.35 caliber Bear Defense Gun

fugawi

fugawi

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OK just speculating here but since we are not allow to carry a sidearm for bear defense, what .35 caliber backpackable rifle would be recommended instead?

I'm thinking it would have to be absolutely dependable, not heavy, not long yet able to kill a bear with authority. Something quick to bear (pardon the pun) and simple to use in a sudden encounter. Please specify caliber/bullet with rifle. I'm not recoil sensitive but if surprised wouldn't want to miss because of recoil/flinching.

Might not be me that has to use it - could be a non shooter that I'm hiking with. Iron sights not scoped. Did I mention simple and straight forward to use...

Not that there are any here in MB, but besides a black bear, I'd like to feel safe that it could be used on a grizzly or a polar bear. (which if I went on a northern canoe trip might be a concern - don't know for sure)

Thanks.
 
BLR stainless takedown in 358win? Or an H&R single in 35 Whelen?

Not sure why the .35 cal prerequisite, but a 12g pump with slugs or a 45-70 guide gun would be great.
 
Marlin 336 in .35 Remington would be a gooder as well. Next to no recoil, extremely easy to carry, 6+1 capacity and a delivers a good amount of lead on target.

If you just have to have something that would be considered a "stopping rifle" for the big white or brown bears, go .375 or bigger. Better yet, if you're worried about the big bears, just PM Boomer, ask him his opinion and buy whatever he tells ya. That guy is always spot on.
 
.45/70 has too much recoil. I could handle it but I might be hiking with a female non hunter... and it might be her that has to shoot. That's why I want it to be simple and straight forward.

Short pump shotgun with slugs might do. Again recoil might be a concern but I like the simplicity of use. No/minimum sights so just sight along the barrel.

Takedowns... only if the bear will wait while I or the non shooter assembles it.

Ruger/H&R singles not a bad idea but I'd like multiple rounds for multiple shots before reloading. 7600 in .35 Whelen sounds good. Are they dependable?

I picked .35 caliber because I'm thinking that is the minimum caliber to handle a big angry determined bear in a 'meeting engagement'. I'm not hunting for bear. More ""oh oh... we trespassed in some bear's berry patch and he's pissed."

I was thinking something like a Ruger 77 in .358/.35 Whelen/.350 Rem Mag or other short barrel bolt action. Not sure if .35 Rem would get the job done. Maybe a lever or bolt in .44 Mag but again I'm wondering about recoil.
 
Keep em coming please. Again I'm just speculating but with the recent bear attacks in AB and Yukon and my own experience surprising a bear outside a public shower at the beach, I know sh*t happens.

The berry patch scenario did happen. Years ago an old man was killed by a black bear while picking berries here in MB. A couple or so years back they had bears show up on a very busy beach. Right near the kids play structure.

I now carry slugs while grouse hunting.
 
You will need at least a .50 beowulf for the vicious bears in Winnipeg. Better train your hiking partners to shoot it, and brush up on your bear wrasslin'
 
Lotsa thump in a small package.

A couple of geologists I knew had these as their camp/field carbines.

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The Whelen carbine would be great, but recoil is anything but tame. A non shooter would get their fillings nocked out.
 
A featherweight H&R singleshot backpacker chambered for .350 weatherby magnum, a wildcat based on the .460 weatherby.
Should cause devastating damage/injuries. Probably hurt the bear, too.
 
Pick up a Husqvarna from Tradex (M98 action) and have it rechambered to 9.3x62. There isn't much as simple and reliable as a Mauser 98. They're a bit long and ungainly, but the barrel/stock can be shortened at the same time as the chamber job. Factory ammo is not bad on the shoulder, and the recoil is just pushy, not violent. Not outrageously heavy either, at 7 1/2 lbs give or take.
 
If it's for backpacking and has to be a rifle, consider a ranch hand or trapper (12" or 16") lever action in .44 magnum. If a ranch hand and definitely of bears, consider adding a full-length butt stock.
 
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