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Sidearm for Bear

Old 01-12-2009, 03:53 PM
  #11  
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Default RE: Sidearm for Bear

A buddy of mine was hunting Brown bear last year and was walking through the bear grass and came up on a little rise and there was one staring him in the face. He said he was so dumfounded he forgot to raise his rifle. It was 10 yards away. He got lucky. The bear turned and ran the other way. I agree, the speed that it happens is lightning quick.
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Old 01-12-2009, 04:59 PM
  #12  
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Default RE: Sidearm for Bear

If you're hunting with a rifle there's really no need to carry a sidearm. I used to get this question a lot from guys who were coming to Alaska to hunt bears with me. I told them the same thing I'm saying here.
As already stated though a 12 gauge would be a lot more effective than a handgun.
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Old 01-12-2009, 05:17 PM
  #13  
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Default RE: Sidearm for Bear

Better yet! That's why I asked. Thanks for the reply.
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Old 01-12-2009, 06:00 PM
  #14  
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Default RE: Sidearm for Bear

I carry a Taurus Tracker (44 Mag). Its a 5 shot, but a medium frame, so that helps out with the weight. I shoot 240 grain hard cast lead, dont have my notes, but its a hot load. I have heard of too many stories of people emptying ther 38's/ 357's into a bear to no avail. Granted, most people like to use the cheapest Wal-Mart ammo, FMJ's ect with not enough charge. I would feel bad for any critter that meet the load Im shooting.
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Old 01-12-2009, 06:08 PM
  #15  
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Default RE: Sidearm for Bear

I keep a S&W 629 with a 2 inch barrel on my side in grizzy country. Its a pain but its beats having nothing at all if your horse should unload you, and he is on his way back to the trail head with your rifle in the scabbard.
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Old 01-12-2009, 06:25 PM
  #16  
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Default RE: Sidearm for Bear

Any gun you will actually carry, vs getting lazy and tired of the weight, is better than no gun at all.

In an attack situation, no handgun holds a candle to an average rifle. Let's be honest. But a handgun is easier to get to and get into action also.

When I went into grizzly country, I carried a .40SW Glock to back up my 300WM...because I had it, not because it's the best. I asked my local contact if it was enough or should I skimp on other supplies to get a bigger sideearm, and he said if I was down to my pistol 13 shells from a .40 was as good as 5 or 6 from anything else and the bear would have killed me before it went down anyways so just save the last one for myself.
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Old 01-12-2009, 09:10 PM
  #17  
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Default RE: Sidearm for Bear

I carry the S&W .44 Magnum, model 329. It is titanium/scandium, very light to pack. Its loaded with 240 grain Hornady XTPs.
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Old 01-12-2009, 09:57 PM
  #18  
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Default RE: Sidearm for Bear

Nothing less than a 44 mag with a 4" (quicker pointing)to 6" (more velocity)barrel.
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Old 01-12-2009, 10:31 PM
  #19  
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Default RE: Sidearm for Bear

ORIGINAL: salukipv1

Brown bear?

.44 mag, .480 ruger, any of the S&W monsters....460, 500

agree 100%, myself I carry a .44mag
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Old 01-16-2009, 05:51 AM
  #20  
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Default RE: Sidearm for Bear

Ok...the .45 ACP is better than your bare hands! If you do carry it, load it with the hottest 230 grain +P ammo (??? Hydroshok bullets ???) that will not blow the gun apart and pray you don't have to use it.

I would prefer an Abrams main battle tank when it comes to a charging grizzly determined to eat me.
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