Posted: 5/28/2014 12:05:42 PM EDT
|
I copied this info from Division of Parks & Outdoor Recreation (Alaska). Just wanted thoughts and opinions on what they mentioned. If anyone has experience, encounters, what you have used, what not to use, etc, what you all like to carry.
"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." From http://dnr.alaska.gov/parks/units/kodiak/kodbears.htm I was watching "Life Below Zero" and Sue shot/killed a Grizzly with an AR-10, I am not a hunter, but I am not sure I would feel comfortable with just a 308, but I understand having 20 rounds helps, but sure the placement had something to do with it. I also just started to watch the show "Kodiak", they just showed a Brown Bear hunt almost go wrong, the hunter made the shot, however the bear kept charging, lighting quick, the first guides gun jammed, the 2nd guide was able to make the kill shot. The Brown Bears charge was simply incredible, so powerful. Do hunters up in Alaska feel comfortable with going with a 30-06, or something more like a 300 Win Mag? My dream is to move to Alaska one of these days, only thing holding me back is the money, but anything I buy as far as firearms I want to get towards what will be useful up there. I already have a 12 gauge, with Breeneke slugs (we have some problem Black Bear were I live), I just need a 44 mag and bolt action rifle (only have a AR-15. Thanks, I love hearing what its like up in your neck of the woods, its a total dream to be in that part of the states. |
|
Quoted:
To were? Alaska HTF And hunting at distance, .308 can do a bear just fine, although it isn't ideal. Most folks up here hunt with a .270 or above. 30-06 is by far the most popular caliber btw. Pretty much every store carries it, including walmart and fred meyer (kroeger) |
|
There was a guy a few years ago who killed a grizzly (in self defense) with a 9mm pistol
Not sure many people would consider that even an option Its all about shot placement and penetration Given an option, Im going 12g with slugs Hopefully I dont put myself in a position where I will need it though |
|
A bear can bleed out and die from a .22LR. The point of concern in defense is to down the bear before it can kill you. For hunting the concern is to down the bear clean and quick so it doesn't suffer or run causing you to chase it to finish it off. That involves hitting the CNS or breaking bone for immediate incapacitation. For defense I recommend a 12 gauge with slugs or a heavy caliber lever or pump action with iron sights or non-magnified optics. For hunting, no less than a 30-06/300WM. Ideally something like a .375H&H/.338WM, etc or essentially the most powerful caliber that you can actually competently handle shooting. Handguns are good only in that you are likely to be carry it when you might have set down the long gun or left it back in camp. I know about a guy who unloaded two full cylinders of .44 magnum, into the bear point blank, before the bear killed him. That said people hunt black bears with .44M, or even bow and arrow. If I did that, I'd want someone behind me backing me up with something bigger. If you do use a handgun, again use the largest caliber you can competently handle. Pack it with heavy solids. You can even get solid brass rounds. Don't shoot a brownie in the top of the skull, you will just waste your ammo. I've seen .338WM bounce off, even .357 magnum from two feet away. Sucks that it's what you see when it charges you. |
|
Quoted:
Alaska HTF And hunting at distance, .308 can do a bear just fine, although it isn't ideal. Most folks up here hunt with a .270 or above. 30-06 is by far the most popular caliber btw. Pretty much every store carries it, including walmart and fred meyer (kroeger) Quoted:
Quoted:
To were? Alaska HTF And hunting at distance, .308 can do a bear just fine, although it isn't ideal. Most folks up here hunt with a .270 or above. 30-06 is by far the most popular caliber btw. Pretty much every store carries it, including walmart and fred meyer (kroeger) I might consider using a 308 on a griz if I was baiting and it was inside of 50 yards but hunting at distance, the 308 doesn't have the power I would want to ensure a clean kill or a kill at all. |
|
I was a passenger in a Hughes 500 buzzing over hilltops around Fairbanks one time, surprising several brown bear. Most of the ran ------ FAST -------- trying to get away from the helicopter over broken ground you or I would hop rock to rock over. A couple of them reached up as if to swap it out of the air, and afterwards I looked at the fuel gage and engine temps. Don't want an emergency landing there...
