Bear defense shotgun

geologist said:
A full house 158 gr .357 magnum softpoint from an 18" carbine barrel hits hard enough to take care of black bears if the range is less than 25 yards.
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A .357 is the second gun on my ATC, but I handload 190 gr hard cast bullets at about 1200. While, barrel length is only a third that of the carbine, penetration is quite good.
 
Boomer said:
A .357 is the second gun on my ATC, but I handload 190 gr hard cast bullets at about 1200. While, barrel length is only a third that of the carbine, penetration is quite good.
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I ATC'd my 4" .357 magnum for years but upgraded to something more powerful when I saw how big the black bears were in NW BC :runaway:.

A lightweight .357 magnum carbine with good ammo hits very hard at short range. Your 190 gr HCs would probably clock almost 1800 fps out of an 18" tube. You just need a gas check and a good crimp!
 
I never hear about people hunting browns with shotguns. So why use one for brown bear protection? Doesn't make sense to me.
 
bought in 1983 in Victoria in an outdoor store that closed many years ago


I currently have 45 Brenneke slugs.:)[/QUOTE]

Robinson sporting goods? they don't sell guns any more, just granola bars!
 
ipscgraz said:
I would like to thank the OP for plainly stating "Bear Defense" in the thread title. This allows those who dislike threads such as these to not read it and complain about the repetition of the topic and the time it wastes in their view.

Well done.
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very good point.... unlike those trolls most people dont have all day to sit around and search forms when its easier to post a question.
 
So? What are you guys and gals carrying this year for bear defense? ��
My it's the Marlin guide gun .45/70 with 480 grains gas checked cast boolits.

Yep, this thread is revived. Lol
 
I think there's a lot to be said for putting irons or a low powered scope on a reliable .30-06. Relatively light rifle with bonded or partition bullets might be a bit better than a 12 gauge with garden variety slugs. Seems like Brennekes are unobtanium in Canada.

I had the same beef with .45-70 about factory loaded ammo. The trapdoor loads are too light and I think the LeverEvolution loads are meant for deer. Put a Winchester Featherweight in a Boyd's laminate and a Leupold 2.5x20mm and you have something pretty rugged and fairly light. Go to a .338 or .375 if that's not enough.

That said, if someone could convince me that Foster slugs are perfectly adequate I might go that route. Trap and skeet go a long way to second nature shooting. So far I've read a lot of stuff by people who know more than me, and it makes me think that Fosters are a bit dodgy.

I put a McMillan on a 24" Ruger Mark II with irons and an NECG peep. The thing runs about 8 pounds but a 250 grain Nosler Partition is probably a better bet than a 7.5 pound shotgun with 20 inch barrel and extended magazine.
 
My shotgun of choice is a 590A1 with rifle sights, mag extension, speed feed stock and side saddle. Slugs of choice are Challenger. This rides along in my work truck during the week and personal truck on the weekend.
My rifle for bear patrol is a 375 Ruger Alaskan.
Bear defense threads are comical until you are actually put in a bear defense situation.
 
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J.G. said:
My shotgun of choice is a 590A1 with rifle sights, mag extension, speed feed stock. Slugs of choice are Challenger. This rides along in my work truck during the week and personal truck on the weekend.
My rifle for bear patrol is a 375 Ruger Alaskan.
Bear defense threads are comical until you are actually put in a bear defense situation.
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You are of course correct J.G., for all the jokes and silly comments in the bear defense threads, its no joke when you're actually in the situation. Been there. Challengers worked for me too.
 
J.G. said:
My shotgun of choice is a 590A1 with rifle sights, mag extension, speed feed stock and side saddle. Slugs of choice are Challenger. This rides along in my work truck during the week and personal truck on the weekend.
My rifle for bear patrol is a 375 Ruger Alaskan.
Bear defense threads are comical until you are actually put in a bear defense situation.
Click to expand...

Amen to this.
 
For pre-season scouting just a .357 magnum carbine because it is light and easy to carry.

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