Although I seldom agreed with Jeff Cooper he was right when he said that if you use a handgun as an offensive weapon its tantamount to committing suicide no matter what the caliber. Heard that from: a city weenie whos never met a bear. 2017 by Dean. Does that (true, b.t.w.) I DO GET THAT:) I think akgunner wrote a comment below the article which is more helpful than the article itself. A clean kill is the best way to avoid having to track a wounded bear. If I had to camp for the night. I distinctly remembered this one! That sentence wasnt even English. Really the extra bullet is unlikely to matter either. It is easy to see that the 44 Magnum is far from being the most powerful handgun in the world. A reliable Winchester pump-action shotgun and Brenneke Black Magic Magnum slugs. Among other things, I subscribed to Alaska Magazine for about twenty years, beginning in 1975, and Backpacker Magazine from the same year, but until the early 2000s, when its subscription subcontractor made it way more trouble than it was worth anymore, and subscribed to Outside magazine for many years, along with Backpackinglight.com. There are other handguns in larger calibers that deliver more energy on target. Ive personally gotten black bears to leave my campsites dozens of times just by raising my voice a little, and (when with others) Ive literally run them off dozens of other times. 1. It was pretty much a niche round til Dirty Harry. As a wildcat cartridge, it hasnt seen the widespread use of other rounds on this list, but that hasnt stopped many guides and hunters, Nelson included, from converting Marlin lever guns for its very effective use. Oh, and the other key to using .44 Magnum to successfully stop a large grizzly bear attack is HAVING IT ON YOUR PERSON. When I worked as a hunting guide, my boss introduced me to our hunters as PETA Joe, do to my love of critters, I dont trust bears, theyre hard to make friends with. I am skeptical. 2. Then you have to get on target which is easier with a shorter, lighter gun. As soon as I rounded the corner I spotted a probably 900lb brown bear, not barely 20yds away. Should be easy to find if they are out there. I can spare you some. I've killed big bear with one shot (usually .338 mag) but I was also in on a bear kill with my hunting partner when things didn't go well. Let's look at those assumptions a bit closer in the following table. As Nelson has seen in bear defense training, many shooters have cycling issues with the 10mm due to the limp-wrist syndrome, something that isnt an issue with a revolver and is the last thing you want to happen during a bear charge. It immediately blew enough of it back in my own face that had it been a defensive use, it would have made matters worse. Some sites would have you thinking you can kill a bear with a .45 magnum even if you did manage to hit it hours before he killed you. The .44 magnum boomed in the night and the boar fell straight down, his head three feet away from where I stood. for grizzly protection. The dozen or so times Ive encountered bears out here, theyve either minded their own business or run the other way. The 44 magnum is almost unspeakably more powerful than the 22 rimfire, so of course it will kill a bear. Ruger chambers the .454 Casull in both the Super Redhawk with a 4-inch barrel and the Alaskan in a 3-inch variant, both of which are compact and easy to draw when things get up close and personal. Ding, ding, ding, ding, ding, ding, ding!!! Redding Reloading Equipment has added a New 3-Die Set for the 300 HAMRa bottleneck cartridge based on a modified .223 Remington case necked up to 30-caliber. At that distance, a shooter has roughly four seconds to make a charge-stopping shot, which requires a steady hand under intense pressure. It wasnt a challenge or snub to anyone, really. Other calibers that come to mind are the Desert Eagle in .50 cal and the 10 mm. NAM TAUGHT ME SH#T, SHOWER, SHAVE, SLEEP WITH WEAPON. With red powder coating the loaded cartridges look like little lipsticks. All with hard cast bullets. The rest of the time it stays secure in its holster. Value. Your alcohol. 