[-Zona-]

My and Chewy (my dog) had an encounter with two adult blackbears in Huachuca Canyon this afternoon, hiking, and all I had was my buck knife and an e-tool. Next time I take that trail we are bringing my Savage 12G. Does anyone here know of a brand of slug meant to be a bear-stopper?

[ajmorell]

I would think that any slug would be more than enough. You might consider some 00-buck shot as well. In the heat of the moment it would be easier to be accurate with the buckshot than with a slug.

[-Zona-]

Originally Posted by ajmorell

I would think that any slug would be more than enough. You might consider some 00-buck shot as well. In the heat of the moment it would be easier to be accurate with the buckshot than with a slug.

I was thinking the same thing, luckily they didn't get closer than 50yds, but next time I wanna be prepared for them- now that I know where their turf is.

[5-90]

12ga - first round 000 buck, follow up with slugs.

Although, you might want to consider a magnum wheelgun (.44 Mag or larger - perhaps .44 Casul?) as something that will hit rather more strongly. Bear in mind that shotty slugs, while large, have about half the terminal energy of a large-calibre magnum pill...

[-Zona-]

I want a pair of .45's but I can't afford any new guns right now- so I need to make due with what I have. I'll take mixing up the rounds though, good idea.

[ajmorell]

Originally Posted by 5-90

12ga - first round 000 buck, follow up with slugs.

Although, you might want to consider a magnum wheelgun (.44 Mag or larger - perhaps .44 Casul?) as something that will hit rather more strongly. Bear in mind that shotty slugs, while large, have about half the terminal energy of a large-calibre magnum pill...

No way dude. A 44 magnum bullet (we'll say 300 grain which is a huge 44 mag load) traveling around 1000fps (which is the high end of the velocity with a bullet that large) can't compare to a 1 oz (480 grain) slug traveling 1500fps.

[ajmorell]

I calcuated out the energy each would have at the end of the barrel.

12 gauge, 1oz slug @ 1500 ft/sec ~ 2400 lb-ft of energy

44 mag, 300 grain @ 1000 ft/sec ~666 lb-ft of energy

500 S&W, 500 grain @ 1350 ft/sec ~ 2025 lb-ft of energy

30-06, 180 grain @ 2700 ft/sec ~ 2900 lb-ft of energy

[-Zona-]

Originally Posted by ajmorell

I calcuated out the energy each would have at the end of the barrel.

12 gauge, 1oz slug @ 1500 ft/sec ~ 2400 lb-ft of energy

44 mag, 300 grain @ 1000 ft/sec ~666 lb-ft of energy

500 S&W, 500 grain @ 1350 ft/sec ~ 2025 lb-ft of energy

30-06, 180 grain @ 2700 ft/sec ~ 2900 lb-ft of energy

Thanks a ton aj

So I guess the conclusion is that a 12 gauge slug is more than capable.

[ajmorell]

Originally Posted by ZonaJeep

Thanks a ton aj

So I guess the conclusion is that a 12 gauge slug is more than capable.

Short of a center-fire rifle its definitely your best bet

[Dcomf]

Why are you so concerned with bears? Just make noise as you go through the woods so they are aware of your presence, shouldn't be too hard with a dog. Besides, if you are running around Ft. Huachuca check the post rules for carrying in those areas. It may be frowned upon.

[Indy]

Anything that will take a deer, will take a black bear. Any off the shelf slug will be fine. Muzzle velocity is low concern since the bullet mass will more than make up for it when it comes to close range ft/lbs of energy.

Most places will consider shooting a bear at 50 yards to be poaching, not self defense.

[ajmorell]

Originally Posted by Dcomf

Why are you so concerned with bears? Just make noise as you go through the woods so they are aware of your presence, shouldn't be too hard with a dog. Besides, if you are running around Ft. Huachuca check the post rules for carrying in those areas. It may be frowned upon.

During spring time mother bears are uber-protective of their young, I wouldn't want to take my chances personally.

Originally Posted by Indy

Anything that will take a deer, will take a black bear. Any off the shelf slug will be fine. Muzzle velocity is low concern since the bullet mass will more than make up for it when it comes to close range ft/lbs of energy.

Most places will consider shooting a bear at 50 yards to be poaching, not self defense.

Good point. There was a guy that got legitimately attacked by a black bear in MI a few years back while turkey hunting. He shot & killed the bear with Turkey shot and was fined by the state for poaching...they claimed that he had no evidence it was attacking him. Crappy situation for him just wanted to point out that you have to be careful.

[Dcomf]

Originally Posted by ajmorell

During spring time mother bears are uber-protective of their young, I wouldn't want to take my chances personally.

I run across them all the time when out at deer camp. Sows and cubs everywhere, never had a problem with them at all. Just make noise and they'll hightail it the other way. Attacks by black bears are extremely rare and are hyped by all the "Don't feed Yogi or else" signs everyone sees.

[red96jeep]

i feel like it would be a better idea to 1) just know how to act around bears so you dont have to carry a weapon, 2) get some of that bear spray as in most cases when a bear charges you it's only a bluff to try and run u away, so you are not needlessly killing bears and 3) stop worrying so much black bears arn't that big anyway lol.

[-Zona-]

Everyone that was critical for my reasoning, you fail, read all of the following.

http://www.azgfd.gov/w_c/urban_bear.shtml

stop worrying so much black bears arn't that big anyway lol.

Oh its just like fighting a big puppy dog Remind me to never go anywhere in the woods with you...ever...