needing wisdom in big game country

[09jjtierney]

hi, wondering if anyone can pass along some wisdom to me. next year i am planning to move out west, to washington state. me and my family love to camp and hike but out there in the mountains there is a lot bigger game, bear, moose, mountain lion, etc. though i dont plan on hunting worried about protection. i currently carry 9mm but i dont think that will be enough if i should need to defend against big animals. should i invest in bigger caliber? and if so i need suggestions. a friend has a cz 52 for sale [7.62x25] or thought maybe a .44 mag? just looking to see if anyone has any insight or experience in this. if legal out there when we camp i have a sks [7.62x39] i can take but when hiking will only be a pistol. thanks for any positive imput.

 

[halfmileharry]

Excellent foot wear, be smart, big caliber for big animals.

 

[smythe012]

Glock 29 or 20 with 10mm underwood ammo (hardcast if bears are a concern). And you can buy a lone wolf 40 cal conversion barrel for less expensive range ammo.

 

[Reverend Dreed]

hunting in north east oregon i always carry a 357 mag. on my hip. better to be safe than sorry

 

[Reverend Dreed]

our hunting ground

 

[in625shooter]

As someone who lived in Montana I would suggest a 44 Mag or 45 Colt revolver either DA or SA (Ruger Blackhawks are very economical. If that is not an option your 9mm can work as a back up to a good lever or say an 870 with Brenikies but if using g a 9mm/357 40 etc you must be able to put the round into an eye socket or mouth hitting the CMS aka brain stem (on larger bears it can deflect off the skull so watch that)

But you will probably be just fine. I never had any issues but when I saw evidence of Grizzlies I took additional precautions (like not trying to feed them like the one or two fatalities did at Glacier every year)

 

[Hohn]

There's only one autoloader caliber I'd consider: 10mm. And then only with hotter Underwood or Buffalo Bore hardcast loads.

For dangerous game, you need a heavy, high-sectional-density bullet. That means a revolver. That means at LEAST .357 Mag with 158 or 180gr load, but I'd recommend .44 to .50 as where you really want to be. I think the .460XVR makes a lot of sense as you can shoot 45LC, .454 Casull and .460 S&W. Being able to shoot 3 different calibers helps with ammo availability in emergency situations.

Also, Buffalo Bore has an excellent "bear medicine" load in .460:



More important than caliber is choosing a heavy hardcast load.

 

[Stickfight]

Bear spray is more effective than any handgun, just carry that.

 

[Hookeye]

Smith 329 PD..........and no, not with 300 gr bullets.
Shot one a dude had, 265's medium hot............w factory wood grips.
Wasn't bad, but it did climb quite a bit!

 

[ru44mag]

Bear spray is more effective than any handgun, just carry that.

I was going to recommend a 44 mag, Redhawk, or Super Blackhawk, or a 629. 5 1/2 in barrel minimum. Hit them with the bear spray first...if that does not work, then option 2. I have heard the bear spray actually is more effective, but I don't believe everything I hear, and always like a back up plan.

 

[Jeepster48439]

"Cartridge selection? Well, I really believe any handgun you bring to any fight should have a name that starts with at least a 4. That’s really important if you are fighting a bear! I think the rule of “4-3-1” should apply: a bullet diameter that starts with at least a 4, a bullet weight that starts with at least a 3 and a muzzle velocity of at least 1000 fps."

Found this tip in American Hunter.

 

[Mgderf]

Ruger Alaskan or Taurus Raging Bull in .454 Casull.
Go big or stay at home...

 

[Thor]

Bear spray is more effective than any handgun, just carry that.

You forgot the purple. Use the bear spray to season your bear stew.

 

[Thor]

If you use a shotgun use 00 buck not birdshot DAMHNIK.

 

[Thor]

our hunting ground

Now those are some disparate calibers.

 

[DoggyDaddy]

Bear spray is more effective than any handgun, just carry that.

"In light of the rising frequency of human/grizzly bear confrontations, the Montana Department of Fish and Game is advising hikers, hunters, and fishermen to take extra precautions and be alert for bears while in the field. …We advise that outdoorsmen wear small bells on their clothing so as not to startle bears that aren’t expecting them, and to carry pepper spray with them in case of an encounter… It is also a good idea to watch out for fresh signs of bear activity. Outdoorsmen should recognize the difference between black bear and grizzly bear droppings. Black bear droppings are smaller and contain lots of berries and fur. Grizzly bear droppings have little bells in it and smell like pepper."

 

[Stickfight]

That is all fun and hilarious I am sure but bear spray is provably more effective than a firearm, handguns included.

 

[Thor]

That is all fun and hilarious I am sure but bear spray is provably more effective than a firearm, handguns included.

Having spent some time hunting in Co and AK I have to say that that is one of the most uninformed opinions on the subject I've ever heard. A guide gun in .45-70 will stop a charging griz an eternity before pepper spray. Perhaps you forgot the sarcasm font or purple?

 

[PGRChaplain]

Go Big or Stay Home, a Brown Bear will Kill you.

 

[halfmileharry]

Go Big or Stay Home, a Brown Bear will Kill you.

More good advice on the subject is KNOW the anatomy of a bear and where potential shot placement must be made.

Putting holes in a 500-800 lb brown needs more than luck.