Thursday, April 26, 2007

We Get Letters

"...Most effcieicnt calibers for large bears...?

Winchester. .458. 510 grains. 2040 fps. 4712 KE. Will drop a Kodiak or Grizz or Brownie or whatever they're calling the big bear family these days. A cousin in the great state of Alaska swears by this round, but has always spoken of it's stout recoil. Others fawn over the .375 H&H Magnum, but I do not like a 270 grainer against a 1200 pounder. If a 12 gauge better floats the boat there are 600 grain slugs kicking up a 1600 fps storm that wouldn't be so bad an idea. I have come across several very large (for the species) black bears in my time, and it's a toss up as to whether or not the impact of several .44 magnum rounds loaded to the max, or, as witnesses seem to avow, my screaming, crying, nose-running begs for mercy, did the trick. Since I've never personally crossed the path of an angry Brown, this remains secondhand mootness but the general rule of thumb is to use the biggest gun you can handle. Then go up a step.

Another good idea is to always travel with a companion that is slower of foot.

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