What is the best gun to stop a bear?

Here are my best bear defense handgun picks:
  • Springfield XD-M Elite 3.8-inch Compact OSP.
  • Smith & Wesson M&P 2.0.
  • FN 510 Tactical.
  • Taylor's & Co. 1911 A1 FS Tactical II.
  • Sig Sauer P320 XTen.
  • Colt Python 3-inch.
  • Smith & Wesson Model 629.
  • Ruger Super Redhawk Alaskan.
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What gun is most effective against a bear?

Big-bore revolvers are the classic backup gun in bear country, and one of the most popular options is Smith & Wesson's six-shot . 44 Magnums. The Model 29 and Model 629 are built on S&W's vaunted N-frame and pack enough punch that, with the right bullets, they'll stop even the largest bear.
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What size gun will stop a bear?

41 Magnum or . 44 Magnum will be fine. Oldtime black bear hunters say that any load that throws at least a 200-grain or bigger solid bullet at 1000 fps or more will take any bear in the woods. By that standard a good heavy-power .
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What do Alaskans carry for bear defense?

300-Magnum rifle or a 12-gauge shotgun with rifled slugs are appropriate weapons if you have to shoot a bear. Heavy handguns such as a . 44-Magnum may be inadequate in emergency situations, especially in untrained hands.
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Is a shotgun or rifle better for bear defense?

Based on personal experience and anecdotal accounts provided by trusted Alaskan outdoors-folk and fellow law enforcement brethren, I believe the only shotgun round that should be considered as a primary round for defense against a marauding brownie is a hardened, dangerous-game purposed 12-gauge slug.
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TOP 10 BEST BEAR DEFENSE GUNS (Shotguns, Handguns & Rifles)

Can a 12-gauge slug stop a bear?

We have lots of bears here… a 12 guage slug will definitely put a black bear down (seen it done)…
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What caliber is best for bear?

30-30 Win., or even a 12-gauge slug will all do the trick. But if you're looking for a cartridge that can operate in virtually any hunting scenario, look no further than the 6.5 Creedmoor, the . 308 Winchester, the . 30-06 Springfield, 7mm Remington Magnum, and the .
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Where to shoot a charging bear?

More than one Alaskan guide of my acquaintance suggests aiming for the snout–a high shot goes into the upper skull or even over the top, into the neck or spine; and if the bear hops or you shoot low, you have a chance at the throat, chest, or even a shoulder or leg, all of which can stop the animal, if only long enough ...
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What is the best self defense for bears?

No deterrent is 100% effective, but compared to all others, including firearms, proper use of bear spray has proven to be the best method for fending off threatening and attacking bears, and for preventing injury to the person and animal involved.
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What caliber kills the most in the US?

What Caliber is Used in Most Murders? The 9mm is most often used in homicides and results in the most fatal shootings.
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Will 357 magnum stop a bear?

357 mag. will, more reliably, kill a bear but is still doesn't have enough power to provide a wide enough margin of error that would be considered adequate under most circumstances. . 44 mag. is generally considered to be the minimum pistol caliber for bear defense in handguns.
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Can a 44 magnum stop a grizzly bear?

44 Magnum is the minimum for charging bears, many others have opted for a Glock 20 in 10mm Auto and, interestingly enough, passed right by the . 357 S&W Magnum. Several folks have even successfully killed bears with a 9mm. While a well-placed shot from a 10mm can no doubt do the trick, the .
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Can a 22 take down a bear?

May 10, 1957, she killed a massive grizzly bear with her Cooey Ace #1 . 22. That was near Slave Lake, Alberta, and the bear Twin killed turned out to be a world record that stood for a good long time.
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What is the smallest caliber that will stop a bear?

While some consider a . 44 Magnum revolver to be the minimum for a bear protection handgun, the 10mm G20 has proven itself as not only a capable attack stopper, but a standard for backcountry carry.
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What is the best pistol to carry in bear country?

Well, it's because they are familiar with it and probably can shoot the tar out of that gun. I chose the Springfield Armory XD-m Elite chambered in 10mm. I'm familiar with the XD-m Elite and am confident in its capability. The 10mm is a popular choice for bear protection for a good reason.
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What caliber will penetrate a bear's skull?

It's the belief of most experts that a bullet of, say, . 44 diameter (actually . 430), weighing 300 or so grains, driven at 1,000 ft/s, will penetrate very sufficiently on a black bear.
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What is the best gun to take down a grizzly bear?

Glock 20 – Best Overall Bear Defense Handgun

If you're used to toting around a 9mm Glock 19, you might be more comfortable with that. However, an upgrade to a Glock 20 chambered in 10mm and loaded with hard-cast FNs will provide far more stopping power than the relatively paltry 9mm.
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What to carry for bear protection?

Firearms are not a substitute for proper bear avoidance practices and knowing how to properly handle a bear encounter. Bear spray is the recommended tool for self defense against a bear.
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What can stop a charging bear?

Direct punches and kicks at the bear's face, and use any weapon like rocks, branches, or bear spray to defend yourself. If a grizzly/brown bear charges and attacks you, PLAY DEAD. Do not fight back! Cover your head and neck with your hands and arms.
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What caliber is good for bears?

30-caliber cartridges are the most common for a reason: they are incredibly versatile, and will handle any black bear that God ever made. Among these, some of my favorites are the . 308 Winchester, . 30-06 Springfield, .
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Will bear spray stop a charging grizzly?

In studies of close human-bear encounters conducted by the University of Calgary's grizzly bear expert Stephen Herrero, bear pepper spray was found to be 94% effective in deterring aggressive grizzly bears.
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Can you shoot a black bear if it charges you?

Bears wounded with an arrow, knife, or firearm may intensify the attack, and killing a bear charging at full speed is difficult at best. If you shoot a bear in self-defense, leave the scene as soon as it is safe, and report the incident to Fish, Wildlife & Parks immediately. If attacked, use your bear spray.
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Will a 12 gauge stop a black bear?

The 12-gauge shotgun is one of the most-used and most-effective firearms used in Alaska for bear protection. Part of that is related to price, as an effective shotgun platform, like the Mossberg 500 or 590A1, is a fraction of the cost of a rifle.
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Is a 45 or 9mm better against bears?

Both cartridges have been used to defend against bears, but again, there are more effective calibers for that purpose. A . 45 ACP boasts more “stopping power” than a 9mm, but the extra rounds in most 9mm handguns might be more useful.
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What ammo is best to take down a bear?

Although it's overshadowed by the 6.5mm and 6mm bullets for long-range target shooting, the . 308 with a good 150-, 168-, or 175-grain bullet is excellent for black bears, and it's one of the best bear cartridges overall.
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