Close range polar bear rifle

Sometimes back country guns don't get the care they need to function reliably. These guys had been out on that expedition for a month or so, and the rifle would have been exposed to the weather the entire time. When some folks get back to the tent cold and tired, the last thing they want to do is worry about the mundane necessity of stripping bolts, wiping things dry and giving them a rub with an oily rag. Without casting dispersion of the individual who faced perhaps the most stressful moment of his life, human error is the most likely culprit, either due to the lack of TLC for the rifle, perhaps the bolt was frozen with rust, perhaps the follower was rusted in place at the bottom of the magazine box, perhaps corroded ammo wouldn't fire, to say nothing of the possibility that his brain shut down. Having said that I've seen some old Mauser rifles that were in just dreadful condition but would still fire, so perhaps the effects of stress caused him to run the rifle dry without firing it.
 
geologist said:
Damn they're cute as long as they're not eating you!
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Not all of em are . . .
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Boomer said:
Sometimes back country guns don't get the care they need to function reliably. These guys had been out on that expedition for a month or so, and the rifle would have been exposed to the weather the entire time. When some folks get back to the tent cold and tired, the last thing they want to do is worry about the mundane necessity of stripping bolts, wiping things dry and giving them a rub with an oily rag. Without casting dispersion of the individual who faced perhaps the most stressful moment of his life, human error is the most likely culprit, either due to the lack of TLC for the rifle, perhaps the bolt was frozen with rust, perhaps the follower was rusted in place at the bottom of the magazine box, perhaps corroded ammo wouldn't fire, to say nothing of the possibility that his brain shut down. Having said that I've seen some old Mauser rifles that were in just dreadful condition but would still fire, so perhaps the effects of stress caused him to run the rifle dry without firing it.
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They are investigating now. Hopefully they will make public their findings so that the possibility of another similar failure, whatever nature it was, can be reduced through training, preparation and operating procedure.
 
philthygeezer said:
Surveyor or Golliwog? I've usually carried a 12 gauge. Come to think of it, never a rifle! Others did though. Hence the .45-70 question.
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Almost :)
I'm a Forest Officer, Registered forest technologist and certified silviculture surveyor with the Minsitry of Forest Lands and Natural Resource Operations, however I prefer to call it the 'Ministry du Jour". We used to be the Forest Service.

I used to carry a Marlin 1895 with hand loads in 45-70. 400gr Speers at 1800 fps but started having reliability issues. Lever would jam up on me ever 40 rounds or so. Reliability is everything for me - I've had too many bear interactions and too many close calls. One day my number will be up but not because of this 590SP.
 
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Other than "Boomer" and a few others on this board I'm curious how many have actually been within close range of a nanuq(polar bear)??? I'm assuming this attack in Norway and the 30-06 rifle failing would be due to human error ... as for the rifle being exposed to the elements at the time, people WITHOUT experience wouldnt' properly store, keep dry, keep clean and ready their firearm ... sad as I'm sure if they had a person trained properly how to handle a firearm that this incident could have been avoided.

Otokiak
Rankin Inlet, NU
CANADA

p.s. my spanish FR8 carbine bolt action is a good choice, however I rarely take it out as my shorty M305/M14/M1A whatever we call'em today is usually with me ... and everyday outland for me is in bear country!
 
Berger VLD's

Barnes TTSX

MRX

Hey I'm no scientist when it comes to Bullet construction i'll admit that and I very well could be wrong (probley am :)) But I look at it this way lets do a comparision ;) 30/06= Ball peen Hammer!
45/70= Sledge hammer

Which one can you swing faster probley the smaller of the 2 the ball peen right? But which of the 2 would do the most amount of damage givin the same amount of swings?
 
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thumper1 said:
Ok then how come some bullets expand better at range and not close in? Guess they must be going faster at 1000m then at the muzzel?
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well, that's pretty much impossible, not sure where you go this information.

thumper1 said:
Berger VLD's

Barnes TTSX

MRX

And I maybe wrong Nosler accubond

I usually hunt with Hornaby interbonds and have taken game at close and long range with them the exit wounds were smaller with shots under 300m.
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The reason the exit wounds at closer ranges were smaller was because the Interbonds expanded fully, lost bullet weight and it was probably only the shank of the bullet that exited. At longer ranges the bullet would remain more intact and have a larger exit wound.


If you look at virtually any bullet maker advertising that demonstrates expansion rates at velocity, you will see that higher velocity = more expansion.
 
Yes, velocity = more expansion and = less penetration, generally. Less penetration does not automatically mean "not enough" penetration, of course.

The U.S gov't did a bunch of penetration testing with their weapons for example, and found that their 5.56 ammo penetrated best at 200 meters, and at closer ranges penetration was much less.

What would I use if camping in polar bear country? Probably a short 12 guage loaded with slugs.

I've done that many times when out on bear hunts (blacks/grizzly) and slept perfectly soundly, even on the odd night when we could hear a bear circling the camp all night, just outside of the range of the fire light. Never had to use it in a real "bear defense" situation, though.
 
At the ranges you'll have to shoot in a defensive scenario, none of this matters much. A bear at 25 yards doesn't pose much of a threat, although at that range you best be paying attention. What I appreciate about the TSXs is that even in light calibers they penetrate pretty well. What you don't want is a bullet that will expend itself on a heavy bone and not continue on for a killing shot. But for those who can manage them, this is where powerful large bore rifles really shine as their bullet's impact velocity is low enough and it's momentum is high enough that it is seldom defeated by a heavy bone. I almost said never, but one must allow for flukes on a day when everything else has gone wrong and you are forced to shoot.
 
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