45acp ammo for black bear defense

[drawson]

If I had to use my 45 ACp on a bear this is the ammo I would have in the gun!!! http://www.doubletapammo.com/php/cat...roducts_id=156

[ForneyRider]

There are 2 black bear threads on XD.

.454 Casull and shotgun are the 2 most popular bear protection in Alaska.
Any magnum handgun would come in a close 3rd.

When hunting brown bear, I took my Parker-Hale 7mm Mag and 12 ga. shotgun. My dad took his .375 H&H and a Ruger .41 Magnum Blackhawk.
I was shooting 175gr, and my dad's was either 270gr or 300gr.

.454 Casull is very similar to .45 Colt, just look at the Ruger .454 Casull/.45 Colt model pistol. A Casull will have a lot higher velocity, but a hot loaded .45 Colt is very powerful as well.

.45ACP is very slow comparatively, ~850fps. .45ACP has smaller bullet 165gr-230gr vs. a 250gr-300gr .454 or .44 magnum.

You have 2-3 times the capacity as a revolver. Use it.

Bears have slow heart rates and metabolisms. Aim for the head.

I've met several hunters in Alaska that like a 1911 as a backup. They weren't worried about jams.

Alaskan brown bears are a lot bigger than a black bear.

[the_gunman1]

Originally Posted by Bree

Nobody would disagree that there are better calibers than the .45 for this type of target. Everyone knows that from the get go.

Return to post #1 and review what the issue is... what the question actually being asked is. Fleshatomb can't afford a new gun. He ONLY has a .45. That is what he has to use to defend himself. So what should he do with the 45 that he has?

The guy wants to go fishing for trout near his home. He is worried that a West Virginia Black bear momma and cubs might come out of the woods and attack him.

He is being outfitted with increasingly powerful weapons way beyond and irrelevant to the question asked. Let's get back on point.

I do agree, BUT after reading that link and doing some more research I now believe there is not a load in .45ACP that will do much more than piss off a mother bear trying to protect her cubs or one that is acting on predatory instinct(yes it does happen). It may kill the bear but doubtfully on time to keep from getting mauled. 99% of the time the charge will be a bluff but Murphy lives on. It would be better to take out a loan to get a good 4 or 5" barreled .44mag if he is going to be in bear country. Pissing off a bear that's already intent on doing harm isn't going to help the situation. I have seen several of Ruger Redhawks for a pich under $400 used. Tough gun to wear out.

[Don]

I have always read that you should file the front sight down on the pistol so that it does not hurt as bad when the bear shoves it up your ass.

Looking at pictures of bear heads and then looking at pictures of bear skulls tells me that what we may perceive as a brain shot is not a real brain shot.

Carry what you can, but 12ga. will be best.

[Myk9noseknows]

+1 on that my good sir.

I don't get the logic of people asking if they should carry a .45 to prevent a bear attack. Then when we say no, a .45 won't do, they get all bent out of shape and want to argue. WTF!

Originally Posted by Don

I have always read that you should file the front sight down on the pistol so that it does not hurt as bad when the bear shoves it up your ass.

Looking at pictures of bear heads and then looking at pictures of bear skulls tells me that what we may perceive as a brain shot is not a real brain shot.

Carry what you can, but 12ga. will be best.

[Bree]

Originally Posted by the_gunman1

I do agree, BUT after reading that link and doing some more research I now believe there is not a load in .45ACP that will do much more than piss off a mother bear trying to protect her cubs or one that is acting on predatory instinct(yes it does happen). It may kill the bear but doubtfully on time to keep from getting mauled. 99% of the time the charge will be a bluff but Murphy lives on. It would be better to take out a loan to get a good 4 or 5" barreled .44mag if he is going to be in bear country. Pissing off a bear that's already intent on doing harm isn't going to help the situation. I have seen several of Ruger Redhawks for a pich under $400 used. Tough gun to wear out.

Bear is a tough customer and you will probably need some luck to knock him down with a 45. It can be done. It can be done in a single shot... if you are lucky or very very skilled. But it definitely isn't the best choice. There is no debate on that issue.

Quite frankly as I originally suggested, I think the UDAP or other high quality fogging OC bear spray is the best choice. It is light, easy to carry, easy to use, and remarkably effective. Plus you don't have to kill the bear.

[buzzgreenberg@msn.com]

Notice I left out "to". Anyway I just purchased a Bear Guides Gun used for many years in Alaska. It is a Czech Bruno w/a 16.5 in. barrel cal.458 Win. (A BIG 45)
A handgun of choice for a critter this size my Desert Eagle in .50. It is a bit heavy for a daily carry but when in the woods where there are teeth that bite and claws that rip it makes me feel a bit more armed. If you cannot stop a bear w/14 rounds of .45 get another XD (this is the excuse you have needed for getting a compact) and use both hands, that should give you 28x45 which is over a foot of lead. The Bear Fogger is the item to use first if you are able. Keep gun in hand while u try and be careful, plus give next of kin this site to list weapons for sale if you get gobbled up.

[Margana]

I suppose a .45 ACP is better than nothing....but I am sure you have read this:

http://news.aol.com/topnews/articles...22182209990001

This was done with a 4 to 5 inch piece of firewood, thrown at the bear!

As for a .45 ACP....Yes, that could work if you were calm enough (or lucky enough) to shoot an advancing bear in the brain or the heart.

[Bree]

Originally Posted by Margana

I suppose a .45 ACP is better than nothing....but I am sure you have read this:

http://news.aol.com/topnews/articles...22182209990001

This was done with a 4 to 5 inch piece of firewood, thrown at the bear!

As for a .45 ACP....Yes, that could work if you were calm enough (or lucky enough) to shoot an advancing bear in the brain or the heart.

I see it but I really don't believe it. Snopes needs to check this one out.

[Hot Brass]

Get a 44mag, 45LC(loaded hot), 454 Casuall, shotgun, rifle, or stay out of the woods.