NR for dangerous game in Ontario
- Thread starter BullOnParade
- Start date
westcoaster
CGN Regular
- Location
- Central BC
Whether it's 357, 44, 45, 45-70, 308, 30-30 - they will all work but if the bear is pissed there is a good chance he will keep going for a little while. Something about oxygen levels in the blood and muscle tissue lets them go for a little while if they are really worked up. Shoot them through the heart, by surprise, and then give them a couple of minutes. You will probably walk up to a dead bear.
Shoot what you want but shoot it well.
Shoot what you want but shoot it well.
Geologist started a thread on here a few years ago, I can't recall the exact name, but it was a stopping rifle or dangerous game rifle challenge. Just for sh!ts & giggles I ran it with my 9.3x62. Grouping wasn't stellar, but starting from a low mount (think sporting clays) I managed times of 3.34 & 3.58 seconds for 3 shots. Target distance was 25 paces. 9.3mm, btw, runs around 3500-3600 fpe at the muzzle.
Ardent
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
To back up 1899’s assertion (which I agree with) on bolt guns and speed it’s no incredible feat to deliver a couple well aimed shots from a bolt action in 1-2 seconds. These are big guns I shot with a GoPro on my head, the small one is a .375 H&H, the big one a .505 Gibbs, 10-11lb rifles with an order of magnitude more recoil than a hot .45 Colt. Both the .375 and .505 appear to be about 1.6 seconds for two hits on transitioning targets. With my Kimber Adirondack a second for two hits is really not difficult, especially at change your underwear ranges. My experience is a lever is no faster than a bolt, both break your hand from the grip, but the bolt gun does deliver more effectiveness on target. I’ll concede in extremely practiced hands I’m sure there are .45-70 shooters who’ll win for speed, but I’ll take .375 H&H, and .505 Gibbs anyday. And if you want to go even faster and put some stomp down on target, get a double rifle.
Getting sucked into what’s become a classic bear defence thread.
I think you’ll find over the course of a few dozen shot bears the diameter of the bullet means nothing on them (I’ve tried up to .505”, will try .577 next year hopefully), expansion and velocities the mid 2,000s and up do however make an academic difference. Solids, hard cast, and slow rounds (sub 2,500fps) will kill them cleanly but not necessarily rapidly as often as something faster. There are the same number of light attachment options for a Kimber as a mare’s leg, lots of guides in Grizzly country have a short rail near the forehand with a light or a barrel mounted light, finger flick distance from the supporting hand. You’re happy with your gun and that’s what matters, and in all likelihood will never have to use it, I also enjoy walking with a handy rifle.
While I’ve carried some curious bear defence guns too, if it’s for serious bear encounters I’d like it to be a .308 or up with a Partition or the like in the chamber. Dogleg who made the initial Kimber suggestion has land further than you can shoot in any direction he walks and hunts regularly, that’s positively loaded with bears. Similar evolution of concerns and think he’s on the right track. I played with a .45 Colt stocked Ranch Hand one of the guys at the day job brought up and was really put off by the quality, and accuracy. Admittedly couldn’t take the gun too seriously, though I initially loved the handy little gun on concept. They look cool as all getup.
Confident the grizzly hunt ban will be lifted in a year or heading to another jurisdiction?
elimsprint
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Kelowna, BC
Getting sucked into what’s become a classic bear defence thread.
I think you’ll find over the course of a few dozen shot bears the diameter of the bullet means nothing on them (I’ve tried up to .505”, will try .577 next year hopefully), expansion and velocities the mid 2,000s and up do however make an academic difference. Solids, hard cast, and slow rounds (sub 2,500fps) will kill them cleanly but not necessarily rapidly as often as something faster. There are the same number of light attachment options for a Kimber as a mare’s leg, lots of guides in Grizzly country have a short rail near the forehand with a light or a barrel mounted light, finger flick distance from the supporting hand. You’re happy with your gun and that’s what matters, and in all likelihood will never have to use it, I also enjoy walking with a handy rifle.
While I’ve carried some curious bear defence guns too, if it’s for serious bear encounters I’d like it to be a .308 or up with a Partition or the like in the chamber. Dogleg who made the initial Kimber suggestion has land further than you can shoot in any direction he walks and hunts regularly, that’s positively loaded with bears. Similar evolution of concerns and think he’s on the right track. I played with a .45 Colt stocked Ranch Hand one of the guys at the day job brought up and was really put off by the quality, and accuracy. Admittedly couldn’t take the gun too seriously, though I initially loved the handy little gun on concept. They look cool as all getup.
