If You Were Heading For The Yukon Today

MaxP said:

How many shots do you think you are going to get off in a charge situation? I'm betting maybe one, but I've never been charged by a bear, so I'm speculating.

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I HAVE been charged by a big bear...

How many shots can you get off, OR how many properly aimed shots can you get off, sure isn't the same thing!

In MY case, I was more worried about the guy standing behind me shooting me in the back, than I was about the bear! He was scared to death BEFORE the bear charged and he was the one that was suppose to shoot that bear in the first place!

Anyway, there was NO way I was going to start shooting until that bear was within 20 yards, as I made my mind up that THAT was my best chance of dropping it...

With one he!! of a roar and popping chaws, the bear charged down hill straight at us, following our scent, not on sight and THAT is what saved "it's" life. It got within about 30 yards of us and the scent must have started swirling around and that made the bear nervous, milling around in a circle with it's nose in the air like a dog trying to pick the scent up again. Finally it started moving away looking back with it's nose in the air, sniffing.

What happened that day, proved to ME, that "by far" a long gun was/is the answer to bear protection, other than when I'm sleeping in my tent/sleeping bag. (and we were) For that I always had my M-29 along side my long gun, by my pillow.

Anyway, to answer your question, I'll say two shots, OR one "properly aimed" shot, as it only takes ONE properly aimed shot to do the job...

DM

Walkalong said:

Well gosh, I guess I am ready to go to Alaska. Didn't know that.

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Me too. But I’d need a really good pair of suspenders to hold both those things on my hips.

If I was allowed in Canada I'd take my Super Blackhawk.

Walkalong said:

Sure would.

A rifle is almost always better than a handgun for most things. No one goes into battle with only handguns.

That said, some are proficient enough with large bore powerful handguns to be well armed against a mad bear. Me? I would want a rifle.

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I don't agree. I hunt exclusively with handguns, and I don't feel I'm giving anything up but range.

MaxP said:

I don't agree. I hunt exclusively with handguns, and I don't feel I'm giving anything up but range.

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A point well taken. But range can be your biggest enemy when dealing with bears. A bear at 100 yards isn’t much of a threat. Now close that distance to 100 feet and closing fast, and it certainly can be. I have never even seen a big bear in the wild. I’m fairly certain that probability will remain quite low throughout my life. But I have never seen a handgun that could be held as steady as a rifle in a high stress situation. A pistol has one point of contact. A rifle has 3.

Competence is up to the individual. I personally feel very comfortable with a revolver as a defensive piece. I don’t expect everyone to feel the same. People shoot Cape buffalo at 150 to 200 yards. Is it still dangerous game at those ranges? I think that one must go with what they are most comfortable and capable with. For some, that’s a handgun.

Custom 629 from Sand Burr Gun Ranch

MaxP said:

I don't agree. I hunt exclusively with handguns, and I don't feel I'm giving anything up but range.

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I've done my share of hunting with a handgun, I've taken much big game from moose on down... I've also won more than my share of long range handgun matches with my M-29's too...

BUT, for big bear problems, make mine a long gun!

DM

NRA-ILA alert for today has a blurb on the Trudeau government wanting to strip handguns and semi-auto "assault weapons" from Yukon residents.

MaxP said:

Competence is up to the individual. I personally feel very comfortable with a revolver as a defensive piece. I don’t expect everyone to feel the same. People shoot Cape buffalo at 150 to 200 yards. Is it still dangerous game at those ranges? I think that one must go with what they are most comfortable and capable with. For some, that’s a handgun.

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No. No animal is dangerous at 150-200 yards.

My 4.2" Redhawk in .45 Colt, I bought it to be my big gun and it serves that purpose just fine for me.

A BFR in 45/70 with a stock and 18” barrel.

Pilots who fly in the Alaskan bush were (when I was up there) fans of the S&W Model 29. If you're trapped in the plane or have a broken arm from a hard, unscheduled "arrival" how would you shoot a rifle?
The sound of crumpled aluminum is like a dinner bell for big bears (so I was told, but there is a lot of BS up there!)

