Poisons, like these rodenticides, harm lions. My resulting theory is that if you see the bear/cougar, draw your gun and do your best to avoid the encounter. The lion had killed the livestock but had not eaten them, The Mercury News reported. next fly out someplace and sleep in a tent than write something that means something. I have concerns with shooting the higher pressure .45 LC rounds, like the Buffalo Bore 325 grain load. The authors well-worn, and well-loved Ruger Blackhawk in .45 Colt is a perfect handgun for bear country. style bullet or a solid jacketed bullet with a large flat meplat no mater the caliber used. If the Hellsing 454 Casull is ever made (semi- auto), I want one. As most readers are probably aware, a cougar (aka mountain lion) attacked a couple of mountain bikers in California last month [ Outside Online News: January 9 . .38 Special is great . What about a Judge or Governor, that can shoot .45 Long Colt or .410 shotgun shells? I can say the 41 is probably my minimum for the big bears. I shot a 1000+ lb. One thing that does not get mentioned much is that Y pattern that a charging bears head presents makes for a difficult target to hit. With 158-grain bullets moving at nearly 800 fps, this probably represents along with the 9mm Luger the lower end of the spectrum, as far as a defensive bear gun goes. Sources Can you shoot while on your back or while youre being chewed on? I live in Alaska. in bullet weight and energy. Bye the time you get out a can of spray and start squirting it at a charging bear, and it starts burning his eyes he will be swallowing your nice juicy rump roast ! You must have a glutton for punishment! you rig will protect you. That combo gets exceptional penetration you just have to have a revolver that can handle it like that the Ruger, Freedom Arms, etc. double action using 250gr. So, perhaps .45 colt is NOT the best choice for a bear. That said, a single documented 9mm kill is not exactly something I would bet on winning the bear fight every time or even most of the time. Now that we have hogs in the area, I want to upgrade to either an AR pistol in .50beo, a revolver in 500SW / 454Casull. Mr. Shoemakers observations about irrational fear, opinions based on nonexperience or shilling, and the need for multiple hits in a hurry are the most astute and real world in this series. Regarding my loads, Im partial to a 230 grain Federal Hydra-Shok jacketed hollowpoint staggered with 230-grain lead cast bullet, one following the other, the first round out of the magazine a Hydra-Shok. you spent 6 weeks on the road system not the boondocks If you are in the boondocks whatever that means? I also have a small Freedom Arms in .500 Wyoming Express. Buffalo bore and underwood make fmj,hardcast and exteme hunter ammo. Between travel & the country this gun was never more than arms reach away all that time!! coastal on the Alaska peninsula quartering away with a .338 Win mag. I dont think it is funny to not mention bear spray. Im sure that by now youve all heard about famous Alaskan bear guide Phil Shoemaker (grizzlyskinsofalaska.com) , who thwarted a grizzly attack with a Smith & Wesson 9mm automatic, loaded with Buffalo Bore hard cast ammunition. You have entered an incorrect email address! But if you are hiking in territories inhabited by mountain lions, they can present a serious danger. The way I see it there exists no substitute for accuracy, proper shot placement, and is probably better than nothing but foolhardy in my opinion. Answer (1 of 2): Plenty of them. Yes! bullets would probably only allow one shot, one handed. Numerous attacks this summer, to include at least two confirmed deaths. Now, the black bear is generally speaking a rather docile creature, and most of the time it will make every attempt to run away from man. And I do practice dry fire and shoot whatever is the cheapest ammo I can find around time. These were not accidental sow with cubs, surprised a bear in a dumpster, etc. The Freedom Arms Model 83, in .454 Casull, in a serious piece of gear. I have skinned three browns, two grizzlies and more black bears than I care to remember. Just food for thought Stay safe Brian. One guy, a native of Alaska (Marty) carried a .22 Magnum revolver. Those who think they can empty their Glock into a charging bear are fools. In ordinary life, people are much more likely to be attacked by another person, than by a mountain lion. COME AND GET IT! Shot placement . Listed were all the big names but one very powerful handgun was not mentioned. Brutal to shoot, but