Bush Survival guns?

E

exophysical

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Slave Lake AB
I spend a lot of time in the bush outside of the hunting season. I do lots of canoeing, hiking, snowshoeing, and just plain exploring. I've never bothered packing a gun before unless I am actually hunting, not being terribly scared of bears or overly concerned with getting lost. However now that my kids have started coming along I've started to think about bringing along a gun and am having some trouble deciding on what would be the best option.

I have a 12 gauge and I can purchase a shorter smoothbore barrel for it, this would be good both in the event of a bear encounter or for taking small game in the event something happened to my food. However the ammunition is pretty bulky and bringing any amount of it would be inconvenient. Perhaps a .20 gauge, maybe a light single shot, would be more handy?

A .22 would be good for putting meat in the pot in an emergency, and both the gun and the ammunition is pretty handy to pack. I could always bring along bear spray as well. As an added bonus, doing some plinking around camp might be fun.

The other option I can think of is to simply make up some reduced loads for one of my centerfire rifles. Once again I'd have a gun that could be used on a variety of critters but one would have sighting in issues when shooting the different rounds.

Just wondering what you all think, perhaps there is a better option that I have not thought of? Thanks
 
Remmy 870 with 18.5" - 20" barrel. Mossberg 590 with similar setup would also be excellent. Nothing wrong with a Marlin guide gun appropriately loaded as well.
 
GMC403 said:
18.5" barrel pump 12g, or a single shot 20g (H&R Tamer)
Click to expand...

This is sort of along the lines I'm thinking. I cant really decide whether I care more about protection or pot hunting. A single shot 20g seems like it would split the difference, putting an 18" bbl on my Wingmaster would get me both with the bulkiness of the ammunition being the only downside.
 
I thought 12 gauge at first but I like to reach out and touch something if I have to and don't feel a shotgun can do that like a 45/70 can.
 
I've been going through this for a few years, trying to decide what the best canoe tripping gun is. I'm thinking primarily for bear defence, although I've never had a bad bear encounter in 1000's of kilometers of tripping. However, my wife is going with me now, and she won't go unless I have a gun. This has proven to be a gun buying bonus, as every other month, I buy another "better bear gun" Anyway, I have acquired several guns using this ruse, and have narrowed defence options down to the following: SKS, Maverick 88 12 g with 18.5 inch barrel, Single Shot H &R 12 guage with rifled barrel, BLR in .308 and most recently, Remington 760 in 3006. As soon as the snow goes, I'm going to conduct a few "scientific" tests. I'm going to set up a target system using three balloons, one at 30 yards, one at 20 and the last at 10. I've got a head strap for a go pro, so I'm going to film as I shoot all three balloons, starting with the 30 yard and moving in. The fastest gun may or may not win, depending on accuracy and calibre.

I fully expect the SKS to come in first for speed, which is too bad, because it would be the perfect gun, cheap and rugged, but lacking in knock down power. I'm leaning toward the 760. In any case, it will be a fun day of shooting.

Exo, if you can convince the significant other that its all fir the children, might be able to start your own little buying spree.
 
GMC403 said:
18.5" barrel pump 12g, or a single shot 20g (H&R Tamer)
Click to expand...

+ 1 for a 18.5" pump 12g, with different shells you can do anything.

Or a 12g pump with a shorter barrell, i.e. Norinco 1887...
Mossberg defender
...

I would not count on a .22 against bears.

You also have 12g bear bang shell ,
 
I will bring my 870 if the quad is going to do most of the carrying or ranch hand in 44mag if it's going to be strapped onto my backpack. The 870 would get a little more carry time if it had a shorter barrel (has 20 inch on it now)
 
If for maybe taking a few birds if needed for food and maybe just noise factor to maybe try and scare a bear I would bring my Rossi .410/22lr 2 barrel combo. Breaks down into a neat little package and is very light to carry on a canoe trip.
 
I have a short barrel take-down Handi rifle in .22 Mag... I use QD mounts so that I can quickly go from iron sights to a Leupold VX-II 2-7X33mm... CCI Maxi Mags will take down both big and small in a pinch, and feed me when it becomes necessary... the bullets are light and I carry four or more boxes on any given outing.
 
The lightest 12 gauge pump is still the older discontinued M37 Ithaca Featherlight with the 2 3/4 inch receiver.
For a more compact carry option the barrel can easily be dismounted too.

They also came in 16 and 20 gauge. A long history of great performance with slugs.
 
I would say I like best bolt gun. 223 is one of my favorites. You would have no problem with bear in head or spine. Good for small stuff and the ammo don't take to much room. My other choice would be 22 mag or 22 Hornet. 12 ga is by far the most versatile but the size of ammo sucks!
 
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