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Thread: 38 Special Bear Defense Load

  1. #1
    Boolit Buddy
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    38 Special Bear Defense Load

    Just kidding.
    I just read a what oil to use thread on a motorcycle forum and thought I would come over here to share the love.

  2. #2
    Boolit Master
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    2.8 grains of Red Dot and the Lee 356-90RF should do it. Let's not waste powder and lead lol

  3. #3
    Moderator Emeritus


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    How long of a barrel? Are you sticking it in the bears eye, against the roof of his mouth or in his ear?






    Synthetic 20W-40W will always figure in a good lube.
    [The Montana Gianni] Front sight and squeeze

  4. #4
    Boolit Buddy atfsux's Avatar
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    Plain old 158 grain SWC for maximum penetration. Just make sure you only use the first five on the bear so you have the last one for yourself.
    When democracy becomes tyranny, those of us with rifles still get to vote.

  5. #5
    Boolit Grand Master

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    any load wil do but lube it with bacon grease and donut glaze, whenn a bear attacks thriw itt down and run away while it eats it

  6. #6
    Boolit Grand Master
    Mk42gunner's Avatar
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    Most any .38 Special load should work as well as the mighty (cough) .25 ACP in slowing down your companion during bear attack.

    Robert

  7. #7
    Boolit Grand Master
    white eagle's Avatar
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    22 lr for bear defense is the best thing going
    light and easy to carry and packs more into a clip
    maximum fire power
    Hit em'hard
    hit em'often

  8. #8
    Boolit Master

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    All very good suggestions
    Proud member in the basket of deplorables.

    I've got the itch, but don't got the scratch.




  9. #9
    Boolit Grand Master Outpost75's Avatar
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    There was an article in Outdoor Life in the 50s or 60s by Ben East entitled "Handgun Versus A Brownie." It related a true story of a wildlife photographer in Alaska who successfully repelled a brown bear attack with a 6-inch Colt Official Police shooting Super--X 158-grain lead round nosed .38-44 loads which gave about 1125 fps from a 6- inch revolver. IIRC the fellow was a WW2 combat vet and ex-cop who calmly engaged the charging bear at hot breath distance putting rounds into the eye sockets, up the nostrils and into the soft pallet of the open mouth, dumping six rounds rapidly double action. The bear knocked him down and laid dead on top of him!
    The ENEMY is listening.
    HE wants to know what YOU know.
    Keep it to yourself.

  10. #10
    Boolit Grand Master



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    Handgun or Pistol Against Bear Attacks 104 cases, 97% Effective

    https://www.ammoland.com/2021/06/han...#axzz8DLR2jzMs
    2nd Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. - "A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed."

    "Before you argue with someone, ask yourself, is that person even mentally mature enough to grasp the concept of different perspectives? Because if not, there’s absolutely no point."
    – Amber Veal

    "The Highest form of ignorance is when your reject something you don't know anything about".
    - Wayne Dyer

  11. #11
    Boolit Master
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    I was thinking it was a load for a bear to pack in defense against humans!

    Three44s
    Quote Originally Posted by Bret4207

    “There is more to this than dumping lead in a hole.”

  12. #12
    Boolit Master scattershot's Avatar
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    Whatever load you decide on, just be sure to file the front sight smooth. It will hurt less that way when the bear sticks it where the sun don’t shine.
    "Experience is a series of non-fatal mistakes"


    Disarming is a mistake free people only get to make once...

  13. #13
    Boolit Master
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    I use something less powerful. That load might over penetrate and kill a baby hiding behind the bear.

  14. #14
    Boolit Master TurnipEaterDown's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by M-Tecs View Post
    Handgun or Pistol Against Bear Attacks 104 cases, 97% Effective

    https://www.ammoland.com/2021/06/han...#axzz8DLR2jzMs
    The cynical or ignorant person strolling through the data might come to the conclusion that (1) 44 magnums attract bears -- used in 30 of the 104 cases, and (2) 45 Super is far less of an attractant -- only used in 1 of the 104 documented cases.
    Since I didn't see 375 Supermag, would this be a better choice yet?

    Pure snark here -- just an illustration of how to not use information with existing biases...

  15. #15
    Boolit Master
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    I want to know more about motorcycle oil. Vtwin or inline? Wet or dry clutch? Old or new? Synthetic or dino? And the added controversy, how often do you change it?!!!!

    Heck, if a puny 9mm can kill a grizzly why not a .38? Me? I just avoid Grizzly country when on foot.

  16. #16
    Boolit Buddy atfsux's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by TurnipEaterDown View Post
    The cynical or ignorant person strolling through the data might come to the conclusion that (1) 44 magnums attract bears -- used in 30 of the 104 cases, and (2) 45 Super is far less of an attractant -- only used in 1 of the 104 documented cases.
    Since I didn't see 375 Supermag, would this be a better choice yet?

    Pure snark here -- just an illustration of how to not use information with existing biases...
    For me, the data reinforces the first rule of any gunfight;..."HAVE A GUN". While not the best option, even the .22s made a difference!
    When democracy becomes tyranny, those of us with rifles still get to vote.

  17. #17
    Boolit Master Thumbcocker's Avatar
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    Almost any .38 special load will work when fired from inside the bear.
    Paper targets aren't your friends. They won't lie for you and they don't care if your feelings get hurt.

  18. #18
    Boolit Buddy
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    Quote Originally Posted by charlie b View Post
    I want to know more about motorcycle oil. Vtwin or inline? Wet or dry clutch? Old or new? Synthetic or dino? And the added controversy, how often do you change it?!!!!

    Heck, if a puny 9mm can kill a grizzly why not a .38? Me? I just avoid Grizzly country when on foot.
    Two stroke oil of course.

  19. #19
    Boolit Buddy
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    Quote Originally Posted by Thumbcocker View Post
    Almost any .38 special load will work when fired from inside the bear.
    Lol

  20. #20
    Boolit Master Doughty's Avatar
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    News reports indicate that in the incident Rudy Noorlander had this week with a grizzly, that the revolver he was carrying "misfired." Anybody know what that revolver was?
    AKA "Old Vic"
    "I am a great believer in powder-burning".
    --Theodore Roosevelt, Hunting Trips of a Ranchman

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Abbreviations used in Reloading

BP Bronze Point IMR Improved Military Rifle PTD Pointed
BR Bench Rest M Magnum RN Round Nose
BT Boat Tail PL Power-Lokt SP Soft Point
C Compressed Charge PR Primer SPCL Soft Point "Core-Lokt"
HP Hollow Point PSPCL Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" C.O.L. Cartridge Overall Length
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LRN Lead Round Nose LWC Lead Wad Cutter LSWC Lead Semi Wad Cutter
GC Gas Check