Good back packing rifle?

Them Ontario Black Bears are ferocious man eaters I tell ya...

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Is that a huge pile of bear sh$t or an actual bear for realz?
:p
 
So many good points on this topic! Thanks very much for every ones input. I have to be honest the mares leg was kind of a disappointment when I found out the loading procedures for removing the magazine tube and loading... Not as cool as sliding it in the side of the receiver :(.

But I do love how we have swung full bear defense! But very interesting to see the thoughts that a .44 mag would not be a suitable round to deal with a bear. At the end of the day, would a high powerd rifle be better suited for that roll then even a mix load of. 12ga slug, Buck, Slug, Buck.?? It would be nice to have some thing that you could keep a pocket full of ammo to do some plinking and have just incase you got lost and had to spend a few days in the woods And Shot gun rounds are heavier to carry.

Its been said time and time again the best weapon for bear defense is the one you have in your hands and can react quickly with. I am going to have to look at the overall length of the CZ 858 with the folding stock folded, in comparison to some of the guide guns mentioned here as well as the Mare's leg



They make 12gauge flares for shotguns so If you got lost you could also use it as a flare gun.
 
Is that a huge pile of bear sh$t or an actual bear for realz?
:p

Tis a pawed rat (bear). Im more afraid of stepping in their #### and ruining my boots than I am of encountering one, armed or not.


Folks from Southern Ontario are usually afraid of their own shadows though...so I'd recommend a 20" barreled .375 H&H in a Model 70 CRF....just in case.
 
I don't recall too many posters stating the .44mag in a rifle was a bad choice for close-range black bear.
Polar or Grizzly, much different story I'm sure.

Your right my mistake, I usually carry my 870 with me on long trips. As has been stated the availability of ammunition and different types such as flares and Slugs makes it an ideal defense platform. But the heavier and bulky weight makes me think a smaller mares leg or smaller lever in a larger caliber such as a guide gun would be nice to have. Any one want to trade for a norinco CQA? :D
 
I'd say any lever gun in 44mag, 45LC, or 30-30 would do the trick. Personally I carry a Rossi M92 in 454 casull. I'd stay away from mares legs as if you're shooting in a hurry you will need the stock.

Keep it handy and loaded at all times...especially at night. (might want to get a velcro on mount(or something similar) for a flashlight as well if you'll be camping with it...its nice to see what you're shooting at...)

:cheers:
 
Full stock is easier to shoot but here's a clip of me shooting a .44 rossi mare's leg last summer. This was my second range session after filling down the rear sight notch to get the point of impact in line with the point of aim.
Not the fastest shooting but I was taking my time aiming and still new to the gun.
The metal plates are about chest size and the first shot was out to 100 yards,second at 50 and the can was about 20 yards.
 
Full stock is easier to shoot but here's a clip of me shooting a .44 rossi mare's leg last summer. This was my second range session after filling down the rear sight notch to get the point of impact in line with the point of aim.
Not the fastest shooting but I was taking my time aiming and still new to the gun.
The metal plates are about chest size and the first shot was out to 100 yards,second at 50 and the can was about 20 yards.

Love the little fireball on the second shot!
Looks like the perfect range to try rolling drum/tire bucket drills when no-ones around.
 
That's a good idea maybe we can rig a pulley line of some sort and hook it up to big cordless drill....or gas motor.....?
 
That's a good idea maybe we can rig a pulley line of some sort and hook it up to big cordless drill....or gas motor.....?

I lay a drum horizontal just at the top of the soft gravel hill and wedge a hardball sized rock under the corner, just enough to keep it from rolling.

Stand a little ways back from the base of the hill, either you or a buddy shoot the rock and that ferocious drum is headed towards you with bad intentions!
 
I lay a drum horizontal just at the top of the soft gravel hill and wedge a hardball sized rock under the corner, just enough to keep it from rolling.

Stand a little ways back from the base of the hill, either you or a buddy shoot the rock and that ferocious drum is headed towards you with bad intentions!

Even better!
 
How much worse is .357? The ammo is so much more affordable. One consequence of that is, I'm likely to be a better shot with a .357 owing to greater practice.
 
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to the op:

if you have a 870, you may want to look into getting a rear side folding stock of some kind for it with an 18.5" barrel on it. You could then find a mag extension for it.


Is it for hunting or just to have around if needed?
 
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