jeepcjaholic
CGN Regular
- Location
- Vancouver Island B.C.
Gun to carry on fishing trips advice
- Thread starter Verteth
- Start date
Fly fishing wearing a slung shotgun doesn't sound much fun?
I'd go with the absolute lightest set up possible and figure out how to holster it, or keep it tight on the back so it's not flapping around while you cast.
A rossi ranchhand in .357mag with heavy loads would be a about 5 steps up from bear spray alone, the .44mag or .45colt would be 5 bigger steps up from there.
Full stock(shortened by a couple inches) if needed.
A short single like Mrbishi suggests is also a step up from bear spray all be it one step.
I'd go with the absolute lightest set up possible and figure out how to holster it, or keep it tight on the back so it's not flapping around while you cast.
A rossi ranchhand in .357mag with heavy loads would be a about 5 steps up from bear spray alone, the .44mag or .45colt would be 5 bigger steps up from there.
Full stock(shortened by a couple inches) if needed.
A short single like Mrbishi suggests is also a step up from bear spray all be it one step.
Yeah single shot isn't ideal, but the single you have on you when you need it is better than the cumbersome 8 shot pump or whatever you left in the truck because you were only going a few steps away....initially.
I took more game as a chap with my auld single baikal than any semi or pump since, reason being is that you only had one shot so you always tried make it count.
That's what works for me personally, it may not work for you.
If I was using a ranch hand, a proper stock, in 44 with hard cast bullets would be the minimum I would rely on, otherwise you may as well bump fire an sks, not something I'd want for a serious bear.
Personally I wouldn't want anything less than a shotgun slug but again, any calibre is better than no calibre.
I took more game as a chap with my auld single baikal than any semi or pump since, reason being is that you only had one shot so you always tried make it count.
That's what works for me personally, it may not work for you.
If I was using a ranch hand, a proper stock, in 44 with hard cast bullets would be the minimum I would rely on, otherwise you may as well bump fire an sks, not something I'd want for a serious bear.
Personally I wouldn't want anything less than a shotgun slug but again, any calibre is better than no calibre.
I've got no problem with a compact and easy to carry single shot.
Disposition and confidence goes a long way. If the gun you have lets you stand your ground with confidence chances are the bear will fish for itself.
I think many would choose a .44mag revolver as a perfect fishing gun , a .44mag is about as close to that as we can get, bit bigger and heavier with a bit more velocity and lone less round in the magazine.
Disposition and confidence goes a long way. If the gun you have lets you stand your ground with confidence chances are the bear will fish for itself.
I think many would choose a .44mag revolver as a perfect fishing gun , a .44mag is about as close to that as we can get, bit bigger and heavier with a bit more velocity and lone less round in the magazine.
Verteth;
Good evening to you sir, I'm trusting that this finds you doing acceptably well.
The choice of arm for "bear defense" is always a hotly debated one on any outdoor/firearm forum and as with many things in life, what might be right for you won't work for me.
In broad terms, saving money on any social arm is akin to purchasing the smallest and least expensive fire extinguisher we believe we just may need. Now if we're not going to say cut a lot of metal or weld near flammable material, then that inexpensive fire extinguisher might never bite us. If we do those activities and in our heart of hearts we know there could be a chance of a fire, then we should get what works.
For me then, when I'm putting together a "social arm" for myself, a family member or someone else, the first rule must be that it functions perfectly EVERY TIME. There really can be no exceptions, as we're going to be playing for all the marbles when it's hauled into use.
We need to practice with it enough that the motor controls are memorized and come without thought. I do speed drills on water or milk jugs at 20 meters and closer - as those who have had bear encounters that went sideways tell me that's the distance we'll be dealing with.
I've been fortunate thus far in that all the bears I've encountered in our yard and in the wild have been "good bears" and have left when asked to do so - well save one who I encountered when chasing elk and I was thus appropriately armed for the little discussion that ensued on that stretch of BC mountain.
