RE: BIG! Predator Protection! (B.P.P)
Here are my thoughts.
If you want to stop a big bear before it gets too close you need a big rifle (orshotgun with slugs not buckshot)and fast second shots.
But a long gun is a pain to carry around and so it sometimes ends up left in camp or leaning against a tree out of hands reach. So a handgun may be more useful than a long gun.
A bigass cartridge with lots of BANG and recoil would be good for one shot with two hands. But if a bear is real close and about to bite, then you don't need more power than needed to penetrate some hide and skull bone. A .357 mag. is plenty for that. A double action revolver can be fired withtwo hands at 5 yards or with one hand at 3,2,1, and in his nose.
However they say that pepper spray has an instant effect and that would be nice
Robin