45 acp, archery backup?

[fish vacuum]

A .45 is still good medicine for the tweekers you can encounter anywhere. Running into meth heads when you return to your truck is more likely than being attacked by a bear.
And a .45 is still better than a sharp stick with bears.

[Gutpile]

Having actually killed a bear with a .45 I recomend selling it and buying  10mm with hot loads or packing a .41 or .44 revolver.

Ive done it and its not very effective. I used staggered 230 fmj and 230 xtps. The XTPs performed perfectly and the mushroom was perfect but the .45 auto simply doesnt have the power to stop a bear quickly.

Some may poopoo my post but Ive been there done that and wont be in bear country with anything other than a Glock 20 qith 16 rounds of maxed out xtp's

[Sideswipe]

For what its worth  , Park Ranger policy for dealing w/bear is solids for their 40 cal or 10mm.  Just look'in at the muzzle of a 45 will be enuf for most two legged predators-the rest will have to learn the hard way.  Alaska Guard bear spray.  I carry a 10 mm-hope I never get into a situation where I have to use it rather than my rifle though.  Got it after I had to crawl thru a thicket after a wounded sow.  Fortunately for me she had bled out by the time I found her.  Glock 20 or Colt Delta Elite or CZ (latter 2 for the wealthy ones).  At
$ .65/round it ain't no range gun.

[bankwalker]

I had wanted a 10mm but couldn't find anything in my price range. I kinda figure 6 quick shots (yes I can stay on target) with a 45 acp would do the job

I'm really not to worried about a bear attacking. It's just more of a assurance when I'm stalking within 30 yards. and after the shot, not knowing if the bear is dead as I walk up on it


One thing i didn't know whag kahrs are +P rated. so I could get my buddies neighbor to load a little hotter rounds for me 

[sirmissalot]

Having actually killed a bear with a .45 I recomend selling it and buying  10mm with hot loads or packing a .41 or .44 revolver.

Ive done it and its not very effective. I used staggered 230 fmj and 230 xtps. The XTPs performed perfectly and the mushroom was perfect but the .45 auto simply doesnt have the power to stop a bear quickly.

Some may poopoo my post but Ive been there done that and wont be in bear country with anything other than a Glock 20 qith 16 rounds of maxed out xtp's

Thats pretty interesting. Is the reason you would choose a 10mm over a revolver just because you get 16 rounds instead of 6? I pack a small 44 mag, but I have heard that arguement several times before and from some experienced guides in wyoming where they have to deal with Grizzlys, apparently making a good shot on a charging bear is kinda difficult... but I never can really decide on which side of the fence I stand, as I can understand both sides.

[h20hunter]

I'd like to hear the story from bankwalker on how he came to close combat with a bear. Sounds like a hell of a story.

[LeeMajors]

I also envision any encounter with a bear will probably not involve a good steady aim, so 17 rounds of gold dot bonded ammo is my pick.

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[D-Rock425]

I have a friend that is colville Indian and he shot a bear on the reservation a few years back with his 45.  It got the job done but took multiple shots.

[high country]

Having actually killed a bear with a .45 I recomend selling it and buying  10mm with hot loads or packing a .41 or .44 revolver.

Ive done it and its not very effective. I used staggered 230 fmj and 230 xtps. The XTPs performed perfectly and the mushroom was perfect but the .45 auto simply doesnt have the power to stop a bear quickly.

Some may poopoo my post but Ive been there done that and wont be in bear country with anything other than a Glock 20 qith 16 rounds of maxed out xtp's

Ever consider 45super with hardcast? That is what I roll when I grab my 1911. I sent a similar bullet at similar velocity the whole length of a whitetail.

[Wazukie]

Ask the guy in Soldotna Ak if he was happy he had 454 casull with him when the bear charged him.  5 shots center mass dropped that grizz dead.

a 45ACP throws a 200grn bullet about 1000fps, 10mm about 1200fps, 41mag about 1400fps.  a 454 Casull throws a 300grn bullet about 1600fps. I know which one I would have if I could afford it.

That being said, I carry my .357 7-shot revolver loaded with 158grn XTP, shooting at 1400fps.  I'm confident that it'd drop a black bear as long as I do my part, but I also carry bear spray with me.  just my 

[D-Rock425]

Well I carry my little. 357 sig.  Don't know how it would do but I never plan to use it.

[h20hunter]

Waz........intesting point that you carry both. Which will you go to first..the spray or the gun?

[Wazukie]

Waz........intesting point that you carry both. Which will you go to first..the spray or the gun?

Good question, probably my revolver, hard to shoot when you can't see.  I am just a costumed to having the bear spray.  Probably more comfortable drawing and firing the revolver than the bear spray.

[h20hunter]

Didn't think about that. I suppose when you touch off the spray you could easily be affected by it as well. Sounds like either way you are well prepared.

[Button Nubbs]

When u are being charged by a bear, shi+ goes south fast. From my experience it would be better to have something you are comfortable with rather than the biggest and baddest. That situation is more than a lot of people can even imagine. Scariest moment of my life for sure. And at a fresh 19 years old I thought "well this is it..."

That said I carry a g20. Not because its the highest cap and has great ballistic performance but because I am comfortable with it, can shoot it very well and can trust my life to it.