44 mag ammo can help you do just that. If you end up underneath a Grizzly that mauling your ass pre-shot and still-biting-you theres a common, two word, phrase for that kind of situation. Talk about stopping power. He carries a .375 H&H mag. Click bait makes me so mad I wish I had a .44 magnum! DO NOT GO INTO LOT ABOUT GRAINS AND SUCH AS I THINK THESE INDIVIDUAL CHOICES BASED ON SHOOTERS PREFERENCE AND SITUATION. Best wheelgun, .44 Rem Mag $1195 at Guns.com Jump to Details Best Lever Gun Marlin Model 1895 Reliable, durable, chambered in .45-70 Government $1199 at Brownells Jump to Details Editor's Pick Rifle CZ 550 American Safari Magnum Popular for a reason, heavy hitting, .375 H&H $1299 at Palmetto State Armory Jump to Details Best Shotgun Your comment is just what the doctor ordered. It was a statement that very few of us are in the far north, so very few of us are in the far-north areas where black bears are so much bigger, aggressive, and dangerous. All of your comments are irrelevant. I carry a 6 inch Redhawk with 325 grain hard cast lead handloads when I go to Grizzly country. Grizzlies may become aggressive for a number of reasons. Good placement and a heavy bullet at a decent speed. Well thought-out, well-researched, and well-said. I had no expectation that the pistol would kill the bear. I saw a buckle with a strap running through it. I bothered to read the articles about last weeks the bear attack in Florida, unlike you. I grew up half the time in Alaska and the other half in Seattle. All of the guides I have hunted with insist that everyone have a bear defense firearm on their person almost at all times. .375 H&H MagnumOne of the original belted, rimless magnum rifle cartridges, Holland & Hollands .375 is not only considered one of the best cartridges for hunting Africa, it also has a proven track record for lethality on large-bodied game in Canada and Alaska, including moose and bear. Startled bears can be extremely volatile as can those with a fresh kill if they perceive that you are threatening to take their dinner. .45-70 GovernmentFirst adopted by the U.S. military in 1873, the .45-70 Government has been one of the longest-standing big-game cartridges of all time. It depends on the situation, as well as the type of bear in question. So dont lecture other people about losing an attitude, make more of an effort, like I did, and youll get the facts, like I did. Sure makes it shorter and lighter, easier to carry and draw. A female grizzly will do almost anything to protect her cubs. But I always heard that bear spray worked better than a gun. I do have one. I lived in AK for a number of years in the early 70s and whenever I went fishing I carried a .44 magnum. Lol my dad had one (we lived in southeastern Alaska and he carried it for bear). Caliber: .44 Magnum. Some of these guys are border line genius. This attack makes29 pistol defenses against bears that I have found. Scotty, or Cisco or whatever his current intertube name is; I believe may be afflicted with the same disability as my unfortunate nephew. And he said nothing about thinking through the 29 reportswhich were somebody elses work, not his and making sure he understood them all the way through. Over thousands of generations that adds up. COPYRIGHT 2021, THETRUTHABOUTGUNS.COM. My state used to require a class and a license to buy pepper spray, and I lived there, so I took the class. Is it fun to shoot? Popular among Alaskan guides and hunters, the .375 is capable of launching a 270-grain bullet at 4,300 ft.-lbs. I wonder if Grizzly Bear Spray would have been a safe alternative in this incident for the humans involved in this incident and the Grizzly Bear Would Still be alive. And if you go into the North Bush influenced by Weingarten, he just might get you killed. Please dont take out your rage on your wife or kids tonight. And if you want grownups to take you seriously, you really do have to stop sounding just like Jesse Pinkman. I NEVER SLING OR STRAP MY SMOKE POLE, ALWAYS IN HAND AND PISTOL NOT SECURED UNLESS DOING SOMETHING WHEN IT COULD FALL OUT IF TUMBLE. The 9mm can kill bears but is considered underpowered by experienced woodsmen. Im not criticizing him for that, but he didnt say it was his research. Im thankful that Ive never had to defend myself against anything but an overly aggressive dog. I found the account as I was searching for bear attacks where pistols had been used as a defensive measure. I spray with mine regularly, even though I have to buy a lot more of it, both for practice and for making sure its as potent as can be. https://www.nrafamily.org/articles/2017/7/6/handguns-for-defense-in-bear-country/ He was about ten feet away coming up and over the initial log that I had tripped over. This stopped many tigers that had attacked the hunters riding atop elephants in India! While it is extremely effective, the main reason its been so widely-used is because shotguns like the Remington 870 and Mossberg 500 are a fraction of the price of bolt-guns and, in turn, thats what the government has provided to its employees. I LIVE IN COLORADO BETWEEN CRAIG, CO AND