robertbank
Member
Perfect, we can recall our sniper team from Aftganistan and send him over. I bet he would be a wizz at one handing their .50cal rifles out to 3,000 yards. LOL
Alaskan/Bear handgun
- Thread starter Glockster35
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robertbank
Member
grey9551
Love it!
Stay Safe
Love it!
Stay Safe
Cosmoline
Member
They look like Kodiaks.
carebear
Member
A few big fat kiddies with mom there in the middle.
If it is three cubs and they're all hers by birth, that's one tough momma bear. Triplets aren't common and usuanlly boars will get one or two.
If it is three cubs and they're all hers by birth, that's one tough momma bear. Triplets aren't common and usuanlly boars will get one or two.
Zen21Tao
Member
I would carry one of my 10mms as a backup to me S&W 500. Keep in mind that in such a case you will have so much adrinaline flowing through you that you won't even notice the recoil for the S&W 500.
Also, I remember reading about a man with a semi-auto .308 that was attacked by a bear. He managed to get a knockdown shot on the bear then ran up to it an unloaded his rifle into the bear, did a quick mag drop reload and put that entire magazine into the bear.
When they examined the bear they found it had .38spl wounds from a hiker it had killed earlier that day.
Also, I remember reading about a man with a semi-auto .308 that was attacked by a bear. He managed to get a knockdown shot on the bear then ran up to it an unloaded his rifle into the bear, did a quick mag drop reload and put that entire magazine into the bear.
When they examined the bear they found it had .38spl wounds from a hiker it had killed earlier that day.
Bear41mag
Member
When my buddy moved to Alaska and was in a local gun shop, he inquired what handgun they would recommend for defense against the big bears.
An old grizzed trapper/hunter was sitting there and told him "which ever handgun he choose make sure to take the front sight off"
When my pal inquired why he would do that, the old man replied " so it don't hurt so much when that bear stuffs it up your behind"
They all had a good laugh over that
but apparently he has had a few run ins with the big bruins over the last 50 years and carries a short barreled 10 gauge pump with him loaded with buck and slugs, when he is in the woods.
An old grizzed trapper/hunter was sitting there and told him "which ever handgun he choose make sure to take the front sight off"
When my pal inquired why he would do that, the old man replied " so it don't hurt so much when that bear stuffs it up your behind"
They all had a good laugh over that
but apparently he has had a few run ins with the big bruins over the last 50 years and carries a short barreled 10 gauge pump with him loaded with buck and slugs, when he is in the woods.
Nicolai
Member
Cheechako (newcomer to Alaska) advice:
1. Wear bear bells and use pepper spray. Bear scat is supposed to have little pieces of bear bells in it and smell of pepper spray.
2. Carry a .22. That way you don't have to outrun the bear, just your fellow camper.
When I worked in Anchorage, one of my good work colleagues was a backpacker and his weapon of choice was a 12-gauge pump shotgun with magazine extension to hold seven shells. First three were slugs, next four were 00 buck.
Glockster35, hope you make it to Alaska.
1. Wear bear bells and use pepper spray. Bear scat is supposed to have little pieces of bear bells in it and smell of pepper spray.
2. Carry a .22. That way you don't have to outrun the bear, just your fellow camper.
When I worked in Anchorage, one of my good work colleagues was a backpacker and his weapon of choice was a 12-gauge pump shotgun with magazine extension to hold seven shells. First three were slugs, next four were 00 buck.
Glockster35, hope you make it to Alaska.
MrDig
Member
Agreed with a number of the posts regarding AK and personal safety. What's the old joke about the park ranger telling a camper to file the frontsite off of a .357 revolver? It will hurt less when the Bear shoves it up his A$$.
If I am not mistaken AK Consevation Officers carry 12 guage pump actions with slugs. Do what the Romans do as the proverbial quote says.
As far as a handgun goes Certainly nothing less than .44 magnum.
If I am not mistaken AK Consevation Officers carry 12 guage pump actions with slugs. Do what the Romans do as the proverbial quote says.
As far as a handgun goes Certainly nothing less than .44 magnum.
