- Location
- Niagara Region, Ontario. For now
Sharks with laserbeams
Bear Gun
- Thread starter madluk18
- Start date
- Location
- Somewhere on the Hudson Bay Coast
Lots of stories, but you don't find Garrett ammo for sale in Canada very often. I don't think they are on the DNR list of approved small arms ammo. Still, the .45/70 is pretty easy to handload, even with a Lee Loader, so there is no reason why you couldn't get some 480 gr WFN hard cast slugs from Ben, some Winchester brass, a pound of 3031, some large rifle primers and match anything Garrett has to offer at 10X the price.
More common sense coming out of these threads than I've seen in a long time!
Boomer, what you said about the Garrett bullet issue, is exactly what I thought when I read the original post. "I can make my own, thank you."
And Gatehouse, your Trapper is a great rifle for that purpose. I have the Marlin in 44 Magnum and I think the same about it. The 44 in a rifle is like a Redhawk on super steroids.
And the two things you mention, mostly carry, little shoot, is so true. So you want a light, fast, good handling and easy to carry gun. These little lever rifles are all of that, in spades. In BC it is probably more likely to need a defence against a cougar, rather than a bear. Again, the little levers are perfect.
I have legally carried a Super Blackhawk in the bush. But like you mention, a light lever on a sling over the shoulder is almost as easy to carry, and more effective, if you did happen to need it.
Boomer, what you said about the Garrett bullet issue, is exactly what I thought when I read the original post. "I can make my own, thank you."
And Gatehouse, your Trapper is a great rifle for that purpose. I have the Marlin in 44 Magnum and I think the same about it. The 44 in a rifle is like a Redhawk on super steroids.
And the two things you mention, mostly carry, little shoot, is so true. So you want a light, fast, good handling and easy to carry gun. These little lever rifles are all of that, in spades. In BC it is probably more likely to need a defence against a cougar, rather than a bear. Again, the little levers are perfect.
I have legally carried a Super Blackhawk in the bush. But like you mention, a light lever on a sling over the shoulder is almost as easy to carry, and more effective, if you did happen to need it.
manbearpig
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Somewhere in the Third World
^perhaps, but you must prepare for all eventualities.
what if a bear throws a shark at you?
what if you encounter an undead bearshark?
one must always be prepared.
I enjoyed your post. I am sure that lots of guys who have had success with the huge cartridges assume that a smaller one would not have worked. My 45/70 has 3 cartridges in the magazine, most of the large magnums have 3 or 4 shots. While there is a lot of talk about only having one shot, and making it count, I know a fellow who was charged by a sow and what he assumed were two of last years cubs. There is the chance of having a misadventure with more than one bear at a time, I once saw 7 black bears at a moose kill. I expect that if one had charged me, a few others would have also charged. A Lee Enfield would make me feel as safe as any of my larger rifles.
What!
It will bounce off!
I've actually though of doing just that.
What do those things hold 10 rounds?
9+1 capacity
I'm actually thinking about sending this to a gunsmith to tune it up a bit, but, not being a real lever gun fan, I dont know exactly what to get done yet other than trigger.
I just picked up a Marlin 1895 Classic, and am planning on using it as my everything rifle, and also extending the magazine from four to six (thanks to the 22" bbl length I can extend the magazine greatly).
I was planning on using cast 550's for the gun, but have been told that using a faster 405 would probably do more on the second shot. Any suggestions?
I was planning on using cast 550's for the gun, but have been told that using a faster 405 would probably do more on the second shot. Any suggestions?
9+1 capacity
I'm actually thinking about sending this to a gunsmith to tune it up a bit, but, not being a real lever gun fan, I dont know exactly what to get done yet other than trigger.
Ask for a mullet next time
I carry my Marlin 1894 (44 Mag) in bear country, feel quite comfortable with my choice. As previously noted, more chance of having an issue with cougars than bears in many places.
They are easy to carry due to short barrel and a relative light weight. I sling it muzzle down across my back. A bit of practise and it is in action darn quick yet out of the way even while fly casting.
They are easy to carry due to short barrel and a relative light weight. I sling it muzzle down across my back. A bit of practise and it is in action darn quick yet out of the way even while fly casting.
If I may get back to earlier suggestions regarding the Lee Enfield 303 as bear defense, it could certainly be economical, and it was well noted during its war-time use that it was capable of a very fast rate of fire. I'm sure most 303 fans have read that enemy troops, when running into rapid fire Enfields, were sometimes convinced they were facing semi- automatic, or even machine gun fire. Facing a charging bear might be likened to a combat situation. A combat rifle with an excellent reputation could be the right ticket.
canadaman30
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Far from the City
A light, fast handling and fast shooting gun. I vote for a Ruger Mini-30. Pretty hard to beat for those qualities.
