Will a .38 stop a bear?
A .38 Special can stop a bear, especially a black bear, but it's generally considered a minimal defense, requiring powerful +P ammo, hard-cast bullets, and very close range; for grizzly bears, it's often inadequate, with larger calibers (like .44 Mag, 10mm) or bear spray being strongly recommended for better stopping power and safety, though some rare instances show success.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.Will a 357 stop a black bear?
357 Magnum or other similar-caliber load, a well-placed shot with a good bullet will certainly kill a bear, but it's not recommended.Can a .40 stop a bear?
The specific choice is yours, but if you use a minimum . 40 caliber, a minimum 200-grain solid deformable bullet and a minimum of 1,000 fps velocity from your chosen gun, you'll have a handgun load that will take any bear that shows itself.How lethal is .38 Special?
38 Special is the least powerful cartridge many professionals feel comfortable recommending. There are two distinct classes of . 38 Special loads. A medium-frame, 4-inch barrel revolver with heavy +P loads is a formidable defensive revolver with controllable recoil and excellent wound potential.Best Bear Caliber When Hiking, Backpacking and in the Wilderness!
Why do Mexicans like .38 super?
The .38 Super is popular in Mexico mainly due to strict gun laws that ban civilian ownership of military calibers like 9mm and .45 ACP, making the non-military .38 Super a legal choice for defense and sport, especially in classic 1911 platforms, where its power and penetration (even through car doors) were highly valued and it became a cultural icon, often seen in ornate, embellished versions.Is a .38 stronger than a 9mm?
No, the 9mm Luger is generally stronger (more powerful) than the .38 Special because it operates at much higher pressures, resulting in greater velocity and muzzle energy, though the .38 Special excels in reliability and fits revolvers well. The 9mm's higher internal pressure (around 35,000 psi vs. .38 Special's ~17,000 psi) gives it a significant ballistic advantage, delivering more energy, especially with modern defensive hollow points.What do Alaskans carry for bear defense?
A rifle of at least . 30 caliber or a 12-guage shotgun with slugs is recommended as defense against a bear. Alaska law makes provisions for shooting a bear in self defense if there is no alternative and the attack was unprovoked.Will a 9mm stop a black bear?
In short, 9mm pistols represent the very bottom rung of the bear defense handgun caliber ladder. Yes, when properly loaded they can punch into a bear's skull to get the job done. But given a choice, I would pick a . 357 Mag.Can a .22 stop 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.What revolver will stop a bear?
44 Mag. revolvers, as well as 10 mm Auto and . 45 ACP pistols, are popular choices for bear defense. These handguns are lighter and more compact, which makes them easier to carry, and they recoil less, which makes them easier to shoot.Is 357 or 44 better for bear?
For bear defense, the .44 Magnum is significantly better than the .357 Magnum, offering much more stopping power with heavier bullets and greater energy, making it a safer bet for both black bears (where .357 might be marginal) and essential for grizzlies, though rifles/shotguns are preferred for large bears; the .357 Magnum can work for black bears with proper shot placement and heavy loads but is often considered underpowered, especially against larger or aggressive bears.Can a shotgun stop a black bear?
In addition to hunting, shotguns are also a reliable option for bear protection in close encounters. Whether you're hunting over bait in thick timber or walking logging roads in early season, a properly set-up shotgun can deliver the stopping power needed to put a bear on the ground.How far away can a bear smell?
A bear's sense of smell is incredibly powerful, allowing them to detect food and other scents from over a mile away, with some estimates suggesting they can smell sources from up to 18-20 miles away, significantly better than bloodhounds, helping them find food, mates, or threats. For specific items like candy or toiletries, they can often smell them from 1-5 miles out, while polar bears can find seals under ice from a mile away, says a Reddit post on Awwducational and a Facebook post from the Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center.Will a 45 ACP stop a bear?
Yes, a 45 ACP can kill a bear, but it has some significant flaws. First, it lacks the recommended striking energy to stop bears instantly. Second, it doesn't have many hard cast bullet options, so it will rarely penetrate deep enough to stop a charging bear.Where to shoot a grizzly bear with a handgun?
A high shoulder hit will drop a bear, but I'd still suggest a double lung hit. If you've got a big caliber gun, a frontal shot square in the sternum is deadly, but requires precision. If you've got the time, my advice is to wait for a broadside shot with firearm and bow. Bears are notoriously hard to blood trail.What 9mm do Navy SEALs carry?
Navy SEALs use various 9mm ammunition, favoring high-performance hollow-point rounds like Federal HST (124gr/147gr) and Winchester Ranger/Black Talon (127+P+), alongside standard military ball ammo (M1152 FMJ) for training, often paired with Glocks and Sig P226/MK25 pistols, focusing on reliable expansion and stopping power, though specifics can vary by unit and mission.Will a hollow point stop a bear?
No, standard hollow points (JHPs) are generally not good for bear defense because their expansion limits deep penetration needed to reach vital organs; instead, hard cast bullets, non-expanding solids, or specialized monolithic bullets designed for deep penetration are highly recommended for bears, as they break bone and muscle to stop the threat effectively.What should you do if attacked by a bear?
In a bear attack, don't run, stay calm, and identify the bear's intent: for defensive attacks (most common), play dead (stomach down, protect neck/head) for grizzlies; for predatory attacks (rare, often black bears), fight back aggressively, targeting the face with anything available, as the bear sees you as prey. Always carry bear spray and know how to use it, aiming for the nose and eyes.What is the 3 bear rule?
The "3 Bear Rule" usually refers to survival advice for bear encounters: "If it's brown, lay down (play dead); if it's black, fight back; if it's white (polar), goodnight (you're in trouble)". It's a common rhyme to remember how to react to different bear types, though expert advice stresses that the reason for the charge (defensive vs. predatory) matters more than color alone. A related concept is the "triangle rule" for camping: keep your sleeping, cooking, and food storage areas far apart to avoid attracting bears.Why should you lay down if you see a brown bear?
Answer: Lying down is a last resort and should only occur when a defensive bear makes physical contact with you. It is rarely necessary and could trigger a predatory response from the bear. Question: Do bears defend territories? Answer: Bears defend personal space.How old is a 100 pound black bear?
“Some bears, especially females, can be quite old but never get very large—100 to 125 pounds at 15-plus years.Why do people use .38 Special?
Known for its accuracy and manageable recoil, the .38 Special remains one of the most popular revolver cartridges in the world more than a century after its introduction.Is .38 enough for self-defense?
38 is a good choice for self defense when it comes to concealed carry. The most important thing is you train and practice in case a threat situation occurs. It may turn out that the snubbie is the best option for you.What is a 38 Special equivalent to?
The .38 Special is nearly identical in bullet diameter to the .357 Magnum, allowing .38 Special rounds to be fired in .357 Magnum revolvers (but not vice versa), while its performance and size are often compared to the popular semi-automatic pistol round, the 9mm Luger, though the 9mm generally offers more affordable ammo and diverse options for autoloaders. It also shares lineage with the older .38 Long Colt, but with a longer case and more power, and it's distinct from the smaller .380 ACP.
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