just saw that some of my question was answered in another thread. But does anyone care to add?

I would go with solid copper sabots in the 12 ga. Their penetration and impact are on par with a double rifle. This is a grizzly we're talking about here, not an Arizona black bear. I'd carry either a 12ga or my 45-70 with 400 grain solids.

Another thing that people commonly assume about bears is that you can shoot them in the head. Don;t. Their skull is armor, you'll likely just waste your bullets. Go for a CNS or thoractic hit with a weapon of serious knockdown and penetration.

assume the fetal position. lol I knew a park ranger that trekked through alot of bear country that carried a 12 gauge loaded with bird shot to take out the bear's eye's then backed up with sluggs.

Yeah - I would want the heaviest hitting firearm I could carry. Short of that... something which would startle or scare off the bear might be more effective; I've heard of people getting decent results from irritants like mace / pepper spray... although I think I'd rather use a flame-thrower if I'm going with non-penetrating firepower.

A 12 Guage magnum hand load with a magnum lead load of any shot (smaller is better) in a ringed round.
The smaller shot allows you to get more weight in the shell.
The magnum will freight the whole thing outta da barrel like who-don-it
The ringing of the shell allows the plastic body to stay nicely around the shot as the whole package comes charging out of the barrel.
When it hits it has take down power that will stop a moose in it's tracks and knock it down.

Interestingly the ringed round also has a better ballistic than most 12 gauge loads dropping maybe 6" over 50 yards
This is one round that will never come out the other side.

While the copper hollow points will prolly do the job, a magnum hand-load ringed is probably the most stopping power you can get.


However, It's my understanding that hypothetical bears are pretty harmless.