Celt
.338 Win Mag
Absolutely!
Ruger Alaskan
- Thread starter JosERW
- Start date
GUNSICK
6.5 Creedmoor
What ever you shoot it with your supposed to shatter its hips to disable it. They have such a slow heart rate that even with a well placed shot to the vitals they will still have enough in them that it will ruin your day if your anywhere near them.
Snappo
6.5 Creedmoor
I was at the local gun store picking up some Hornady and I saw that Super Redhawk Alaskan in 44 mag. It was over $1K. Not sure how that is better than the Raging Bull 4" barrel for like $350 less?
Snappo
6.5 Creedmoor
But if it's coming at you, how can you get a shot at it's hip? My S&W 500 magnum won't stop it from heads-on? My understanding was that was the whole purpose of that weapon.
GUNSICK
6.5 Creedmoor
Hip, pelvis, spine is what I was told living in bear country a long time ago. Trying to stop it physically from being able to get to you. Everybody carried magnum revolvers in the woods. I never mentioned caliber in my post.
ECU Pirates
.308 Win
Not if that vital is the brain!
Celt
.338 Win Mag
Because its built like a tank, and can handle the hottest 44mag available, over, and over, and over.
Marine Cpl
.577 Tyrannosaur.
yes
Bananabandit
.338 Win Mag
Main reas o n i got 460 over 44mag. 1100 for it.
ECU Pirates
.308 Win
You read about the .45 acp hi point that someone used to kill a grizzly in Alaska? No good on frying pans in some cases but it can drop big nasty bear!
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Marine Cpl
.577 Tyrannosaur.
Just as long as that bear isn't taking cover behind a dumpster, I would feel 100 percent comfortable using the .45.
Bananabandit
.338 Win Mag
What if the dumpster was made in china?
ECU Pirates
.308 Win
Then it's scary. Lead paint and all.
JosERW
.40 S&W
I think I am leaning towards the 44 mag. I don't want another Glock (10mm). Part of the reason I want this gun is just because of the cool factor. The 454 is cool, but with Buffalo Bore/Garrett ammo I can push a hard case 300+ grain 44 mag at over 1000 FPS. Plus I looked, 44 mag is about the same exact price as 45 colt.
Anybody on the Island have a 454 they wouldn't mind letting me squeeze a few rounds through?
Anybody on the Island have a 454 they wouldn't mind letting me squeeze a few rounds through?
ECU Pirates
.308 Win
I think I am leaning towards the 44 mag. I don't want another Glock (10mm). Part of the reason I want this gun is just because of the cool factor. The 454 is cool, but with Buffalo Bore/Garrett ammo I can push a hard case 300+ grain 44 mag at over 1000 FPS. Plus I looked, 44 mag is about the same exact price as 45 colt.
Anybody on the Island have a 454 they wouldn't mind letting me squeeze a few rounds through?
454 will shoot .45 colt. You can have some fun with the 45 colt.
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meketrefe
.450/400 Nitro Ex
Grizzlies have taken two win-mag rounds to the chest at close range, mauled the shooter, and then ran away
never to be seen again probably to lay down to die somewhere.
If you go to live in Kodiak island follow the locals advice that goes back generations on how to deal with
dangerous encounters and never rely too much in luck like bumping into a smaller and less experienced bear.
In one of the hunting forums we had a guy who went into the woods with an AK74 and he bumped into a
brown bear that charged him and had to dump the entire 30 magazine to stop the bear. He documented the
encounter and then he took a lot of heat in the forum from outdoors folk and ethical hunters for taking that
kind of risk with his choice of rifle and caliber. He also posted some pictures he should not have posted about a
majestic animal full of holes everywhere. As you know the bear is a sacred animal for many native Americans.
Additionally these encounters have to be reported to conservation officials and there will e a small investigation.
I would say if you want something to put a lot of momentum on the target the 44 magnum ( and above )is a
safe bet and it is widely available. My S&W has been 100% reliable after putting thousands of rounds downrange.
Mine is larger and heavier but if I was in Kodiak island I would find a nice bad ass holster and suck it up. I cannot
even imagine what it would be with a small frame. Dangerous game loads like buffalo bore are pretty hard to control as it is.
