st33ve0 wrote:
Bring me my 577 Tyrannosaur!!!
M82A1 CQ with a VFG and a Red Dot, I heard Pat Rogers likes the T1.
Honestly I'd recommend like the guys here, 12 GA with slugs, 3'' Magnum if you're chambered for it. 3 1/2'' would be nice but you'd get better capacity with 3''.
ETA: I don't think they make 3 1/2'' slugs now that I think about it. But like one of the guys here, I might try first a shot of 00 or 000 Buck Shot, hitting it in the face with buckshot might deter it. Honestly, use mace or a shotgun, but don't have a plan for escalation, that thing will be all over you before you can transition, shoot to kill, I would empty every round I had in it, in all honesty.
It's a bear, you don't get many second chances. Plus when you come across them, you're usually close range, and if it's a mother defending her cubs, you better kill her, or she'll get you.
ETA 2: Honestly, I was thinking about it.
Most Bears you're going to come across are going to run off before you get to them they're not going to be aggressive. My Friends Dad who's been an outdoors guy all of his life (and they're from up north, or further north anyway) so he had a lot of experience with bears told me the majority will run.
The problems we see nowadays with them approaching people is because people have fed bears so sometimes they come to camp sites. I'd say you're fine with black bears, but he was chased into his car by a black bear, and I saw it on video, hehe, it was a home video, and he was standing outside the tent talking about how he had seen him the night before, etc. When challenged they will usually run.
Now that's black bear, which are about 200-400 lbs, they're curious, etc. But every bear in this region will out run you, they say the best way to out run a bear is running down hill because they have to slow down, at least you have the best chances. But if you run up hill or are on level ground, you're screwed.
The more I think about it, Buckshot to the face/front of it trying to disorient/frighten it off would probably be best, and then just put in as many slugs as you can, but honestly, if you see one, just back away facing it slowly would be my best opinion. If you come across a cub, Get out of that area as rapidly as you can without running or being a threat, but if you do come across a cub, ready your firearm.
That's my advice on bears.
Handguns? I'd say use FMJ's, honestly they're going to penetrate better, which in this case is what you need more than expansion.
But you better not go out expecting to protect yourself with a handgun.
ETA 3: (Sorry, last note but I feel like this is really worth giving info on.)
You probably need to look at a 20''-24'' shotgun, pump or semi, I'd recommend Semi, but just be very confident in the reliability of your weapon and also, buy a quality round. Don't go cheap on saving your life.
