I agree with you, oporter. A .45 could potentially take down a bear, especially with the right ammo and shot placement. But is it the best choice? That’s debatable.
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Right, and bear behavior can also affect what you should carry. An aggressive bear may require more firepower. Is it worth the risk?
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If you’re a fan of .45, I’d say go with something like a .45-70. Sure, it’s not a .45 ACP, but it packs a punch that’s hard to beat!
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Seriously, who needs a .45 when you have a .44 Magnum? Haha! But in all seriousness, it’s about matching your ammo to the situation.
Funny you should say that! I think it just comes down to what you’re comfortable with. If people are proficient with a .45, it can work! Also, training matters.
What about the .45 Colt? I hear it has some great options for heavy hunting loads, which could work well for bears. Any thoughts?
Good point! .45 Colt can indeed offer some heavy loads suitable for hunting. It’s definitely another avenue to explore for bear protection.
In the end, it’s really about being prepared for what you might encounter in the wild. While a .45 can work, perhaps consider carrying a backup just in case.
I like that perspective, scuevas. It’s better to be over-prepared than under-prepared. What’s the worst that could happen? Besides a bear chasing after you, of course! Haha!
I’ve been in the woods with bears around, and while I’ve seen hunters use .45s, I’d say it’s not the best choice for stopping a bear. The .45 can work, but it’s all about shot placement. A .44 Mag or a larger caliber is often preferred.
I agree with you, Preston. My friend had a close call once, and he fired a .45 but wished he had his .44 instead. Better to be safe with a bigger caliber!
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Interesting discussion! I’ve often wondered about this while camping in bear country. I remember reading that proper training and familiarity with your firearm can be just as important as the caliber. What do you guys think?
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Absolutely, Melinda! I’ve seen hunters freeze up in stressful situations. Training can make a huge difference in life or death scenarios.
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I’ve encountered black bears up close while hiking and I carried a .45. It made me feel safer, but honestly, I’d want something more powerful in grizzly territory. Just my two cents!
Same here! A bear can soak up a lot of damage. I’ve heard stories about bears walking away from hits that would take down a smaller game animal.
A .45 certainly isn’t my first choice, but I remember using it for protection against a charging bear. I aimed for the head and it worked, but it felt like a gamble! I’d recommend practicing your aim before relying on it.
This is great advice, Amber! Bears are tough creatures, and a single .45 round might not be enough to stop them dead in their tracks. I think I’d panic and miss anyway!
Haha, I totally relate! It’s easy to say you’ll stay calm, but when a bear is charging at you, everything goes out the window! Training is key.
I’ve always thought a .45 would be good for self-defense against other humans but bears? That’s a different ball game! I’d feel safer with something like a 12-gauge shotgun.
For sure, Lindsey! The wider spread can really help in a panic situation. I’ve heard of way more successful bear defenses with shotguns than handguns.
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