No one mentioned bear pepper spray I would have that as well as a handgun if you look at the statistics furnished by the game and fish it will deter almost all attacks if deployed most attacks that occur where someone is injured neither is deployed and that victim is on the ground before they know what hit them. Read the information that is handed out in the states that have grizzly. The first rule is be aware of sign, tracks, scat or fresh kills and fetid odors. Most folks can not draw and make a kill shot on a animal charging at 30 miles and hour. Most Im guessing are not going to break leather. if you wound a bear it most times is not going to be pretty. I trap in grizzly country and have had several encounters I do carry a gun but it is a shotgun with 00 buck and slug. They leave a lot of sign and most folks make the mistake of walking into a kill site or occupied area with there thumb up there backside not paying attention. If you do come back to a kill site that is the worst scenario make sure it has not been covered and be sure you can see the area plainly before you enter.

Wag... That is where I was going with my comments about a dog. I know a dog may not stop a bear, but a dog would be a pretty good form of early warning system allowing more time to bring whatever weapon available to ready. Also,a good early warning system for time spent around camp.

Donner do not forget to take a large WHITE pillowcase. You can put gear in it for travel, and at night lay it out next to you and place your firearm on it for easier acquisition in the dark. Rips up good for bandages and other uses as well if needed.

Osky

my cousin was hunting blacks in WI with dogs , long story short very big black bear the dogs were all over it the dogs owner told him to wait till the bear stood on it's hind legs and shoot it under the chin when it did , he did that may have hit a little low or a bit off center I didn't get to inspect it. the bear came down and charged he got a second shot in it on the charge the first shot was taken at 35 yards the bear fell at 5 yards with 2 12ga slugs in it.


you can't stop a 200 pound man with a handgun effectively in 7 yards what makes you think you will stop a 500 pound bear with one in short distance.

keep your hands free and gun ready

Very good words Dan...

It does bring up a question. Here in MN and other places the CO's are crazy quick to arrest or cite for wanton waste. Out there in grizzly country how do they deal with a downed animal situation if you feel Grizzlies could be a threat? I know what common sense says, but how about the "officials"?

Osky

I'm in agreement with Boone Laine: my 45/70 Marlin or 12 ga Remington 870 is my first choice, but my .44 Mag Super Redhawk is always strapped to me for the times when my long gun isn't in my hands, like gathering firewood, unloading/loading the boat, using my binoculars. And the new Marlins are not all bad. I've never personally handled a new Marlin 1895 that had any defects other than cosmetic, they have always worked and are as tough as nails, I know over a dozen individuals scattered across Alaska using the newer 1895 Marlins with the push button safety in 45/70, and they have always worked for them. I think owning the older 1895's is more of a status symbol nowadays. Just my 2 cents having owned older and newer 1895 Marlins, using them to hunt with on boats and snow machines, and all of them working flawlessly. The Henry 45/70 rifles don't work well in real world conditions. The two people I know of who bought them had them jam up when trying to feed a new round in.
As far as pistols go, shoot them standing up before you buy one, most people can only shoot the Magnums that are bigger than .44 Magnum or .45LC accurately if they are shooting off of a rest. You won't be shooting off a rest at a charging bear.

There is a difference between caution and Arkoudaphobia. I ran into two bear hunters upriver that had an electric fence around their tent, were both packing what looked like 45 automatics and I assume had long rifles with them.

Odds were they would die in a plane crash ( their cub) than get attacked by bears.

Maybe they read outdoor life when they was young.

A .454 would be nice if you're going with a handgun. If you want a .44, the comment of a Ruger super redhawk with Buffalo Bore 340 gr +p+ is a good one. That's what I carry but only cause I got a great deal on it. That buffalo bore ammo in .44 comes pretty close to matching the .454 in performance. That ammo is for use in certain guns only though. Don't fire it in the lightweight S&W revolvers or you'll be sad you did.

Thanks for the warning Jonathon, I do not use Buffalo Bores in my .44 S&W mountain gun but I may have.
For Minnesota use I am comfortable with the 240-300 grain loads.