If you're interested, here's a link to what I've just put together for the very thing you're asking about for our own daughter. If you're a father and you've ever done stuff like this for your own kids, you know too well the thought and consideration put into building something that may save their life someday if need be.....
Linky thing.
http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/foru...Scattergun-Builds-and-Discussion-Thread/page7
Now just today I did some work on a pistol gripped 870 for a bow hunting friend, who is comfortable with a pistol grip shotgun and his abilities with it. For him it's a viable tool.
When I did speed drills on the jugs with a pistol grip, I didn't hit what I felt I needed to, so that's not the way I choose to go personally - but that doesn't mean I'm right and he's wrong - we're both using what works for us.
In summary, spend as much as you need to in order to get an arm that is more reliable than a framing hammer, practice with it until use is second nature to you and then do like the rest of us who work and recreate and live in bear country - which is hope/pray it's never, ever needed.
Hopefully that made sense and was useful to you or someone this night before Valentine's Day.
Dwayne
Good evening to you sir, I'm trusting that this finds you doing acceptably well.
The choice of arm for "bear defense" is always a hotly debated one on any outdoor/firearm forum and as with many things in life, what might be right for you won't work for me.
In broad terms, saving money on any social arm is akin to purchasing the smallest and least expensive fire extinguisher we believe we just may need. Now if we're not going to say cut a lot of metal or weld near flammable material, then that inexpensive fire extinguisher might never bite us. If we do those activities and in our heart of hearts we know there could be a chance of a fire, then we should get what works.
For me then, when I'm putting together a "social arm" for myself, a family member or someone else, the first rule must be that it functions perfectly EVERY TIME. There really can be no exceptions, as we're going to be playing for all the marbles when it's hauled into use.
We need to practice with it enough that the motor controls are memorized and come without thought. I do speed drills on water or milk jugs at 20 meters and closer - as those who have had bear encounters that went sideways tell me that's the distance we'll be dealing with.
I've been fortunate thus far in that all the bears I've encountered in our yard and in the wild have been "good bears" and have left when asked to do so - well save one who I encountered when chasing elk and I was thus appropriately armed for the little discussion that ensued on that stretch of BC mountain.
If you're interested, here's a link to what I've just put together for the very thing you're asking about for our own daughter. If you're a father and you've ever done stuff like this for your own kids, you know too well the thought and consideration put into building something that may save their life someday if need be.....
Linky thing.
http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/foru...Scattergun-Builds-and-Discussion-Thread/page7
Now just today I did some work on a pistol gripped 870 for a bow hunting friend, who is comfortable with a pistol grip shotgun and his abilities with it. For him it's a viable tool.
When I did speed drills on the jugs with a pistol grip, I didn't hit what I felt I needed to, so that's not the way I choose to go personally - but that doesn't mean I'm right and he's wrong - we're both using what works for us.
In summary, spend as much as you need to in order to get an arm that is more reliable than a framing hammer, practice with it until use is second nature to you and then do like the rest of us who work and recreate and live in bear country - which is hope/pray it's never, ever needed.
Hopefully that made sense and was useful to you or someone this night before Valentine's Day.
Dwayne
- Location
- Blaster land, Okanagan BC
My wife has a 12.5" tube fed grizzly, I have a 12.5" mag fed version. Great little guns, once you polish some of the internals the action really smooths out. It's would be my go to as a bush gun. I've got a Mesa tactical adjustable stock kit coming for it which should lighten it up a fair bit.
This - cheap, powerful, built like a brick. What they lack in finesse they make up in handiness.
OP, these can be had for $300. 1st barrel loaded with a 12ga bear banger, 2nd barrel loaded with slug or buck in the event of a bone fide problem. With a sling it could be worn easily while fishing.
My humble opinion is that this will only really make you feel better...(the bear that kills you, you don't see coming until its too late.) but hey, better something in hand than a filet knife!?
Last edited:
I have owned 3 Remington 870's
I bought one and then sold it for something else. Regretted it and bought another. Sold it to try something else and came back to the 870
I've learned my lesson. Finally!