BAGGS, WY. Global warming? The guys got lucky.. How in the hell did our ancestors kill them with a rock tied on the end of a stick? But I do know this. First, I give you credit for confronting a critic, and also for being civil. Please send your references, links preferred. Wheres your manning-up and saying you were wrong, Hank? A Smith & Wesson Model 29, in .44 Remington Magnum - completely in the vein of Dirty Harry - still makes an excellent choice for the bear woods. Never needed it, but I remember he let me shoot it, almost knocked me over! Even us mortal men can keep at it after being shot many times with small rounds, let alone a grizzly.. Not a 12 guage with 00 buck at close range, in the face. Would I be able to stop a bear attack if it happened to me? For general backpacking in grizzly country, MeatEater Founder Steven Rinella has carried both bear spray and a .44 Magnum revolver. Aim for the head or heart if possible. Stay safe out there! Clint Eastwood made the 44-magnum cartridge famous with his words Its the most powerful handgun in the world.. So that makes two attacks on humans. Caliber: .44 Magnum Barrel length: 4.125 inches Overall length: 9.6 inches Weight: 41.5 ounces Grips: synthetic Sights: front red ramp, rear adjustable white outline Action: double action Finish: polished stainless Capacity: 6 rounds Price: $949 Featured image: Doug Larson Discussion He or she could have one of the following, a 44 or larger with at least 300 grain flat nose, or a 12 guage shorty with 00 buck or a Brennicke slug. In general, you should always try to avoid any conflict with bears if possible. Putting aside your irrelevant propagandizing about the Philippine insurrection, there is clear evidence that when comparing ball ammo, the .45 ACP is better than the .38 special and the .45 Long Colt was better than the .38 Long Colt. Great choice. Some might think about these matters a bit more, so I also wrote some footnotes down below. Show me on the doll where the handgun touched you. That same bullet in a .357 Magnum exits a four-inch barrel upwards of 1,400 fps. Kinda says what needs to be said comparing us to bears. When carrying 44 mag ammo for bear protection, it is also important to be aware of the range at which you are likely to encounter the animal. 12-Gauge SlugAccording to Nelson, the 12-gauge slug gun is by far one of the most popular choices for bear protection in the Alaskan bush. When it comes to recognizing and responding to a bear attack, few people have as much experience as Alaskas Steve Nelson, a former research geologist for the U.S. Geological Survey whos spent the last 41 years teaching bear defense courses in the Last Frontier. and it bounced around inside its cranium it might stop it. Every 1.5 pages, it tells you that youre now at the exact trail spot where yet another guy from yet another sawmill was killed by a grizzly on such and such a date. People arent buying snubbies in big calibers for this kind of situation any more than theyre buying large knives because they want to join that one guy who actually did kill a grizzly with a Ka-Bar. Based on ballistic testing and field use, Nelson recommends Brennekes Black Magic Magnum or DDupleks Monolit 32 solid steel slug. 3. The short barrel makes this pistol quick and easy to draw and maneuver, it is lighter than most other 44 magnum revolvers. I WAS STILL PRETTY DANGEROUS WHEN WOUNDED AND SAME APPLIES TO BEAR. He plainly states that he was researching attacks where pistols where used in defense. Sorry, theres what you read and then theres real life. As with anything, the devil is in the details. However, if we are considering the average person on an outdoor adventure, we need to look at the best fit option. I stood in a dumbfounded stupor. .45-70 Government (405gr SP at 1,330fps)(1,590 ft lbs): 35.2 The 44-magnum pistol that I occasionally shoot is a Ruger Super Redhawk Alaskan model. Anybody? Im pretty sure, he would say, the gun is only as good as the person handling it. It is loaded with the best bear ammo that their internet research recommends. Im referring to the Trending now BS. Personally, multiple rounds at close range with 00 buck will rip your fucking eyeballs out, no matter what you are. It was used 12 times. American Buffalo Knife and Tool Co. is adding to its line of Roper Knives with the new Sunset Series Tumble Weed. The second and third time I used bear spray was against overly aggressive dogs. They must have been some real badasses. . They are lucky to have survived given they left their primary defensive weapon in a tree! And those rifleslike the Marlin 1894 or Ruger 77/44are lightweight, compact, and ideal for hound. 