Best Grizzly defense weapon

[HuntandFish]

Ok, ok I know this topic has been covered a 100 times on here and I have enjoyed re-reading most of them. But I wanted to start a new thread for fresh opinions and to get some insight into what you all think.

I am moving to Montana, and my family ( wife and 4 kids) and I love to get outdoors. This often includes off trail exploration, and many of the areas close to where we will be living have a healthy population of Grizzlies, in fact I am hearing that many of the locals shy away from deep woods exploration at certain times of the year due to the grizzly issue. I for one have never been one to be nervous in the woods, but this has me thinking I should carry a more robust defense weapon.

I always have my g20 10mm loaded with 220 grain underwood hard cast On my hip, but I am considering carrying a weapon that has serious stop now power...I am considering carrying a 45-70 or some variant of a 12ga with slugs.

What day you guys? And yes I know bear spray...but to be honest not really a bear spray fan, I have had several close encounters with bears (one of them being a grizzly) and in my experience you are going to have time to deploy one method, and I would prefer it be a method that at least I know will cause an angry bear to at least consider before continuing an attack.

H&F

[JakeLand]

For me when I was in AK I carried my lever 45-70 and ALWAYS carried my smith .44 mag with hot loads even going to the crapper

[ghosthunter]

Well I lived in Juneau 4 years, and a shotgun was the weapon.

Now I have one of these. 14 rounds, any 12 ga. Round made, compact. I carry it very nicely on a two lint sling. Or in my pack.

https://www.keltecweapons.com/firearms/shotguns/ksg/

[KFhunter]

Bearspray for the kids, and wife if she doesn't shoot, big slabs of lead for you.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

[Skyvalhunter]

For me when I was in AK I carried my lever 45-70 and ALWAYS carried my smith .44 mag with hot loads even going to the crapper

But you do that in Sultan with the tweekers

[Brotherman]

50 BMG

[konradcountry]

I like the versatility of the shotgun but you pay in weight.

So it would depend on how far I was hiking in.

If it wasn't that far I wouldn't bother with handguns.

Otherwise a 10mm/spray combo.

[kukusya]

Any weapon you can comfortable and accurate shoot. Except 22

[Hilltop123]

Friend on crutches,..........

[Platensek-po]

Ok, ok I know this topic has been covered a 100 times on here and I have enjoyed re-reading most of them. But I wanted to start a new thread for fresh opinions and to get some insight into what you all think.

I am moving to Montana, and my family ( wife and 4 kids) and I love to get outdoors. This often includes off trail exploration, and many of the areas close to where we will be living have a healthy population of Grizzlies, in fact I am hearing that many of the locals shy away from deep woods exploration at certain times of the year due to the grizzly issue. I for one have never been one to be nervous in the woods, but this has me thinking I should carry a more robust defense weapon.

I always have my g20 10mm loaded with 220 grain underwood hard cast On my hip, but I am considering carrying a weapon that has serious stop now power...I am considering carrying a 45-70 or some variant of a 12ga with slugs.

What day you guys? And yes I know bear spray...but to be honest not really a bear spray fan, I have had several close encounters with bears (one of them being a grizzly) and in my experience you are going to have time to deploy one method, and I would prefer it be a method that at least I know will cause an angry bear to at least consider before continuing an attack.

H&F

Learn how to live with bears too. Travel in groups when possible. Make noise! Let them know you are coming. Most attacks come from surprising the bear. A man from Washington was saved by his hunting partner using a 9mm so the best weapon is the one you use regularly. If you are camping use food safe containers and keep them away from your sleeping area. It’s not just about protection but also on prevention.

[Woodchuck]

Friend on crutches,..........

An in-law you don't care for and a .22. Put one in the in-law's knee and saunter away easily. 

[syoungs]

Pretty hard to argue with a 12g slug for bear protection, but my 1895GBL is much sexier to carry around!

Whatever it is you end up using, practice a ton with it, and try to practice with some sort of stress introduced. time constraints work well. I used to be able to run a pistol ok, then I started shooting some steel challenge matches, I easily got 100% better in 2 matches, and am much more confident in my pistol abilities now.

[crabcreekhunter]

Benelli m4 7+1 with slugs is hard to beat.

[Wanttohuntmore]

LR308.  Not sure why people like the 45/70 or 12 guage so much.   From all the deer I've seen shot with them,  I'd pass.   Sure they'll kill the bear after you are mauled.  The high velocity big bores are much better.   Maybe a 375 ruger?

[jasnt]

Shotgun w/slugs