I'll never sell again. So versatile with so many aftermarket options. You can't go wrong. Fool proof. Ultra reliable
EB
I bought one and then sold it for something else. Regretted it and bought another. Sold it to try something else and came back to the 870
I've learned my lesson. Finally!
I'll never sell again. So versatile with so many aftermarket options. You can't go wrong. Fool proof. Ultra reliable
EB
Yes, yes, I know I stumbled into the shotgun section. My apologies. I'll just leave these here, then be on my way.
Ranch hand in a holster (plenty of room to cast)
As viewed by Nosy Ned on the shore:
And if that doesn't work for you:
Ok ok. I'm leaving. RIFLES RULE SHOTGUNS DROOL!!! <drops smoke bomb and dives out window>
Ranch hand in a holster (plenty of room to cast)
As viewed by Nosy Ned on the shore:
And if that doesn't work for you:
Ok ok. I'm leaving. RIFLES RULE SHOTGUNS DROOL!!! <drops smoke bomb and dives out window>
Dorian Gray
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
That looks cool as ####.
Old faithful Mossy 500 will fit in your backpack... just make sure whatever you are going to shoot is not that far away:
Mossberg 500 Roadblocker w/Raptor grip and Hogue forend
Or get a shorty 14" and you are all set:
Mossberg 590A1 w/Choate PG stock
Mossberg 500 Roadblocker w/Raptor grip and Hogue forend
Or get a shorty 14" and you are all set:
Mossberg 590A1 w/Choate PG stock
jeepcjaholic
CGN Regular
- Location
- Vancouver Island B.C.
Think the point is been lost. If you need a bear gun what ever floats your boat, you need it with you and easy to use and get on target. I live in bear country and have them in my back yard all the time, I'm in city limits. I've been charged on my bike, in the woods and in my back yard! My good ol' Pitbull Rocky would always put the run to them. I also had a big boar turn on my dog, never did I have any firearms with me. I've done a few set ups for people and read read read about this and I truly believe a well maintained pump shotgun is the way to go. 18-20" and as much ammo as you can carry. Keep it simple and just a sling, you don't want me reading about the dumb axx that got killed cause his fancy leather little back pack thing failed or found dead with gun in back pack! Keep just a bead sight no heat shields nothing. I would not even put a shell holder on it. Keep weight down and user friendly up! If you have spent time with someone how has lived threw a bear attack and read about kills by bears you will have a different out look on this topic. Remember kids, it's a different game when things go bad to real bad, you can sit at home with a beer thinking how cool it would be but facts are when your being charged by 700 lbs of I'm going to kill you" most will just crap themselves. Train with moving targets and rember last resort is to kill!
steamy teabag
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Inside Carneys Reich
I have a Mossy 500 with a 18.5 inch barrel. Carry it in a scabbard over my back when fishing the eastern slopes.
freddyfour
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Brant County, Ontario
I did not read everything here but something to consider if walking a ways is weight. A nice 18.5" Maverick or Mossberg 500 will be a bit lighter then any of the various 870's. They are a nice simple light shotgun that go bang every time.
I am constantly fishing. 2-3 times a week all year long. As a result I am all about being slim and trim with my gear. Less is more. Efficiency.
Now, I also don't require a shotgun to be with me where I go, but if I did I'd choose the shortest option that has the most comfortable controls. There is no difference in accuracy between 18.5" and 12.5" barrel. Especially when the shorter one is choked.
So, I'd take one of my 12.5" Grizzlies. (I own 2 cause they're that good)
Now, I also don't require a shotgun to be with me where I go, but if I did I'd choose the shortest option that has the most comfortable controls. There is no difference in accuracy between 18.5" and 12.5" barrel. Especially when the shorter one is choked.
So, I'd take one of my 12.5" Grizzlies. (I own 2 cause they're that good)
jeepcjaholic
CGN Regular
- Location
- Vancouver Island B.C.
You sure about your facts on barrels? But the biggest issue is mag capacity, more shots better chance of walking away! I'll take a 18-20" all day long. But I'm 6'5" 230 so it is different for a smaller framed person, so we are back to what works best for you.
