Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns .45 ACP for bear protection - what bullet?

I always felt the head/brain were pretty vital.

muzzle energy is a very poor judge of how effective a cartridge will be. A 223 rem has more muzzle energy than some of my 45 colt loads but I promise you the 223 is no match for what the colt can do in penetration. Test it for your self. Its been said numerous times, but I guess it bears repeating. Speed and energy do not kill, shot placement and penetration do!

I used to live outside of Kalispell and would go to Glacier at least two or three times a week during the summer. I'd feel a lot better with my 1911 in 45 ACP on me then without a gun. The grizzlies tend to be a lot smaller than the Alaskan coastal browns, but they are still very tough and sometimes aggressive. Black bears kill much more easily. Bear spray is a good idea too ...

carry the for two legged threats but get your self some good bear spray. you can empty a 45 into a griz and he will still kill you. spray will change his attitude and save you. been there and done that here in north Idaho. even if under the stress of an attach you hit what you are aiming at a 45 is waaaaay under powered for griz. they are a awesome life force and please do not under estimate their ability to absorb punishment. good hiking.

I find it comical how we think we could hit a charging bear in the head with any handgun in the event it is necessary. Get real, i know could not. Adrenaline rush, heart rate, flee or fight would be overwhelming.whilei have not had the experience, i have two acquatainces who have. One watched the handgun bullets ripple thru the skin on the bears head, . Another said the time it took the bear to charge 40 yds was almost instantaneous.

Depends on distance, but yes, a head shot is attainable. They have a big ass head

Most handgun loads would just hit the skull and do little, that's why there are bigger and more powerful options. I have a S&W 460 Magnum and my dad has a S&W 500 magnum, both will penetrate a griz skull with no question

really doesn't matter which.
bullet placement is key.
Make sure you get it square on your temple.
Or your gonna feel a LOT of pain, quickly!

There are an amazing number of handgun shooting grizzly killers on this thread.

I think you're missing the point. This is no more than an internet exercise -- as virtually every discussion regarding defensive shooting is as well. However, I always carry in bear country, and I always practice to the extent possible, and it is much more intelligent to be prepared for a worst case scenario than just blowing it off with "you won't be able to hit what you are aiming at in the heat of a charge" attitude. You might be able to, and you might not, but I sure as hell will try with whatever I happen to have strapped to my hip. Many a charging animal have been stopped with a rifle, and I happen to believe -- at least in my case -- that I am able to bring a handgun into action faster than I can a rifle. But that's just me.

To many people sell the 45 acp short for penetration..Check out these test off of Real Guns with the 45 acp and wet news print..It penetrates as well as some of the big boomers with the right bullet.34" in wet print is amazing penetration!



Jayco

If charged a man has no choice in the matter, kneel on one knee inline with the bear and git to pumping him fulla lead, there is no other choice available.

Gunner

Whit,i have no doubt in your ability to shoot, but i am not missing your point, my point is just not yours. the majority of folks on any of these threads are not very experienced . Others as you ,are. I just so often see advice offered that does not serve the asker very well and may lead to dangerous expectations that are not reasonable in their case. Of course anyone will attempt to defend themselves to all extents available in any situation. Hitting a charging bear in the brain would require the same skill or luck level as hitting a walnut thrown at you. Same size same speed. .i just would not want anyone to think for one moment a comfort level in bear country be cause they beleive themselves to be proficient with a powerful handgun.

I hear ya, however, comfort, confidence, and ultimately proficiency comes with extensive use of your chosen sidearm. It helps to know that your chosen bullet/load is effective on game. And no, my choice for a defensive sidearm in the field wouldn't be a .45 ACP or any semi-auto for that matter. For many, a handgun is something they strap on as an afterthought. Some of us (myself included) use revolvers as our primary hunting firearms, and I would venture a guess that guys who use them frequently as primaries have a higher level of confidence in not only their abilities, but in the effectiveness of their chosen firearm. I have found that those who cite muzzle energy figures typically have no handgun hunting experience, as they would know that these figures are marketing tools and really no indicator as to how a particular load/caliber/bullet combination will perform on flesh.

To stop any charging animal is pretty much a CNS-hit only proposition. Many a charge has been stopped with a rifle and a handgun. It is doable. Easy? Not only no, but hell no, however, I reject the idea that my chances are nil if faced with a charging brownie.

I don't disagree with you, I simply remain more optimistic.

I think we are more on the same page than either of us know... Godd shooting snd hunting to you .. Thanks for your thoughts

On topic,your best bet is a flat nosed bullet as Buffalo Bore sells in 230-250 grains.34" of penetration with the 230 grain FP is more than an '06 achieves in wet print and the 45-70 with jacketed bullets.

Jayco

Exactly which is why if I am in the woods with anything bigger or meaner than a deer, I have a wheel gun on my side. My answer may not be relevant to the OP question, but bottom line, if I am in Griz country, I want the biggest and baddest rifle AS well as handgun I can get so if by luck or God's grace, you hit that charging Griz.....his ass will go down instead of getting further pissed off

I LOVE LOVE LOVE the .45acp, but I would also LOVE to see it be truly effective against a griz who is charging

I will stick with large bore lever action or bolt action rifles for big bears.

I would like to see some other common calibers and their penetration to compare to the .45.

Not me! I'm fast on my feet ...

Well said sir