I would get Ruger Alaskan in the .480 Ruger, for it's size and weight it would be at the top of my list. 410 gr slugs moving at 1,060 fps makes this snub one nasty can of whoop ass
Or how about a single action; http://www.gunblast.com/Freedom_500WE-2.htm
Or how about a single action; http://www.gunblast.com/Freedom_500WE-2.htm
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Cosmoline
Member
Why a sxs? I've never found them to be terribly good with slugs. The POI is different for each barrel. An over/under would seem a better choice if you don't want a pump.
ArchAngelCD
Member.
If I needed a "Bear gun" it would probably be a shotgun loaded with slugs.
If you want a handgun only then the Ruger Alaskan in .454 Casull or the S&W 460 in .460 S&W Magnum would be my choices. I kinda like the 3.5" S&W 460XVR. As you probably already know with the 460 you can not only shoot the .460 S&W Magnum round but the .454 Casull and .45 Long Colt too.
If you want a handgun only then the Ruger Alaskan in .454 Casull or the S&W 460 in .460 S&W Magnum would be my choices. I kinda like the 3.5" S&W 460XVR. As you probably already know with the 460 you can not only shoot the .460 S&W Magnum round but the .454 Casull and .45 Long Colt too.
You can buy a used .500 S&W cheaper than a .460. Bernikie 12 ga slugs and a pump 870 Remington should be your first choice. Make sure you practice with what ever you use. The State requires there employees to qualify on running targets, with the 12 ga. Any one that thinks the other pistol ctgs are in the running with the .500 S&W just don't have a clue. Lots of used .500 S&W's on the web with notes like shot only once or fired less than a box of 20. They really are not that bad. My 340PD's are far worse with .357 ammo.
ArchAngelCD
Member.
Since both the 460 and 500 models were made after the IL was introduced you won't be able to find one without the IL.
I think Ruger Alaskan has no IL. I know it's not a .460 Magnum but a 2.5" .454 Casull will do the job and kick like a Mule too.
Taurus makes several .454 Casull and .500 Magnum Raging Bull revolvers which have a lock but it's different than the one on the S&W revolvers. http://www.taurususa.com/products/gunselector-results.cfm?page=3
I think Ruger Alaskan has no IL. I know it's not a .460 Magnum but a 2.5" .454 Casull will do the job and kick like a Mule too.
Taurus makes several .454 Casull and .500 Magnum Raging Bull revolvers which have a lock but it's different than the one on the S&W revolvers. http://www.taurususa.com/products/gunselector-results.cfm?page=3
JimZ That's some interesting bear sign behind you in that photo, or was that from porcupines?
I have always carried 12ga w/ slugs and 00Buck however I'm uncertain as to why you would put the buck after slugs. The buck is to take the bears' eyes and nose out so it's harder for him to find you and give you more time to place your slugs... The 44 is probably enough at VERY close range, keep it on a lanyard for sure. I think the bit about the bear and the hiker's .38 is just a story, if someone can show me a news story link I'd be more inclined to believe it.
This is what we are all working to avoid...
WARNING Very Graphic Content. Shows a man have eaten, do not follow link if you are squeemish.
http://flickr.com/photos/98537234@N00/7211343/
I have always carried 12ga w/ slugs and 00Buck however I'm uncertain as to why you would put the buck after slugs. The buck is to take the bears' eyes and nose out so it's harder for him to find you and give you more time to place your slugs... The 44 is probably enough at VERY close range, keep it on a lanyard for sure. I think the bit about the bear and the hiker's .38 is just a story, if someone can show me a news story link I'd be more inclined to believe it.
This is what we are all working to avoid...
