Question for the hunters/gun experts here...........

[Maro's in my Marrow]

Any Magnum round .357 and up will do the job. I personally use a S&W .44 mag and love it. The .44 Mag is the best balance of knockdown power and followup shot accuracy IMO. All of the magnums can be used for hunting but thats the 8" barrel and up variety. You need a short barrel w/ built in compensator to reduce muzzle climb and a Crimson Trace Laser Grip isn't a bad idea (for fast target acquisition). Hornady is a good ammo company. They don't offer a FMJ but a .44 mag hollow point will have enough penetration and do enough damage to bring down a bear. You gotta hit him in the right spots though (head or chest) don't wing him. You do have a better chance of being struck by lightning and most bears will run if they see or hear you coming but there is always a risk. Better to be prepared. If the bear is starving your gonna look like a meal and smell like trout LOL.

[Zeus]

Originally Posted by Maro's in my Marrow

Any Magnum round .357 and up will do the job. I personally use a S&W .44 mag and love it. The .44 Mag is the best balance of knockdown power and followup shot accuracy IMO. All of the magnums can be used for hunting but thats the 8" barrel and up variety. You need a short barrel w/ built in compensator to reduce muzzle climb and a Crimson Trace Laser Grip isn't a bad idea (for fast target acquisition). Hornady is a good ammo company. They don't offer a FMJ but a .44 mag hollow point will have enough penetration and do enough damage to bring down a bear. You gotta hit him in the right spots though (head or chest) don't wing him. You do have a better chance of being struck by lightning and most bears will run if they see or hear you coming but there is always a risk. Better to be prepared. If the bear is starving your gonna look like a meal and smell like trout LOL.

I thought hollow mag's were supposed to suck.

[jrboyd_1980]

Ok after alot of research I have found the right answer.. All you need really is a knife. No seriously. When you go fly fishing, just take Junkie with you and a knife. When you see the bear, stab Junkie in the leg. He'll start yelling and jumping around, drawing the bears attention, and you slowly walk to the truck climb in and drive off. Remember you don't have to outrun the bear, just the slowest runner.

[Zeus]

Originally Posted by jrboyd_1980

Ok after alot of research I have found the right answer.. All you need really is a knife. No seriously. When you go fly fishing, just take Junkie with you and a knife. When you see the bear, stab Junkie in the leg. He'll start yelling and jumping around, drawing the bears attention, and you slowly walk to the truck climb in and drive off. Remember you don't have to outrun the bear, just the slowest runner.

Shit if junkie was there I wouldn't need anything.... he'd be too busy trying to untangle his line to notice the bear

[MrIcky]

Originally Posted by jrboyd_1980

Ok after alot of research I have found the right answer.. All you need really is a knife. No seriously. When you go fly fishing, just take Junkie with you and a knife. When you see the bear, stab Junkie in the leg. He'll start yelling and jumping around, drawing the bears attention, and you slowly walk to the truck climb in and drive off. Remember you don't have to outrun the bear, just the slowest runner.

Have you seen Junkies picture? I think he might still outrun you with a knife in the leg. Is PQ in this thread? If not take him- if he is, then take Sssooch.

[mrray13]

Ruger Alaskan, perfect backpackin wheelgun.

Nothing smaller then .44mag either.

I love S&W, but if you get one, do the lock delete thing. Horror stories abound about that gizmo locking up on the big bores after the first shot and making the gun a paperweight.

[Maro's in my Marrow]

Originally Posted by Zeus

I thought hollow mag's were supposed to suck.

Not true. FMJ's are made for max penetration while HP's are made for damage. There are really 2 kinds of HP's. One type (more lead) is made to mushroom bigger and faster as it penetrates thus doing massive damage on the way in and transferring more kinetic energy to the target (knockdown power). The other type (more coppernickel or other harder metal) is made to splinter upon entry going in multiple directions (shotgun effect) causing massive damage and transferring more kinetic energy to the target. Both cause massive and quick bleed-outs. The FMJ's only slightly deform as they go completely thru the target and rely more on compression to transfer energy. Since they pass thru the target with little resistance they don't transfer as much kinetic energy. FMJ's are more ideally suited for long distance situations where good penetration is needed. Don't get me wrong FMJ's cause alot of damage on their way through the target but I pictured his situation as him being charged at close range by one pissed off bear. In that case penetration isn't an issue. Both types are excellent rounds but for different situations.