10 BEST PADDLE BOARD AND KAYAK COMBOS 2023 WITH BUYING GUIDE, Grizzly 300 Grain Cast lead bullet wide flat nose, Buffalo Bore 300-grain hard cast flat nose bullet, Buffalo Bore 300 grain jacketed flat nose. Note that the .38 Long Colt used in the Philipines was even less powerful than the .38 special, and US troops did in fact prefer the .45 Colt revolver to the .38 Long Colt. When hunting black bear, use a rifle with good sights and a scope. https://leeprecision.com/mold-6-cav-c430-310-rf.html What is a Threaded Barrel and What Does it Do? (Another was uncovered after I wrote the last article.) Go outside and smoke a cigarette or something. Do your own research, calculate the very physics/ ballistics the Taylor Knock Down Factor. That which is asserted without evidence can be dismissed without evidence. And they degrade over time, and must be replaced. Be be over armed -not under. Sep 17, 2005. Who knows. The bear, during the attack, moved from one hunter to the other, giving Doug the chance to access Reeds .44 magnum, that had been hung in a tree. I dont know if I would call it a design. Hollywood has done the same thing for other rounds. Penetration is key, so hard cast lead is the way to go. How many you need? You have access to the Internets, just as others do. .30-06 and.300 Win were the results. Will a 44 Magnum stop a grizzly bear? The hunters violated the most basic safety rule when cleaning game to pack out. The 44 Magnum is a powerful handgun, but it is not powerful enough to guarantee a one-shot kill on a bear. Contrary to Gun Writer Myth and continuing bullshit about the Philippine Insurrection (polite world for jack booted storm trooper war of rape, pillage and conquest) Jan Liborel found that there was absolutely nothing in the U.S. Military records that indicated the .38 Colts were any less effective than the later used 45 long Colt and little used .45 acp handguns used in the conflict. They dont. Youve been evasive, sneaky, and weak four times in a row instead of manning up and admitting that you said something that isnt true, that a bear just killed a man in Florida, which was a mistake. The result, of course, was the .50 Alaskan. I doubt any bear could withstand two quick rounds from this one to the head! We have to think. A bear spray salesman. The statistics lie with the .44 magnum as an effective handgun against a grizzly bear attack. Looking at delivered energy gives us a better idea of how the 44 magnum stacks up against other popular handgun cartridges suitable for bear defense. Ive read about a bazillion books on camping and backpacking. I have fifteen articles on the Alaskan revolver in my archives, and i learned something from them all. However, bigger is not always better in my opinion. As he fell, he bit at the ground and ended up with a mouthful of sod. As the bear charge drill in his course demonstrates, the average bear attack will happen at 50 yards or less with an 800-pound animal moving at 30 mph. . They did not have a .44 magnum. Several folks have even successfully killed bears with a 9mm. *** The article is not an argument against carrying a long gun, but a reason to carry a good back up as well. has 780 ft.-lbs. When I need it, I simply have to grab my pistol and pull. Ive watched, while working out, flossing, but never sittingI dont sit while I watch TVpretty much every documentary on bears ever shown, including the one on crazy, brave, brilliant, dead Timothy Treadwell. While a well-placed shot from a 10mm can no doubt do the trick, the .357 Mag. Sourced? Modern bears remained top predators thanks to evolution weeding out the bears that dropped faster due to serious injury. You need to drop it in its tracks and firing off many multiple rounds, otherwise with that much recoil will be like the miracle in Pulp Fiction. Hell, no. WHEN CLOSE TO HOUSE CHEST RIG WITH SHORT BARREL S/W .44 MAG OR SUPER RED HAWK .44 LONG BARREL. And as I said at the git-go, a hell of a lot of hunters have been mauled by grizzlies after they shot them. statement Ive made people really understand what to do about bears? Whats your excuse? Using the Mag. 3) Self defense from a bear attack with a pistol is a cautionary tale at best, correct? Thanks for visiting eatingthewild.com. The key to using .44 Magnum to successfully stop a large grizzly bear attack is using heavy, hardcast lead bullets and having a 6+ inch barrel to boost muzzle velocity (over short-barreled revolvers). DO NOT SEE THE MTN LIONS MUCH BUT THEY ARE OUT THERE AS SEE THE TRACKS AND A GLANCE OUT THE WINDOW ONCE IN A WHILE. This