Posted on 04/06/2022 5:11:57 AM PDT by marktwain
Whew! I’d say that’s overkill! Have you no consideration for critters, two-legged and four-legged alike, down-range of the target bear?
I always liked that cartoon...
Failure to stop a bear attack with a handgun can be traced to marksmanship capability. Most center fire handguns, especially .357 and larger will stop a bear with correct shot placement. Of course, some give more “margin” for error than others. A .22 MIGHT also stop a bear, but it would probably take a direct hit in the eye socket for it to reach the brain, certainly difficult, if not near impossible during a confrontation. Classic target stance and drawing a measured breath and releasing half of it before gently squeezing the trigger on a stationary target just isn’t going to happen...
It bears repeating.....................
Defenses against bears are more diverse than most people think.
Black bears, particularly, often approach people in predatory manner, "testing" the new prey. This gives plenty of time to pop the bear in the brain, while the bear is within about 20 feet. Black bears often retreat if hurt, because most attacks are predatory rather than territorial.
Polar bears are kind of in between. Most cases, the bear doesn't charge all out, but approaches somewhat cautiously, "testing" the thing they have not encountered before. This gives time to react.
Grizzly bears seem the most aggressive, but even then, there are a fair number of cases where the bear is shot at very close range. Sometimes the pistol is shoved against the bears head and fired.
That's worthy of a nomination for a Darwin Award.
I think they quit making the 3 1/2” slugs, just about the time I found out they existed.
Dumb bear, wrong ammo for the shotgun
Many large animals have been killed with .22 pistols.
The biggest problem with a .22 is you have to be more precise. There is less room for error.
But... if you know where to aim (one of the largest problems on a bear), a .22 will kill the bear with the proper shot placement.
Big bears are not always moving their head violently. Several recent .22 pistols hold between 16 and 33 shots.
At close range (under 30 feet) firing rapidly aimed shots at the brain (not the head!) There is a good chance you will kill, disable or dissuade even a large bear.
That's it. Gonna stay home now.
In my opinion the 44 mag is the best handgun for bears for the simple fact that it is more than up to the job, AND you can find 44 mag ammo everywhere you go.
Your super duper bear pistol won’t do you much good if your ammo gets lost in the airport and they don’t stock them within 500 miles of where you will be hunting/camping/fishing.
Every Hwd and general store in bear country will have 44 mag in 240 gr.
I’ll take your word for it, FRiend...lol.
Probably just pissed them off.
The bear was going to leave the alone, but now.......
However, it has been effective, and it beats bare hands, a sharp stick, or a knife or rock.
Looking at Bella Twins shots on the cranium of her
Record setting bear,
Would you elaborate more on
Shot Placement?
Bella Twin put the bear down with one shot. The rest were placed to make sure the bear stayed down.
Thanks Dean,
Seems I’ve relocated to “Heaven” that’s had a Bear
Removed from the Park.
I thought Rattle Snakes
were going to be the Worst
Critter here but Northern Arizona has Brown Bears !
They may be brown, but they are not grizzly bears.
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