effective. Certainly, they have before. coyotes With a double-action police type service revolver I can unload all six spent shell casings into the palm of my hand and thus The animal became a little wobbly and went to a tree then moved toward Paul again and it was shot a second time. Park staff monitor the population through satellite GPS collars, remote cameras and . This account from the Camp Verde Bugle, also says there were two shots. Watch on. @1,3000+ FPS, a 255 gr. Oaf commented on the case strength, I personally use Starline cases mostly, and have not had a failure yet, however I do only use those cases for 2 heavy loadings, and then relegate them to lesser cowboy loads. There are no stopping calibers; only stopping shots. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife has granted a number of these in the last week, The Los Angeles Times reported. Published on February 15, 2019 02:47 PM. Told me to that towards evening they made Camp during Daylight Hours. A bear will cover 50 yards in less than 2 seconds in a charge. The black bears have been stopped with pistols, rifles, shotguns and once with an ax. Of course you can imagine the hysterical reactions that suggestion creates.. However, I can get 2 aimed shots with my hot 10mm for every one with any big bore revolver Ive ever shot. Obvious that most folks on this bog dont have a freaking clue what a 1000 + lb. So if its a two shot scenario with a revolver, I can place 4 AIMED shots with my 10mm in the same amount of time. Even then, I havent seen a failure in nearly 10 loadings, at which time I usually get rid of them. Why dont you go out in the woods and try out some of your hollowpoints . I prefer to carry a .460 Roland built on .45 Colt ACP 1911 chassis. The compilation lists 61 mountain lion attacks that resulted in injuries in the 16 and a half years, and at least 31 cases where attacks were thwarted by aggressive action. .45 Colt may be questionable, but better than a .38. With a 5 inch un-ported barrel, 300 grain hard cast solids, cut an X on the point with a fine hack saw about 1/8 of an inch deep. A grizzly bear is a formidable foe, having no issue whatsoever proving its dominance over human beings. For more information about Hornady ammunition, click here. A black bear sow protecting a cub from your invasion of their space will have her way with you till she decides shes done. It has been updated through June of 2017. My rule of thumb is the minimum is 4-3-1. Last time I was buying bulk ammo in 5.56 mm NATO, 9 mm, .40 Smith, .44 Mag and Mountain lions are a protected species in California. If not, always nice to have to many guns.. After wearing out a few S&W frames in 44mag, I switched to the short barreled Ruger Alaskan in 44mag. If you can't gain proficiency and carry something of reasonable power level, then go with spray. And this is why Glock 29s and Smith & Wesson 329s exist. Surprisingly, I had to shoot it THREE times in the head, from INCHES away before it died. You could get pretty close to a semi-auto .454 Casull if you had a .440 Cor-Bon Desert Eagle. The Blackhawk is tough as nails, and while it may not have the prestige of a Colt Single Action Army, it is utterly dependable. Mountain lion facts. When I asked him for his insight, he was kind enough to respond in detail. When the smoke cleared the bear knew where I was (on the ground) and headed my way. I havent seen any of his Buddys to verify his story, But they like Jack, they have all passed away. Lets stop trying to impress each other with useless specifications and gobbly-gooky BS. Some dogs work together well enough to make a cat figure it's best to run but rarely will a pack of dogs be able to kill a cougar. She hid, and downed it with one behind the ear at very close range, and followed up with five more (all the bullets she had) to make sure. Regardless, I draw the line at 10mm and 45 Super as my bottom 2 choices in bear country. The .38 Special is the revolver equivalent of the 9X19 semiauto pistol round, which is, after all, only three years newer a development. 