I realize this doesn’t totally belong in the African Big Game forum but it also doesn’t totally belong within the Alaskan or Asian Hunting forums either. I do believe that there is knowledge in this forum that may not interact with the Alaskan or Asian forums hence my post here.

I’ve been following a few discussions on the AR, and elsewhere, regarding a stopping caliber for large bear in the bush. Perhaps I’m wrong, but I would place the Polar bear (880-1,500 lbs), Alaska Brown bear (800-1,500 lbs), and the Canadian/USA Grizzly bear (600-800 lbs) in a similar category to the male Asian Tiger (500-660 lbs) and African Lion (420-550 lbs) – abet larger and heavier in shoulder muscle and bone mass. All will eat you given hunger and the chance to do so…and all are extremely dangerous in close quarters especially should they feel threatened.

Although the discussion topics was directed towards a “stopping caliber for large close quarters charging bears” the responses as always ranged from posters espousing the 30-06 and smaller caliber rifles to those noting that a .458 WinMag isn’t a sure stopper, to the always present .375 H&H aficionados who note that cartridge has taken every dangerous game worldwide.

What hasn’t been identified is the combination of cartridge and bullet that will reliably stop a close quarters charging bear. Correct shot placement is a given.

So…whether hunter or professional guide…what cartridge/bullet combination would you want in your hands to “quickly stop” a close quarters charging toothy/clawed bear/lion/tiger so as to hopefully assure an unscathed body (yours and your partner(s) whether they be tracker, hunter, guide?

Thanks for your comments/recommendations.
Jim

* Alaskan Brown weight corrected - Kodak record is 2,500 lbs and almost 14ft tall standing on hind legs - thanks buffalo for pointing out.

I am no expert. But I do have a modicum of experience and you asked. So here goes.

Ideally, at least in a bolt rifle, I would want a medium to heavy medium bore firing a good soft point bullet traveling at moderately high velocity, say, 2,400-2,500 fps.

The 9.3x62mm with 250-286 grain bullets, or the .375 H&H Mag. with 270-300 grain bullets would be my minimum.

I would prefer a .416 Rem. Mag. or Rigby with 350-400 grain bullets.

IMHO, however, the best option for facing a charge of the kind you describe would be a .500-.416 double rifle firing 400 grain softs. There is nothing like a double for handling that kind of task. And the .500-.416 doesn't give up much in the way of velocity and striking power to a .416 caliber bolt rifle.

But I am not a double man, as the odds of being charged by any dangerous animal are extremely low, and I prefer a magazine rifle over a double for general use.

quote:

Originally posted by capoward:

Perhaps I’m wrong, but I would place the Polar bear (880-1,500 lbs), Alaska Brown bear (1,050-1,175 lbs), and the Canadian/USA Grizzly bear (600-800 lbs) in a similar category to the male Asian Tiger (500-660 lbs) and African Lion (420-550 lbs)
Jim

You are wrong regarding size of brown bear. Your number is true for grizzly but not for the big coastal brownies. The bears on Alaska Peninsula and Kodiak Island will weigh as much as a polar bear - up to 1500 Ibs, some claim even more.. The Alaskan F&G also writes that the biggest bear is the coastal brownie..

When I hunted mountain grizzly, in the snow I carried a Blaser R 93 in 300 Win Mag with 200gr Trophy Bonded Bearclaw's. Shots can be fairly far in this open country.

When I hunted brown bear I carried my 450/400 3 1/4" double rifle.

I agree with MR on BIG bear up close the 9,3x62 or x74 would be my minimum.

I also killed my lion with my 450/400 with 400gr Woodleigh Softs.

I would not feel "under-gunned" with a 458 Win.
The 375 H&H and the 458 Win are my favorites for DG, and add a quick-release scope and a premium soft-point. The european equivalent of the 375 is 9.3x74R which can make a nice double rifle and worked well on elephants for the European hunters.
The ammo availability of the 375 and 458 is a big plus.

I corrected the Alaskan Brown weight range, thanks buffalo I should have caught that one.

Thanks to you all for your comments. Sounds like the optimum caliber range is the large-medium bore (.40 to .45 caliber).

I use a .458Lott with 500gr Swift A-Frame; killed my 500# Lion with one shot. I would be confident in that for big bear, but would also feel pretty good armed with my .416Rem and a 400gr A-Frame, with which I've dispatched numerous Cape Buff and Hippo.

There is always lots of talk about stopping charges, but the one thing I know is that a cool head and lack of panic will serve one well, even if "under gunned".

I shot a 9 foot coastal brown bear with a 404 Jeff and a 400 grain swift a frame at 2350. It worked well as the bear went right down. The guide carried a 375 H & H.

BigB

The only guarantee of stopping any animal at close quarters is to hit the central nervous system.

If he is very close and facing you, this means the brain.

And all you need is ANY caliber that will penetrate to the brain.

Regardless of size.

With a .458 Lott and a 500 grain soft i would be confident of stopping a charge from any clawed beast on earth. A cool head and correct shot placement will also go a long way in keeping your hide intact.

The .340 Wby. Mag. with a 250 gr. Nosler Partition would work well. A .375 H&H Magnum with a 300 gr. Nosler Partition would due as well.

quote:

Originally posted by Scott450:
With a .458 Lott and a 500 grain soft i would be confident of stopping a charge from any clawed beast on earth. A cool head and correct shot placement will also go a long way in keeping your hide intact.

I've always shot any game facing me in the head.If I wanted to put a quick end to things and he was broadside,I'd shoot at the neck.The neck shot never failed me,but I have heard stories of it failing.My preffered shot,is the brodside shoulder shot.Another shot that I found very effective is a shot in the rear,exactly in the center.My experience is almost entirely from hunting caribou,but find it good,none the less on larger critters,with big bores.