knee with the .25.

 

[Jebus35745]

Number 2, in a holster under the T shirt. I carried a 386 mountain lite 7 shot and felt very safe with it in the Smokey Mountains. Larry

 

[BearBio]

I'd just take a partner and a .25. Bear shows up, shoot partner in the knee with the .25.

That is so old, it is green with mold!

For BEAR defense, pepper spray. Worried about bears and people, any of the pistols you mention. I prefer Underwood ammo (had several FTF with Buffalo Bore in semi-autos in several calibers!). In grizzly country, I carry a 10mm or 45 Colt handloads.

 

[Biggfoot44]

Even in bear country , probably more danger from two legged threats . That said , I also figure that a .44 or .45 would work better dealing with pot growers and meth cookers , than a 9mm or .38 would for bears .

But of the OP's options, the 10mm .

 

[carpriver]

I would think being able to tell the difference of a bird singing and someone playing a banjo, being able to id the smell of cooking mash would be important skills. I would carry my Ruger Black Hawk 44 special with a 240 gr. hard case. Oh yea wear bells on your boot strings, that will help the rangers identify human remains in the bear scat. Just a thought

 

[Bill Bates]

These are what I carry.

 

[Watchdog]

What to take in smokey mountain bear country?

The fact that the Smoky Mountains are bear country is mostly immaterial far as I'm concerned. Frankly, black bears are probably the least of your worries. The Smokies are rough country in more ways than one. You can run up on some strange things.

And if you're hiking in the Smoky Mountains National Park, I'd be more worried about running afoul of the many regulations that govern hiking and other activities in the park. Be aware, too, that in the national park, guns are prohibited in any federal facilities located within the park.

I'll say this. If I were hiking, I wouldn't further burden myself with the extra weight of a long gun and ammo for it. Plus, you leave yourself wide open for questioning about whether you're just an innocent hiker or whether you're carrying that .45-70 for hunting purposes. Don't fool yourself into thinking a Park Ranger or Game Warden won't ask you. And don't be wearing anything that even hints at camo. Just my opinion, mind you.

Wanna carry a handgun? Fine. I'll make no suggestions regarding caliber, type of ammo, and barrel length for hiking in "bear country"...that subject's been beaten to death on this forum. Do a forum search for "bear gun" and you'll see what I mean.

I'll make a serious recommendation that you familiarize yourself with firearms laws in the states of North Carolina and Tennessee.

 

[BearBio]

I would think being able to tell the difference of a bird singing and someone playing a banjo, being able to id the smell of cooking mash would be important skills. I would carry my Ruger Black Hawk 44 special with a 240 gr. hard case. Oh yea wear bells on your boot strings, that will help the rangers identify human remains in the bear scat. Just a thought

That one's almost as old as the "shoot your buddy in the leg"!