This guy used a 303 Savage, or something like it, to kill a Kodiak bear. Looks like it worked just fine. I remember seeing this pic on the wall of an Anchorage barber shop as probably, a 3 or 4 year old back in the 60's. Gave me nightmares for years, but I finally saw it again in an Anchorage gunshop in the late 90s. Instant De ja vue. 
|
|
Quoted:
I was a passenger in a Hughes 500 buzzing over hilltops around Fairbanks one time, surprising several brown bear. Most of the ran ------ FAST -------- trying to get away from the helicopter over broken ground you or I would hop rock to rock over. A couple of them reached up as if to swap it out of the air, and afterwards I looked at the fuel gage and engine temps. Don't want an emergency landing there... This guy used a 303 Savage, or something like it, to kill a Kodiak bear. Looks like it worked just fine. I remember seeing this pic on the wall of an Anchorage barber shop as probably, a 3 or 4 year old back in the 60's. Gave me nightmares for years, but I finally saw it again in an Anchorage gunshop in the late 90s. Instant De ja vue. http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/medium/31849mr22-002shrinkcombo.JPG Any backstory on the photo? 
|
|
Quoted: Any backstory on the photo? Quoted: Quoted: I was a passenger in a Hughes 500 buzzing over hilltops around Fairbanks one time, surprising several brown bear. Most of the ran ------ FAST -------- trying to get away from the helicopter over broken ground you or I would hop rock to rock over. A couple of them reached up as if to swap it out of the air, and afterwards I looked at the fuel gage and engine temps. Don't want an emergency landing there... This guy used a 303 Savage, or something like it, to kill a Kodiak bear. Looks like it worked just fine. I remember seeing this pic on the wall of an Anchorage barber shop as probably, a 3 or 4 year old back in the 60's. Gave me nightmares for years, but I finally saw it again in an Anchorage gunshop in the late 90s. Instant De ja vue. http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/medium/31849mr22-002shrinkcombo.JPG Any backstory on the photo? i.e. - that human skull...
|
|
Quoted:
Hey thank you all for the responses, very good reading and great knowledge you all have, thanks for sharing this with me. How does the RUGER SUPER REDHAWK ALASKAN, 454 CASULL stack up as an emergency side arm, decent? The Alaskan is a great revolver. Personally, go with the .44 and get the Buffalo Bore loads. Less expensive than the .454 even when you practice with .44spl, but the +P+ Buffalo Bore load is extremely close to the .454 heavy load for $15 cheaper. Out of a 5" Redhawk this is that they bullets should be going. On an Alaskan, I'd cut 100-150fps off probably. Still plenty good either way. .44 +P+ 340gr @ 1401 fps .454 360gr @ 1425 fps |
|
Quoted:
Hey thank you all for the responses, very good reading and great knowledge you all have, thanks for sharing this with me. How does the RUGER SUPER REDHAWK ALASKAN, 454 CASULL stack up as an emergency side arm, decent? My Ruger Alaskan 454 is my go-to emergency side arm. I carry it in a chest holster, and it has seen MANY miles in this state. I actually drew it out of the holster while we were stalking a black bear through thick alders on a hunt last weekend. I would have been more comfortable with an 870 with slugs, but the 454 packs a helluva punch and is a great backup. |
|
Quoted:
My Ruger Alaskan 454 is my go-to emergency side arm. I carry it in a chest holster, and it has seen MANY miles in this state. I actually drew it out of the holster while we were stalking a black bear through thick alders on a hunt last weekend. I would have been more comfortable with an 870 with slugs, but the 454 packs a helluva punch and is a great backup. Quoted:
Quoted:
Hey thank you all for the responses, very good reading and great knowledge you all have, thanks for sharing this with me. How does the RUGER SUPER REDHAWK ALASKAN, 454 CASULL stack up as an emergency side arm, decent? My Ruger Alaskan 454 is my go-to emergency side arm. I carry it in a chest holster, and it has seen MANY miles in this state. I actually drew it out of the holster while we were stalking a black bear through thick alders on a hunt last weekend. I would have been more comfortable with an 870 with slugs, but the 454 packs a helluva punch and is a great backup. Same here, it is back up to a Guide Gun in the truck or camper, or I carry it when I am fishing in the river. I have the 7.5" SRH too, that saw duty for years up here. I like my GG with heavy Buffalo Bore square bullets, though |
|
Quoted: There was a guy a few years ago who killed a grizzly (in self defense) with a 9mm pistol Not sure many people would consider that even an option I'd rather have a shotgun or rifle, but brown bears can be killed by handguns like that.
