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Post by Fisher on Dec 22, 2004 16:08:16 GMT -5
Hi there folks.
I'm heading to Alaska this summer on a fishing trip with some buddies and i've been delegated as the gun holder.
A friend of mine's dad lives up there and has a float plane, so he's going to fly us deep into the middle of nowhere for a week of superb fishing Yay!
As you have probably gathered by now the main reason for bringing a gun with us would be to try and prevent being eaten alive by the local grizzly bears wich will be plentiful.
Obviously using the gun would be the last possible resort and would only be used if a true attack was occuring. ie: Teeth and claws flailing, blood flying. This is not a hunting trip, its a fishing trip
With that said, here's the question.
What gun would YOU bring with you into deep Alaskan bear country. We will be hiking around the whole time so I was thinking more of a large caliber handgun. I can spend around five or six hundred bucks.
Again the only time it would be necessary to use the gun would be close range with an attack occuring. So using logic I want to stop whatever is happening instantly.
Anyone have any experience with this type of scenario?
I've got plenty of experience with rifles and shotguns but i've only shot a few types of handguns, so i'll be taking the necessary classes and such.
Caliber- .357? .44?
Make/Model- American made only/revolver preferred
Cost- price range even close?
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Post by MLB on Dec 22, 2004 17:32:27 GMT -5
Welcome Fisher.
We have a few wheelgunners here, so I'll defer to their suggestions. Glad you made it over.
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Post by "DoubleAction" on Dec 22, 2004 18:15:45 GMT -5
Welcome to the forum Fisher; For a grizzly, I am not sure if I would even trust a 44 magnum at very close range. Chances are, if you run up on a female with cubs, you will be lucky to clear leather before your attacked. I reckon you already know that ;D
To tell the truth, I would depend on nothing less than a double action revolver chambered in the 44 magnum. I would look at the Ruger Super Redhawk with Buffalo Bore or Garrett ammunition cartridges, and a cross draw shoulder holster. I would also pack a smaller S&W N- Frame in 44 magnum, with a three or four inch barrel, on my side for backup. I would not put the Garretts or Buffalo through the S&W, but rather use the the 200 gr. Hornady Custom XTP hp.
With the limited amount you plan on spending on one gun, go with the Ruger or look up the more powerful cartridge chamberings in the 454 Casull or S&W 500 for a little more.
I cannot tell you that any handgun would provide enough protection in the event of a bear attack, but it sure would give you a fair sense of security in knowing you have one, and the skill to put it to use.
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Post by Fisher on Dec 22, 2004 19:14:08 GMT -5
Hey guys.. thanks for the speedy responses!
Nice site here, got a lot of useful info and some good laughs as well
Looks like i'll start looking into the 44 magnums. The biggest hand gun i've ever shot was a .357 and admittedly It was a challenge for me to hit the target at a mere 50' or so.
Guess I'll be spending some time at the gun range.
Agreed DoubleAction, if an attack did occur it would probably come too quickly to do much about it, but if we found ourselves to be in that rare situation I'd much rather have a hand-cannon to use rather than trying to fend it off with a fishing pole. haha!
A friend was going to let me borrow his glock 9mm for the trip as bringing a gun wasnt really at the top of my list, but I recently watched a movie called "The Edge" and quickly decided to rethink the whole issue. I'm not one to buy into movie hype but that one struck a cord for some reason. Actually it scared the hell outta me.
I've come across a couple black bears hiking around the Cascades but theyre just like big dogs. Grizzly's are monsters!
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Post by TMan on Dec 22, 2004 19:19:51 GMT -5
An additional thought about the 454 Casull: you can shoot .45 Long Colt through it at the range for practice. If you are being charged by a bear, you won't notice the difference in recoil shooting the 454 Casull.
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Post by 5ontarget on Dec 22, 2004 23:22:24 GMT -5
I have a friend in Alaska, He would only carry a .357 for years. Then it seems the popularity of some of the larger bores caught on up there. He just recently started to carry a .44mag, his buddy carries a .480 ruger, and he sees a number of .50cal S&W (many from tourists and the guys that just have to have the biggest of whatever) He told me many guys still carry the .357, mainly because they don't want to buy a new gun.
.357 is the smallest I would go.
I'll throw my vote toward a Ruger for a new gun. Rugers are hard to beat for durability and bang for your buck for a new gun purchase. They are the largest US gun manufacturer, so that meets another of your requirements too.
Ammo for the .357 and .44 will be the most affordable and available in the greatest variety of loads, however;.454, .480 aren't rare.
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Post by Ricochet on Dec 23, 2004 10:14:59 GMT -5
IMHO, a .44 magnum would be your best bet.
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Post by TMan on Dec 23, 2004 12:32:24 GMT -5
... I'll throw my vote toward a Ruger for a new gun. Rugers are hard to beat for durability and bang for your buck for a new gun purchase. They are the largest US gun manufacturer, so that meets another of your requirements too. ... I might add: this has been my experience too. I have 5 Rugers, and many others, but I have a very warm spot in my heart for Rugers. The only one I don't care much for is the Bearcat, but that is because it is just too small for my hand. Some are not the best looking, but they will work, and may save you life, and they are a good bang for the buck. |
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Post by "DoubleAction" on Dec 23, 2004 20:26:08 GMT -5
In most cases, I usually choose the cartridge before I look for the gun. This is one reason I chose to recommend the Ruger in the 44 magnum for the reasons you requested.
These ammunition manufacturers are those with Big Game hunting in mind. On the sites you will find testimony from those who used their cartridges in big game hunts from around the Globe, including Alaska and Africa.
;D 330 grain 44 magnum +P : www.garrettcartridges.com
;D 340 grain 44 magnum +P+:
www.buffalobore.com
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Post by TBT on Dec 30, 2004 22:07:25 GMT -5
I don't know much about bear hunting, but I can vouch for Ruger. Might be the best buy in guns period. You get so much more than you pay for when you go Ruger. There are nicer guns, but they hit you int he wallet. Bang for the buck ... gimmie a Ruger.
Since we’re on the topic of bears … my land in Tionesta Pa is polluted with black bear. At my camp there is always an 870 Express at ready access, but when I’m walking my land I always have my 45ACP. How much good will that trusty Kimber do me against a black bear? Their admittedly smaller than a grizzly, but that’s still a large animal.
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Post by NeilCasper on Dec 31, 2004 16:56:55 GMT -5
Wow, talk about the spirit of adventure!
No disrespect but you have admitted you are basically a novice handgun shooter. Do you think you will be cool and collected so that you can manage to fire a cylinderful of .44 magnum 300 grain lead slugs, double action, into the kill zone of a charging grizzly bear at close range? And I consider the .44 mag. really minimal for grizzly.
I'm not mocking you but think about it. Maybe a large caliber rifle would be better or let someone more experienced at shooting P.O.ed bears pack the iron.
Don't forget the little bell thingies for your shoelaces. ;D
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