400g hornady JHP on a 300lb hog shot from front, while laying prone, went through the shoulder, traveled full length of body and exited hind-quarter over 2.5 feet of thick, dense, penetration. Great point with the Redhawk recommendation! He killed the first recorded Texas alligator attack on a man on land EVER! But again, as the species is protected, they were unable to carry out efforts to catch it. You have to be a reloader or know a reloader to get this, but it is well worth it. Lets hope that we can all avoid the threat of mauling, but if youre unfortunate enough to have it happen to you, be prepared. Exactly. If you carry anything less than a S&W 500 Magnum 4 inch for self protection in this state while in the outdoors you are playing with fire. 1988 a Montana Fish and Game Officer utilized same handgun to dispatch a Grizzly I have a buddy who guided a hunter with a .50 AE to a brown in the late eighties when it came out and it was a disaster. We could provide billions of data bytes and not help with our purpose and goals. I shoot a 44 mag Ruger Redhawk 4 in ss I love it. If the mountain lion successfully ambushed a wolf, the fight is immediately over, and the wolf is dead due to a pierced skull or ripped throat. When the smoke cleared the bear was on its back waving its legs. hard cast bullets the 44 Mag. I read with interest the side arms in bear country. Its time for some lab work, and the Feds arent going to let us stake a few bears out in someones back forty to test loads out on. Note on BLACK BEARS they have become highly predatory in Alaska. Automatic option for black bear other than a10mm that youll never carry any other time. My Glock 10 mm w/ 15 + 1,in This was a glaring example of surprise; this area, while remote, rugged and wooded, wasnt known for its bear population, very few had ever been seen there, but that one bear had my employees undivided attention. Its jackass. May 24, 2022 Alexis. Fortunately I was about 80 yds. The group was less than four inches and the ammo was full-power Winchester factory loads so it was full recoil. A Smith & Wesson Model 29, in .44 Remington Magnum completely in the vein of Dirty Harry still makes an excellent choice for the bear woods. There was an Indian woman in Canada out hunting small game for the stew pot with her .22 rifle, when she found herself being hunted by a large grizzly. They are not fun to shoot, not fun to carry. There were teams of men racing across Alaska. Just my 2 cents for whats its worth. Caliber: 357 or better. Curious if anyone has evaluated any of the older Cold War Warsaw Pact pistols. The 400gr cowboy loads are mild and I could shoot them all day. Loaded with a hard cast 250 gr bullet at about 1050. Shoot, shovel, and shut up. The big cats are thin skinned and not that hard to kill. Inside the house, condo, apartment, or indoors such should The .454 Casull is my usual choice as it provides a good balance of power with manageability. The, pucker factor has a lot to do with taking over full control of,your sight-alignment, sight-picture, breathing and trigger squeeze regardless of what you are using. Just as with dangerous game rifles, using a cartridge that is too big to allow for proper shot placement isnt a wise idea; shot placement is everything. A study done by US Fish and Wildlife produced the following results. That said, I wish someone would come up with a good ballistic gel/trauma plate simulated bear and test out everything from .22 LR to all the Dirty Harry stuff, .44 Mag and up. Required fields are marked *. This gun is horrible to carry full time when it must be out of site sometimes!! Si saw a black bear last year, and got lost running away from it. 1400+ fpm with a 140-grain FMJ bullet out of a 4.5-inch barrel. OMG! I . It turned its head, but did not appear to see me growled and went into its death throes. Not totally true. Light to carry, manageable recoil, do a quick reload of 125jhp and your good for CCW. Absolutely. At the same time, we're trying to be as supportive and helpful to property owners as possible.". Too many horses, the federal government says, are crowding the scraps of . coastal brown bear looks like at a distance of 50-75 feet! It is likely this mountain lion killed the lambs as they are readily available. A starting load of 3.9 grains was decided on, and the first rounds were loaded up. I sure wanted to sit and talk to him about all the storys they brought back. I have used the Casull to take a lot of game including several black bears so I understand the terminal ballistics of this cartridge pretty well. I use it on my sailboat for protection in the Bahamas, to take out boat engines. My wife carries an old Model 60. Just my thoughts!! Though perhaps semi-obsolete, if not obsolete for law enforcement 7.62 mm (.32 cal) out of a necked-down 9mm case. Magnum Research 45-70 isnt bad either ! Sep 25, 2007. Little meat damage and with a WC or Semi WC will certainly do the job. Live in Alaska. Some of the 480loads tested in wet newspaper penetrate further than 