Polar bear loads...?

[popeshawnpaul]

I'm going to Barrow, AK in June to photograph riders, shorebirds, etc.  Where I'm going there are griz but more importantly polar bears that can be an issue.  I contemplated bringing just bear spray but I'll be out on the tundra miles from my vehicle at times.  Thinking of bringing my spray for my buddy to carry but I want a side arm.  I have a .40 SW Clock.  Nothing bigger but I'm comfy shooting it and have 11 rounds. 

Should I get a big game load for it and take it?  If so, do you suggest a load?  I have personal defense loads that won't be appropriate.   

Or do I borrow a 500 mag or something big from a friend?  I'm certain I got buddies that have something appropriate.  If I were going to do this often I'd buy a big handgun but I rarely have need for this type of a gun. 

Thanks!

[Scheindogg]

If you can find a friend with a 10mm with some good hard cast bullets that could do the trick.. a Glock 20 holds 15 rounds of 10mm... Can get several warning shots as well as follow up shots as needed when you have 15 rounds to use..

[jackelope]

If it was me, I’d be borrowing a .500 s&w. If they had a .600 I’d take that.

[hunter399]

Here's a topic from a few months ago,everybody says just take the spray you will be ok that spray is like a 500 mag in a can,post your question here.

http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,216060.0.html

[popeshawnpaul]

What's different in my situation is the griz possibility is low compared to polar bear.  Nothing is taller than your shin out there and it's flat tundra so I'll see it coming.  I won't be jumping a griz in the willows.  My understanding is the polar bears come in slow and inquisitive, almost hunting you.  I think I'll have time and the idea of a warning shot sounds good to scare. 

Even if I spray a polar bear I still have to hike a half hour back to the truck.  I always carry spray for griz but thought this situation might be different.

[jdb]

I'd beg borrow or steal one of these

[Mtnwalker]

If you can see them coming from a distance like you stated then I would have 1) multiple sprays, maybe a small one that can be deployed while the bear is still a ways down wind( assuming they'll come from down wind if they're 'hunting' you) to let them know that you smell/taste terrible. 2) I would want something shoulder fired like a short 12 ga full of slugs. But I know nothing about polar bear behavior that's just personal preference

[Timberstalker]

Your 40 will work. At the end of the day, if you shoot at him and hit him, it’ll do the job.


If you miss with a .40 or miss with a 500, your still polar bear crap.


My 

[Skillet]

I have no experience with the 40, but if you didn't feel it was enough and were considering a long gun I'd suggest a  Winchester SX3  Marine defender. 

5+1, sling studs, good value, light and handy relative to any other shotgun I've owned.  Sell it up there when you're ready to leave. 

[Bofire]

  12 gauge and slugs.
Carl

[jackelope]

12 gauge and slugs.
Carl

I agree that a short barreled 12 gauge with slugs is probably best especially if you see them coming. I’m not much of an authority on this topic but that setup seems pretty popular among Alaskan guides where the big bears live.

[KFhunter]

tundra = wind and long distances.    I would not take spray, I would not rely on a handgun

[CaNINE]

I have no experience with the 40, but if you didn't feel it was enough and were considering a long gun I'd suggest a  Winchester SX3  Marine defender. 

5+1, sling studs, good value, light and handy relative to any other shotgun I've owned.  Sell it up there when you're ready to leave. 

yup that's a smart idea

[Bob33]

I wouldnt rely on a handgun. A 12 gauge shotgun or 375 minimum would be my first choice. If you have to shoot you want to kill it quickly.

http://robertpogorzelski.com/2015/09/safety-in-polar-bear-country.html

[Widgeondeke]

I spent a year working in Barrow. 2012-2013

Middle of June starts 100% sun, aka midnight sun.
A local polar bear sightseeing guide once told me the minimum hand gun he'd carry is a .44 mag with HOT loads. He'd rather ruin the gun than be dinner, but in 15 years he never had to shoot one
While not much grows tall, the tundra is rolling and a bears can hide. In June it's possible to still be covered in snow. Heck i saw it snow in July  .
The winds are so bad at times, I saw snow drifts go from 1' to 6' in hours.
Natives are allowed to hunt polar bears, but they typically try to have them away from town, if they keep hanging around they will shoot them.
While I was there I only saw 4 bears. A 10' that a local shot, an 8' that circled camp, but left. The others were a 12' that a native said was VERY BIG. The last one was a 6.5' that I helped dragged off the ice after a local killed it: 4 hits from a .270

In my opinion, I'd much prefer a 12ga with slugs 
Like someone mentioned, you could sell it b4 leaving.

