12ga vs 45-70 for bears
- Thread starter 6.5x55swm
- Start date
- Location
- Blaster land, Okanagan BC
I’d likely take the 12g due to ammo cost and availability but if the 45-70 had better sights that would make my choice easy. Hitting my target is more important than how much a box of ammo costs me.
The one thing a 12g allows is shooting of small game while your out and about.
The one thing a 12g allows is shooting of small game while your out and about.
- Location
- Southern Vancouver Island
Good choice on the 12 ga & scope combo for close in critters from a stand or blind. Me Savage 212 wears the same scope & throws a full bore 835 gr cast bomb to 1150 fps & is nicely accurate to 80+yds. I also use me 870 with a Hastings barrel on er with me handloads tossing Slugs-R-Us 1 1/4 oz projos at 1400 fps.
Both are effective, the 835 gr paradox boolit especially.
835 gr beside me 375 Win load.
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freddyfour
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Brant County, Ontario
Oh perfect combo for sitting over bait with.
You can get a single shot 45-70 for less than half of that.
I prefer the accuracy and distance capability of my 45-70 but if you're strictly looking for "which will kill better under 60 yards?" And which is cheaper to feed?" The 12g will work.
I prefer the accuracy and distance capability of my 45-70 but if you're strictly looking for "which will kill better under 60 yards?" And which is cheaper to feed?" The 12g will work.
For hunting I would always take a rifle over shotgun. Would hate to miss an opportunity based on limited range of a shotgun.
Now within their effective range both would work equally well at dispatching the animal with a well placed shot.
In my experience shotguns take a considerable amount more practice (especially if you only have the single bead front sight) to become accurate with slugs.
Now within their effective range both would work equally well at dispatching the animal with a well placed shot.
In my experience shotguns take a considerable amount more practice (especially if you only have the single bead front sight) to become accurate with slugs.
- Location
- Eastern Canada
What single shot 4570 do you recommend
canadaman30
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Far from the City
Hunting over bait at 60 yds or less is definitely where full bore 12g heavy slugs shine. I cant see any advantages of a 45-70 rifle under those hunting conditions. As far a second shot go's, I don't believe you could get a follow up shot off any faster with a lever rifle over a pump or semi-auto 12ga.
CVA is better than Henry. Way cheaper than Ruger or Browning(although they're very nice).
Ive taken bears with both 12ga. 600gr brenneke gold slugs and 4570. 405gr rem bulk fnsp at 1600fps. The 4570 would be my choice.
The 4570 offers a wider range of ammunition if you handload. At 60 yards both will work for bears on bait.
The 37 is my fav pump. If youre taking 1 firearm into the dark deep bush for an extended hunt the 37 would likely be a better bet for absolute reliability over the new crop of the race to the bottom manufactures
The 4570 offers a wider range of ammunition if you handload. At 60 yards both will work for bears on bait.
The 37 is my fav pump. If youre taking 1 firearm into the dark deep bush for an extended hunt the 37 would likely be a better bet for absolute reliability over the new crop of the race to the bottom manufactures
Cva is also available in 35 whelen. Think a stainless will be my next rifle.
BigUglyMan
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- New Scotland
If you're worried about having to shoot a black bear at short range then my choice would be the shotgun. Slugs land hard at that range and make a large hole. If I was planning on hunting a bear and shooting it at anywhere from 50 to 100 yards I would choose the rifle for the ability to place the shot more precisely.
But SuperCub is right. Neither is as capable as a 30-06. There is an older study done by the USFWS or Forest Service that concluded that a 30-06 with a 220gr bullet was the best choice for bear defence.
But SuperCub is right. Neither is as capable as a 30-06. There is an older study done by the USFWS or Forest Service that concluded that a 30-06 with a 220gr bullet was the best choice for bear defence.
we would never see a shot past 75yds, we go to the stands in the dark and when we get back to the truck for lunch there is a 303 in it for the drive back to the camp. 30-06 with 220gr would be awesome but never have time to reload anymore plus i don't have an 06, granda papa always said "inside 75 yds with 12 ga slug, nothing walks away"
In my experience, a bear can still go a long way (sometimes straight toward you) after receiving a mortal lung/heart hit, no matter what the calibre. That is, if you don't break major leg bones. It is best to break down front shoulder/leg bone to quarantee the bear goes down. My experience only.
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