No, I did not forget about bears. I also did not forget about the moose, mountain lions and wolves that do NOT hibernate during the winter. Not to mention the human threat.
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AK-74 vs. Brown Bear outside of Anchorage
- Thread starter Anvil_X
- Start date
They're packing bolt-action rifles because they can't afford proper stopping rifles in double barrel (Heym, Holland & Holland) in 470, 500 NE or 577 Nitro Express which are the preferred Dangerous Game stopping rifles and are the proper rifles for stopping charges against large wounded dangerous game with the instant double trigger/second shot in case the first shot is a miss.
There's a big difference between a "hunting" rifle and a "stopping" rifle. Bolt-action rifles can get people killed. Pursuing a wounded dangerous game animal with any bolt-action rifle whether it's in 308 or 500 Jeffery is risky and stupid. I'm not arguing or disagreeing about the power of the cartridge or accuracy that comes in bolt-action rifles. Bolt-action rifles are great for hunting/sniping but, they're not for defensive speed during a charge in close proximity...
And yes, I personally would LOVE to have a Heym or H&H double barrel in 500/577 NE. It's not in many people's budget due to the fact that double barrel rifles, the good quality ones, not cheap poorly made Cabella's ones can cost $30k to $100k+. I'll take a semi-auto with 20 to 30 rounds of 556, 7.62x39 or 308 in Barnes TSX over a hail mary one shot bolt-action rifle. And, Alaskan State Troopers and local law enforcement in AK kill large brown bears with AR15's in 223/556.
This thread was created way back in 2013 because a guy in AK killed a charging brown bear with his AK74 in 5.45. Did he get fined/sued by the state for using an AK74 in 5.45 to stop a charge? In Alaska, does the state have a law requiring a minimum caliber restriction to use in self-defense against brown bears? Why would the state fine/sue anyone who shoots a brown bear in self-defense if the bear charges regardless of firearm/caliber? So, if you use an AK47 you get fined but, if you use a 50 BMG it's all good? Or, does it have to strictly be grampa's 30-06 made of wood featured in Field & Stream magazine? Phil Shoemaker killed a brown bear with a 9mm when it charged his clients...
Heck, a guy killed a polar bear with a 44 mag revolver...
Polar Bear Attack Stopped with a .44 Magnum in Alaska
On August 16, 2014, a Fish and Wildlife employee shot and killed a polar bear which was attempting to enter the tent they were sleeping in on Arey Island off the coast of the North Slope of Alaska.www.ammoland.com
Robert E Peterson killed a polar bear with a 44 mag revolver too...
Big Game African hunter explains why bolt-action rifles can get people killed to try to stop a charge. He almost got killed by a cape buffalo charge using a bolt-action rifle...
The troopers up here are using 12 ga shotties with slugs and buck. The only people using AR’s on game are the natives out in the bush, very successfully too.
Your facts are anecdotal, I very seriously doubt you have ever actually seen a bear outside the zoo.
Anyways, you do you kiddo. Tell your mom I said hi next time you go upstairs for a grilled cheese.
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