Maurading Polar Bears!!!!

[TheProvider]

My sister and her boyfriend will be moving up to Nunavut soon for a year. Although they are not hunters they'll be getting their PALS before they go. They need a firearm to carry whenever they leave town limits incase of encounters with polar bears. Seeing how I hunt and love rifles and guns I figured its a good excuse to buy a new one to lend them while their up there. Any suggestions for a good calibre for mauranding polar bears? I was think atleast a .338 WM or should I go bigger such as a .416rigby. Keep in mind they won't be using the rifle for hunting, just in case of a charging bear.

[Slime green cat]

.375 Ruger "Alaskan" ... I cant think of a more perfect gun, and caliber .

[Poguebilt]

marlin 45/70 stainless guide gun

[okanagan hiker]

Have they shot many firearms? Any large caliber ones?

Having a firearm and being able to use it to defend yourself with are 2 VERY different things.

[RJ]

I love my .375 Ruger but,
a well placed .308 is better than wizzing a 375 overtop and not being able to follow up.

My suggestion is to introduce them to a variety of calibers and let them choose the largest one they can comfortably shoot repeatedly and confidently.

[TheProvider]

.375 is a good option aswell, they aren't that familiar with firearms so I'll have them out shooting mine to get used to them. And its not a question wether or not they can use it and defend theselves, it's something they must learn!! I've thought of the 45/70 also. I know they'll need to be able to shoot it comfortably and accurately for that reason even maybe a .300WM.

[longrifle]

Which community are they moving to?? From my time up there a .270 win is considered a big gun and Polar bears aren't really that tough, hit em and they take off...So, I would set them up with either a .270 or a .308, either will do the job easily. BTW, lots of pbears are harvested each year using .243's and i'm sure, .223's, in fact, besides sporthunters, the biggest caliber I've seen a local use for bears was a .30/06.

'rifle

[proguide66]

apperantly the # 1 stopper ( quoted by fisheries cop freind who took the bear survival course with Gary sheldon) is the 12 guage with slugs....i find it easier to pack my shortened 12 guage with the plug removed over a rifle while guideing...I only pack a rifle if its a bear hunt.

[Noname]

I would second the 12 gauge. hell of a lot of stopping power in a slug. If you're set on a rifle 375 ruger.

[landphil]

Which community are they moving to?? From my time up there a .270 win is considered a big gun and Polar bears aren't really that tough, hit em and they take off...So, I would set them up with either a .270 or a .308, either will do the job easily. BTW, lots of pbears are harvested each year using .243's and i'm sure, .223's, in fact, besides sporthunters, the biggest caliber I've seen a local use for bears was a .30/06.

'rifle

Yup, the calibre of choice with many of the inuit hunters is, believe it or not, the good ole' .303 british with FMJ's for minimal hide damage.

My dad worked up there for a time, they packed 12ga loaded with rubber slugs, then the real thing. IIRC, the company would have been fined $10,000, even if the bear was killed as a last resort to protect life.

[Brew]

A 375 h&h or ruger. If budget is an issue a 9.3x62 husky from tradex are a cheep buy for a thumper. My next purchase that would be a good sidearm would be one of these in 44 mag.
http://www.rossiusa.com/product-list.cfm?category=17

[elkdom]

tell your relatives to use what the Eskimos have used for thousands of years for self defense from Polar bears,,,,,,,,




















COMMON SENSE,,,

pass it around

[Steelpulse]

I would say 12 gauge slugs is the way to go, as rubber bullets can be loaded first with lead after in case of a real situation.

As well easy to use, minimal kick, and quite portable, easier to shoot on the fly (charging polar bear)

I would say a rifle is generally not a close range weapon although obviously can be used as one