holster always lives on the outside of my outermost coat. (THIS IS A SEPARATE SUBJECT. I come back again to accuracy rather than bullet size. Even sleeping! Considered by many to be the most versatile North American big-game cartridge, the .338 Win. He said that handguns stop attacking bears almost 100% of the time. Elmer Keith developed it to hunt AK Brown bears. That was when I pointed the revolver and fired at center mass. Heres an excerpt. I know a guy who emptied his 9mm into a Black Bearkilled it well enough. Do you actually think that you impress anyone by imitating other men? Large caliber handgun ammunition is expensive. A female grizzly will do almost anything to protect her cubs. 8. Make sure youre familiar with your firearm and its capabilities. A well placed shot from a .44 Magnum will penetrate both shoulders of a black bear with ease. Its the statement of a man who has experience, understanding, and appreciation. Gun Watch. You can carry a 9 in bear country if you want, but make sure the sights are filed down! I have found 30 instances so far. So, people are mauled by bears. In some cases, it may not even penetrate the bear's thick hide. of energy, while the 10mm has about 728 ft.-lbs., both with a 180-grain Buffalo Bore bullet. Its also been incredibly popular among Alaskan hunters and guides, especially in lever-actions like Marlins 1895 Guide Gun, which is compact, fairly lightweight and highly maneuverable in close quarters. The biggest thing you can do to protect yourself from bears (at least in Alaska) is to respect them, their home, and their food source. Wont take too long until you go viral. Using any handgun is near suicide. .600 Nitro Express (900gr Kynoch solid at 2,000fps)(7992 ft lbs): 159.4, *** The first time a strong cross wind completely redirected the spray 90degrees to the side. TWO OR FOUR LEGS , SLITHERS OR SWIMS( ATTACKED BY SHARKS ONCE, HAD .223 BANG STICK THANK YOU VERY MUCH, END OF SHARK AND ATTACK) BE PREPARED. 7. I prefer to carry a flat nose jacketed bullet. For more information on how to protect yourself from bears, visit the website of your local hunting or outdoors store. I suggest reading up on bears and forget the dual-fisted Indiana Jones fantasy. cartridges like 7mm Rem, which are both versatile and dependable. Next to Bison, they are the second largest cause of fatalities and mauling s in Yellowstone Park. Best thing in the world? Holy shit I cant stop laughing. I could eat a can of alphabet soup and shit out a smarter statement than what you posted !!! As an avid outdoors person (hunting and fishing mostly)I love to mention and link to various products and gear I use. A handgun is worn on your person, however, and is invaluable because it stays with you, whether youre answering natures call or stopping to field dress a game animal. {vacant stare}, I have lived and hunted here in Alaska for 40+years, have been face to face with bears here on a few occasions, Black, Brown, Grizzly, And Polar, Every encounter was different, only once, (so far) have I had a have to shoot situation, My hunting partner (from lower 48) and I had boated up a wonderful wilderness river, and everywhere we stopped, was covered with bear tracks, (Grizzly) ( we were Moose hunting) We stopped and made a fire and had dinner, just after dinner (8PM) my partner says BEAR!! But they dont press that fear button like bears, do they? They almost never attack . This is really what the .44 mag was designed for., Yup. You could try noticing that fact, wondering about it, and asking, Why wouldnt you choose a long-barreled gun that shoots with higher velocity, better penetration, more accuracy, less muzzle flip, less recoil, and holds one more bullet to stop a charging bear?. This is why Forest Rangers use a slug (.73 cal = 12GA) a poor mans elephant gun under 50 yards that rivals a .458 Win Mag. NOT UNUSUAL TO HAVE BEARS CLOSE TO CABIN EATING BERRIES OR GETTING A DRINK. Polar bear attacks are expected there, and tourists are not allowed unless they carry a high powered firearm. Yes, a 44 Magnum is capable of killing a bear, although it is not recommended as a bear defense arms. I heard that bear was a friend of Cecil the lion. Youve all read how much ground a bear can cover in a few seconds..he kept his cool and did everything right once the holster fiasco was passed. As I pulled the revolver out, a sudden calm came over me, and I knew everything would be fine. While not stated in the account, one of the pictures indicates the first, crucial shot, was to the center of the bears chest. 