Woods ammo

[Vsmith]

So don't have a 10mm .357 or anything along those lines just my 9mm right now. I saw that underwood makes some 147 grain +P+ fmj fn and have bought some but I'm wondering if in a punch if it would work on bear. I live in maine so I kinda wanna carry at least a pistol with me when I am in the woods. Moose and bear where I live and I don't exactly want some spray to fend them off if I need to. I Would carry my 30-06 all the time but that would raise some eyebrows.

 

[hsmith9491]

Buffalo Bore 9mm+p outdoorsman. 147 gr. hard cast.

 

[Angus46]

I hate to say it, but a 9mm is way, way undersized for defense against a bear. Regardless of the pressure rating. In fact a .357 is a little undersized for that role. Will it eventually kill the animal, yes with a good shot it will kill it. However that is if you can make a great shot under pressure. Tough to do. However, stopping a bear is done with a shot to the brain or disabling him with a shoulder or spine shot. To break those bones that is why large bore rifles are carried by guides. A 9mm won't do that. If you are really worried about large black bears you should get a .44, 454, or 460 if it needs to be a pistol.

That being said, a gun is better than a knife. So in the meantime I'd carry what you have.

 

[murphydog]

Hey, another bear thread!

Bear spray, avoid contact if you can, carry what you have and practice, practice, practice...

 

[berudd]

For black bears your best defense may just be to make enough noise that they hear you coming and avoid you before you even see them. That's not 100% effective but maybe more so than a 9mm.

 

[Davinman]

Walking in bear woods, I have carried a 2" 357mag, loaded with 180gr hard cast. But I think the best defense against an angry bear would be a 12 gauge shotgun and slugs.

 

[ColbyBruce]

It appears to me you have an opportunity to go handgun shopping.

A few years ago, a fellow camping killed a bear with a stick of firewood. Anything is possible, if one is desperate.

 

[iPac]

I would not trust a 9mm for a bear. The smallest caliber I would trust is 357mag, but I usually carry a 44mag.

I watched a full grown sow take a 45lc point blank to the back of the head from an 8" Anaconda and the bullet never exited. A 9mm isn't going to do anything other than tick it off. Which is what most any caliber bullet will do unless a vital organ is hit. So in most cases a gun will not help if you are attacked. If you don't kill, it will probably make it attack more aggressively.

However, something is better than nothing. Although, I would buy a can of bear spray if all I had was a 9mm to take. You can get the really good bear spray for about $35 on Amazon. I have considered it before, and in reality is what one should have.

 

[Vsmith]

I want to carry my 30-06 out there with me but I just don't think it would be right. I don't really want to be put onto some police list as a nut job carrying an 06 in the woods in case of a bear. Our game wardens are STRICT and I don't necessarily wanna be stopped every time I am in the woods cuz I have a rifle slung on my back. Ultimately I may have to and a 30 06 would give me far more comfort against a bear or moose then a handgun if I had to carry one.

 

[delloro]

 

[jim46ok]

"30 06 would give me far more comfort against a bear or moose then a handgun" (than)

You have your answer. If your handgun is too small, take something bigger.

 

[digiroc]

Bear Killed with 9mm Smith

Well it worked for this guy

American Hunter | Alaska Outfitter Defends Fishermen from Raging Grizzly with 9mm Pistol

I still think at least a .44 would give me a better feeling about walking in bear country, but I'd have bear spray in my off hand and try that first.

digiroc