[BigMatt]

The thing is that bears have tons of fat,muscle, thick skin and bones to get through, so you would not want a hollow point, you want the most penetration possible to take it down. FMJ FTW

[Skyblu]

Ok, I know someone already said this but I checked with my gun supplier and he said with out a doubt go with the S&W 500 .50, It is a "bear Rated" gun it even comes with a video to show how to kill a bear with it. However; it is a gun to be revered, he said he shot this gun twice and that was enough for him almost broke his wrist. I watched myth busters last night and happened to have a story of several guys losing a thumb when firing this revolver. They proved it COULD happen because of placement of thumb too close to revolver when it is fired. Also it has a bad ass kick, the guy firing it on T.V almost hit himself in the forhead with it! So, with that said this is a "bear rated" hand gun that you wanted. Be careful!

[Camaro509]

I carried a 6" S&W 629 Classic Hunter in Alaska as my anti-bear gun.
Used 300 grain jacketed rounds in it, but any heavy-duty .44 magnum or larger pistol with heavy-duty bullets should do the trick.

You may want to consider NOT going overboard with a REALLY large handgun though, it'll get uncomfortable very quickly and may cause you not to carry it when you need it.

[nova]

Originally Posted by Skyblu

Ok, I know someone already said this but I checked with my gun supplier and he said with out a doubt go with the S&W 500 .50, It is a "bear Rated" gun it even comes with a video to show how to kill a bear with it.

Originally Posted by Skyblu

However; it is a gun to be revered, he said he shot this gun twice and that was enough for him almost broke his wrist.

Its not that bad. Just gotta make sure you've got the proper grip.

Originally Posted by Skyblu

I watched myth busters last night and happened to have a story of several guys losing a thumb when firing this revolver. They proved it COULD happen because of placement of thumb too close to revolver when it is fired.

Almost any revolver can cause injury if you put your hand in the wrong place. The gap between the cylinder and the barrel is not gas tight causing high velocity gas to exit from the opening as you fire. The more powerful the round, the more powerful gas jet.

Its not hard to find pictures of revolver gas jet injuries if you try. Nasty stuff. When I got my wife her .357, I only had to show her once and she never tried to grip around the cylinder again.

Originally Posted by Skyblu

Also it has a bad ass kick, the guy firing it on T.V almost hit himself in the forhead with it! So, with that said this is a "bear rated" hand gun that you wanted. Be careful!

With a proper grip, the compensated models don't have a just a huge muzzle flip. I'd describe it as a big push rather than a sharp kick. I actually find them easier to shoot than a .44mag and much much easier to shoot than a .454casull....

[Skyblu]

Originally Posted by nova

Its not that bad. Just gotta make sure you've got the proper grip.



Almost any revolver can cause injury if you put your hand in the wrong place. The gap between the cylinder and the barrel is not gas tight causing high velocity gas to exit from the opening as you fire. The more powerful the round, the more powerful gas jet.

Its not hard to find pictures of revolver gas jet injuries if you try. Nasty stuff. When I got my wife her .357, I only had to show her once and she never tried to grip around the cylinder again.



With a proper grip, the compensated models don't have a just a huge muzzle flip. I'd describe it as a big push rather than a sharp kick. I actually find them easier to shoot than a .44mag and much much easier to shoot than a .454casull....

As a side note I carry the SW .357/.38 PD hammerless revolver for my concealed weapon in my purse, the .357 will hurt me (gun only weights 12 oz.empty!)so I use the .38 instead. My hsuband has the same plus laser sight he uses the .357 in his. All good guns!

[coolman]

Don't have time to read all post. Maybe it was already said. If you don't buy a smith and wesson .357 your crazy. Best all around hand gun made. I you don't think that is enough(which it is)go with the .44cal.

[CJ Man]

You can always buy the trojan armor suit. It was tested on a grizzlie bear and has two magnetic strips for what ever gun you use.