Best Bear gun?

c_172pilot · Post by **c_172pilot** » Wed Oct 05, 2005 9:07 pm

just wondering if anyone else has noticed that bears like fuel caches I've sean lots of bear sign around them before, but never a bear yet

Yep it is a big problem they seem to like the saw oil and gas. Dunno why just is to there taste.

cyyz · Post by **cyyz** » Wed Oct 05, 2005 10:36 pm

Canus Chinookus wrote:aren't browns and grizzlies the same beast?

Where you been living???

No such thing as a "brown" or "black" bear anymore.... It ain't PC.. =P

Doc · Post by **Doc** » Thu Oct 06, 2005 7:18 am

yyz is correct. They are now refered to as "Bears of colour"!

Airtids · Post by **Airtids** » Thu Oct 06, 2005 9:39 am

rigpiggy · Post by **rigpiggy** » Thu Oct 06, 2005 5:12 pm

c_172pilot wrote:
BTW SKS or Mini 14s are too small to be effective. You want a realy big hole going in and out. Most combat rifles of modern desing are ment to just injure a soldier not kill him. That way resources are used to keep him alive. I dont recomend anything semi auto. Risks are too great of causing a jam. That is why I carry a wheel gun (revolver), never had it jam on me in the 5 years I have been shoting it.

I'd have to disagree the sks is roughly comparable to the 30-30, ie 2400 fps and 1600ft/lbs energy according to winchester, the 454 is the only thing comparable. But is a handful. good luck getting more than 2 shots off

Cartridge 357 Magnum 44 Remington Magnum 454 Casull
Bullet Wt. Grs. 180 250 300
Bullet Type Partition Gold® Partition Gold® Jacketed Flat Point

Velocity in Feet Per Second (fps)
Muzzle 1180 1230 1625
50 1088 1132 1451
100 1020 1057 1308
Energy in Foot Pounds (ft-lbs.)
Muzzle 557 840 1759
50 473 711 1413
100 416 620 1141
Mid-Range Trajectory (in.)
50 0.8 0.8 0.5
100 3.6 2.9 2.0

Over the Horn · Post by **Over the Horn** » Thu Oct 06, 2005 5:23 pm

Yup the SKS would be a useless bear gun, they don't shoot strait and are a weak cartridge, though I've never had mine jam and I've abused it alot. A buddy of mine uses a defender when in the bush say's it works great with the full stock the thing is still short and easy to use.

Doc · Post by **Doc** » Thu Oct 06, 2005 6:26 pm

Just bought a Winchester 1300 Defender. Ran about ten rounds through it, and no bear is going to be moving after three or four slugs from this thing.....I think it'll derail a small train! Fits in my three star bag. Fast handling....for a shotty gun, at least. Short barrel....looks really mean!
Yogi.....I strongly suggest you bring the picinick basket back to Mr. Ranger!

spillvalve · Post by **spillvalve** » Thu Oct 06, 2005 7:07 pm

Winchester model 94 Trapper 30-30 its a nice light gun that fits anyware.
with a 160grain round at clode range it will stop anything

Cat Driver · Post by **Cat Driver** » Thu Oct 06, 2005 7:20 pm

I found hand gernades to be easier to carry and were quite effective, and you don't have to be all that accurate with e'm either. '

Another plus is you don't need a permit to carry like you would for a 44 Mag pistol.

w squared · Post by **w squared** » Thu Oct 06, 2005 7:50 pm

If I had $0.02 to spend on bear medicine, I'd put it towards a 12 guage pump, loaded with as many slugs as you can stuff into the cylinder (although I won't stroll around in the bush with one in the chamber)

Okay, a 12 ga. slug doesn't penetrate the way that a heavy, high velocity rifle will...but at fairly close range, pop a few rounds into his shoulder, and that griz is going to have a VERY hard time continuing his charge at you.

As far as handguns go, I simply wouldn't. Not because of a lack of cartridge performance, but because I've put a LOT of rounds through long guns of various persuasions and I'm confident in my ability to put rounds on target in a stressful situation when using one. I can't say the same for myself with a pistol. Makes for a very simple choice.

Cat Driver · Post by **Cat Driver** » Thu Oct 06, 2005 8:09 pm

For years I carried a 357 Magnum in a holster with me most everywhere I went in the far north.

Then in 1974 or 75 they recinded all permits to carry so that ended that.

A 357 may not be the most powerful weapon on earth, but it is always with you and in reach.

And if you can place your shots a 357 will stop most animals.

But I still prefer hand gernades.

