Best gun for self defense against Grizzly/ Brown Bears ?

Redbluff77 · Thursday at 12:09 AM

I was shot in my spine 10 years ago at a Sacramento Restaurant point blank with a 40. caliber bullet in the back as I was walking away. Both of my lungs were fully collapsed. I’m paralyzed and in a wheelchair. I tackled the drunken street thug that was shooting at 2 police officers and several civilians. I’m no hero, just a good samaritan. I won’t get into the details of my paralysis or discuss the details of my accident on this thread, just telling you guys my point of view. I’ve described the story of my paralysis on other occassions.

Anyway, what is the most effective firearm for self-defense against Grizzly/Brown Bears? I would think a 44. magnum or a 454 casull would be a great sidearm to have for self defense against a huge Grizzly/ Brown bear. Perhaps having a powerful rifle could be an even better option. While my brother-in-law is confident in his ability to use his 10mm to stop a charging bear, it’s a dangerous gamble that would likely necessitate firing multiple rounds. Below are 2 pictures of the Alaskan Brown Bear that was killed with a few shots from a 10mm after it charged the hunter. Thank you

gundog2 · Thursday at 8:21 AM

This is one of the best interviews I have ever watched on this subject:

HikeHunt61 · Thursday at 8:56 AM

Clearly, the bigger the better- but you got to be carrying that puppy. I prefer a much lighter weapon. I use a titanium 357- not perfect, but it never gets left behind. Fortunately, I don't hunt/hike around in Brown Bear country- just that Wyoming country with little grizzlies

.

Redbluff77 · Thursday at 10:39 AM

gundog2 said:
This is one of the best interviews I have ever watched on this subject:

Thanks for that link

MountainSqwabler · Thursday at 10:39 AM

10mm with hard cast. I'd take 15 rounds of that over 5.

Redbluff77 · Thursday at 10:39 AM

HikeHunt61 said:
Clearly, the bigger the better- but you got to be carrying that puppy. I prefer a much lighter weapon. I use a titanium 357- not perfect, but it never gets left behind. Fortunately, I don't hunt/hike around in Brown Bear country- just that Wyoming country with little grizzlies .

Agreed. Thanks

WHT_MTNMAN · Thursday at 11:19 AM

I like the interview above.
I'm a big fan of shooting what is most comfortable and what i can shoot the best with the most amount of rounds. I carry a Glock 19x with the extended magazine. 20 rounds, the few times I've been on Kodiak Island but I've never had to shoot one.
That being said I've killed a 300lb black bear with one shot in the chest.

https://sportingclassicsdaily.com/d...tols-97-success-rate-37-incidents-by-caliber/

gundog2 · Thursday at 11:26 AM

MountainSqwabler said:
10mm with hard cast. I'd take 15 rounds of that over 5.

We tested some 10mm hard cast Buffalo Bore rounds on a heavy block of 2x6s that were screwed together. Yikes, the penetration of those bullets left no doubt in my mind. A double stack of these things would provide a solid defense against any bear if you can see it coming.

MountainSqwabler · Thursday at 12:47 PM

gundog2 said:
We tested some 10mm hard cast Buffalo Bore rounds on a heavy block of 2x6s that were screwed together. Yikes, the penetration of those bullets left no doubt in my mind. A double stack of these things would provide a solid defense against any bear if you can see it coming.

10mm hard cast are insane. It's a mean mean round and you can have a sig 320 10mm with 15rnd mags and just ruin anything

Redbluff77 · Thursday at 6:26 PM

I appreciate all the fantastic advice, guys. I’ll share this information with my brother-in-law.

Jerry · Thursday at 10:12 PM

Redbluff77 said:
I was shot in my spine 10 years ago at a Sacramento Restaurant point blank with a 40. caliber bullet in the back as I was walking away. Both of my lungs were fully collapsed. I’m paralyzed and in a wheelchair. I tackled the drunken street thug that was shooting at 2 police officers and several civilians. I’m no hero, just a good samaritan. I won’t get into the details of my paralysis or discuss the details of my accident on this thread, just telling you guys my point of view. I’ve described the story of my paralysis on other occassions.

Anyway, what is the most effective firearm for self-defense against Grizzly/Brown Bears? I would think a 44. magnum or a 454 casull would be a great sidearm to have for self defense against a huge Grizzly/ Brown bear. Perhaps having a powerful rifle could be an even better option. While my brother-in-law is confident in his ability to use his 10mm to stop a charging bear, it’s a dangerous gamble that would likely necessitate firing multiple rounds. Below are 2 pictures of the Alaskan Brown Bear that was killed with a few shots from a 10mm after it charged the hunter. Thank youView attachment 150983 View attachment 150984

A 375 H& H Mag & 300 grain Nosler Partitions will stop big bear anywhere anywhere! No questions asked. Just my opinion. Use a Good muzzle break!!!!
Jerry Gold - Windsor, Colorado

Homer · Thursday at 10:32 PM

no magic in 10 mm......

Bluehair · Saturday at 7:14 AM

10 posts and nobody has said to file the front sight off? WTF?

Grosventre357 · Saturday at 12:41 PM

Bluehair said:
10 posts and nobody has said to file the front sight off? WTF?

