The SABRE Aim and Fire Pepper Gel refill is the first pick if you own an Aim and Fire system, because the maker says it is made for that system only. It is a spray refill, not a firearm cartridge, so it fits pepper-spray protection rather than hunting. Owners who already carry the Aim and Fire can keep one system and simply swap in a new cartridge.
The second pick is a Mace Pepper Gun 2.0 refill set, which includes one pepper spray cartridge and one water trainer cartridge. Like the SABRE, this is a spray refill and not a firearm caliber. If you have a Pepper Gun 2.0 and want to practice aim before you need it, the water cartridge lets you do that without using up the real spray. For the next step, see Best Mule Deer Caliber: How to Pick One for Your Hunt.
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How we picked: from products sold on Amazon for this need, compared by what their makers state and what buyers report in their reviews.
The Picks at a Glance
Product | Best for | Dimensions | Item dimensions w x h | Item weight | Buyer rating | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SABRE Aim and Fire Refill | Aim and Fire owners | 7.5″W x 3.5″H | 7.5″W x 3.5″H | 11 milligrams | 4.5 of 5 (223 reviews) | |
Mace Pepper Gun 2.0 Cartridges | Pepper Gun 2.0 owners | 2.75″W x 4.25″H | 2.75″W x 4.25″H | 4 ounces | 4.5 of 5 (1,322 reviews) |
Buyer ratings as shown on Amazon on October 13, 2026; they change.
SABRE Aim and Fire Refill: Best for Aim and Fire owners
The SABRE Aim and Fire Pepper Gel refill is the first pick for owners of the Aim and Fire Pepper Gel System, because the maker states it is for use only with that system. If you already own this pepper spray and want a quick reload, this refill is built for it.
The maker says reloading is quick: you open the barrel, insert a new cartridge, and close the barrel. For you, that means a refill takes seconds in the field rather than a fiddly disassembly, which matters when you are carrying the spray on a trail and may need to top it up after a practice session.
The maker also states the gel is strong enough to use against a goal-oriented attacker under the influence of drugs or alcohol, and that each canister is checked in an in-house HPLC lab. In daily use, that check is the maker’s own quality control, so you are relying on the brand’s testing rather than an independent one. The product is made in the USA, which may matter if you prefer domestic manufacturing.
Pros
Reloads by opening the barrel and inserting a new cartridge
Made in the USA
Warranty of 4 years
Includes a link to free training videos and safety tips
Cons
Works only with the Aim and Fire Pepper Gel System, so it will not fit other pepper spray models
Carries a 15-foot range, which is the maker’s stated figure for the spray
If you own a Mace Pepper Gun 2.0 instead, the second pick is the better fit, since this refill is only for the Aim and Fire system.
Mace Pepper Gun 2.0 Cartridges: Best for Pepper Gun 2.0 owners
The Mace Pepper Gun 2.0 cartridge set is the pick for owners of the Mace Pepper Gun 2.0 who want a training cartridge for practice. The set pairs a real defense cartridge with a water trainer, so you can rehearse your aim and handling without spraying pepper.
The maker lists one OC pepper spray cartridge and one water trainer cartridge in each set. The water trainer lets you practice loading and aiming as often as you like, which matters because the maker advises regular practice to build the skill and confidence to use the spray in an emergency. Keep the water trainer for drills and the OC cartridge for real protection.
The formula is made with 10% OC (oleoresin capsicum), and the maker says the range is up to 25 feet. A longer reach means you can keep an attacker at a distance before they get close. The maker also says the UV dye leaves a residue on an assailant that is easier to identify later.
Pros
Includes a water trainer, so you can practice without using up the OC cartridge.
Buyers say the spray works well for self-protection and reaches a strong distance.
Buyers say the cartridges fit the gun well and work as a practice tool.
Cons
It will not work with the 80585 or 80405 Mace Pepper Gun (Black) because of its updated canister design.
Several buyers say the set arrived missing the black spray tips.
If you own a Aim and Fire system rather than a Pepper Gun 2.0, the SABRE refill in the first pick is the better fit.
How do you choose between spray and firearm bear cartridges?
Decide first whether you need protection on the trail or a rifle for hunting, because that choice decides which kind of cartridge fits your situation. Spray refills and firearm calibers serve different jobs, so pick the path before you pick a product.
Firearm calibers for hunting
Start with the .308 Winchester. It is often considered one of the best black bear cartridges on the market [1]. That makes it a well-known, common starting point for a hunter.
Other rifle choices named as favorites include the .30-06 Springfield, .300 H&H Magnum and .300 Winchester Magnum [2]. For a heavier option, the .338 Win. Mag. is a heavy-hitting, mainstream magnum [3]. Its extra power suits hunters who expect to take larger animals.
Handgun loads for bear defense
If you want a sidearm instead of a rifle, the .44 Magnum and .357 Magnum are named among popular handgun bear cartridges [4]. The 10mm Auto is named as a top pick for bear defense [5]. Its recoil is tame enough to allow quick follow-up shots, which matters if you need a second shot fast [5].
Which one should you buy first?
The SABRE Aim and Fire refill is the first pick if you already own the Aim and Fire system, since the maker says it is for that system only. If you are not sure whether you need spray protection or a firearm caliber, settle that question first, because it decides which product line applies to you.
Spray refills like the SABRE and the Mace set are for personal defense at close range. Firearm calibers are a hunting choice, so if your goal is protection on a trail, a spray refill is the right category to shop in.
For a SABRE owner, the reload is the practical advantage: you open the barrel and insert a new cartridge, which the maker describes as quick and easy. Buy the refill that matches your gun, then keep the spray within reach on the trail.