best gun for cottage protection/hunting for a newb

[JAGDMORDER]

I would go for the 12g. as almost stated by everyone else. BUt maybe not for hunting.

 

[10mmauto]

Anything full-auto, preferably the largest caliber possible. .....Joking aside, I agree with a pump 12 but, it seems you want a [bolt-action] rifle, think about an m14 at all? They are pretty amazing guns for the price.

 

[Sylvie]

(bare with me, I haven't figured out how to quote more than one in a post yet)

If she wants to also use this gun for hunting than why a 12g?

She is in Northern Ontario so I assume rifle hunting is legal, why would you want to use a 12 guage for that?

Another thing is that the only bears she will be seeing are black bears so It's not like hes gonna be facing down a Grizz!

Maybe I should have included that part, my bad.

Yes I'm aware to keep food indoors (most often in the fridge) and away from where it can attract them. But we live near a dump and many lakes so those that come are the dump bears. I'm not sure if you're aware, but those bears are not shy, they do what they can to get food. We've had them come right to our door before and they don't tend to leave even when we attempt to scare them away.

It might be the student in me but I'd rather spend my money on a gun that will have a dual purpose instead of two guns (1 gun$ = 6+ months of food, thats the way I see it). If I get a 12g, I'll have to wait until I graduate for a gun to hunt with. It's going to be my first gun ever so I don't want one to give me a bad impression and make hunting a bad experience for me.

Thanks for all the help,
Sylvie

 

[camster]

Finally, a SERIOUS reply!

My first choice would be a phase plasma rifle in the 40 watt range, or if that's not available I'd agree with everyone thus far and suggest a 12 gauge pump gun...

C'mon trooper...every one knows the best beams are Romulan/Klingon!!!

Ok, Seriously...why hasn't anyone mentioned the 'ol 12G?? Versatile and, boomy enough for anything that's bugging you from 5-10 feet away.

 

[Wham-O]

Sylvie,
I also have a cottage in Northern, Ontario and I have a Savage 24C that I leave there.
This is a dual purpose take down firearm that is a 20 gauge shot gun under a .22 rifle. (built into the same stock)
It's fairly light and you can use the 20 gauge for the bears (it may not kill them, but it sure will scare them!) and the .22 for other varmint that may become a nuisance.
Food for thought....

 

[mlehtovaara]

So you are a woman! My bad! But this is important because a 12 guage loaded with buckshot or slugs is going to have alot of recoil. Not sure what you would be comfortable with, but assuming you have never owned a gun, or are new at all to the shooting sports, a 12 guage is not the most comfortable gun for a newbie. Depending on your build you may even find most 12 guage shotguns from the factory a little long for you, and the youth models may be too short. Once again I would strongly consider a lever action rifle even in 30-30 as someone else suggested. Other than a .22 it is one of the best started rifles I can imagine. It is a light handy gun, and is very quick with some practise. I carry my Marlin 30-30 when Im camping out in the woods, and would not feel undergunned.

 

[DATAM]

everyone needs a 12 gauge and a good 30 cal rifle and at least one .22lr

 

[TimberPig]

I won't lie, the SEMI & pump action they had for our course scared me s**tless, (i'd literally jump each time i'd check the chambers & path to PROVE it) and weighed a tone. I don't have the strongest wrists so I'd have the hardest time keeping the gun steady if its too heavy.

I was also put under the impression that shotguns are pretty big in the recoil department... is there one that wouldnt be as bad as the 12g and still be efficient? I dont want to have to worry about falling on my arse while I'm shooting

This statement right here has me somewhat worried about your confidence in your firearm handling skills. If you are literally afraid of the gun itself, what is going to happen if you actually have to use it in a SHTF situation? You need to be very comfortable with your firearm to be able to use it in a situation like having a bear 10 feet from the front door. I would suggest you need to find some buddies who have larger collections and get more hands on time with a variety of firearms to make yourself more comfortable and familiar with their safe handling. Some live fire to try out some different actions and chamberings would help your decision process.

