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The 9mm can kill bears but is considered underpowered by experienced woodsmen. The 9mm has 350 to 450 ft/lbs. of energy, while 1,000 ft/lbs is considered the minimum for a bear hunting gun. Proper 9mm bullets yield sufficient penetration in soft tissue, but it may not stop a bear quickly enough to avoid being mauled.
What size handgun will kill a 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 .
Will a .45 kill a bear?
45 acp is a poor choice for bear defense. The round is slow, fat, and has fairly poor penetration on tough-skinned animals; however, some people carry . 45 acp with modern +P ammo and hardened bullets for bear defense. There are many better options, but it can work.
What is the best handgun to kill a bear?
The Glock 20 chambered in 10mm has become a popular carry choice in bear country. photo from thetruthaboutguns.com. The author carries a Glock 17 in 9mm or a Ruger in . 357 Mag, and says, when it comes to handguns and bears, what matters is getting the most hits on target in the shortest amount of time.
Can a bear survive bullets?
Training and practice are essential to survival. But just shooting the bear may not be enough to stop the attack. Bears are tough with heavy muscle and hide and very strong, thick bones. But bears have thick, strong skulls shotgun slugs or even rifle bullets may not penetrate.
Is a 10mm more powerful than a 357 magnum?
The . 357 Magnum is a powerful cartridge, but in this case it takes a narrow 2nd place to the 10mm Auto. 10mm generally packs higher muzzle energies thanks in large part to the larger bullets. Even with similar bullets, however, it appears the 10mm does slightly better.
Where do you aim at a charging bear?
Aim for the deadliest point you can find. On a close-in, charging bear, this will probably be the face or upper chest. Often full-attack grizzlies lower their heads as they come in, so that’s about all you have to aim at.
Will a 357 kill a grizzly 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. You need a bullet that will penetrate all that, and most hollowpoints used in most . May 25, 2021.
What is the most powerful handgun made?
The Smith & Wesson Model 500 has held its rank as the world’s most powerful handgun since it was first introduced in 2003. The Smith & Wesson Model 500 is one impressive weapon.
Where do you shoot a bear when attacked?
When Bears Attack Dispense bear spray when the bear is within forty feet, or aim rifle sights at a spot below its chin, or just behind its front legs if shooting broadside. If you are unarmed, stand very still.
Can a handgun kill a grizzly bear?
But because of velocity limitations, to get proper penetration, you usually will have to sacrifice the dramatic wound cavity that expanding bullets will give you. In a handgun hunting situation, this is just fine, as a well-placed shot with a big handgun and solid bullet will absolutely get the job done.
What animal can kill a bear?
Most other animals have more to fear. But tigers, other bears, wolves and especially humans have been known to attack and kill bears. Scavengers in numbers are also a threat. Regardless of what type of bear it is, as an apex predator and carnivore, bears, have almost no natural predators.
Can you shoot a charging bear?
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.
Can you shoot a bear if it attacks your dog?
property, including pets. Black bears and mountain lions CAN be killed when it is NECESSARY to prevent them from inflicting death or injury to LIVESTOCK, HUMAN LIFE, real property, or a motor vehicle.
Should you shoot a bear?
If you have to shoot a bear, be sure you shoot to kill – wounded bears are potentially more dangerous than healthy bears. Also be very careful of what lies beyond your intended target – stray bullets can travel over a mile and still be deadly. Bears killed in defense of life or property belong to the state.
Is a 44 Magnum more powerful than a 10mm?
It’s known for outstanding power; one of the cartridge we looked at had a listed muzzle energy over 1,200 ft-lbs! Again, the 10mm Auto is no weakling; it’s used to drop many of the largest and most dangerous animals on the planet. But the . 44 Magnum remains the more-powerful of the two.
What’s so good about 10mm?
When it comes to ballistics, you can’t go wrong with 10mm. Thanks to its bullet diameter and speed, it’s a superior caliber option. In fact, it’s been altered and shortened into the 40 caliber, as FBI Academy recruits had a hard time handling the recoil – that’s how powerful this caliber can be.
Is a 357 more powerful than a 9mm?
357 Magnum in general has higher muzzle velocity. This faster speed comes despite the fact that it generally packs a larger bullet than the 9mm Luger, as a heavier projectile (assuming all other factors are the same) will have a slower speed.
What smells do bears hate?
Bears also dislike the strong scent of pine-based cleaners, but avoid using anything with a fresh, lemony or fruity smell. And never mix bleach and ammonia; the combination produces fumes that can be deadly to both people and bears.
Is Bear spray better than a gun?
Well, studies show bear spray is a much more effective deterrent than a speeding bullet. Evidence of human-bear encounters even suggests that shooting a bear can escalate the seriousness of an attack, while encounters where firearms are not used are less likely to result in injury or death of the human or the bear.
