[quote]bond james bond wrote:
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that is a big fucking bear.
Just found this, for some interesting reading on the topic (of guns, not bears).
[quote]Hyena wrote:
First of all, for a cheap one, you’re looking at >$2300.
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You can get them for around $1,500. Still not keen on using one for bear protection, but I thought I’d put that out there.
Wouldn’t a shot to the head, even from relatively small ammo, be enough to put the bear down?
How would you shoot a running bear into the head?
How would you shoot a running bear into the head?
Besides a shot to the head would not necessarilly stop the attack.
Aim well?
I asked a question, I never said it would be easy.
[quote]pushharder wrote:
Bear skulls are very thick instruments of deflection. Smaller caliber bullets can literally ricochet off them.
A mortal head shot on a running, attacking bear with a handgun while under high stress is a virtual impossibility.
There are valid reasons large dangerous game hunting regulations in Africa require large bore rifle calibers. Those same reasons apply with the North American grizzly especially Alaskan brownies.[/quote]
Thanks, push. Obviously I’m a city boy and I don’t know any better, lol.
[quote]Hyena wrote:
[quote]BCSteel wrote:
Seriously, a gun for “protection” from animals when camping? rolls eyes I’ve been camping hundreds of times out in no mans land and never, repeat, never had a problem with any wildlife in concerns to my life. You would be much better off learning some basic wilderness skills.[/quote]
cuz wilderness skills will do a whole lot for you when you wake up to a grizzly bear sticking his head into your tent.
in response to OP, S&W 500 is just plain ridiculous. not only is it wicked overkill, I’m sure it is ferociously expensive. I’ve never actually seen one for sale, but I’m gonna guess they’re probably around $1200 US, when its all said and done. Ammo is gonna be a rip off too.
save yourself the expense, and just buy a .45 automatic and put good hollow points in it. I’ve heard good things about the springfield XD pistols, and taurus 24/7 OSS pistols, they run about $500-$600. Assuming you don’t have any dumbass “hi cap” magazine laws where you live like we do in the People’s Republic of California, 12 rounds of .45 hollow points is more than enough to kill anything that moves.
Also, the shotgun option is a good one. you can buy a 8 round 12Ga from big 5 for like $300. and no bear is gonna get hit with a 1oz hunk of lead and keep coming for you… and if he does, you still got 7 left.
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.45 is a great man stopper but you’re only going to piss a bear off with that - guaranteeing that he mauls your ass.
Have you ever been chased by a dog? Did you run? Consider a Grizzly bear is 10x larger , and more vicious. I’d like to see the man who turns around, puts 12 hollow points into the bear (kill shots - heart/head).
What about automatic shotguns.
I ve heard that gauge 12 shot kills animals by shocking their nerves and that this effect depends on the size of the animal.
How many hits would it take for a bear approximately?
I can imaginge that if a bear attacks most would panic start firing immediately, so a few rounds would be wasted until the bear is in distance where you can place full hits.
Slugs are effective at a long range, the problem with is that you have to aim well.
Considering these circumstances, would you recommend a shotgun at all?
Would you recommend shot or slugs?
[quote]Ken St.Mich wrote:
Slugs are effective at a long range, the problem with is that you have to aim well.
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Concerning defense, you’ll almost never have to kill a bear at range. If it’s far enough away that you have to worry about your long distance shooting skills, it’s not yet an obvious enough threat to justify killing it. A better option would be to just make your way away from the animal.
The only exception I can think of is if you see someone else in immediate danger from a distance, in which case you probably have about as good a chance of killing the bear as killing the person you’re trying to protect.
[quote]
Considering these circumstances, would you recommend a shotgun at all?
Would you recommend shot or slugs?[/quote]
I would. As for slugs or shot, I’ve heard of loading the first round with shot to shoot in the face and all subsequent rounds with slugs for a CNS/mobility shot. I have no idea how effective this is or why it’s suggested, so I take it with a big grain of salt, and I’d appreciate Push’s thoughts on it.
If, however, I had to choose one or the other (shot or slug), there’s no doubt in my mind that I’d choose slugs.
In shotgun land, I’d go with that Benelli, I think its the xm104 or something. 5 shot auto loader, with a short barrel. if you can land 5 slugs in a matter of seconds, you’d probably be able to drop a bear.
[quote]MtnDaveT wrote:
Chances of actually “needing” the .500 in CO are pretty slim. Only black bears here and they typically are not agressive. That being said, if you aren’t using the pistol for hunting get the short barreled one. That way if the bear is already on top of you you stand a chance at getting a shot off. Ideally you wouldn’t be shooting the animal until you knew the attack was iminant anyway. That shot range should be something like 3-5 yards. Otherwise it is oftly hard to justify to fish and game officers.
In Alaska I would def carry a shotgun with slugs if only camping Or fishing hunting atving etc. but no way it would come along backpacking. That’s what a short barreled large caliber pistol is for.
I would also look into the ruger redhawk Alaskan in .454 casull. Plenty of power slightly more controlable. Also shoot .45long colt for practicing and working you way up to the .454 heavy loads.
Check guntrader.com for good prices on the ruger.
Hope this helps [/quote]
I have a .500sw with the 8 3/4" Barrel…I love this gun! I take it with me camping whenever I go. Even target shooting it’s a good gun, it recoils pretty good, but the weight of the gun alone counteracts the shot as well as the integrated compensator.(just don’t try to shoot a smaller caliber afterwards because your aim will be shot (no pun intended. ha ha) One thing in comparing the two (long barrel and shorty) the longer the barrel the heavier it is, so when primitive camping, to pack things in thats a lot of weight potentially. In a “Oh Shit” moment pardon my french it’s not going to matter in terms of recoil, a well placed shot will finish it…In a close quarter situtation the longer barrel will be harder to manipulate in a hurry.
But on the flipside, the shorter barrel even with a compensator kicks like a mother, but, you’re not shooting at the country club for 500 rds in an afternoon. If you want to make it a sport and hunt and target shoot with the .500 go with the 8 3/4" in barrel, but for that oh shit moment. Go with the shorty; for the sake of space and weight. On a side note, I’ve shot the .454 casul and it hurt…it kicked like a bull at a rodeo (bad example I know), But, thats my opinion. I hope this response helps, let me know if you have any questions.
Jordan
I see bears all the time up here. They can be avoided, but if worst case happens. .454 Casull is nice choice
I have that shorter barreled 500 and it does have awful recoil and feels like you’re getting punched in the face when you shoot it. Another cool gun to check out is the 450 Marlin. Lever action rifle with a pretty short barrel. Sort of high recoil but you can still be accurate and it’s fun to shoot and I recall it wasn’t too expensive although the ammo is.
.357 Mag is a minimum for CO camping. I think the Ruger Redhawk in .454 casull is your best choice. The 500 S&W is going to be cost prohibitive to shoot enough to be proficient.
Here is a pic of a 900lb bear that a guy had to take down in just the situation you’re talking about. Guess what he carries? A short barreled .454 casull.