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There's no real study that shows a success rate of using a .44 Magnum for defense against bear attacks is around 97%, only a report from a guy named Dean Weingarten on a website called Ammoland.
What if you're standing downwind from the charging bear?
That's right. Chase him away, to go eat someone else. Why should I let the authorities interrupt my quality time over a vicious bear?
Your going to feel it too, but it's still better than getting attacked by a bear.
In most cases bears attack when they feel threatened. They aren't roaming around looking for humans to eat.
Why would you assume that the bear would feel it; if the bear is upwind?
We're not talking about most bears. We're taking about bears that eat people.
Bear spray can penetrate winds in excess of 40mph. If you're out in the woods with winds like that, you should be worried more about getting hit by a falling limb or a tree falling on you than bears.
It would be extremely rare to run into a man eating bear, but even if you did, research shows that bear spray is going to be a better option to use against them than a firearm.
Have you spent much time in bear country? I've experienced a feisty bear first hand. My dad came running back to our camp with his pants torn. We thought that he was playing a prank until we saw the bear running toward us. Fortunately, eventually, our collie chased it off. The next morning we saw a Boy Scout tent near our camp that was shredded. They might have had snickers bars in there. Have you seen how clouds regularly whip over the mountain tops?
My preferred load for potential bear encounter was either all rifled slugs or four 00 Buckshot with a rifled slug chaser. Even with a shotgun, shot placement is a thing. The advantage with a shotgun for me is that I’ve already fired countless shells, so put a shotgun in my hand and I’m good to go. Can’t say the same for rifles because I haven’t fired them nearly as much. Handguns? Have fired those the least of all. Really, if it wasn’t for difficulty in close spaces and bulkiness, I’d look for something like a Mossberg mounted for a sling and be done with it. That or a lever action, which is more compact than a shotgun. Doesn’t matter what you have for protection; it does no good if you don’t have it with you or can’t use it quickly.Should we then ignore these key stats?:
Maybe I should just stick with my 12 gauge. A firearms expert (ex green beret) told me that handguns aren't much good except for using them to fight your way to your shotgun.
Another quick AI search:
A 12-gauge shotgun, particularly when loaded with Brenneke slugs, is highly effective for bear defense, capable of delivering significant stopping power at close range. Many experts recommend it as a primary choice for protection against aggressive bears due to its reliability and penetration capabilities.
Range Effective at close range, typically within 10-20 yards.
Reliability Shotguns are known for their reliability in high-stress situations.
Capacity Generally holds 5-8 rounds, allowing for multiple shots if necessary.
One-Shot Kills: Anecdotal evidence suggests that many bear encounters can be resolved with a single well-placed shot using Brenneke slugs.
Whoa, whoa, whoa: the issue isn’t spraying into the wind; it’s wind blowing some of it back on you. Even with dog spray, that is not fun. Trust me on this. If you or anyone else prefers pepper spray, so be it, but anyone who doesn’t pay attention to environmental conditions is setting themselves up for a world of hurt, even when the stuff works.
Which lever action are you talking about?
I wouldn't make the argument that when a grizzly bear is charging me at 35 MPH, that waiting until when the bear reaches just 6 feet away, then blinding myself, and having a choking episode, is a good defense strategy. That's just my opinion. I'm sure that there is an expert out there who would say that I am wrong.
Was thinking more of a field model Mossberg with standard stock. They once had one with sling mounts. That would be much better than carrying it in one hand and tools in the other.
It wasn’t a bear, but it’s easy not to give thought to the breeze or that squirting pepper spray in a trash can in your office might not be the smartest move. If someone is more comfortable with pepper spray, so be it.
I was agreeing with your perspective; but you opened the door to other angles that I have been considering.
Couple of issues; 5-8 rounds would be a vary cumbersome weapon indeed. Heavy as well. I agree, regarding the Brennecke slugs. To be convenient at all, you would be looking at a Mare's Leg or Howdah style single or double barrel, Limiting your shots to 1 or 2 compared to 5 or more for a revolver or pistol. Then the much heavier and more cumbersome lever action Mare's leg shotguns and Pistol Caliber Carbins. If you are willing to carry one around, more power to you. For me, the revolver is still the most logical choice.Should we then ignore these key stats?:
Maybe I should just stick with my 12 gauge. A firearms expert (ex green beret) told me that handguns aren't much good except for using them to fight your way to your shotgun.
Another quick AI search:
A 12-gauge shotgun, particularly when loaded with Brenneke slugs, is highly effective for bear defense, capable of delivering significant stopping power at close range. Many experts recommend it as a primary choice for protection against aggressive bears due to its reliability and penetration capabilities.
Range Effective at close range, typically within 10-20 yards.
Reliability Shotguns are known for their reliability in high-stress situations.
Capacity Generally holds 5-8 rounds, allowing for multiple shots if necessary.
One-Shot Kills: Anecdotal evidence suggests that many bear encounters can be resolved with a single well-placed shot using Brenneke slugs.
Elmer Keith once wrote that "a short shotgun is the best personal defense weapon". Weigh that with convenience.
Man I’d probably go with an ATI Bulldog 12 gauge shotgun with slugs. I don’t think I’d trust a pistol to stop a bear or a hog for that matter, not when my life is depending on it. I bought my Bulldog for $360 and I love it. Semi auto, it comes with a 5 round clip but you can get a 10 for it that’s pretty reasonably sized. You can also get some pretty crazy magazines for it that’s are ridiculously too big or a drum for it but to me if you haven’t killed it with 10 slugs it’s probably already knocked you down by then and you’re probably about to be with the Lord.
I was told by a notable source ( I lost my notes) that the shotgun turned out to be the most effective weapon in the Vietnam war.
| Shotgun Model | Description | Notable Use |
|---|---|---|
| Ithaca 37 | Lightweight, reliable, and effective in jungle combat | Favored by U.S. Navy SEALs |
| Winchester Model 1897 | World War I trench gun, refurbished for Vietnam use | Used for close combat situations |
Shrug. Something like a 12 gauge field grade Mossberg is longer, and the barrel isn't in line with the shoulder, but the capacity is the same as the bullpup, plus a change of choke allows different kinds of hunting. Main reason I mention Mossberg is they have shotguns with sling mounts, which makes them more convenient to carry, and are generally cheaper than some other big-name brands. Bringing them to bear, though... Can see where a bullpup would be easier to use in tight places.
