Adivce on Preditor Defense in Northern BC

Doc.Goose

Doc.Goose

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Hello to all,

Small intro:

I am new to these forums and to gun ownership. I have experience with shooting at ranges with various firearms, but not hunting. I am fortunate to have someone in my family who owns a rural acreage in Northern BC and allows me to visit the cabin occasionally. In all the times times I have been there I have spotted many bears and had two close calls.

I would really appreciate advice on what you'd prefer in the worst case scenario, an aggressive charging bear. I'm also interested in whether sprays are effective or to just use a firearm.


I've considered these so far.

1. Remington 870 / Mossberg 500
2. Marlin 45-70 guide-gun

Do you consider these good options?
Would you use something else?

Thank you very much for your time,
Much appreciated,
 
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Both the rifle and shotgun will work just fine
Are you planning on doing any moose hunting any rife you use on moose will work for bear
I have never used bear spray and never Trusted It
I was peppers stayed onec by the RCMP for jaywalking lol
thy empty two cans of that crap Directly Into my eyes it never worked on me all it did was make me angry at the time but after a 2hr that's when it stared really working nasty sh$t
 
The 45-70 is a great round but the problem is recoil. Under the duress of a charging bear ( which is faster than you can imagine!!), unless you have trained a lot on the rifle, you will probably hit sh!t! It's great if you have time to line up a shot but, unless you are Chuck Connors, snap fire could be difficult.
Either the Rem or Mossy would be my choice. Get some type of modified or full choke on. Get a tactical version (20") so it's not unwieldy, high viz front bead, like a fiber optic, extended tube. Load it with 2 slugs first, followed by OO Buck till the tube is full. The two slugs are your last resort rounds when the bear is just about on top of you and you shouldn't miss at that range, you hope!
I'm heading up to Williams Lk in a month. I used to think my 7mm was enough but, this trip, my Mossy comes along!
 
Thanks for making the rifle point. Under duress I imagine it could be very difficult. You brought up something I will really consider and that is the shorter tactical versions with high viz sights. I highly appreciate your time and advice, wishing you well on your trip to Williams Lake buddy!
 
The question needs more definition. For defense, nothing beats a good pump shotgun in 12, like a Rem 870 or Mossy 500. Hunting will find about 300 threads arguing the merits of one caliber over another.

The other thing that needs definition is where this is? If Northern BC means south of say Prince George, then Grizzly are uncommon. If it is the middle of nowhere, away from salmon streams and berry patches with small blackies that are curious.... If it is beside a salmon stream with people conditioned, big blackies another thing entirely.

Since you are talking defense...nothing beats a 12 ga w 1oz slugs. Range is irrelevant since you are not hunting, and will just back out if they are longer range.
 
Both work well for bear defense as long as you put slugs in your shotgun and don't use shot of any kind, except where you are worried about over penetration. (near buildings/people)

The sights on a rifle are superior to a bead sight on a shotgun, so make sure the shotgun has rifle sights. Whatever you use, make sure you practice. That's #1

spray has it's place, not a bad idea to have some, but I've used it enough to know that it has limitations and is inconsistent.

If you need someone to help you get some moose meat in the freezer and you have space in the cabin, you can contact me ;)
 
It's about 3.5hrs NE of Prince George. You're right on the point that it's most likely black bears in this area. Should have been a little more clear on that. I will definitely look into your advice of 1oz slugs. Really appreciate your time! Thanks =) Wishing you a good day!
 
Never knew such sights were available for a shotgun, I'll put in the effort to find something like what you are mentioning. Really like that note about shot and over penetration/surroundings. I will buy it and practice =) haha sounds good. thanks buddy, all the best to you!
 
