New bear defence question.... 20g slugs?

I disagree with buckshot on any big game.... especially bears.
One .24 or .28 cal pellet is not going to stop a bear.... and close enough to deliver a full pattern is close enough for a slug. Room for error with buckshot... I think not... the opposite is more likely.
In the city here they use shotgun slugs cuz buckshot is not effective and too much likelyhood of stray pellets.
There has been a lot of talk from the CO's and Biologists in the MNR about banning buckshot for big game for a few years now... the sooner the better.
I have never seen a bear piss itself... but I stopped one a few feet from me with a 12g slug in its chest.
I am not a bear expert... but I have shot my share of big game with buckshot and slugs... I despise buckshot for big game... works great on coyotes at close range though :wink:
 
I'm with BIGREDD on this, I really don't like buckdot at all if zi don't hhave to use it.

In all actuallity, the the scenario of having to shooot a bear with shot in a 20 guage before having the time to switch the cartridge to a slug is so distawnt that I would not even worry about it.

Also, no disrespect, but shooting a bear "because he looks like trouble " is not a wise thing to do.
This is wht tends to get people into more trouble than they bargained for.
A black bear in your proximity is not an automatic threat.
We have more bears in the city of Ft. McMurray than any other town in the province, and I have personally seen them not even twich at shotguns being fired at their feet, poppers, crasckers, etc.

Once they lose their fear of those tatics, it is a lot easier to get out of their way than to confront them.
I see a lot of bears when I am in the bush,only time in the last ten years I had to do something drastic was when a young black started into a creek towards me.
He got a face full of bear alert spray, turned inside out and took off.
Using your head first will get you out of trouble faster than shooting first and askiing questions later.

The original quetion was wheather or not a 20 guage would stop a bear.
The answer is yeas, definately.
But using some common sense is a better way, and I prefer to use spray if I have to when bird hunting, fishing, etc.

Cat
 
Me myself, I would choose buck sho over slug. There is more room for error. I am not an expert just someone that spent a lot time in the bush
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Well, Gatehouse did do a rather extensive series of practical tests comparing buckshot to slugs, and i gotta tell ya slugs came away the winner for a whole bunch of reasons, but if something's been working for ya, i guess that's as good a reason as any to stick with it. :)

I wish we'd kept all of gatehouse's posts on the tests - but slugs really seem to be better performers. I wouldn't want buckshot on a griz for example. But black bears aren't as tough as grizzlies i guess. I've never shot one wiht buckshot.
 
Foxer said:
I wish we'd kept all of gatehouse's posts on the tests - but slugs really seem to be better performers. I wouldn't want buckshot on a griz for example. But black bears aren't as tough as grizzlies i guess. I've never shot one wiht buckshot.
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ZJust means he has to do it again :wink: :lol:
 
What I ment was if a bear gives all the signs that he is mad then why wait. And yes I have seen them piss themselfs when flares go off. I have shot cougar with buckshot and had zero problems. I know a lot of you think thats crazy, but instead of just ready and watching movies go out and shoot.
 
maxtrooper said:
What I ment was if a bear gives all the signs that he is mad then why wait. And yes I have seen them piss themselfs when flares go off. I have shot cougar with buckshot and had zero problems. I know a lot of you think thats crazy, but instead of just ready and watching movies go out and shoot.
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SHooting a cougar at a reasonable range is a good application for buckshot.

If youwant to use your 20 guage with buckshot to stop bears, then go for it. I dont' think it's the best thing you could use, but if it makes you feel good, do it. :wink:

Why aren't you out hunting? :?
 
Max - i don't get your hostile tone. You've got 12 posts here - you haven't been around long enough to be this pissed off :)

Nobody's told you you're crazy - just that slugs turned out to be better in the tests gatehouse did.

Nobody said anything about movies or the like - that comment is just rude. Many people here have a great deal of experience with shotguns and/or bears. And nobody's badmouthed you.

You on the other hand are being downright discourteous. Perhaps you should stow the attitude and the snide 'experts' and 'movies' etc comments and just share what experiences you've had.

As to your cougar... cougar= bewteen 45 - 90 kg's, thin skinned, lighter bones. Black bear = closer to 100- 200 kg's, thicker skin, heavier bones :)

Not exactly the same animal. A bit apples to oranges for comparison some might say. But - interesting to note.
 
My inlaws are staying with us, So I have to stay and visit. Its thee last night here. I'm sneaking out right now though for a bit. Again I'm sorry if I sound rude I did'nt mean too
 
Hell, stop apologizing, will ya? Be rude if you want to.... Foxer is just one of those sensitive-touchy-feely kinda guys. Did you know he shoots a pump-rifle? :lol:

Don't mind him.


I watch movies all the time, and I learned lots about guns!

For instance, I can't wait to see a black bear get picked up by my 20g slug and be thrown backwards 15 feet! That's gonna be soo cool!



:mrgreen:
 
Foxer is just one of those sensitive-touchy-feely kinda guys. Did you know he shoots a pump-rifle?
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THIS from a shotgun fanatic. :lol: At least my 'pump' can hurt things farther than i can spit, yew marble-throwing hypocrite! :lol:
 
My moview comment is not correct, I enjoy videos too. I also love shotgun. My first gun was a 20 and I still have it and use it every year for grouse. I use to hunt saltspring Island every year. Saltspring can be a lot of fun if you ever get the chance, there are some big black tails there. I use to coon hunt there also. Just ry to avoid the hippies
 
Saltspring can be a lot of fun if you ever get the chance, there are some big black tails there.
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Ya know - i always wanted to try it. It seemed like a great hunt. Buckshot only tho, 'cept for bows, right?
 
Just ry to avoid the hippies

Yes I hear that Saltspring is kinda full of them!
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I thought we were TALKING about the hippies?

There's no season? Surely they're overpopulating the region now?
 
you can use slugs, I've never had much luck with them though. I found that federal made a new one called tru ball. Its suppose to better with smoth bores. I might try it, for the next time I go down to the Island.
 
Code: 
you can use slugs,

:shock: Really? My shottie shoots slugs great, but doesn't do brilliantly with buckshot which is why i kind of never bothered. I'll have to look into that - that'd be a fun little hunt.
 
what kind do you have. Were do you hunt around vancouver. I just moved to North Kamloops and loving it. EWvery night I go out by my house I see deer, cougar, fox, grizz, wolf, coyote. Not all together but for an Island boy its great. I've seen some great mule deer so far, and found some white tails too. I have two hounds so I'm looking forward to looking for some bobcats and lynx.
 
I've hunted around kamloops a few times - it's awesome hunting.

I have an old mod 1200 winnie. fixed full choke - used to be for ducks and geese on the praries, but for whatever reason it throws foster slugs pretty darn good for a bead site - i suspect if i put a scope mount on it it'd be fine for blacktails out to 50 yards without much trouble.
 
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