|
|
Quoted: Yeah, I remember a news story about a guy walking his dog in his neighborhood that's right next to the state park came across a grizzly and killed it with a Glock .40 Quoted: Quoted: There was a guy a few years ago who killed a grizzly (in self defense) with a 9mm pistol Not sure many people would consider that even an option I'd rather have a shotgun or rifle, but brown bears can be killed by handguns like that. I repeat: "I know about a guy who unloaded two full cylinders of .44 magnum, into the bear point blank, before the bear killed him." Anyone can get lucky, but do you really want to bet your life on it? Don't take the chance. You'll live longer. Use what you have, but make sure you have what you need. I'd rather carry it and not need it than need it and not be carrying it. I usually carry a handgun along with a long gun, but no matter what, I'm carrying, even if it's not in the woods. |
|
Quoted:
I'm kinda surprised no one has mentioned the 10MM yet. Big guns are nice and all, but I'll stick with my 2+ rounds of 10MM in the same amount of time it takes most people to fire one magnum round and get back on target. We just want to kill the thing, not make it explode and disappear in the black hole a 10 mirrimeder creates. 
|
|
Quoted: I'm kinda surprised no one has mentioned the 10MM yet. Big guns are nice and all, but I'll stick with my 2+ rounds of 10MM in the same amount of time it takes most people to fire one magnum round and get back on target. I'd trade an entire magazine of 10mm for one or two 18.53mm 600+ grain slugs traveling 1500+fps and generating more than 3000 ft-lb of energy at the muzzle (Brenneke Black Magic). This from a guy who's favorite pistol caliber is 10mm, but I'm smart enough not to rely on it for bear defense. |
|
Quoted:
We just want to kill the thing, not make it explode and disappear in the black hole a 10 mirrimeder creates. Quoted:
Quoted:
I'm kinda surprised no one has mentioned the 10MM yet. Big guns are nice and all, but I'll stick with my 2+ rounds of 10MM in the same amount of time it takes most people to fire one magnum round and get back on target. We just want to kill the thing, not make it explode and disappear in the black hole a 10 mirrimeder creates. 
|
|
How many times have we had this thread/conversation now? they always end the same. Go back and search my post last year on getting hits on a moving 5 gallon bucket with your preferred carry gun. It all comes down to can you hit a moving basketball multiple times with adrenalin squirting out of your ears combined with your skill level with said weapon. Only you can decide what is best for you and why.
Until that day, Darkop |
| We have killed more blks with our 6.8s than any other caliber, over 30 bear. Use our 308 SCAR on grizz, plenty enough gun; important point is that 20 round magazine filled TTSXs & A-Frames. Get out and kill some bear; you'll see that you don't need a 458 win mag for 400-600 lb grizz. We haven't lost our culture up here yet like allover lower 48. |
|
Quoted:
On some of our SAR missions, I'll take my saiga-S12 with the 14" barrel loaded with 8 rounds of brenneke slugs. typically I just carry my G29 with the extended/ported barrel. Underwood ammo makes a hot 10MM load.. 200grain FMJ at 1250 FPS. Holy balls. That has to be a beast
|
|
Quoted:
Holy balls. That has to be a beast Quoted:
Quoted:
On some of our SAR missions, I'll take my saiga-S12 with the 14" barrel loaded with 8 rounds of brenneke slugs. typically I just carry my G29 with the extended/ported barrel. Underwood ammo makes a hot 10MM load.. 200grain FMJ at 1250 FPS. Holy balls. That has to be a beast It is... and its actually somewhat light with no mag (with the stock folded, its very compact and straps discreetly to the side of my 24 Hr pack for transportation). |
|
Quoted: I remember seeing this pic on the wall of an Anchorage barber shop as probably, a 3 or 4 year old back in the 60's. Gave me nightmares for years, but I finally saw it again in an Anchorage gunshop in the late 90s. Instant De ja vue. http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/medium/31849mr22-002shrinkcombo.JPG |
