Best loads for bear?

collector67

collector67

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Hi all,
Just picked up a Norinco 97-1 pump action (870P clone) that I plan on taking in the bush with me for hiking/camping as protection against bears. (It's a lot lighter and smaller than any of my large caliber Milsurp rifles!). I plan on carrying slugs, but I have heard that a lot of them don't have the necessary penetrating power to bring down a bear effectively. Can anyone recommend a good "bear buster" in a 12 guage round? (slug, shot, or sabot?)

Many thanks!!!
 
00 Buck and slug combo. Alternate the two of them. My typical load is: first shot is birds shot mainly for noise to try and scare it away. The next 6 mean business, 00buck and then the slug and back to 00buck and so on...
 
Why would you not just fire the first shot with a slug or buckshot makes no sense to me .Unless the noise from bird shot is different and more terrifying to the bears .
 
Brenneke Slugs if I am packing a shotgun. Nothing less unless I don't have a choice. Anyone who wastes their time with silly salvo combinations of bird\buckshot and slugs really isn't taking bear defense seriously. I would maybe load a bear banger in the chamber if all I had to worry about was Black bear. I'd likely load the chamber with a 00 buck shell though, seems tobe what Game Wardens (COs?) keep in the pipe.
 
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Katana said:
No different just cheaper. If your happy to though money down the barrel for no reason, be my guest.
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So how often do you take "warning" shots out in the bush to justify the costs of using birdshot?

As for the question, I took a large whitetail with the el cheapo slugs from cnd tire you can buy in the 5pack, bang flop, probably 25-30yards. Another time I took a large whitetail buck with el cheapo slugs it actually knocked the dear down, it stood back up then fell over stone dead, so, bang, flop, up, flop?:eek:
 
I only load with 2 3/4" slugs, no buckshot.

If a bear is charging me I want to destroy as much muscle, bone and tendon as i can in a short a time as possible. buckshot doesn't (in my opinion) cause enough destruction for the desired purpose.

I use my Dlask 8.5" 870, so for me buckshot isnt going to pattern tight enough to be worth a $hit. perhaps if one was using a full choke, 20 some inch barrel it would be more acceptable.

as for a "scare shot" ie bird shot/bearbanger, if he's charging me, or i feel he's a threat to my wellbeing, he's a dead bear, no warning shots. Im not going to kill one unnecessarily, but if its me or him, he's dead. Most bears will run the other way if you yell, or even talk to them. so if one is checking me out while im yelling at him, i will assume that he wants to ruin my day

I use 2 3/4 because i find i can shoot them better/ faster than 3" with a pistol grip
 
Dynamite Monkey said:
9mm with preference from a polymer pistol. :popCorn:
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Howdy, 9mm would probably work just fine if you were to get a good open mouth shot or directly in the eye but I know the 870 with slugs work just fine.

Had a problem with one once and after really bothering the neighbourhood for quite some time he came to the wrong place and he didn't heed the warnings so one shot with the slug at 20 yards it was over-instantly.

I believe it was in the original Alaska Bear Tales book where the Alaska Fish and Game did a test on head shots on the big brown bears.

Not one of the ssg penetratied the skull but a slug smashed it everytime providing a killing shot.
Since I read this years ago there was no more ssg loaded in bear country. Later
 
Actually a 9mm would be useful for killing yourself before the bear does. I do field work in bear and cat country in southern BC and sling carry a 20 in barrel 870 with 2.75 in slug loads in an unplugged mag-no strap on ammo holders,mag extensions,flashlite mounts,or other gee-haws. Its best to keep it simple and light.
 
Bear country? Slugs in the tube. Birdshot and Bearbanger in the pocket vest. If time and distance permit it, use a bearbanger first by loading into tube and rack to load.

If bear is too close and charging the slugs is ready.
 
It seems that everyone is mortified of being in bear counrty unprotected. So they need to pack the "best bear load". Lets be realistic here, first of all the chances of you getting mauled by a bear is so minimal is almost crazy. Insted of being worried what gun or load to take in the bush I think that its better to spend your time looking into how to prevent bear incounters. Like how to keep a good camp, where to travel, and body language if confronted with a bear. That all being said, would I sleep in the bush without my shotgun? Hell no!! Cause there is still that small chance it might be needed. But its more of a security blanket than anything else.
But to answer your question on what I carry in ym shotgun; its slugs all the way. If I need a shot to count I would rather it be a slug than buckshot. Now if it was a pistol grip thats a different story.

Well thats my rant.
 
Indeed. You are probally more likely going to crash your car on your way out into the bush then be attacked by a bear.

Actually a 9mm would be useful for killing yourself before the bear does.
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Why would you post this? it's crap.

Wilderness handgun carry permits are only good for revolvers? .357mag would be my choice if I was to be in the bush enough to get the permit.

Back on topic. In my area a RCMP officer was trying to put down a bear that was hit by a car with his shot gun. Apparently they are issued light shot for blowing tires. He blasted at that poor bear from across the road with shot way too light more then once. What a mess. Finally a hunter came and saved the day with his rifle.

Bird shot is for birds!
 
a cheap $1 per round winchester slug will hit a black bear skull with enough force to remove most of it from the torso.... but go ahead and order yourself some $5per bang super uber ultra mag 1oz+ slug's if it makes you sleep better at nite OR if your a backup on a grizzly hunt.

maybe when people start these threads they should ask for replys only from folks who have actually dropped a animal within spitting distance? lmao....
 
bear bangers

found a book in the park royal mall in Vancouver on bear attacks. some guy had come across from one of the netherland countries ,lived here awhile then his family came to visit . he took them out into the woods to see wildlife .came across a grizz with cubs in a meadow & figured he would see it off with a bear banger.moma bear charged across the meadow & proceeded to beat the livin $hit out of the jackass that scared her babies, all while his family screamed & tried to scare it off.then walked back to the cubs and kept on feeding peacefuly in the meadow.i dam near pissed myself laughing reading that story but there's a leson in there.
 
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