.45 for bear?

[stone knife]

Is a .45 cal big enough for black bear?

 

[rabjr]

Is it legal to use for bear in your State or wherever you might plan on hunting them?

 

[Drago]

If it's not you will find out real quick! I imagine a well placed shot would work. I would rather have a .58.

 

[stone knife]

Yes it is .44" or larger

 

[rabjr]

Well it must be legal for a reason and I'm sure people have taken bears with the .45. Personally I would prefer a bigger ball but I also know in the right hands one well placed shot is all you need. Hell, Shine just took one with a .50 no problem and a .45 probably would have done the same with the same shot.

 

[Shine]

My .50 :grin: works fine

 

[Stumpkiller]

I would say it depends on the bear and the shot angle.

I wouldn't tippy toe up behind 500 lb black bear and try a rear quartering shot. But a broadside on a 150 lb black bear would be fine.

 

[Moose Guide]

Would anyone question weather a .45-70 was big enough for a black bear? On a grizz I would be nervous but for a black bear I wouldn't be scared of shooting one with a .36, blackies kill quite easy! One well placed shot is all you need!

 

[rabjr]

Eh, theres a big difference between a .45 ball and a 45-70 bullet.

 

[Rat Trapper]

Would anyone question weather a .45-70 was big enough for a black bear? On a grizz I would be nervous but for a black bear I wouldn't be scared of shooting one with a .36, blackies kill quite easy! One well placed shot is all you need!

Anyone who thinks a 36 is enough gun for bear needs to stop hunting with his computer and get out in the woods more. Yes bears do kill easy, but please use enough gun to do the job properly. Bear fat is well known for closing wounds up and leaving little blood to follow.

 

[VTdeerhunter]

I agree with Rat T., a good friend of mine is a well seasoned bear guide in Maine and he has spent a lot of time tracking black bears for his clients even after they were shot well because the fat plugs up the hole, just last week he was doing the hands and knees track job on a nice bear, went 150 yards and never left a single drop of blood after the initial hit.....BTW, 150 yards in thick Maine bear country is a lot longer than it sounds..thick? did I say thick?

 

[Sperit de bois]

The The Maine Sportsman,hunting magazine, might bring that statement in question????? "easy to kill"
There is a Maine Bear Guide who is healing up as we read,the black bear that was shot didnt die easly,got upset at being shot and "talked" it over with the guide.Turned out to be a tie,guide got bit,bear got shot, somemore, by the other hunter,OH modern rifles were the fire power used.
You can use what ever weapon you chose,,if it's big enough,,,no problem,,if not ,,well you can talk it over with the bear.Claws on all fours,teeth top and bottom and a preditator that eats meat.....and you just upset it.

 

[Shine]

You are not going to kill it if you don't hit it well. I have killed 15 bear counting last week. I had one go 25 yards. I shot it with a 3006. Most died on or near where they were hit. One died in gramps barn i shot it with my grandmothers 22 magnum. It was the closest gun I had when I was walking in with the trash gram kept it by the door:shocked2: I shot it behind the ear while its head was in the trash can. :shocked2: Bottom line is shot at a spot on the bear not the whole side of a bear. A 45 loaded with 65 or 70 grs of powder is good if you are and can keep your cool.

 

[Sperit de bois]

Agree 100%,, the operative word is "IF" The Maine Sportsman August 2012 pg 41 "Mauled by a Bear." www.mainesportsman.com dont know if you have to sign up to read this site or not.
Thinking the bear has thick fur,thick fat,big bones and will take some punishment from time to time 36 appears a little light for my likings,,30/06 is more my liking.

 

[Stony]

A small one, maybe. Best carry one of those 16" blade bowies as well, just in case.

 

[cynthialee]

A small one, maybe. Best carry one of those 16" blade bowies as well, just in case.

going out Legends of the Fall style might be epic and manly but it is not something you get to go home and brag about after the fact

 

[Roguedog]

A .45 cal loaded with a heavy conical ought to even the odds a bit.

Jeff

 

[gearheart]

Another 45 like a 1911 for backup be a good idea. :haha:

 

[Rev_William]

Most of my bears were with a 50 lb recurve and 110gr broadhead. it only took 1 arrow with proper shot placement. same with the .45 just practice with it til you're confident and make your shot count

 

[Sperit de bois]

Speaking of the 45/70 that is the "cap" "primer" that is used to set off the 900 lbs of powder that pushes the 16", 2200 lbs shell, 20 miles, down range from the 16" guns on the Battleships.
My father was a 16"Gun Mount Captain on BB64 starboard side forward. ff sort of!!!!!