2. I APPRECIATE BEARS PLACE IN NATURE, DO NOT HUNT THEM PERSONALLY ( ELK YES, TASTES BETTER TO ME) AND RESPECTFULLY KEEP MY DISTANCE WHEN POSSIBLE. Does a 44 Magnum rifle kick? The .357 is also available in smaller-framed revolvers that fit smaller hands, making it ideal for women and less experienced shooters. 2. We have to do better. I have always acknowledged your educational and army background and qualifications when Ive criticized you. 2) lots of bear attack stories lately. Never had to shoot a bear with it, and hope it stays that way, but pretty confident it will do the trick if needed. In the event that I need to get off a second shot at a charging grizzly bear, I want a pistol I can handle comfortably, re-acquire a sight picture, and get off an accurate shot in the quickest possible time. These are all factors that need to be considered when choosing a caliber for a serious and serviceable bear defense firearm. To answer the question completely, we would need to evaluate the . https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OniKk-UUWD8, 35 Whelen for Elk: The Perfect Caliber for North American Big Game. Anyone else? What matters more is the right bullet. Sure looks like a bunch of weakling dodging on your part, Hank. Dude you should stop before you have a heart attack. Bears can be very dangerous when theyre angry, so its best to stay out of their reach. The 44 magnum when compared with the other large-caliber bear defense cartridges is rather lightweight in the recoil department. There is no definitive answer to this question as different bears will respond differently to various types of bullets. They should be able to provide you with detailed advice and recommendations based on the specific area in which you live. I hunt on Kodiak. My sidearm at the time was unfortunately in a hip holster, covered by jackets. . will make it easy to kill black bears. Even in the flawed study Efficacy of firearms for bear deterrence in Alaska the researchers only found 269 attacks in Alaska. . GRIZZLIES: In the far north, when attacking grizzlies are on sportsmen before they can aim a long gun, they un-chest-holster an big-blast Alaskan snubbie. Generally speaking, though, most 44 Magnum rounds should be able to stop a black bear or grizzly in its tracks. It is imperative that your bear defense gun is readily available, quick to deploy and that you can place a shot on target under extreme stress. The 44 Magnum offers several advantages over the bigger calibers especially if you pick the right firearm. 2. I recommend training and study before using. Keep your gun on your hip and always designate one to watch for bears. of energy at the muzzle. . WTF is your .44 doing up in a tree without your butt still attached to it? And you actually said this:handguns are the best. Heard that from a park ranger or game warden, no doubt. grizzly charging at 30 mph, but the .44 magnum or better it will require is going to give you exactly one chance in 2.5 seconds to hit that bear precisely in the heart or brain. So yes, I did do my homework before opening my big mouth. So, I asked about this. Elevated them to cult status, whether they deserve it or not. Thats about the only way a handgun bullet is going to drop a charging bear that quickly. At this kind of range the accuracy of the longer barrel doesnt much matter nor does the penetration, which doesnt much matter anyway. If I carried any handgun for self defense, Id only load it with one roundfor myself. After all, I hadnt yet read any words from Hank, so I had no reason to do so at the time. This is really what the .44 mag was designed for. Seems that the bleeding hearts in the state in which he resides view the rights of wild animals and violent sociopaths as superior to those of regular folks. of energy. Hence common sense is applied to protect ones self. test, none of us were looking forward to running the S&W 329 PD with the Hornady 240-grain JHP loads I had brought along. This powerful ammunition can help you take down even the biggest bears. The more energy and penetration the better, provided you dont select a firearm thats too powerful for you to adequately manage. Dean Weingarten is a fear salesman, and not just in this article, but most of his others. 1. MY BEST ADVICE HAVING HAD TO DEFEND MY SELF MANY TIMES IN WAR AND CIVILIAN LIFE IS BE AND STAY PREPARED WITH BEST EQUIPMENT CAN AFFORD AND BEST ADVICE YOU CAN SEEK. For big bear defense handguns, the Smith & Wesson 629 is hard to beat. The 44 Mag does have its downsides. He had a long explanation for why this happens, which I boiled down to two sentences above.
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