Swamp Donkey · Post by **Swamp Donkey** » Thu Oct 06, 2005 11:27 pm

Winnie Defender. Alternate your rounds. Used to carry my enfield P/H conversion, but figured I have trouble aiming it under pressure. saw lots of bears, but thankfully going the other way!

hazatude · Post by **hazatude** » Fri Oct 07, 2005 3:21 am

I'm not really sure why everyone is afraid of carrying a loaded gun. If you can remember to keep your finger off of the trigger until your sights are on the target, there won't be a problem.

Jeff Cooper has some good books on the art of pistolcraft and shooting in general. I suggest them as a good primer before you start arming yourself.

rigpiggy · Post by **rigpiggy** » Sat Oct 08, 2005 6:15 am

Admitted the SKS is a poor bear gun. but still better than any pistol short of a 454/480/500 etc.... but it is still roughly equivalent to a 30-30

Jet Dog · Post by **Jet Dog** » Sat Oct 08, 2005 8:42 am

what kinda of grenade would you recommend cat driver? there's quite a few choices out there, also do they come in anything besides dark green or black.. I need to accessorise here

Cat Driver · Post by **Cat Driver** » Sat Oct 08, 2005 9:25 am

You will have to decide on the color of your gernades to match your nylons and garter belt on the day you are dressing, nothing confuses a bear more than seeing a bush pilot all dolled out in a sexy getup...

...if you look really weird the bear will not recognize that part of your costume is your gernades, that way you get time to lob them at the bear.

Anything else I can help you with?

Doc · Post by **Doc** » Sat Oct 08, 2005 9:28 am

Just getting a nental image of Cat, all dolled up in garter belt and heals. I'm starting to feel sorry for the poor bears!

Over the Horn · Post by **Over the Horn** » Sat Oct 08, 2005 12:34 pm

I think that's cruelty to animals

no bear should be subjected to a cross dresser, grenades on the other hand I got no problem with.

cyyz · Post by **cyyz** » Sat Oct 08, 2005 1:44 pm

I like the grenade idea.. but, if you have to pick a gun...

Peter Packwood · Post by **Peter Packwood** » Sat Oct 08, 2005 2:17 pm

Here's what Canada's elite JTF2 are using.

http://world.guns.ru/smg/smg13-e.htm
Fits in the ol' back pack quite well

Jet Dog · Post by **Jet Dog** » Sun Oct 09, 2005 5:07 am

http://world.guns.ru/grenade/gl15-e.htm here's Doc's revolver

Doc · Post by **Doc** » Sun Oct 09, 2005 8:34 am

Jeeezus, Jet Dog.....I was trying to keep it on the qt! And can you beleive it? The guy at the gun store wanted to see my FAC!!!! Well, I never!

Northern Skies · Post by **Northern Skies** » Mon Oct 17, 2005 5:40 pm

For a while now I have been seriously looking at the Mossberg 590. It's a 9 shot pump with a slug barrel and stainless finish for that pesky west coast salt.

I think that with a top-folding stock and pistol grip, it should be an ideal close-range gun to keep around in bear country.

But definitely not an auto! nothing is as tough as a pump or revolver.

p.s. that enfield jungle carbine mentioned above is a great bush gun too.

cheers!

chubbee · Post by **chubbee** » Mon Oct 17, 2005 8:25 pm

The rifle or shotgun is visually recognised by the not so stupid white version of yogi in the arctic,at least the "problem" bears around town. I am not so sure that they know what a handgun is. If you go hunting crows they sure as heck know what the black stick you carry does and are a lot further away than when you have no firearm with you.The carrying of a long gun in many cases may do the trick without the need to do any shooting.

onceacop · Post by **onceacop** » Sat Oct 22, 2005 7:58 am

After returning home from AK this summer I saw more bears than ever before. A boy-scout was mauled near the Russian river the 1 mile from where I was cleaning my salmon. With the Yelow-Knife fatality and then the Canmore and the 2 hikers in the Brooks Range, the year has been deadly. I carried a 45-70 Marlin Guide Gun but the problem with a long gun is there are times you leave it in the plane are boat beacause you are just going a short distance. The handgun is with you hopefully always. I sold a 629 SW Mountain gun in 44 magnum. It was brutal with the 310 grain Garrett cast bullets. I know own a 454 Casull in the Ruger Alaskan. It is even more punishing. I am shooting Corbon 44 speacials in it now to lessen the recoil. I have shot 100's of pistols and was a LE officer. The chances of being proficient and accurate with a hand cannon that causes nerve damage is a long shot. Mentally the handgun feels good on your hip. A good placed shot will kill any bear. My cast ammo will shoot through any bear bones and all. Look up http://www.garrettcartridges.com
They make the best. In reality though the 12 gauge and the heavy rifle is the better choice. They are a pain in the ass to carry 24/7
Takes discipline and one real ugly incident in your life and they will be your sidekick whenever in the bush. Eric from MN

Best Bear gun?

white bears