For NY state a 357, 10mm, etc.. are more than plenty. Like they say, you cannot kill something twice but if you
can kill it twice as fast that actually is what might save your ass.
never to be seen again probably to lay down to die somewhere.
If you go to live in Kodiak island follow the locals advice that goes back generations on how to deal with
dangerous encounters and never rely too much in luck like bumping into a smaller and less experienced bear.
In one of the hunting forums we had a guy who went into the woods with an AK74 and he bumped into a
brown bear that charged him and had to dump the entire 30 magazine to stop the bear. He documented the
encounter and then he took a lot of heat in the forum from outdoors folk and ethical hunters for taking that
kind of risk with his choice of rifle and caliber. He also posted some pictures he should not have posted about a
majestic animal full of holes everywhere. As you know the bear is a sacred animal for many native Americans.
Additionally these encounters have to be reported to conservation officials and there will e a small investigation.
I would say if you want something to put a lot of momentum on the target the 44 magnum ( and above )is a
safe bet and it is widely available. My S&W has been 100% reliable after putting thousands of rounds downrange.
Mine is larger and heavier but if I was in Kodiak island I would find a nice bad ass holster and suck it up. I cannot
even imagine what it would be with a small frame. Dangerous game loads like buffalo bore are pretty hard to control as it is.
For NY state a 357, 10mm, etc.. are more than plenty. Like they say, you cannot kill something twice but if you
can kill it twice as fast that actually is what might save your ass.
meketrefe
.450/400 Nitro Ex
Just for entretainmnent and fyi...
With a Bear Behind: Lewis & Clark Meet the Grizzly Bear
Buffalo Bore Ammunition | Strictly Big Bore - Strictly Business
With a Bear Behind: Lewis & Clark Meet the Grizzly Bear
Buffalo Bore Ammunition | Strictly Big Bore - Strictly Business
BuellSix8
.40 S&W
I'm with Meke on this one as well.... I carry a G20 or my G29 while in bear country... 10mm is an amazing round.G29 is a daily carry.
I wouldn't worry. I've hunted all over NY state and much of New England. I haven't stumbled across an animal that was viable threat in 5 0 yrs of hunting and hiking. My rifle or shotgun with my pistol (usually a 22 but often a 357mag or 44mag) served me well. But when hunting with only pistol it was with the mags
Celt
.338 Win Mag
My folks live in greene county, and they have blackies on and around their property every week. The population has grown tremendously in the last 20 years. My pops walked up a trail on our property and as he xrested the hill he saw the largest boar hed ever seen. It was about 35 yards away with his nose in the ground, and never caught a whiff of him, and he was able to back out of there. He only had his kabar on him, and when he got home he was so adrenalized he couldnt find where he put the knife for months. He said it had to be a 500lb bear, and my old man is a lifelong hunter.
Moral if the story, know your area, and be prepared. Those woods are my woods, and i spend alot of time there. I usually have the 44 on my hip, but sometimes just my G19 with fmjs.
Moral if the story, know your area, and be prepared. Those woods are my woods, and i spend alot of time there. I usually have the 44 on my hip, but sometimes just my G19 with fmjs.
Greywolf224
6.5 Creedmoor
For the last 20 years I've been dragging my Smith & Wesson 8 3/8 inch 41 magnum when going out in the woods hunting or hiking due to the large population of blackies where I live. It has just become a pain in the ass to drag that thing around. Who knows guess I'm getting too old.
So I finally picked up a nice .357 last year that has become my daily carry and also when I hike up in the woods. I'm going to take it hunting with me also this year. I have been target practicing with PPU .357 158 gr JHP's rated at 1608 fps and 907 ft lbs. which are definitely very hot even out of my 2 1/4" barrel. That's plenty firepower for protection for any wild animal in the Northeast.
So I finally picked up a nice .357 last year that has become my daily carry and also when I hike up in the woods. I'm going to take it hunting with me also this year. I have been target practicing with PPU .357 158 gr JHP's rated at 1608 fps and 907 ft lbs. which are definitely very hot even out of my 2 1/4" barrel. That's plenty firepower for protection for any wild animal in the Northeast.
Marine Cpl
.577 Tyrannosaur.
