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

[CJ Man]

No i still think Jay Cutler and Rex Grossman are your best bet for taking down any bears.

[Windy City]

That will work but good luck carrying the bugger!
Here are a few photos of my ICORE open gun. Similar, but what is called a "moon" clip gun. This way the 8 shots can be unloaded/loaded all at once.

[MrIcky]

Well you could always take fdjizm with you and he can start talking about mustangs until the bear falls asleep.






If you read this, I'm just kidding fdjizm- nothin' but love for ya brother.

[nova]

Originally Posted by Zeus

3. One shot one kill potential would be nice, but at the same time I don't want a Desert Eagle or something that would be really hard to get a second shot off due to blow-back.

No handgun is going to have a high consistent probability of a one shot kill on a bear, especially if you're going into grizzly country.

If you want even the potential for a one shot kill on a bear, you need to carry a rifle. Something like a Marlin 1895 Lever Action chambered in .450 Marlin or a bolt action chambered in a big magnum.

I read bear sprays work better than guns because of how many shots you need to take one down.

Bear spray is seasoning for their human snack...

Originally Posted by jrboyd_1980

The 45 would have the penetration to kill the bear, but not to sure on the 410. I have heard of bears being scared off by rocksalt though from shotgun. Appearntly the salt gets in the there and it's very painful. Maybe try a 410 shell with rocksalt? Let me know how it works out k?

.45 Colt does NOT have the penetration capability to be an effective bear round. With a 255gr bullet, which is the smallest .45 bullet I would consider for bear, muzzle velocity tops out at about 960fps. Bigger bullet = less velocity..

At that velocity, you have a low probability of penetrating the fat layer on a bear and if you take a head shot, the bullet will bounce (yes bounce, even happens with some rifle rounds) off the skull unless you happen to hit an eye.

I've loaded, shot and chronographed enough .45 Colt to know for a fact carrying it is asking to be turned into bear poop.

Don't even consider a Desert Eagle .50AE. Big, heavy, and the gas operated rotating bolt action tends to be unreliable.

If you're gonna go for a handgun Smith and Wesson .500 is the way to go. Still kinda big and heavy, but almost 100% reliable and pretty much purpose designed as a sidearm for bear country.

I've shot one several times before and the recoil characteristics combined with the compensated barrel make it really friendly for follow up shots. Plus the 3 foot flame out the end of the barrel at dusk is just damn cool.

[BigMatt]

.460 Smith and wesson 5 inch barrel

[BigMatt]

pic

[CJ Man]

Yeah!!! When you take one down don't forget to eat the heart.

[nova]

Originally Posted by Windy City

Is a nice concealable piece, and it will retain/increase in value. Don't shoot hollow points, carry full metal jackets.

I'd carry something like this in it. 400gr of whoopass traveling at 1600+fps.

http://www.dakotaammo.net/CORBON-Hun...12/300/Product

ETA

I might even go with their 500gr hard cast lead over the above....

Originally Posted by Windy City

The first shot could be a Glaser Safety slug or a CCI shot shell. This way a shot to the nose or face could do flesh damage and cause alot of pain but not bleed tha animal to death over a miserable few days.

You just wanna get him turned into bear poop don't you

A full grown grizzly won't even slow down for a frangible or a shot shell. All either of those will do is piss them off and make them more eager to turn you into a snack...

[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. The locals will give you varying advice but a lot of them say exactly what Windy City said.

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.

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.

[Windy City]

And after you shoot thet .500 once, you can tie a rope to it and use it for you boat anchor!
.500 cal handguns are made for guys who have insecurity issues!

[Zeus]

[Johnny1]

If ya gonna kill a bear yer gonna have to have something that packs a punch. Which means yer gonna have to sacrifice some on the handgun. Such as its gonna have to be a big powerful bullet. which also means a bigger heavier gun that has some recoil. Answer is in my gun case: Smith&Wesson 500 Magnum with 400 or bigger hollow point grain bullet. I have a seven and a half inch barrel but they make a shorter barrel. Kick back isn't to bad since the barrel is compensated. But you do need to two hand shoot it if possible. One shot, one kill period.

[InfernoOrange2010]

Now I agree with most you that bigger is better. But do you really want to carry a 5 pound hand cannon with you while go fly fishing? It might through off your casting technique. My suggestion is a nice light weight Glock 9mm. Yea I know what you are thinking. It won't stop a bear. This is where your fishing buddy helps out. You see an angry bear. Pull your Glock pop a couple rounds into your buddy's leg. He can't run (well not very fast). You can out run your buddy. Well you get the idea.

[Windy City]

That's a good example of an irresponsible a**hole! gave that gun to her knowing that, or something like that, would happen. Thus the video camera recording.
There is a lot of false bravado, or little man's disease floating around out there. Gives responsible gun ownership a bad name.
I think Zeus is slick enough to know what direction to go!