Suggestions/Rifle for the Mrs.

B

b79holmes

Joined
Feb 11, 2007
Messages
383
Likes
15
Location
MA
Feedback: 0 / 0 / 0
Went to visit my wife's families summer home in the Catskills in NY last weekend.
Bear scat everywhere!

I'm thinking about a 20ga 870 but am not sure it will work well for the Mrs.

A lever action in 30-30, .357 or .44 mag, or a Ruger .44mag auto may work for her. Any other possibilities?

We are not NY residents so I can't use my M29.

Thanks,
Bill
 
I consider a .30-30 with 170 grain bullkets the DEAD minimum for bear.

A .308 with 180 grain bullets would be better.

Problem with carrying something like this in the woods is you'll need a hunting license, and a non-resident license is pricey.

Let me state it this way. I live in bear country in VT. Yup, they can get on the big side for Black Bears.

I don't carry a rifle in the woods, unless I', hunting. I learned to respect the bears, they'll pretty much leave me alone, unless I get between a sow and her cubs.
 
Nickle said:
Let me state it this way. I live in bear country in VT. Yup, they can get on the big side for Black Bears.

I don't carry a rifle in the woods, unless I', hunting. I learned to respect the bears, they'll pretty much leave me alone, unless I get between a sow and her cubs.
Click to expand...

+1 There's no need to arm yourself against a bear attack - only for a bear hunt. I live in bear country as well - pick up bear shit along with the dog shit in my yard. I also spend much time hiking in the woods and have had many a path-crossing with bears - some as close as a few feet away. A rifle will do little more than increase her odds of getting in trouble unless she trains like mad. Trust me - when a bear enters the picture suddenly, all bets are off with regard to keeping your nerve. It's best to just slowly back away, or stand your ground should they charge. Bears - especially black bears, do not want to risk injury. They are not notorious for blindly attacking people - they have mouths to feed - including their own. In my experience, it's better to adapt to your surroundings than to try and adapt them to you. If you do some research, you'll find that in the instances of attack prevention, bear spray is a more effective tool and has zero chance of needlessly killing, or worse, wounding a bear because of unnecessary fear...If you feel that the bears in the hood are truly menacing or threatening, then I'd suggest a short carbine in a caliber that is likely to dispatch the threat and the training to go with it...
 
Had not thought of the bear spray

I agree the need for a firearm to defend against a bear is pretty remote.
As with CCW in general it is 99% peace of mind.

I had not thought of the bear spray, which is a good idea.

I am assuming she won't like the recoil of a 45-70, 444 Marlin or a 12 gauge slug.
I do not know how that compares to the .308

I think I will work on the bear spray ASAP and then continue to research the NY laws and getting her behind a rifle.

Thanks,
Bill
 
b79holmes said:
I agree the need for a firearm to defend against a bear is pretty remote.
As with CCW in general it is 99% peace of mind.

I had not thought of the bear spray, which is a good idea.

I am assuming she won't like the recoil of a 45-70, 444 Marlin or a 12 gauge slug.
I do not know how that compares to the .308

I think I will work on the bear spray ASAP and then continue to research the NY laws and getting her behind a rifle.

Thanks,
Bill
Click to expand...

Somewhere I have a link as to the effectiveness of bear spray - and this was against grizzlies. Those with guns were more likely to be unsuccessful fending off the bear. Still, only you ultimately can decide if it's necessary to arm beyond OC. I'd go for a 44mag rifle at the minimum...
 
This might sound strange but a Garand is a great choice. It has low recoil because it is gas operated and it has a high rate of fire. That would honestly be my choice for a woman for a rifle for black bear defense.
 
stats

MassMark said:
Somewhere I have a link as to the effectiveness of bear spray - and this was against grizzlies. Those with guns were more likely to be unsuccessful fending off the bear. Still, only you ultimately can decide if it's necessary to arm beyond OC. I'd go for a 44mag rifle at the minimum...
Click to expand...

I'd like to see the details behind those stats. There was a show on recently about Polar Bear attacks in Norway or Finland. A Naturalist was leading a tour and they all split up. The 'leader' and one guest are approached by or run into a bear which won't back off. The leader uses his S&W .22 rimfire to really annoy the bear, which kills him.

The details don't matter for this discussion but obviously an appropriate firearm and knowing how to use it matter a lot!

Bill
 
b79holmes said:
I'd like to see the details behind those stats. There was a show on recently about Polar Bear attacks in Norway or Finland. A Naturalist was leading a tour and they all split up. The 'leader' and one guest are approached by or run into a bear which won't back off. The leader uses his S&W .22 rimfire to really annoy the bear, which kills him.

The details don't matter for this discussion but obviously an appropriate firearm and knowing how to use it matter a lot!

Bill
Click to expand...

I have them bookmarked somewhere on this thing and will find em...Study was over a period of several years in Alaska...
 
I can speak from personal experience regarding a Winchester 94 in .44 mag...it can really recoil, much more than what one would expect.

I think MassMark has come up with the best answers to the issue. We don't live in Grizzly country, and one doesn't hear too much about black bear attacks (I'm not saying it never happens). All things considered, I think that the spray might be the best option.

Now if we were up in Alaska or Wyoming or Montana, it would be a different deal, and some kind of firearm should be carried or made available. I 'd carry spray there too.

Mark L.
 
While I've never had had problems in New England with any bears (except finding them when I want one), if you really felt the need to carry a firearm, a semi-auto 12 guage with a 18 inch barrel would do the job. Like a Garand, the gas feed slows down the recoil and makes the gun manageable, and puts 4 or 5 guick shots on target.
 

Similar threads

Help on which Rifle to choose
Replies
18
Views
365
P. Lopes
P. Lopes
What the hell is this?
Replies
8
Views
299
Scott A.
Scott A.
Looking for custom engraving on O/U shotgun
Replies
5
Views
92
tinhorn
tinhorn
Looking for suppressor storage ideas
Replies
7
Views
143
Tartakovsky
Tartakovsky
Gunsmiths for pistol slide and frame work
Replies
11
Views
417
DW357
DW357
Back
Top Bottom