Can You Stop a Charge Better with Pepper Spray or a Firearm???

Camp Cook

Camp Cook

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I put this into a thread in the Articles section that was discussing pepper spray as being better than a firearm when it comes to stopping a bear charge.

Thought I would share it here as well... :)

I got out to the gun club yesterday and had a go with live rounds in my 18.5" barreled Marlin 1895GS 45-70 with my 350gr Hornady JFP 54gr H322 reloads and my 26" barreled Rem 700 LSS 375RUM with Rem factory 270gr bullets.

I set a target up at 25 yards to simulate a charge distance remember this distance is still longer than the effective range of pepper spray.

Yes I know I am shooting in an ideal set up and the target isn't moving but you have too train sometime/somehow.

I was on the rifle range alone which was the only reason that I was able to shoot the way I did in these video's.

This was actually a lot of fun doing this...

Here is the first one with the 45-70...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5XCB4A911SM

Second attempt but a bit different with the 45-70 again...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G-AVr7gNmrU

This last one is with my 375RUM...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8F51OIw8A0
 
watch that and tell me youd be comfortable with a little can of bear spray in a belt holster as your only defense.
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The bear was more than "8 feet away". That being said, There's no way pepper spray would have turned her. Someone was going to get hurt.
 
btw - not that id condone not having a real loaded firearm... but watching that bear video makes me think that a 9mm blank-firing revolver given to a hiking partner or the women back at the campsite might not be a bad idea as a bear deterrant (if they have no PAL - if they do give them a real gun). you can throw in a can of pepper spray for good measure.

its certainly better than banging pots together, assuming you even have them handy - and perfectly legal as long as theyre not running around downtown with it.
 
another thing to consider is someone who is too scared of a gun or the responsibility of owning one is probably too scared to use spray on a bear within 8 feet

nice vid btw CC
 
Pblatzz said:
Great Video
Check this out
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LZnsL7-UdGc&feature=related
Click to expand...


I'm not even going to attempt being an arm chair quarterback here but I have one question do you think they should have tried one or two shots in the dirt in from or beside her it could possibly have turned her.

Just a thought instead of waving their arms.

When I am in the bush I am usually solo I don't think I would try waving it off but I would shot a warning shot.
 
Camp Cook said:
I'm not even going to attempt being an arm chair quarterback here but I have one question do you think they should have tried one or two shots in the dirt in from or beside her it could possibly have turned her.

Just a thought instead of waving their arms.

When I am in the bush I am usually solo I don't think I would try waving it off but I would shot a warning shot.
Click to expand...

With a group of people, warnign shots may be in order...By yourself, I'm not too keen on them..Don't want to risk a jam, risk not having enough ammo, or whatever. If it gets real close, it's time to kill it.
 
Camp Cook said:
I'm not even going to attempt being an arm chair quarterback here but I have one question do you think they should have tried one or two shots in the dirt in from or beside her it could possibly have turned her.

Just a thought instead of waving their arms.

When I am in the bush I am usually solo I don't think I would try waving it off but I would shot a warning shot.
Click to expand...

CC its a good valid thought/question.

Ive been thru that scenario. Early shots in front of the bears that are hanging around have worked for me. What I mean by that is:

Client kills bear. Other bears around. One looks our direction. Randy shoots 10yds in front of that bear. Whatever he was thinking, bear decided to leave.

In the video,I dont think this guy really had the chance to assess what he should do.

Then again, Ive killed a few on a dead run toward me. One was 12ft. You can smell them at that distance.....
Never had trouble with the real big ones, those 150-250lb ones are usually the culprits..."small bear syndrome"

I think your practice of a warning shot is best. The sooner the better.
 
Great video! I just picked up a guide gun the other day in place of my temporarily out of service 444, I'll try out your technique...

I'm with gatehouse on the warning shots, if I'm going to shoot it will be at the bear.
 
Hey Guys, I couldn't help but wade into this one... I work north of 60, and I've been up against a bear at 4 feet and know what my reaction was and feel confident in my firearms handling...

But, for the "average" city slicker or casual outdoors person who doesn't have LOTS of firearm interest & experience, I'm not sure that a firearm would be most effective for them... It may inspire more confidence, but taking a bear defense course and getting a very crash course on how to load and shoot a gun, doesn't cut it... PRACTISE, practise and practise IMHO... Your reaction needs to be INSTINCTIVE at the critical moment...

Here is an article I found last week and it generated lots of discussion in our offices...

http://www.cbc.ca/technology/story/2008/03/26/bearspray.html

Cheers
Jay
 
Jay, you are not incorrect..Not one bit.

To people that have limited (or none) firearms experience, spray is usually a beter option.


I prefer the rifle, as I am comfortable with it, know what it can do, and it's reliable, safe and final. Not so with spray...

:)
 
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