Ok, I was wondering about this the other day while at the range. I was trying to do some rapid double action fire with a .44mag revolver, and quite frankly it's not the most accurate, and probably never will be. If you were being charged by a bear, what would you do? one, maybe two well placed single or double action shots, or empty the cylinder at the bear as fast as you can?
Hypothetical bear defense question
- Thread starter ryanb
- Start date
- Location
- Alberta land of many guns
lets not forget the ever important need to practice a lot long before having to deploy your skills.
CF
CF
The reason I ask is this: I fully understand it's best to take careful aim and get that one shot that counts when a bear is bearing down on you (pun intended), but this advice is usually in reference to a "stopping calibre". A .44 is not likely to "shock" the bear, so it might be debatable to fill the bear with as many holes as possible. Of course if you can hold on to the pistol once he's on you you might have a chance for a couple more shots at close range.
Interesting to give these matters some thought.
Interesting to give these matters some thought.
ryanb said:
My .2 cents: If ever start planning defence against the bear, the first thing I would consider is 480 Ruger SRH with 4.25” barrel (I don’t have 12/6), combined with heavy bullet (about 400 gr) with good size meplat for the maximum shock. And than practise…
To avoid shooting over a charging animal, get down on one knee so that you are at his level and carefully empty the mag into the soft tissue of the eyes so the bullet can penetate the brain.If you miss and that doesn't stop him do a shoulder roll at the last instant and empty your clip into his chest cavity as he goes by you and then run like hell.
Steve David
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Oshawa, Ontario
I have an article in a Guns and Ammo magazine from 1969 from my dad. The article was about some hunters from the US hunting Cape Buffalo in Africa with a Ruger Super Blackhawk .44 magnum and bringing them down with one single well placed shot. Now, that being said, a Cape Buffalo cannot sneak up on you like a bear can and you may run into a situation were you have to fire a shot very quickly, there for, I would opt. for Desert Eagle in .50AE!
hal1955 said:
Yeah but then your mag is empty and you have to relaod while doing a shoulder roll.
I agree though. Get down low. When the animal is coming at you fast, they can run past the bullet path. It's easier to spray and pray and maybe hit something when they are running into the bullet path.
By them time you get your gun out, they are likely close. Shoot at the chin and you you might catch him high or low. Maybe up to four shots to turn him. Make sure you still have something left in the chamber in case he gets on top of you. Hang onto your gun and fire until he's dead or leaves you alone. You might want to save the last bullet for yourself.
There was a good article in Handloader magazine on this. Grizzilys will rear up if you stand your ground. Usually after that they'll back off. Black bears usually dog you before attacking. The article suggests when shot they all run away. With the right bullets even a .357 will penetrate the head or neck. We're talking Alaska of course, in Canada here this is all illegal unless you have a carry permit or use a rifle in these calibers.
Steve David said:
Hunting situation and defensive situation are entirely different. I guess I'm of the belief that you're better off firing as many bullets as you accurately can, accurately being the key word there.
As far a grizzly's rearing up, they hardly ever do that unless they're trying to scent you to figure out what you are, or get a better look.
trubluscrew
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- SW Ontario
I can't remember the exact quote from Clint Smith of Thunder Ranch
But it went something like:
"The only purpose for a pistol is to fight your way back to the rifle you should have never laid down"
But it went something like:
"The only purpose for a pistol is to fight your way back to the rifle you should have never laid down"
I'd read the article in Handloader by Phil Shoemaker (That Haywire suggested) regarding handguns for bear defense.
It's the most intelligent artricle I've ever read abotu using a handgun for this purpose, form a guy that has more grizzly experience than 90% of the people in the world.
It's very well written, and he has used hanguns to defend himself against grizzlies, so the experience is first hand.
Of course, if you are hunting, you'l have a far more powerful weapon than any handgun- Your rifle. Even a rifle like a 270 is far more powerful than any handgun.
It's the most intelligent artricle I've ever read abotu using a handgun for this purpose, form a guy that has more grizzly experience than 90% of the people in the world.
It's very well written, and he has used hanguns to defend himself against grizzlies, so the experience is first hand.
Of course, if you are hunting, you'l have a far more powerful weapon than any handgun- Your rifle. Even a rifle like a 270 is far more powerful than any handgun.