Reminds me of an old joke. What am I supposed to do, if attacked by a bear ? Throw #### in his face and run. Where Am I going to get the ####? Don't worry, when the time comes, it will be there. :)

Grizz
 
Still alive said:
The 45-70 is a great round but the problem is recoil. Under the duress of a charging bear ( which is faster than you can imagine!!), unless you have trained a lot on the rifle, you will probably hit sh!t! It's great if you have time to line up a shot but, unless you are Chuck Connors, snap fire could be difficult.
Either the Rem or Mossy would be my choice. Get some type of modified or full choke on. Get a tactical version (20") so it's not unwieldy, high viz front bead, like a fiber optic, extended tube. Load it with 2 slugs first, followed by OO Buck till the tube is full. The two slugs are your last resort rounds when the bear is just about on top of you and you shouldn't miss at that range, you hope!
I'm heading up to Williams Lk in a month. I used to think my 7mm was enough but, this trip, my Mossy comes along!
Click to expand...

Sounds like you're trying to get a shotgun rigged out to where it would be nearly as good as the Marlin guide gun he mentions!
And how come you mention the recoil of the 45-70 as being a detriment, but you don't mention the more violent recoil of the light 12 gauge, with heavy loads?
45-70 factory loads in 405 grain are easily manageable in a guide gun and will kill any animal in north America.
 
H4831 said:
Sounds like you're trying to get a shotgun rigged out to where it would be nearly as good as the Marlin guide gun he mentions!
And how come you mention the recoil of the 45-70 as being a detriment, but you don't mention the more violent recoil of the light 12 gauge, with heavy loads?
45-70 factory loads in 405 grain are easily manageable in a guide gun and will kill any animal in north America.
Click to expand...
The OP mentioned he only has range experience so I took it as being fairly new to firearms. Unless one practices a lot, I think most people will miss a moving target with a single projectile firearm, esp under duress and the speed at which a bear can move. Heck, I've seen people miss a stationary target at 10 ft!!
Like I said, the 45-70 is fine if you have time to line up a shot. But with adrenalin flowing, hands shaking etc. I would prefer multiple projectiles flying (00 buck) at my target if my life depended on it. That is also why I recommend slugs as the last two rounds because I hope if it came to that, you won't miss at 5 yds! Fingers crossed!
I forgot to mention a M4 type recoil absorbing stock for the shotgun. My bad!
There are many ways to skin a cat. This just happens to be mine!
Like I said, I used to think my 7mm mag would be fine but I don't trust myself with only 3 rounds and a scope at close range. I started practicing with my shotgun a lot for snapfire situations so that would be what I would use in the same situation as the OP posted.
 
I do not hunt, but do head into the bush camping and hiking.

Any .44 plus long case round is effective, and it really comes down to what works. If I had not chose a pump it would have been a .44 plus lever action.

But after shooting shotguns for years and reading many articles I chose a 12 gauge. I can get slugs anywhere anytime, whereas finding 45-70, .444, is a tad harder to find.

I also like practising with trap loads and then to slugs.

Heard to only use slugs but I also have used 00 and slugs in the tube. I do not like mag fed shotguns, as a tube is more reliable and without a mag hanging down getting it unslung or pulled out of a case/scabbard is easier.

My shotgun has ghost rings way better than a ramp sight, bead sights, or optics, use the KISS principle. Also practise as many say here hitting a fast charging target and shooting under pressure is nothing like shooting a plastic jug of water.....

I want the biggest hunk of lead as I may only get 1 close shot so look at a .44 mag compared to a 12 gauge!



Ghost ring way better than anything else!


Had the Grizzly for 4 years now NEVER had one malfunction, I trust my life with it.



I carry 4 slugs in the pipe 4 in the saddle. It is heavy, but tough, built like a tank, short and handy. No wood to get slippery, no safe queen, just a beast to deal with a beast!

Why using a slug for home defense is a bad idea.......

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KIjB7XjXafs
 
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Chances are if a bear is charging you, you will be lucky to get off only one shot, i would go with the shotgun slug combo, if you are fortunate enough to get a second shot the pump action is easier to master for a quick follow up than the lever. I would still carry bear spray and a good fixed blade knife on my belt in grizzly country.
 
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