Kelly Bear Attack and the Myth: Combination Defense Against Grizzly Bear

AmmoLand ^ | 22 July, 2021 | Dean Weingarten

[marktwain]

While searching for events where pistols were fired to defend against bears, I came across several references to an event that happened to Larry Kelly of Magnaport fame, in Alaska. The event was described by him in full, first-person detail.

There were several variations online. Some claimed the event showed how ineffective pistols were for defense against bears. Several claimed the ammunition was at fault. Here is an example from thefiringline.com:

Several years ago I read a story about Larry Kelly, owner of Magna-Port and hundgun hunter Hall of Famer, has told a story about having to share a hunting cabin with his guide and temporarily with a not overly-large grizzly near an Alaskan river. The bear apparently decided to get out of the rain and like the hunters choose to use the 10′ by 12′ cabin. When it entered, Kelly shot it 6 times with a .44 Mag loaded with Remington’s 240 SJHP’s as he back pedalled onto the stove. All six shots flattened out on the breast-bone, since the bear was on its hind legs at the time. Not one of his shots made it into the body cavity much less damaged the vital organs. While Kelly was doing this his guide was busy with his .375 H&H mag. The guide short stroked his rifle and it jammed. I always thought that scene was from a nightmare. A big brownie stuck in the doorway, men hollering, a .44 Mag going off six times in the dark with no ear protection, muzzle flash, the bear popping his teeth and growling. Well in the long run the bear decided he did not want to come inside and lumbered off before they got the rifle un-jammed.

[marktwain]

The article illustrates how mythology develops from faulty memory. The original first person account by Larry Kelly is much different than that recounted on the Internet.

[Vaquero]

I remember the first account from many years ago.

[Deaf Smith]

KEAD hard cast .429 215gr.

1900 fps through a Redhawk.

Shoots through cinder blocks and 11 inches of oak without deforming.

[eastexsteve]

This is the wrong bullet to use. Experienced “grizzly country” people will tell you not to use hollow points. They don’t have the necessary penetration.

[marktwain]

The entire article includes the actual first hand account by Larry Kelly.

The first hand account is considerably different than what developed as the myth about the incident.

[Big Red Badger]

6 to the chest
and Nothing.
Perhaps 1 to
The Snout would
have changed that.
.
Just WOW.

[Who is John Galt?]

This is the wrong bullet to use.

Reminds me of an observation I read, years ago, about bullet performance. To make a long story short, many cartridges (generally small bore, high velocity pistol & rifle rounds) absolutely depend on specialty bullets performing in a predictable manner. If circumstances are such that the bullet fails to expand or disintegrates, the target may not be disabled.

The author then noted that larger caliber, lower velocity cartridges tend to put less stress on the projectile. The bullets are therefore less likely to suffer catastrophic failure, and may get the job done, even without expansion. Which may be why many folks still prefer a 44 or 45 caliber handgun or rifle (or 12 gauge slug gun) in bear country...

[Who is John Galt?]

Need to read the full article to get “the rest of the story” (i.e., dead bear)...

[Big Red Badger]

I never seen a bear.
I don’t want a .44 Mag.
I am moving into Bear country and I’m asking
for a FRiend.
.
Head Shots are Best?

[Big Red Badger]

I will
Thanks see previous post.

[Big Red Badger]

Okay,
Well written Dean!
.
I have enough Trophies
So it’s;
“ Location, location and
LOCATION!”

[Who is John Galt?]

I never seen a bear.

When I was a lot younger, I worked for the same gent for three years in Montana, Wyoming, and Idaho. The work involved lots of backcountry travel, some of it on horseback or by helicopter, but most of it by jeep or on foot. It wasn't unusual for us to walk 100 to 150 miles per week, so we saw quite a few bear - including several (from a distance, fortunately) that looked like grizzly. Our employer didn't allow us to carry firearms, so we learned to REALLY keep our eyes open....

I don’t want a .44 Mag.

Over the years, I've owned a couple of 44s, but that's because I really like .44 Special. Bottom line, though, is you may not 'need' a .44 Mag - here are the facts (courtesy of our favorite gun writer ;>):

Handgun or Pistol Against Bear Attacks 104 cases, 97% Effective

[Big Red Badger]

I hear You FRiend,
Dean has the Story of
Bella Twin who,in 1953,
Took a Record Bear
with a .22 Long.
Amazing!
Me,
I’ll get some
.357 MAG HardCast
and take several slower
Running Friends.

[riverrunner]

There are hollow points and there are hollow points.

Fast expanding hollow points are not the best. hollow points that give 16 inch’s or more of penetration in 10% ballistic gel.

Well work just fine.

As seen any firearm that works is better than no fire arm.

[marktwain]

A link to the story of Bella Twin the World Record Grizzly and her .22 rifle.