WARNING Very Graphic Content. Shows a man have eaten, do not follow link if you are squeemish.
http://flickr.com/photos/98537234@N00/7211343/
Taurus 617 CCW
Member
I spent last summer in the interior of Alaska and can tell you that the bears aren't as much of a problem as the moose are. Depending on what time of the season you're up there (ie. spring), the moose can be very territorial about their new young ones. Most of the above guns would be suitable, I had a .44 magnum S&W but I would recommend a gun that is powerful enough and you can shoot comfortably. The .44 with federal 300 grain hard cast loads were about as much as I could handle without flinching. The lever action guide guns are also a great idea. Many of the pilots in Alaska carry either the guide guns or a pump shotgun in combination with a handgun. Some of the jetboat tour guides had .338 Winchester magnum rifles. .338 seemed to be the popular choice of caliber for hunting rifles. I would steer clear of the desert eagle pistols for that type of environment. In extreme weather conditions they may not function as well and Alaska is known for extreme conditions.
tecrsq
Member
I am thinking of requesting a transfer to Alaska, mainly the Anchorage area. What handguns would you all recommend I look at for general carry in the woods, while hunting less dangerous animals and fishing in rivers or creeks.
I know a lot of people would carry the .44, But are there otehr recommendations? I am more of a autoloader, but have owned a handful of revolvers (in smaller calibers before).
I am open to all opinions.
I would carry the largest handgun caliber I could hit with and afford.
The large bore S&W and Ruger revolvers as well as the large bore single actions from Freedom Arms are all fine examples and the rest will be pretty much personal preference.
Bullet placement and bullet size are key factors.
I know a lot of people would carry the .44, But are there otehr recommendations? I am more of a autoloader, but have owned a handful of revolvers (in smaller calibers before).
I am open to all opinions.
I would carry the largest handgun caliber I could hit with and afford.
The large bore S&W and Ruger revolvers as well as the large bore single actions from Freedom Arms are all fine examples and the rest will be pretty much personal preference.
Bullet placement and bullet size are key factors.
Guess like many, I've not yet had the privelage of spending time outdoors in Alaska or NW Canada, but I hope to soon. Salmon fishing in Alaska is very high on my to do list and a couple of friends and I are looking at trip packages for summer 2008.
Also, being lower on the food chain than typical is something to get a bit nervous about . . . for me at least.
I bought a 5" S&W .460 a while back and have grown to really like it. I think this will be suitable backup carried on a belt holster. What I do plan to get is a Marlin 1895 in .450 Marlin . . . (405 gr. JFN. 1975 fps / M.E. 3507 ft. lbs.)
If there's ever a situation I don't want to be undergunned it's when something as big, fast, smart and powerful as an Alaskan Brown is considering me for lunch. I'd also like to take a moose if the trip logistics work out for that. I noticed some folks in AK responding on this post. . . In your experience is this a good choice of long gun? My thinking is that I can get off follow up shots faster with a lever gun than a bolt action, otherwise I'd be looking at a .416 Rigby, .375 H&H or something like that.
Here's a pic of the Marlin . . .
Also, being lower on the food chain than typical is something to get a bit nervous about . . . for me at least.
I bought a 5" S&W .460 a while back and have grown to really like it. I think this will be suitable backup carried on a belt holster. What I do plan to get is a Marlin 1895 in .450 Marlin . . . (405 gr. JFN. 1975 fps / M.E. 3507 ft. lbs.)
If there's ever a situation I don't want to be undergunned it's when something as big, fast, smart and powerful as an Alaskan Brown is considering me for lunch. I'd also like to take a moose if the trip logistics work out for that. I noticed some folks in AK responding on this post. . . In your experience is this a good choice of long gun? My thinking is that I can get off follow up shots faster with a lever gun than a bolt action, otherwise I'd be looking at a .416 Rigby, .375 H&H or something like that.
Here's a pic of the Marlin . . .
carebear
Member
As far as hunting goes, one of the most common calibers for all-round large game is the .338. It kind of depends on where you are hunting whether you'll need the range and flatness advantage over the big lever calibers.
Don't blow these animals up into "super critters". A well-placed heavy solid in anything from a .30-06 up is going to do whatever you need it to for hunting. If for whatever reason the .30 doesn't do it there's no real reason to figure a .416 would do any better.
At a decent range the .450 will do anything you want it to.
Don't blow these animals up into "super critters". A well-placed heavy solid in anything from a .30-06 up is going to do whatever you need it to for hunting. If for whatever reason the .30 doesn't do it there's no real reason to figure a .416 would do any better.
At a decent range the .450 will do anything you want it to.
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