Side arm for grizzlies

I have never had a confrontation with a bear. Nor would I like to. But in this case, what do you spray the bear with first? Lead?, and then pepper spray? Or Vice versa? I would hate for a bear to be on top of me, and then Me, underneath wondering what to do? Your info is much appreciated I am sure for those in bear country. I have always wanted to visit AK.
 
From what I've seen of reports and videos of polar bear and grizzly encounters where pepper spray was used I would say go with that first. Trying to stop a bear with pepper spray that has been shot with a bullet already probably won't be too effective. They're now wounded and their adrenaline is up. I'd lead with the spray but be ready with a firearm. From the little I've seen, I doubt you'd fire a shot after using the spray. Of course much of it depends on how much resolve the user has to stand in the face of an approaching bear and how much they understand about bear behavior. Using the spray first may mitigate trying to determine the bears true intentions.
 
Originally Posted By: martbut once you kill a grizzly in claimed self defense, Fish and Game takes a close look at the circumstances to determine if it was justified or not.
Originally Posted By: martUsing the spray first may mitigate trying to determine the bears true intentions.

Aye, but therein lies the rub when it comes to the mortality/morbidity statistics between spray vs. firearm users in bear attacks. I don't know, but I suspect, there's a significant mindset difference there. If one is aware of all the hassle involved in shooting a grizzly in self-defense, I suspect that one will be less likely to shoot a grizzly except in truly life-threatening attacks. On the other hand, bear spray is "no harm, no foul" so to speak, so why not spray and pray, just to be on the safe side. As such, I suspect that many of the spray encounters were just that, encounters, rather than actual attacks with serious potential for bodily harm, thus skewing the statistics.
 
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You make a valid point on the pepper spray being used in possibly less threatening encounters with bears. You are right in the no harm no foul, other than it's pretty difficult to use pepper spray without suffering some of the effects yourself.

I have used it a lot in law enforcement and can say it works wonders on humans. The little bit of experience I have with it on bears has been impressive.

Once again, I'm not advocating for leaving the handgun at home. I pack a 4" Ruger Redhawk 45 Colt myself. I do believe the spray works really well and carry it also.
 
Hi Mart ; personally I think everyone should be packing a 400 Whelan.
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Glen, aka Cold Trigger Finger.
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I know I'm really looking forward to getting mine built.
With your and others report of how mild the recoil is. I think it would be a great eye opener to people how much power they can shoot for how little the recoil is.
 
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Originally Posted By: gumboot458 Hi Mart ; personally I think everyone should be packing a 400 Whelan.
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Glen, aka Cold Trigger Finger.
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I know I'm really looking forward to getting mine built.

I couldn't agree with you more. I love mine. I don't know how my 400 grain Woodleigh load would fare against a grizzly. Pretty good I expect. I know it makes caribou stop what they're doing. Plus, owning a 400 Whelen elevates one's status to the shooting fraternity's version of the world's most intersting man. "I don't always shoot rifles but when I do, I shoot a 400 Whelen."
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It would work great. Of course getting real close is the best idea. If WaterRat builds one we will have some more precise data. And I'm bummed out big time at how abysmal the caribou hunting was over here this year . I'm planning on going to Southeast for a deer shoot next fall and plan on dumping a brown bear with mine. And dumping is what I expect from it. A friend who's a guide uses a 416 Taylor with 400 gr@2200 fps and 350 gr Speers @2350. It upends trophy bears that are running away from clients 300 mags like gallded [beeep] apes.
 
Yes. I just saw that a couple days ago on Rugers web site. . Even with the short barrel it should be able to push a 400 gr bullet at 1050+ fps which for point blank range will penetrate like crazy. And has a wide enough meplate to do plenty of damage. . Its the most power most people can hang onto and control in an emergency situation. Its small enough to easily have with all the time outdoors or in a tent.
 
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And, if the rear sight gets replaced with a Burris Fast Fire mount and the optic is mounted. The gun can be used as a hunting revolver.
 
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