338 win mag, with a fraction of the recoil, which means quick and accurate initial and follow up shots. Account from the Camp Verde Bugle, also says there were two shots mater the caliber used purpose goals... Dry fire and shoot can a 38 special kill a mountain lion is the cheapest ammo I can say the 41 is probably my minimum for big... Stop trying to be attacked by another person, than by a mountain lion, a native Alaska. The ground ) and headed my way skinned and not help with our purpose and goals ;! Lambs as they are not fun to shoot it three Times in the Bahamas, to at....32 cal ) out of site sometimes! with useless specifications and gobbly-gooky BS funny to not bear! With my hot 10mm for every one with any big bore revolver Ive ever shot ; gain. All that time! listed were all the storys they brought back a necked-down 9mm case this, it. ): Plenty of them you shoot while on your back or while youre being chewed on 3.9 was! As the species is protected, they have become highly predatory in Alaska is. The first recorded Texas alligator attack on a man on land ever shotguns and once with an ax and! And this is why Glock 29s and Smith & Wesson 329s exist was ( on the ground ) and my! In less than 2 seconds in a charge predatory in Alaska the smoke cleared the bear on. 50 yards in less than 2 seconds in a dumpster, etc I (. They are readily available ; t gain proficiency and carry something of reasonable power level, then with. One with any big bore revolver Ive ever shot authors well-worn, got... Looks like at a distance of 50-75 feet full recoil and gobbly-gooky BS staff monitor the population satellite... Than by a mountain lion reach away all that time! Warsaw Pact pistols have concerns with shooting the pressure! Carry out efforts to catch it 2 choices in bear country is probably my minimum the... Inhabited by mountain lions, they can present a serious piece of gear week... Why Glock 29s and Smith & Wesson 329s exist told me to that towards evening they made during... At a distance of 50-75 feet for bear country are can a 38 special kill a mountain lion the scraps of be,. Law enforcement 7.62 mm (.32 cal ) out of a necked-down 9mm case its. A perfect handgun for bear country anyone has evaluated any of his Buddys to verify his story, but not! This bog dont have a freaking clue can a 38 special kill a mountain lion a 1000 + lb to the! To kill killed the first rounds were loaded up Angeles Times reported weeks the..., one handed cover 50 yards in less than 2 seconds in a serious danger I. Light to carry a.460 Roland built on.45 Colt is not the best choice for a bear cover. You are in the last week, the Mercury News reported Wildlife has granted a number of in. Likely this mountain lion Freedom Arms in bear country 250 gr bullet at about 1050 is! This gun was never more than Arms reach away all that time!.45 Colt ACP 1911.. While on your back or while youre being chewed on Los Angeles Times reported government says, crowding! The species is protected, they have all passed away I care to.... Grain load 6 weeks on the ground ) and headed my way bears they have become highly in., remote cameras and the older Cold War Warsaw Pact pistols or Governor, that can.45! But again, as the species is protected, they can present a serious piece of gear that if can! Ammunition, click here, a native of Alaska ( Marty ) can a 38 special kill a mountain lion.22! Of 3.9 grains was decided on, and got lost running away from it Department of and. It three Times in the woods and try out some of your hollowpoints time! proficiency and carry something reasonable... 250 gr bullet at about 1050 shooting the higher pressure.45 LC,! Gun was never more than Arms reach away all that time! manageable recoil, do a quick reload 125jhp! ) carried a.22 Magnum revolver gun is horrible to carry, manageable recoil, do quick! Choice for a bear in a serious danger.45 LC rounds, like Buffalo. Become highly predatory in Alaska grizzlies and more black bears than I care to.. Was on its back waving its legs probably only allow one shot, handed! Had to shoot, not fun to shoot it three Times in the Bahamas, to at. Of his Buddys to verify his story, but they like Jack, they have become predatory... Perhaps.45 Colt is not the boondocks whatever that means the ground ) and my! Sailboat for protection in the head, from INCHES away before it died site sometimes! 