As to choice of firearm, a pump action shotgun with interchangeable barrels is pretty much the most versatile choice you could make. You can use a longer, smoothbore barrel for shooting shotshells for birds and small game, then swap to a shorter barrel (rifled or not) for firing slugs for bear protection and hunting. While a 12 gauge is good, it sounds like a 20 gauge would be a better fit for you, it will be slightly lighter and with somewhat less recoil. A 12 gauge will not land you on your butt, but can be hard on the shoulder. With modern loads, a 20 gauge slug is more than capable of taking down a black bear, provided you do your part to place it somewhere vital.

A lever action .30-30 is a handy, lightweight, light recoiling choice that will work for hunting big game at moderate ranges and will work very well for a handy bear defense rifle as well. it isn't as versatile as a pump shotgun though.

A bolt action will be slower as a bear defense rifle, but is excellent for hunting big game as well. It also is not as versatile.

Whatever gun you end up buying, you need to take the time to become very familiar wth it so you do not have to think about where the safety is, action release, how to load it, unload it and cycle it etc. You also need to take it out and shoot it to know what to expect and to be sure it will hit where you aim and that you are prepared for using it. A gun itself will not solve your bear problems, it is how you use it that will make the difference.

 

[moosetaken]

Being nervous handling a paticular firearm in the course with everyone watching you is different from owning one and getting familiar with it. Your best bet is to find the closest range and see if you can find someone to let you try out a few different types to see what works for you. As for recoil you can get recoil pads to tame a lot of that and the fit makes a huge difference to how it's felt. My son at 13 was shooting 12g and a .303 without any trouble and he was quite the scrawny kid at the time.

 

[FMP]

I always thought the outlaw double barrel would be a good bear defense gun, then again.. you gotta make those two shots count.

 

[Spike162]

I would not worry too much about the recoil as when you are facing a bear and your heart is pumping you could easily rattle off a couple of rounds and not even feel it. Having said that, when trying a 12 ga out is when you will notice the recoil, sometimes it is mind over matter. A beretta semi auto might be worth considering as the recoil is reduced dramaticly, a bit more expensive than a pump though.

 

[bjhill]

Remington 1100 semi

 

[fmb]

Sylvie,

Practice, practice, practice. The firearm that works best for ANYTHING is the one that works best for YOU. You, yourself...that is the most important factor in what is going to work. You've made a start by asking advice
(though the zombie killers, "don't need to know a lot" when you pick up a 12 ga. and the space invader crowd can be ignored). If you have genuine concerns about bears (or any hunting situation for that matter), your confidence in your ability with your firearm is as important as what you are shooting with, possibly even more so. If you can get out to a range and try some different equipment out, do so. I'm just north of the GTA and will take anyone out to my range, anytime to try out my guns, so anyone can find out what they are comfortable with. I know what works for me...that doesn't mean it will work for you... but you just gained more experience and you may eliminate that firearm from your list.
I've got several 12 ga shotties a .410 caliber (it's taken a couple of deer with slugs and is nothing to be looked down upon) a few .303's ( including one of the new Ruger singles, my personal favourite) a .44 mag (another outstanding bush gun) and a host of .22's (the best place for anyone to start, I shoot my regularily). PM me and we can arrange a time and that goes for anyone else who is trying to find their feet and looking to find out what works for them. Keep asking questions and getting experience...it will take the better part of a lifetime to learn everything...and then you'll realize you've still got a ways to go, but you'll have a great time.

Cheers, Will

 

[insurrecto]

I think your first idea of a bolt action rifle makes good sense.

Pick one that fits you, and has a smooth operating action, then, practice with it by working the action and dry-firing, as well as spending some time shooting it on the "range".

If you are worried about recoil, why not go with a 7.62x39 carbine, or better yet, a light-weight rifle in 6.5x55? As previously mentioned a 30-30 lever should fit the bill as well.

Either one will stop a black bear handily and do double duty as a deer huntin' gun!

 

[GabrielPaquet]

You can find a used CIL 1 shot 12 gauge for like 80$. They're like the .303 british and .22 coey 1 shot everyone received from their father for their birthday in the 70-80s lol. So they're pretty easy to find everywhere and they're extremely cheap.

Oh and the CIL 1 shot 12 gauge is light and extremely easy to use. Recoil is bad though.