All very valid points but you must have missed one of my main criteria in picking what I did, muzzle flash. As I really don't want to shoot a bear I am always going to try a shot across its' bows before I actually shoot it so I will need a second shot and I need to be able to see to do that. As 85-90% of my close up bear encounters happen at night it was a very big factor in my choice of cartridges. I have a Winchester FW in 308 and the flash from any full bore load in it is like the sun exploding in front of my face same as the shorty shotgun as my eyes are fully accustomed to the dark because I don't walk along with a lit flashlight or lantern. The 28" barrel 7 RemMag, don't even go there, supernova. If I was a hunter/guide in grizzly country and a flashlight was just an add-on to get back to camp in the dark plus I was going to for sure shoot the bear with the first shot a high power bolt gun or double rifle would be my go to but that doesn't describe me or my situation at all.
I know that the more power the better and I've never said otherwise. I'm not saying that the 45 Colt is the be all end all of bear defense but when I add all the factors together for my situation it or a 44 mag in a short barrel lever/semi gun was the best choice I could come up with. Easily carried, super fast first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth shots plus very small muzzle flash, no brainer IMO.
As to the RH's accuracy and quality I guess I just got lucky. It shoots clover leafs at 50 yds from the bench and I have put well over 5000 rounds through it without a hick-up. It's also very cheap and fun to shoot so I shoot it a lot which is a bonus if I ever need to use it for its' intended purpose.
Ardent
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Sadly will be taking black bear with the .577, I don’t hold out much hope for the Grizzly hunt, where I hunt. Mainly because it’s adoubke whammy, they made the whole Great Bear Rainforest (well branded by the way, but I’ll admit I like the name) a Grizz sanctuary. So even if the hunt returned, that would have to be turned back too, which is harder to do.
- Location
- Southern Vancouver Island
lol, the Original OP was asking for 'Worse Case' Scenario a maybe 250lb. Black Bear or coyote/wolf on his own newly acquired property in Southern ON. but it has moved onto Brown/Grizzly Bear in BC now, & if a RH in 45 Colt would be sufficient {or not}. Seems like it is, but as alwayz, The Bigger, The Better- for those Big bastards. Hopefully, we all just Stay Safe out there on our Hikes/walks etc. & the poo Bears Live lol
12 ga pump shotgun is ideal, but I heard that excessive rain and moisture may cause shotgun shells not to ignite. Never had it happen to me, just something I heard.
If the weather is bad, I'd carry a controlled feed bolt action rifle with synthetic stock, just for the peace of mind. Kimber rifles and Winchester 70 all weather are good choices. Just keep in mind that when you run into a co, you'll need to either have hunting license on you, or convince him you are plinking instead of poaching.
If the weather is bad, I'd carry a controlled feed bolt action rifle with synthetic stock, just for the peace of mind. Kimber rifles and Winchester 70 all weather are good choices. Just keep in mind that when you run into a co, you'll need to either have hunting license on you, or convince him you are plinking instead of poaching.
Cameron SS
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Ground Zero
Experiment time. How long do you want me to leave my 870 in the bathtub with a round in the chamber before giving it a test fire? Or do you want me to bury it in mud? The longer you want me to let it soak the longer you have to wait to get your answer. For funzies, if it fails to fire you can have it.
Chuckbuster
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Experiment time. How long do you want me to leave my 870 in the bathtub with a round in the chamber before giving it a test fire? Or do you want me to bury it in mud? The longer you want me to let it soak the longer you have to wait to get your answer. For funzies, if it fails to fire you can have it.
I just ran four 12 gauge shells through the washing machine quite by accident. I found them whilst removing the wet laundry to place into the dryer. I might have to bring them grouse hunting this weekend just to see how they do, or if they even go "bang" when I pull the trigger...
Cameron SS
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Ground Zero
I just ran four 12 gauge shells through the washing machine quite by accident. I found them whilst removing the wet laundry to place into the dryer. I might have to bring them grouse hunting this weekend just to see how they do, or if they even go "bang" when I pull the trigger...
Probably best done at the range. Hate to have you scare the heck out of a grouse with a menacing CLICK.
Bobcats? I have never been concerned with them. Is there any recorded incidents of them attacking people?
I have watched bobcats fighting each other, while bow-hunting deer, and although they sound somewhat nasty, they only were in the area because they didn't know I was there.
Once they spot me, they disappear faster than a one-legged man in an ass kicking contest.
As for bears... for defence, I'm in with the 12G slugger crowd
Lol. Grab a kitten by the neck and see what happens. I'm a trapper, and I have seen first hand what happens to people that piss off a lynx caught in a leg hold. A pissed off cat this size can and will kill a human. One slash to the throat and thats that. Realistically, a lynx is no threat to anyone in the bush. Usually quite docile and will sit watching you from as little as 10 yards when you are lucky enough to see one.
Only 20 lbs? Ya, 20 lbs of fury and razor blades. Not to mention each cut is a guarenteed infection. Leave them alone and they will not bother you. But don't assume their smll size size means no danger. I say lynx because there is a line north of Sudbury where you will no longer find bobcats, only lynx.
