What firearm NOT to use on grizzly bears.

[H4831]

Certainly don't want to kindle another bear defence yarn, but here is a true story about what not to shoot a grizzly with.
A guide/outfitter and his assistant were walking along a trail in the bush, with the outfitter carrying a Savage over/under, 20 gauge and 22 LR, with a 20 gauge shell with shot size 6 in the chamber. This was the only firearm they had with them.
A large grizzly bear appeared on the trail ahead of them. They talked and yelled at the grizzly, telling him to get the hell out of there, but the bear wasn't in the mood to go anywhere and just stayed on the trail ahead of them. They wanted to proceed with where they were going, so with the bear about fifty yards ahead of them and facing the opposite direction to them, the outfitter stated he would make that bear move, so he up and shot him in the ass with the 20 gauge!
The outfitter, who was telling me this story, said he never saw a grizzly turn directions so fast and come for them, as that bear did.
This bit about running faster than your partner plays a part also. The shooter made a jump for a tree a few feet away and was about to climb the tree, when the bear grabbed him and yanked him down. He said he had a heavy jacket on and the bear had a mouthful of coat, so he left the outfitter and tackled the assistant guide.
I was in the outfitters home some years after the event, when he was telling me this story and they still had the newspaper clippings of the event, including the hospital pictures of the chewed up assistant guide. But he survived the attack, in spite of long delays in getting help.
So, a 20 gauge with bird shot appears to be unsuitable for use on grizzly bears.

 

[wasrupzuk]

A hiker in Alaska tried a 38 special.
Gave him all six rounds...
He's dead.
So is the bear; by another guy with another gun.

 

[1rstEncountr]

50 cal 5 rounds should do.

 

[Dave_G]

This is why I don't trust bear bangers.

 

[hoytcanon]

This is why I don't trust bear bangers.

Or sheep bangers for that matter...

Intentionally wounding a dangerous animal is never a good idea... I imagine the other fella was some upset with the outfitter. In my mind, he should have known better. Back-off and arrive late to your destination... just like a train, the bear automatically has the right of way.

 

[Gunoholic]

A guide/outfitter and his assistant were walking along a trail in the bush, with the outfitter carrying a Savage over/under, 20 gauge and 22 LR, with a 20 gauge shell with shot size 6 in the chamber.

I would have upped the anti with a 12 gauge o/u or pump and a few rifled slugs easily accessible on a cartridge band around the butt stock if I knew I was in grizzly country.
I have a DA Grizzly 870 knock-off with the tube magazine not the box magazine that is dependable, accurate and lethal at "bear ranges" (10 - 25 yrds) that will take deer and moose out to 100 yards despite the urban (the rural guys know better) legend that a slug is only effective to a maximum of fifty yards.

 

[Pigeonman]

Note to self...... Bear wants to stay on trail. Let him.

 

[Grizzly Adams]

Note to self...... Bear wants to stay on trail. Let him.

Not if you're Bella Twin.

http://www.ammoland.com/2014/11/what-22-rifle-did-bella-twin-use-to-kill-a-world-record-grizzly-in-1953/#axzz3Z0eiq0zW


Grizz

 

[saskgunowner101]

A hiker in Alaska tried a 38 special.
Gave him all six rounds...
He's dead.
So is the bear; by another guy with another gun.

I've wondered about lower powered rounds, and how they affect animals such as this with a headshot? If you had the fortitude to shoot a grizzly in the head while he's chewing on your arm, would he sluff it off and finish dinner? Cattle shot in the head with a .22 drop pretty quick.

 

[remington jim]

Go & Assist Go were both IDIOTS Lucky to be alive ! RJ

 

[daniel_250r]

I'd use my t97 for bear defence with a lar mag

 

[kamlooky]

Ahh yes, the Texas heart shot.
Shoot a grizz in the arse............good tinking 99.

 

[Gunoholic]

Ahh yes, the Texas heart shot.
Shoot a grizz in the arse............good tinking 99.

Might work with a 458 Win Mag but not using a 22LR or 20 gauge with bird shot.

 

[MackForce]

This reminds me of guys using rubber slugs or less lethal rounds for bear defence, not that we are talking about that..

It is exactly what I would assume would happen if you gave it a "warning" shot with less lethal.

Thanks for the story, good to hear from the old guys who have been there.

 

[hawk-i]

Didn't we have a member (now banned) insisting bear spray works better than any gun...ha, might work better than a 20 ga. with #6 shot!

 

[Tabacco Brook]

Or sheep bangers for that matter...

 

[mike Crawford]

I would not be in grizz country without a gun capable of at least protecting myself ,, I do not think there is a 100% safe choice but something bigger than 20 gauge for sure .

 

[jables]

Ahh, if a #6 from a 20ga doesn't work, try a #4 from a 12ga... Some people...

 

[Brutus]

Does not sound like these gentlemen have much respect for wildlife.

Got what they deserved. Lucky to be standing on the right side of the grass versus fertilizing the cemetery lawn.

sorry for my harsh words......

 

[H4831]

Just to keep things on track here, I think it is safe to assume that the guide/outfitter with a considerable number of years guiding in grizzly bear country had more experience with grizzly bears than any of the rest of us here who are commenting on it.
He did not fire the 22 LR, only the 20 gauge and the light grouse load at fifty yards, which would have most of its energy taken up in the bears thick hair and in no way would it penetrate the hide, thus the bear would not be wounded, except maybe his pride was hurt.
It was the outfitters considered opinion that a sting in the rear end would simply send the bear on its way, but this time it didn't. Thus, we can all recite the mistake he made, but please, don't rhyme off a lot of large calibre rifles or shotguns he should have had for "bear protection," because after all, it was he who was the professional on such things.