Polar Bear Cartridge

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thepolinator

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Hey All,
Not sure if this is the right spot for this, but here goes. I am looking into getting a polar bear suitable caliber. Here is the catch its for my recoil sensitive wife. The back story: my wife is a geologist working for Geological Survey of Canada, she will likely be doing field work across the Arctic in the next couple of years. While she will likely have an armed guide, she may also require a rifle for bear defense. So my question is what should I be looking at for a recoil sensitive woman that would be able to stop a Polar bear. Magnum calibers are definitely not an option. The only thing that came to mind for me was a 12ga shooting sabots with a recoil reducing stock. What are your thoughts on this one? Do you think a 20 ga would have enough knock down power to be suitable? What about a .303 Br or 7.62x39 (I know this is a crappy caliber, but the lack of recoil is great for her?
Thanks,
Paul
 
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forget 7.62x39 it may work once but if you miss or wound then the worst can start.

in Svalbard (Sptizberg if you prefer) they used a lot of Mauser in 6.5x55SE with 156-160 grains they re now using Mauser or Ruger in 30-06 with open sights.

12ga whatever they re have recoil a good rubber pad may help.

what is the recommendations for her employer? three years ago we furnished them 3 Zastava with shorter barrel shortened stocks and open sights in 30-06 mini caliber required from their authority.

Mike (Boomer) will certainly chime and give good advices.

all the best.
 
thepolinator said:
Hey All,
Not sure if this is the right spot for this, but here goes. I am looking into getting a polar bear suitable caliber. Here is the catch its for my recoil sensitive wife. The back story: my wife is a geologist working for Geological Survey of Canada, she will likely be doing field work across the Arctic in the next couple of years. While she will likely have an armed guide, she may also require a rifle for bear defense. So my question is what should I be looking at for a recoil sensitive woman that would be able to stop a Polar bear. Magnum calibers are definitely not an option. The only thing that came to mind for me was a 12ga shooting sabots with a recoil reducing stock. What are your thoughts on this one? Do you think a 20 ga would have enough knock down power to be suitable? What about a .303 Br or 7.62x39 (I know this is a crappy caliber, but the lack of recoil is great for her?
Thanks,
Paul
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303 British has a pretty good kick.

I'm not sure the reason your wife is particularly recoil sensitive (medical condition ?), but I've seen petite woman (5'0 / 100lb) handle the recoil of a mosin M44 just fine. The only real issue with my friend is the bulkiness of the firearm: she would have had difficulty handling a 91/30.

Back to the subject, how about a 16" lever action in 44magnum (rossi M92), or a shorty 12g shotgun ?
 
Since she is up there to work not hunt Polar Bear, one would be talking about protection. My vote would go for a 12 ga pump/defender, physically small and light enough that she carries it with her everywhere she goes. Try her with a pack of recoil reduced slugs, and send her to work with magnum slugs.

I am just average size and shoot Rum calibers. At the range i use a lead sled, in the field shooting at game one never feels the recoil. Adrenaline and focus when faced with a threat from the largest carnivore in North America, believe me she will not feel the recoil either. Get her accustomed to shooting the shotgun with recoil reduced loads, send her with magnum slugs. Success is coming back with a good paycheck and all the ammo she took.
 
The trip is too far off yet for her employer to give her recommendations (they haven't get fund approval yet).

MattRidge, The reason for the recoil sensitivity is an inner ear issue, the recoil makes her lose her balance. I agree .303 is a little heavy on the recoil, but being that I have one already I was going to try her on it to see if it was ok (I know the Ranger regiment up north still uses the Enfield so I figured it must be able to stop a bear. Isn't a 44 magnum a real good kicker?
 
thepolinator said:
So my question is what should I be looking at for a recoil sensitive woman that would be able to stop a Polar bear. Magnum calibers are definitely not an option.
Click to expand...

I'd say you need to get her out to the range shooting to overcome her "recoil sensitivity." Most of this comes from not knowing how to properly hold and shoot a rifle that recoils. She needs to shoot some moderate cartridges like a .308 and learn how to shoot a gun that recoils properly. When an 1800lb bear is charging at full gallop, not having enough gun, flinching, or closing your eyes and wincing away from the gun worrying about your shoulder could get you killed.


EDIT: I don't see how one would overcome a loss of balance due to an inner ear injury. I'd have to advise the same, prctice with reduced recoil slugs and take full power ones out. If the situation did happen, I'd rather be able to get off one good shot than none at all.
 
Lever gun in 44Mag may be what you are looking for.
Make sure to find one that fits her properly, and recoil will not be an issue.
 
She would likely be less recoil sensitive if she packed on about 20-25 pounds, between now and to time she leaves for the arctic.
Then she outta be able to handle a .303 or short barelled 12 gauge, with little problem.
On the down side, she'd be a more tempting treat for the polar bears. And slower.
 
Lol
trebor2880 said:
She would likely be less recoil sensitive if she packed on about 20-25 pounds, between now and to time she leaves for the arctic.
Then she outta be able to handle a .303 or short barelled 12 gauge, with little problem.
On the down side, she'd be a more tempting treat for the polar bears. And slower.
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TFSS will supply her with either a 12ga. or 30-06 if she asks.

If I recall, she won't be allowed to carry unless she's taken their field training course anyway...

She should talk to Dana, or her boss about that. - Or any other field geologist, for that matter, except the 'soft rock' (Terrain Science) bunch, as not a lot of them go far north. Most Precambrian guys ought to know.

Lever gun in 44Mag may be what you are looking for.
Make sure to find one that fits her properly, and recoil will not be an issue
Click to expand...

We're talking Polar bears - not blacks. - I took the bear awareness course many years ago - the critical spot for something like a .44 is the size of a playing card with a magic marker attached (skull&spine)
 
I stand corrected.

My advice was more along recoil control.

However, based on OP's question, most polar bear's cartridges pack more punch than desired?
 
12g with slugs. I think if you actually HAD to protect yourself from an agressive bear, the least of your concerns is recoil
 
She shouldn't have any trouble getting an ATC and a gun on her hip is far better than the one back in camp because it was a pain in the ass to carry . Chop a Redhawk to 4.5 inches chambered from .44 mag , .454 Casul or .500 S&W . There are wilderness carry instructors in Ontario and upon taking the course combined with lawful occupation , she'll get an ATC , for Ontario which should easily put her in line for any other province or territory .
 
To add a little expertise...Prince Justin carried a bolt action 30-06 while travelling in the Arctic with students. And he made sure that we were all aware of his bona fides on the gun file, because, you know, that established that he is one of us and understands us...insert sarcasm and puking smiley here...

However, on a more serious note, I have known a few people over the years who have conducted Arctic field work, and they all carried shotguns with slugs. Currently an MNR bio friend does the same when working in Hudson/James Bay.
 
That's a tough one. I'd say top priority is to use what's tried and true for PB defense. Then, get her comfortable and confident shooting a gun that is sized to fit her.
 
medvedqc said:
if you can shoot a 12 gauge with 3'' slugs well and accurate you can shoot a 375hh or 9.3x62 and this is a better option ...
Click to expand...

to add to this , how many people are aware of recoil when firing at a live target intent on making a snack out of them ?

when people complain about recoil it is always when they are target shooting .

what people will complain about when using a rifle in the field is weight , or how much the dammed thing and a couple boxes of shells weighs .



going back to the original post , if she can fire a 303 , a 9.3x62 with a nice comfy but pad isn't all that much different .
 
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