bear hunting guns

Are there any types of guns that can take down a large bear?

I like to hike in the wilderness, and I don’t want to let my fear of grizzlies get in the way of that. The only way I can think of to avoid getting mauled by a bear is to take it down. Which types of guns can do this to a 700 lb. animal?

Note: I’m not a hunter and I don’t have a hunting license. I don’t like the idea of shooting at any wildlife that don’t pose an imminent threat to me, and carrying a gun/rifle while hiking would strictly be for purposes of self-defense. If I’m out hiking and I happen upon a bear and it’s too late (or too close) for me to avoid the situation, and the bear makes a move towards me, then I have no other choice. So, I’m sorry to those of you from PETA who are reading this and take offense.

For big bear you need a big gun. Honestly handguns are not the best choice but if that what a person wants to carry the smallest is the 44 magnum with hard cast heavy 320 gr flat nose bullets. The 480 Ruger, .454, and the 500 S&W are even better still if you can be accurate with them.

Many carry a 12 ga with slugs for bear protection. The rifles used for bear are larger than 30-06, like the .338 magnum and up. The 45/70 lever action is another close range rifle used for bear protection with heavy bullets.

I live in Alaska and most here carry a big rifle or a 12 ga with slugs with a large handgun for back up.

There have been brown bears and grizzlies that took several rounds from a big rifle before they went down. One fellow hunting brown bear had to shoot the bear 12 times with a 500 S&W, here is the true story about that;

http://www.biggamehunt.net/sections/Alaska/Handgun_Hunting_the_Alaskan_Brown_Bear_02050401.html

So I would recommend a 12 ga with heavy slugs, set up with a riot barrel and full stock, no pistol grips as its hard to be accurate with pistol grips on a shotgun.
When the wife and I go salmon fishing or berry picking here we both carry 44 magnum revolvers with hand loaded 320 gr flat nose hard lead loaded on the hot side and a 12 ga with slugs.

NOTE;
Well I hate to burst the bubble of the person who gave me thumbs down, but here is what the experts recommend.
Quote;
A .300-Magnum rifle or a 12-gauge shotgun with rifled slugs are appropriate weapons if you have to shoot a bear. Heavy handguns such as a .44-Magnum may be inadequate in emergency situations, especially in untrained hands.

http://www.fs.fed.us/r10/tongass/forest_facts/safety/bearfacts.htm

And what does the state of Alaska recommend?
Quote; “You are allowed to carry a gun for protection in state parks. Remember, though, that more people are hurt by the guns they carry than are hurt by bears. Select a gun that will stop a bear (12-gauge shotgun or .300 mag rifle) and practice firing it at a rifle range. Any bear shot in self defense must be salvaged and turned over to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.”

http://www.dnr.state.ak.us/parks/safety/bears.htm

When I take a hunting client out I carry a 12 ga with slugs for areas with thick vegetation or I carry a .338 magnum rifle. I like the .338 over the .300 magnum for bears.

And here we have a copy of an email sent to me by a well known gun expert about this subject;

I’m with ya on the bear thing, bro. .44 Magnum minimum, and I would use 320 grain hard cast, deep penetrating bullets. 12 gauge handy with slugs, preferably deep-penetrating Brennekes. If hunting them, my .458 Magnum backed up by a .44 Mag on the belt.

I largely share your outlook. Too many Americans grew up with the Walt Disney fantasy of bears, and not the Jack O’Connor/Elmer Keith/Charles Askins view.

Stay safe,
Mas Ayoob

Black bear hunting with a muzzle loader rifle

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