Osky

I always thought these slugs were in order if I was wandering around grizzly country

I use the term “Bearanoid” to refer to a couple friends But really, I’d rather see unsure people go over-prepared than ignorant and underprepared, or as I call it “Treadwell syndrome”

I don't think any special slug is necessary , plane old 1 ounce Winchester super-X about turn them selves inside out and penetrate around 30 inches on deer when shot from under 50 yards.

better to buy a bunch they sell in bulk boxes of 15 for about 12-13 dollars and practice with your shotgun till hitting is second nature.
than buy specialty rounds you will shot 5 of and call it good not knowing that when you cycle them fast they don't feed well.

Donner, I cant give you any grizzly advice but if you are looking for a .44 magnum and want to keep the weight down you may want to check out the S&W model 69. It is built on the smith "L" frame the same frame they build their 357's on. It's only a five shot revolver not six like the 357 is. I have one in a 2.75 inch barrel. It carries great. You can use any "L" frame 357 holster for it. I know it comes in a 4 inch barrel if you would rather have it. I have the The 4 inch 357 and the 44 2.75 inch barrel carries much better. Five shot speed loaders for the Charter Bulldog works well for an extra load. I put Hogue grips on mine for recoil. You can use grips that fit K, L, N, or the new X frame. They all will fit the L frame. I ordered mine from hogue for about 40 dollars. It was money well spent. Now for the downside, the recoil is pretty stout in the 2.75 inch barrel. I think you stated earlier that you were not recoil sensitve, I'am. I carry on the strong side hip. If I were bowhunting I would try to find a chest rig to keep it available and handy. I hope this helps you with your gun question. I carry for black bear not grizzlies. Good luck.

Ruger 44 mag in an Alaskan Guide holster across the chest. Although I have just carried the 357 double action Dan Wesson in Grizz country. Whatever you can shoot the best and straight.

I have and shoot a Freedom Arms Mod 83 revolver. ( Its the original model first chambered in 454C ) I shoot it every time I go to the range and put 20 or so rounds through it at the end of the day. Sometimes a few more. It is one of those things that you need to keep at it. It is a snappy round that will surprise some folks that wanted to try it. I would suggest you find a person or range that has a 454 revolver and try it out. It is not for everyone. And you can not miss fast enough. If you can't shoot it well its going to be next to useless for you. I have a red dot on mine for fast target acquisition no matter what light level.

That was a great compilation thanks for posting it. I have pretty much decided to sell my .357 blackhawk and get a .44 or .454 super redhawk Alaskan. Until I had posted this I had always thought .44 and .357 had similar ballistics but the buffalo bore .44 +p+ hits much harder than the .357 ever could. I appreciate all the feedback.

Willy, why the Super Redhawk instead of the Super Blackhawk? If it's the dbl action I could get a 4" barrel for my Dan Wesson .44 mag but it's a big chunk of metal.

The best handgun for bear has an 18 inch barrel, has a shoulder stock, and is chambered in 3" 12 gauge.

EdP - I am a fan of both single and double action guns. The Super Redhawk is double action and can be fired easier and faster under stress and possible injury. It takes one fewer step to fire. Maybe injured or partially pinned and just could not (This word is unacceptable on Trapperman) the hammer. Just trying to be prepared. If someone else needs to use the gun, they may be less skilled.

Many guides in Ak have told me no way on a single action, with double just squeeze off shots until no more wiggling.

Dan Wesson Guns are great. A 4” barrel would be nice. A light comfortable handgun.

Personally, I like the feel, bulk, and mass of the Super Redhawk when shooting the extremely powerful Buffalo Bore .44 mag and .454 casull ammunition. If you have not seen one in person, when you do you will see that it is a very massive handgun. I put Hogue grips on ours. Not as nice as the originals, but they absorb some of the recoil.

Best wishes.

+1 on the dog.
Mine have treed black bears and mt lions plus everything smaller than that. I can tell by how the dog(s) react what is there from at least twice as far as I can detect any critter myself. Wolves frequently harass bears, which works in our favor. In an attack the dog(s) would give the bear(s) more to think about than only how good you are going to taste. Time and distance are our best friends in emergencies!

In areas that allow bears to be hunted with dogs, I have found the bears to be very polite.