My uncle used to live in Alaska and fished the rivers up there. To reach the river, he typically took the bear trails through the dense vegetation. Concerned about bear encounters, he chose to acquire a handgun as a safety measure. He went into a gun shop in Anchorage to inquire about on, and he said there was a guy who looked like Grizzly Adams behind the counter. He asked to see a S&W in 44 mag he had in his glass counter. The clerk handed it to him and stood there watching him for a bit. My uncle said he would take it. The guy said, “Great, but do you mind if I ask what you are going to do with it?” My brother told him it was for Grizzly bear protection. The clerk said, Ok, would you like me to remove the front site? My uncle said he was confused and asked him why he would have him do that. The clerk smiled and said, “That way it won’t hurt so bad when that Grizzly sticks it up your ***!”

He then recommended a short barrel 12gauge pump loaded with 00 buck and slugs for Grizzly bear protection.

Sparks Shooter · Saturday at 4:24 PM

As stated previously, there is no magic in the 10mm or any other round. There are only physics and facts. The tough part is that this is a long list to consider. Here are some basics to start with.

-Math can tell you energy and trajectory.
-Ballistic testing can tell you bullet performance and penetration.
-Lots of practice can tell you how well you can shoot.
-Firearm design will tell you how the gun works and how many shots you have.

Having every option at my disposal and after doing a lot of research, I personally carry quality bear spray as a first option with a chest holstered 10mm as a last resort. Thankfully, I have never had to deploy either, at least on a bear. But that is another story. ----SS

Homer · Saturday at 5:23 PM

I never watch 1 hour long videos.....but I did watch that one ....Phil Shoemaker.....so right on guns....

Jerry · Sunday at 10:30 PM

Sparks Shooter said:
As stated previously, there is no magic in the 10mm or any other round. There are only physics and facts. The tough part is that this is a long list to consider. Here are some basics to start with.

-Math can tell you energy and trajectory.
-Ballistic testing can tell you bullet performance and penetration.
-Lots of practice can tell you how well you can shoot.
-Firearm design will tell you how the gun works and how many shots you have.

Having every option at my disposal and after doing a lot of research, I personally carry quality bear spray as a first option with a chest holstered 10mm as a last resort. Thankfully, I have never had to deploy either, at least on a bear. But that is another story. ----SS

Many years ago while hunting caribou on Alaska Peninsula , the bush pilot & chief guide said “ If you shoot a brown/grizzly bear

with a . 44 Mag ,” pistol, save the last round for yourself, you’ll need it !! “
Another bush pilot saying he had : “ There are old pilots & bold pilots, but NO both old / bold pilots !”
The weather is never to be taken lightly !
He flew a Super Cub with awesome skill & power.
Jerry Gold- Windsor, Colorado

Redbluff77 · 2024-07-15T19:52:23-0600

We’ve arrived at a final verdict. In bear country, my brother-in-law plans to carry a 10mm Glock loaded with 200 grain bullets. When I’m in bear territory, I’ll have either a .357 or .44 Magnum with me.

nfh · 2024-07-16T09:01:16-0600

With a 10mm I would upgrade the spring in the magazine. Or not fully load the magazine with extra heavy bullets like buffalo bore or hsm. Or a 10mm will be worthless when it won't feed

Personally I am 44 mag revolver guy. Will always fire. I like a light weight 10 mm also. I actaully use both just depends on what I am doing. 10mm for those long hikes and a 44 mag if I am using horses and less hiking.

Founder · 2024-07-16T15:52:58-0600

Am I a fool to be backpacking into places in grizzly country with just a can of bear spray? I never have packed a gun, don't even own one to pack. My hikes in are almost always at night. I've never had any encounters with bears, but you never know I guess. I've been wondering if I should get one.

Redbluff77 · 2024-07-16T16:20:28-0600

The following was quoted from a hunter from another online hunting forum : I know from first hand experience that bear spray is effective.

The problem with any pistol (I own a .44 magnum Redhawk)
is the shooter needs to be an expert...not a good shot, an expert shot.

The brain of a grizzly is smaller than a softball and unless the pistol shooter
hits the brain or spine on the first shot he is in big trouble.
Imagine a bouncing softball coming at you at the speed of the fastest horse.
It is unbelievable how fast a charging bear really is and how little time there can be to react
with an accurate shot up close.

A .375 H & H is a good rifle for grizzlies.
The first shot needs to be a good shot..either in the brain/spine
or thru the lungs and anchoring the bear by breaking the off-shoulder.

My hunting partner had great success with 8 in a row with the first
shot at 50 yards for each bear thru the lungs, breaking the off shoulder.
On the 9th bear, he got within 50 yards, bear quartered away perfectly,
click, he forgot to put a round in the chamber.
Long story short, the bear charged as he was chambering a round,
to finish off that grizzly with a .300 magnum rifle and 180gr nozler partitions....
she absorbed 13 shots before she finally died.

nfh · 2024-07-16T16:33:31-0600

Founder said:
Am I a fool to be backpacking into places in grizzly country with just a can of bear spray? I never have packed a gun, don't even own one to pack. My hikes in are almost always at night. I've never had any encounters with bears, but you never know I guess. I've been wondering if I should get one.

Do what works for you. Plenty of tourist use bear spray. The situations I been in bear spray is useless.

My question is what if a bear is charging you and the wind is 60mph coming into your face? How well will that spray work?

Founder · 2024-07-16T16:55:02-0600

nfh said:
Do what works for you. Plenty of tourist use bear spray. The situations I been in bear spray is useless.

My question is what if a bear is charging you and the wind is 60mph coming into your face? How well will that spray work?

I've just never worried about them bothering me, but each time I see what I believe is a grizz and here about attacks, I think maybe I need to get one.