Barrow is a damp town, no alcohol sold to nonlocals.
If you were to take a 5th of $20 bottle, you can use it to barter. Selling it is illegal.

Mosquitoes are the worst enemy in the summer. They are HUGE and relentless. Take a screen hat.

Figure temps will vary from 25-60 In June.

[northwesthunter84]

When I was up at the Aplied Physics Ice Station 800 mi. north of coast, the security guys ran pump shotguns. 870’s and 500’s. I would say a good solid slug( hornady monolithic)with a slug barrel but that’s me or a Breneke slug in the 600+ grain (black magic) can be shot smooth bore. They can cover ground way faster than they appear to. Also watch for arctic fox. They are scavengers and potentially indicate a bear nearby. That was part of our safety inbrief.

[bullfisher]

I would be pretty pissed at myself if all I had between me and a polar bear was bear spray, especially in a 20mph wind.
Plus, you just justified a new gun purchase! 

Sign me up for the ruger alaskan in 454, or the S&W 460 bear survival kit..

[fastdam]

  I would bring a rifle.

[boneaddict]

12 gauge alternating slugs, buckshot

[hunter399]

  I would bring a rifle.

Smartest thing I heard all day

[Okanagan]

  I would bring a rifle.

Smartest thing I heard all day

+3

1.  Alaska men I know who have actual experience shooting threatening bears IME don't have much good to say about shotguns or pistols and all choose a rifle. 

2. My personal experience using 00 buck on deer was so underwhelming that I would not use it on a bear if I had any other option.  A finishing shot at a range of 3 feet into the neck under a small buck's ear did not even sever his spine.   It left no outward sign of damage until a couple of drops of blood oozed out from a wound that on parting the hair looked like someone had jabbed a #2 pencil into the neck 9 times within a 2 inch circle.  (Before that experience I had taken a shotgun in my kayak when in grizz country.  No more.)

3.  Rather than buy could you possibly hire a local with a big bore rifle to accompany you and pay attention to bears while you focus on birds?

[Fungunnin]

From a friend who spent several years on the northslope as a LEO. Shotgun with Brenekke slugs or a 45/70 with Buffalo Bore Solids.

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

[fliesitdies]

I hunted with a old guy years ago that was a Bear Guide in Alaske and Canada and he said that if you use a hand gun for Bear protection to do your self a favor and    Save the Last Round for Yourself !!!

[700xcr]

If I was in your shoes, I would be packing my 375 Ruger Guide Gun with the Ghost Ring Peep Sight. Shooting my Woodleigh 350gr PP reloads traveling 2390fps.

[carpsniperg2]

I would pick up something like a mossberg in 375 ruger. I can get you one for about 350.00 think maybe savage is doing a cheaper one to that won’t break the bank.

[JakeLand]

Stainless lever action 45-70 with open sights

[Biggerhammer]

 Unless that Polar Bear has his nose up your hindend you better not even think about back handing it!

Go do your picture thing. The natives will take care of the rest.

I've been there for a short hold over, when the fly boys(Air Force)gave us a ride.

[lord grizzly]

My uncle was a guide on kodiak for three decades or better. He always told me the only thing a hand gun was good for with bears was to shoot your self in the head with before he got you. His back up/side arm was a 12 gauge with slugs/buck shot alternated. And he had to use it a few times. Polar bears are no joke, go buy a shot gun

[mountainman]

Stainless lever action 45-70 with open sights

👍 Second that!

[Gringo31]

I think you ask a good question....


BUT,


I also think too many guys around the campfire get talking about different calibers, loads etc and the best thing you bring with you is your head.  Keep it clear, think quick, smart and keep your composure.  Do THAT first, and what you pack with you is secondary.   

[2MANY]

I would say shoot early, accurately, and often.

[nwwanderer]

My choice would be a sharp eyed buddy that knows the local ropes, reasonably certain said person will have a 12 gauge

[DOUBLELUNG]

Both of my friends who have worked in Alaska were issued 12 gauge pumps with slugs, one specifically for polar bears (he was doing bowhead whale counts from a remote camp on the sea ice.  He was also issued a bear alert dog trained to bark if it detected a polar bear).  The other guy did bear security in grizzly country literally riding shotgun over fisheries workers doing salmon and stream survey work.  If you have a guy with you I'd recommend he carry a short-barreled 12 gauge with a sling - and of course some practice with it. 

The guys working protection for the fish crews practiced turning and locating a grapefruit placed randomly behind them, had to be able to consistently put a slug in the grapefruit within 1 second before they were qualified.