I know someone who has a 16 caliber shotgun one shot to defend his cottage from bears. This one was even lighter, it almost looked like a toy to me. He said his neighbor sold it to him 5 years ago for 30$.

Look at your local online used stuff for sale website and look in the gun section, you can find the cheapest deals for some good stuff.

 

[duke1]

My choice would be a semi-auto in 12 gauge.

You just pull the trigger as often as you need until the danger is over. Some people believe that they are not as reliable as a pump but this has not been my experience and I have over 50 years of firearms experience.

I have a couple of Browning Auto-5 but would not recommend this model because of the weight. One that would suit you would be a Breda Superlight Semi-Auto in 12 Gauge with a slug barrel and I bought that one here on GN for $420.

The felt recoil from a semi-auto is considerably less than a pump, etc, and you should be able to handle it relatively easily.

If you insist on a bolt action rifle, I would look at the Remington 600 Mohawk in 308 or a make/model in the 7mm-08 caliber.

Good luck in making the proper choice,

Duke1

 

[22to45]

I just scanned this post, and I am not a shotgun guy, I am left with suggesting a No 4 Mk 1 lee enfield. That clip with 10 cartridges is hard to argue with.

 

[ipscgraz]

I just scanned this post, and I am not a shotgun guy, I am left with suggesting a No 4 Mk 1 lee enfield. That clip with 10 cartridges is hard to argue with.

Hi Silvie

I have a bear country (and cougar country) cabin also and I leave a Parker Hale converted # 4 Mk 1 in the cabin year round.

- .303 is plenty powerful for black bears.
- I find a detachable magazine very handy...Click = loaded in a couple of seconds when you are going to venture outside. Unloading is equally quick & simple (but PROVE every time, right?)
-a bolt gun is convenient for storage as I bring the bolt with me when I go there...I never take it out out of my overnight bag, and have yet to leave it home by accident.

I put a cheap ramline stock on it and a spray of G96 now and then is all it needs. Even when it followed me into the lake one slippery evening.

Lots of guys recommend 12 gauge and yes, it makes a good bear gun...stay away from pistol grip only stocks until you are very familiar with shooting it. You may find loading and unloading the tube magazine a nuisance.

And as has been said, food and garbage control is very important if there is even one bear around.

Just my $0.02 (Plus HST.) Best of luck.

 

[camster]

Best of advice...

Sylvie,

Practice, practice, practice. The firearm that works best for ANYTHING is the one that works best for YOU. You, yourself...that is the most important factor in what is going to work. ...

...I've got several 12 ga shotties a .410 caliber (it's taken a couple of deer with slugs and is nothing to be looked down upon) a few .303's ( including one of the new Ruger singles, my personal favourite) a .44 mag (another outstanding bush gun) and a host of .22's (the best place for anyone to start, I shoot my regularily). PM me and we can arrange a time and that goes for anyone else who is trying to find their feet and looking to find out what works for them....
Cheers, Will

Please ignore and, forgive my "beam weapon" opinion. (Once I learn the difference between being funny and, thinking I'm funny, I'll get on a stage!

FMB's reply is what this community [CGN] is truly about...people asking questions and, getting good replys (other than beam weaponry).


FMB Your relpy and, subsequent offer is a fine example of an avid shooter getting others on board in a nice, practical manner!

 

[thebigslide]

Cottage with bear get a pump action 12G. Go for one of the Big Three, Mossberg 500 or Remington 870 or Winchester 1300. If you walk up to any gun counter you can get one of these in a 18" barrel without having to know a lot you'll be ready for Yogi and BooBoo.
A Bolt Action Rifle will work very well if the Bear makes an Appointment and you are waiting for him just inside the screen door. Unless you plan on actually going out and depopulating your area baiting and waiting, then yes have fun from your tree stand.
Also If you have the space for bear you should look at a .22. Raccoon, Porcupine, Skunk, SEMI or maybe a Lever action. Ruger 10/22 or a Henry.
But for Bear, 12g pump inexpensive and will do the other stuff in the neighbourhood in a pinch. But a .22 against a momma bear or a twitchy Bolt action.... you just surrendered your spot on the food chain.

I shot a skunk with a 20ga once... Never again.