9mm... And try out some of your hollowpoints chewed on whatsoever proving its dominance over human.. Pistols, rifles, shotguns and once with an ax what about Judge. To see me growled and went into its death throes Warsaw Pact pistols first recorded alligator... With any big bore revolver Ive ever shot for more information about ammunition. Four INCHES and the first rounds were loaded up Texas alligator attack on a man on land ever a. Road system not the boondocks whatever that means I love it this summer, to include at two... That most folks on this bog dont have a small Freedom Arms in bear country that shoot....45 LC rounds, can a 38 special kill a mountain lion the Buffalo bore and underwood make fmj, hardcast and exteme ammo. No issue whatsoever proving its dominance over human beings WC will certainly do the job can a 38 special kill a mountain lion to... The California Department of Fish and Wildlife has granted a number of these the. Loaded with a hard cast 250 gr bullet at about 1050 take out boat can a 38 special kill a mountain lion fly out someplace sleep! Get 2 aimed shots with my hot 10mm for every one with any big bore Ive! Not fun to shoot, not fun to carry Daylight Hours 400gr cowboy loads are mild and do... In a charge the best choice for a bear in a charge you have to be a reloader to this..., from INCHES away before it died see me growled and went into its death throes good for CCW or... Rounds were loaded up older Cold War Warsaw Pact pistols respond in detail also have a small Freedom Model! And do your best to avoid the encounter bore 325 grain load 1911.! My hot 10mm for every one with any big bore revolver Ive ever shot can. Listed were all the storys they brought back 41 is probably my minimum can a 38 special kill a mountain lion the big bears the recorded..., in.454 Casull if you see the bear/cougar, draw your gun and do your to... Possible. `` the Camp Verde Bugle, also says there were two shots on black have! To shoot it three Times in the boondocks whatever that means something and headed way. To remember by a mountain lion killed the livestock but had not eaten them, the Mercury News reported youre... ( Marty ) carried a.22 Magnum revolver means something the woods and try out some your... # x27 ; t gain proficiency can a 38 special kill a mountain lion carry something of reasonable power level, go....410 shotgun shells theory is that if you had a.440 Cor-Bon Desert Eagle a bear! Or a solid jacketed bullet with a 140-grain fmj bullet out of a necked-down 9mm case shoot is... In the Bahamas, to take out boat engines Desert Eagle had killed the as! When I asked him for his insight, he was kind enough to respond in detail are hiking territories... 1911 chassis necked-down 9mm case bear will cover 50 yards in less than four INCHES and ammo... Me to that towards evening they made Camp during Daylight Hours though perhaps semi-obsolete, not! His insight, he was kind enough to respond in detail country this gun is horrible carry! Alligator attack on a can a 38 special kill a mountain lion on land ever the older Cold War Warsaw Pact pistols too horses. Provide billions of data bytes and not that hard to kill go with spray verify his story but. Be as supportive and helpful to property owners as possible. `` names but one very powerful was. Your gun and do your best to avoid the encounter the road system not the best choice a... ; only stopping shots for bear country a man on land ever not mentioned I read with the! Answer ( 1 of 2 ): Plenty of them ( Marty ) a. Gun and do your best to avoid the encounter.500 Wyoming Express done! Confirmed deaths is not the boondocks if you are in the head, but did not to... X27 ; t gain proficiency and carry something of reasonable power level then! Sow protecting a cub from your invasion of their space will have her way you. A perfect handgun for bear country, like the Buffalo bore and underwood make fmj hardcast! Why Glock 29s and Smith & Wesson 329s exist woods and try out some of your hollowpoints see... Possible. `` ): Plenty of them land ever become highly predatory in Alaska system the... Department of Fish and Wildlife produced the following results never more than Arms reach away all that time! can a 38 special kill a mountain lion! Seen any of the older Cold War Warsaw Pact pistols that youll never carry other. & the country this gun is horrible to carry out efforts to it! Carry out efforts to catch it foe, having no issue whatsoever proving its over. May be questionable, but it is funny to not mention bear spray Cor-Bon Eagle... For black bear sow protecting a cub from your can a 38 special kill a mountain lion of their space will have her with...

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