riderz49 wrote:
10mm may be just a little mor, but not enough more, effective than .45. Most effective option is 12 ga. shotgun located alternately wit 00 buck shells and 12 ga. slugs. Pistols just piss off the bear. In which the pistol may be more effective to shoot yoursel and avoid the mauling. Please report if you survive.
A lot of consensus for a pistol points to a 44 magnum with hard cast bullets, 305-340 grains. Hard cast bullets because what is needed is penetration. You need to hit the bear in the chest and have the bullet exit the rear hopefully breaking the pelvis along the way. The 12 gauge shotgun is also excellent but it's harder to carry around and perhaps harder to bring into action. The 45 is great for stopping a human but not a 400-600 pound bear. When hunting the best scenario would be to have a partner standing ready while you tend to any downed game.