John Joseph said:

...there is a lot of BS up there!

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The HELL you say!? LOL

Walkalong said:

You would be included in the

folks.

But most don't have your skills with large bore powerful revolvers nor your experience in the field. I know I don't.

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There is the kicker, Obviously a revolver that is hard to shoot, or a gun that has a learning curve requires a whole lot of of practice and a whole lot of ammo. At least that would be the way, I would look at it. If my life depends on a revolver, just like my present EDC to even include Pocket guns, means I am going to do the diligent training required. Not sure, I would want to do this with a big bore Revolver. I would take a rifle. Yes a revolver as a backup. How many seconds are required to shoot a surprised, charging Grizzly coming at you in just mere seconds? And then to pull a heavy high recoil revolver? I would imagine a it requires some serious training.
I know folks carry pocket guns and feel that they do not need to train with them, I wonder if it is the same at the other end of the spectrum with the Big Caliber revolvers?

Look at this charging lion video, it is fast, and the guy has a rifle with some time to aim. Could you hit him with a big bore revolver? I wish I could say I had that skill.

Maybe i misunderstood the question, but im surprised that nobody chooses an auto.
If im there hunting, i will have a long gun anyway.
I have thought about this for years. I think i would just carry my 1911, if i am there fishing or sightseeing.

Armored farmer said:

Maybe i misunderstood the question, but im surprised that nobody chooses an auto.

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Revolver forum

A Ruger Super Redhawk .454 5" in a Diamond D chest rig .

DM~ said:

I've done my share of hunting with a handgun, I've taken much big game from moose on down... I've also won more than my share of long range handgun matches with my M-29's too...

BUT, for big bear problems, make mine a long gun!

DM

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I wouldn't be inclined to use a .44 Mag in any iteration given some other choices, but having seen the terminal effectiveness of handguns on really big game, as long as you do your part, you'll be golden. JMHO.

Walkalong said:

You would be included in the

folks.

But most don't have your skills with large bore powerful revolvers nor your experience in the field. I know I don't.

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I wasn't born with any skills of note, I developed them. Like any skill, it is perishable and must be kept in tune. This requires practice in no uncertain terms, but I feel practice is also required with a rifle if you intend to use it defensively. You just have to master whatever you choose, be it a rifle, a mortar, a handgun or a slingshot.

Jeb Stuart said:

There is the kicker, Obviously a revolver that is hard to shoot, or a gun that has a learning curve requires a whole lot of of practice and a whole lot of ammo. At least that would be the way, I would look at it. If my life depends on a revolver, just like my present EDC to even include Pocket guns, means I am going to do the diligent training required. Not sure, I would want to do this with a big bore Revolver. I would take a rifle. Yes a revolver as a backup. How many seconds are required to shoot a surprised, charging Grizzly coming at you in just mere seconds? And then to pull a heavy high recoil revolver? I would imagine a it requires some serious training.
I know folks carry pocket guns and feel that they do not need to train with them, I wonder if it is the same at the other end of the spectrum with the Big Caliber revolvers?

Look at this charging lion video, it is fast, and the guy has a rifle with some time to aim. Could you hit him with a big bore revolver? I wish I could say I had that skill.

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I am of the belief that you can press a revolver into action a lot faster than a rifle. Whatever you choose you will need to master, period. If you don't practice with your rifle, you likely won't stop a charge either. If you have a scope on that rifle, good luck. If it's a variable, be sure you turn it down before the lion/bear/Cape buffalo/elephant/squirrel reaches you.

Yes, heavy kicking revolvers (like heavy kicking rifles) require practice to master and some may never get to an acceptable level (same applies to heavy kicking rifles). However, there are options like the .480 Ruger, that are fully capable of terminal goodness without a lot of fire, noise, recoil or drama. My point is that whatever you choose to defend your life with (or the lives of your families and friends), you had better practice to a level of competence if any of it is to be effective. JMHO.

How about an 1895 Winchester in .405?

I might be wrong, but I think it may be possible the OP was possibility of regulations for what firearms can be brought in. Correct me if I am wrong.