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Originally Posted by MrIcky
I have a feeling from what I've read from Windy City that he's put in a lot of time in Bear Country. I wouldn't discount what he's saying for loads.
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If he's recommending glasers or shotshells, then I am going to blow it off because it defies the ballistics of both rounds along with the physical makeup of bears.
Read this test of glasers in ballistics gel...
http://www.brassfetcher.com/Brassfet...afety_Slug.pdf
Glasers against bare ballistics gel do not even meet the FBI penetration protocol for a consistent stop vs a human. They penetrate around 7.5" against bare flesh while the FBI protocol is 12", the minimum required to hit vitals.
Grizzly's are physically larger, their skin is tougher, their vitals are much deeper, their flesh is on average more dense and oh by the way they have a fat layer than can be up to 7" thick.
So if you shoot a grizzly with a glaser and IF you manage to penetrate the skin, you'll be lucky to make it through the fat layer, much less disrupt any vital systems and actually stop the bear.
If you take a head shot, the slug is just going to disintigrate against the thick skull. After seeing video of a Barnes solid in .30-06 bouncing off a grizzly skull, I have no doubt of this.
Long story short, you get turned into a bear snack.
A CCI shotshell is even worse because you don't even have the benefit of a jacket to keep the pellets together like the glaser does. You won't even break skin with that.
Given a choice between those, that aren't adequate for humans, and a round like the .500S&W that has been used to hunt cape buffalo and elephant, I'll take the .500...
Quote:
Originally Posted by MrIcky
The locals will give you varying advice but a lot of them say exactly what Windy City said.
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Then the locals are fools. Ballistic characteristics don't change based on what the target is. I've handloaded and sent enough rounds down range to know.
Quote:
Originally Posted by MrIcky
My own experiences in Alaska tells me that you don't really want a gun with unusual ammunition. I would not want a .460 or .500 because I wouldn't want to have to delay fishing to find it.
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Why would you have to stop to find ammo? Most airlines allow you to carry ammunition in checked baggage. Its not like you're going target shooting and need 1000 rounds on hand. A couple boxes is more than enough...
Quote:
Originally Posted by MrIcky
I agree a handgun isn't ideal, but a .44 magnum is a good choice for a handgun. When you are standing in 3 feet of 35 degree water in waders you are going to be wondering where to strap the long-gun.
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No argument there. Next to the .500, the .44 would be my second choice. The sharp recoil of the .454 is far too harsh. As odd as it sounds the .500 is easier to shoot than the .454.
For .44 I'd go in the 260-300gr range bonded JSP or hard cast....
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500 cal handguns are made for guys who have insecurity issues!
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You damn right I'm gonna feel insecure with a bear trying to snack on me. I want as much firepower and penetration as I can reasonably carry...