Bear Protection Shotgun

As a retired bear guard and trainer of bear guards of more than 40 years. The goal is to stop all forward motion ( break big bones ) if it can't move it can't hurt anyone.Then as quickly as possible to end it ( kill it ) just my experience from working in the field. they are not to hard to kill but can be hard to stop. A rifle of 3006 or bigger with a well constructed bullet will do the job if the person behind it does theirs.
What is your opinion of the 12ga shotgun as an option?
 
The thing is .... a pump shotgun is cheap ... doesn't cost much ... and it does the job ... and does not need much training.

Are there better tools? Sure .... there are always better and more expensive tools .... but what is the lowest cost tool ... lowest investment in time .... and that does the job reliably?

A pump 12ga shotgun will do the job!
It will do the job if the operator does his/her job. That requires proper training. Pump action shotguns are notoriously easy to short stroke while under stress and regular training is required.

This idiot managed to get one of his high school kids killed because he didn't know how to use the 3 position safety on a rifle that Germany ALMOST conquered Europe with. To be fair to the idiot, he only had 4 rounds of live fire in his training............

I think his background was mountaineering so why he was in charge of the Svaalbard party of school kids is beyond me.

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2014/jul/18/horatio-chapple-death-polar-bear-attack
 
There should be a massive discussion about whether it does the job or not.
Very debatable for sure.
Again, the guys that do it, certainly don’t seem to feel that it is.
Also don’t think too many thinking fellers would take a bet on the lowest cost option over a higher probability of success.

Again, if it’s a serious enough threat to pack a firearm for, should the cost really be a consideration? Or should the better tool get the nod?

R.

Well, it is a matter of 12ga ammo and penetration ..... and according to my tests ... well, it does the job with the right ammo .....

https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/threads/unofficial-12ga-slug-penetration-comparison.1635960/

Again .... why would you buy a Ferrari and to commute to work?

It is just a tool .....
 
Immediate energy transfer (stopping power) would probably be higher from a slug on short distances than from mid size rifle cartridge.

Same energy between the two at same distance plays in favor of the larger diameter slug...
 
Nearly every government agency (US and Canada) is suggesting to take a 12ga shotgun along and if you are heading into the wild and where grizzlies and polar bears are present .... and where it is allowed.

The reason is ... that is the lowest cost tool that will do the job reliably!

Bear defense is not a matter of shooting a bear at 100 or 200 meters .... bear defense is a matter of close range.
And a 12ga with the appropriate slugs will do the job at close range!!!

And if you are sooooo afraid that you need to shoot a bear at 100 meters ..... well then maybe you need to go and see a psychologist and to get treatment for your anxiety .... ;)

Again .... there are better tools out there ..... and yes, I can buy a Ferrari for my daily commute to work. But do I really need it?
 
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Why would you ride a skateboard down the middle of a busy freeway, dressed in all black, at night…

It is just a tool…

R.

Lol .... I don't think your skateboard will meet the Highway Safety Code ..... so, no ... I don't think it is the lowest cost tool that meets the need.

🤣

I am still dreaming about bringing an MG 42 along for bear defense .... wouldn't that be fun ..... but well ....
 
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