I don't see anything wrong with an AK for Grizzly protection. The 7.62x39 in a FMJ will be no different than a .308 at just a couple hundred fps higher yet many carry just that. The penetration will be very similar to the .308 and perhaps higher with a bigger hole than a revolver round from one of the accepted calibers.
It's just an anti assault weapon thing from Fudds that would have no issues if shot from a .308.
In the video below at the 2.42 mark, Sue Aikens kills a Grizzly with a .308. Many bear are hunted every year with a .308. It's all about shot placement. A bad shot with a .44 Magnum or a .300 Win Mag will not do the job.
It's just an anti assault weapon thing from Fudds that would have no issues if shot from a .308.
In the video below at the 2.42 mark, Sue Aikens kills a Grizzly with a .308. Many bear are hunted every year with a .308. It's all about shot placement. A bad shot with a .44 Magnum or a .300 Win Mag will not do the job.
ECU Pirates
.308 Win
Just a few (around 300 fps) and about 50 grains more weight make a world of difference. A 7.62x39 is a lousy choice for a big bear country rifle. Things like a .44 mag are recommended because they are easy to carry (being a handgun). Sue is also a dreadful hunter. I have seen here shoot a caribou about 5 times to finish it off. Since when is fmj considered a good bear bullet? With the .308 you can use 180 gr slow expanding bullets.
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Marine Cpl
.577 Tyrannosaur.
Not ideal for hunting but better than a .44 Magnum for defense is my point.
This guy hunted one with a .223 55 gr Poly Tip. Shot placement.....And lets not forget the .38 Special, 9mm and .45 Acp that have also killed Grizzly and Polar bear in defense.
Bear aren't as bullet proof as the internet makes them out to be. Hunters of old have taken them down with muskets firing lead balls at much slower velocities.
I'd much rather grab an AK for bear protection (not hunting) than a revolver.
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meketrefe
.450/400 Nitro Ex
It is late. I just want to say that many firearms and rounds could kill a Grizly if you shoot it thorough the braims or neck and hit the spine but one might not get the chance.
Also lets review the 7.62x39 vs 308 "200 fps" difference. An ak will launch a 123gr bullet at 2,300 to 2,400 fps. A 308 can propel de same bullet to 3,200 fps.
But a 30 cal 125gr bullet is not a smart choice for a large bear even 800fps faster than the ak.
Light for caliber slow moving projectiles have lots of shortcomings only aliviated by adding grain to compensate. That means 44 caliber and above.
Good thread.
Also lets review the 7.62x39 vs 308 "200 fps" difference. An ak will launch a 123gr bullet at 2,300 to 2,400 fps. A 308 can propel de same bullet to 3,200 fps.
But a 30 cal 125gr bullet is not a smart choice for a large bear even 800fps faster than the ak.
Light for caliber slow moving projectiles have lots of shortcomings only aliviated by adding grain to compensate. That means 44 caliber and above.
Good thread.
ECU Pirates
.308 Win
I was talking big bear (coastal brown ect.). The .223 or x39 are bad choices for black bear also. Sure they can do that job but why? There are so many better choices. Many deer have been killed with a .22. That in no way makes a .22 a deer rifle. Handguns suck for bear protection, AK's suck for bear protection. The difference is most handguns can ride in a holster. Hunting is not the same as protection of course. How many bear guides carry AK's (or .308's) to back up hunting clients in big bear country (defense situations)? I would guess zero. No one that knows a thing about big bear would recommend an AK for protection (or hunting).
The thing is, most of the time your bear defense gun is just that, for defense. Youre not hunting, you are hiking, camping, picking berries, WW rafting, cutting trees....etc. Any rifle is cumbersome and useless when leaning against a tree while you are doing something else. In these cases, a 44 mag in a chest holster outside your cloths is the safest, fastest and most useful defense. That is why almost all Alaskans use this setup nowadays.
Marine Cpl
.577 Tyrannosaur.
I get all that. Even a .44 Magnum for a large Grizzly is not ideal but used due to portability.
My point is that the .44 Magnum is accepted (caliber wise only for protection and at times hunting) yet a rifle with more energy and or penetration is not.
It's hypocrisy that has been preached throughout the ages and accepted as fact.
ECU Pirates
.308 Win
I know how much you love shotguns. Be a man and carry this in bear country sir. Leave the intermediate cartridges home.