Best gun to use in a bear attack?

[Tazz]

For pistol, this is exactly what the 500 S&W was designed for. They kept making handguns for this bigger and bigger because they kept finding that they needed to. Even the 500 isn't great for stopping a big Bear. It's about the equivalent of a 308 Win rifle round with maxed loads. The problem is that anything bigger is simply impractical to try and shoot. These things have a vicious recoil.

If you're going to carry a long gun one of the Marin Guide Guns is just about perfect. 45-70 is the classic, but I think they make them in 450 and 444, too. Any of those will sort out a big bear at close range nicely. They are also reasonably light and fast.

If your standard is to discourage a less than completely determined bear, the S&W 500 will do the job. If you want to have a high likelihood of stopping a bear that has every intention of killing you and is in a full charge at close range, go with the Guide Gun.

I'm glad you recomended the Guide Gun in .45-70 @Bear44, I bought one not long after Marlin came out with it with the hopes of getting up to Alaska someday and to hog hunt with. Still haven't got to Alaska yet but using irons and propped against a tree it drilled a 20 oz water bottle on the very first shot at around 125yds using Rem. 300gr JHP's. It's light and accurate, recoil is a tad stout with the Rem. round but not too bad. I love mine and can't wait till I get the chance to use it.

 

[Tiamat]

+1

 

[Lionheart]

Several of the above posts are very accurate, especially the ones who have "been there, done that".

I was in your shoes a few years ago when i was fly fishing the Wind River in Dubois, WY. I was buying some local flies in a sporting goods store when the guy behind the counter asked me what kind of gun i had. When i responded that all I had was spray he was not impressed. His comment was that the bears from there to Yellowstone had lost their fear of man and that i needed to be careful.

After leaving the store I went back inside and asked about any local gun shops and was directed to the "bear gun guy". I ended up buying a customized Marlin 1895 MXLR in .450 Marlin. 16" BBL and large, cowboy loop and slicked up action.

I spent a peaceful afternoon of fishing with the gun slung comfortably on my back.

In your situation however i would probably carry my Freedom Arms revolver in .454 Casull.

Good luck and just remember that the bears that are around elk/deer hunting are trained to run to, not from, a gunshot in hopes of an easy meal on a gut pile!

 

[Grant S]

Several of the above posts are very accurate, especially the ones who have "been there, done that".

I was in your shoes a few years ago when i was fly fishing the Wind River in Dubois, WY. I was buying some local flies in a sporting goods store when the guy behind the counter asked me what kind of gun i had. When i responded that all I had was spray he was not impressed. His comment was that the bears from there to Yellowstone had lost their fear of man and that i needed to be careful.

After leaving the store I went back inside and asked about any local gun shops and was directed to the "bear gun guy". I ended up buying a customized Marlin 1895 MXLR in .450 Marlin. 16" BBL and large, cowboy loop and slicked up action.

I spent a peaceful afternoon of fishing with the gun slung comfortably on my back.

In your situation however i would probably carry my Freedom Arms revolver in .454 Casull.

Good luck and just remember that the bears that are around elk/deer hunting are trained to run to, not from, a gunshot in hopes of an easy meal on a gut pile!

I've looked into the Freedom Arms, nice guns.

 

[Lionheart]

I've looked into the Freedom Arms, nice guns.

Many consider them the finest single action revolvers ever made. I believe them.

 

[Lionheart]

If you want a guide gun call this guy.

Trails End Guns
Licensee Name: Bushnell, Scott Lee
511 West Ramshorn Bldg 4
Dubois, WY 82513
Phone: 307-455-3400

 

[whitelightnin22]

Barrett .50 caliber.

 

[JWC]

There was a thread similar to this thread that I read. The guy was from Alaska, and often hunted brown bear. Folks asked him about the best handgun caliber to take and he said "If you shoot a bear w/ that thing & the bear happens to notice, it's gonna piss him off!" His advice, 45/70 guide gun, 375 magnum 400 grain rounds, 450 lever action, but he also said, stay the heck away from where bears live. They are not safe to be around.
I have no idea if what he said was true, but I have heeded his advice and have not been brown bear hunting.lol

 

[Bushwick100]

Going on a hiking trip in Montana in a couple months and wondering what gun would be most effective against a bear. I've heard a 12 gauge with slugs or a high powered rifle but I don't know if I want to carry that through the mountains. Also heard even a .50 cal pistol doesn't have enough velocity. Anybody have any experience with this?

I have a Ruger Super BlackHawk with a BSA Scope, and Buffalo Bore Bear ammo.

 

[hseII]

Not exactly the same topic, but similar.
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=786446