New bear defence question.... 20g slugs?
- Thread starter popcan
- Start date
- Location
- The Conservative part of Ontario
20 guage will take a blackie with slugs, given good placement, but, I'd really want Gatehouse's spear for backup in a defense situation. :shock:
Well, Popcan 
Like you, I hutn grouse with a 20 guage. Mine can only take 23/4" shells.
After being terrorized b a HUGE black bear a few years ago while I was hutnign grouse with my girlfriend, I took to carrying 5 slugs with me on the ammo belt, along with the #6 shot.
I figure it is better than nothing! :mrgreen:
Actually, it is pretty decent when you consider that it probably hits harder than a .44 magnum.
I did some paper testing with them, but I can't remmebr the exact results. If they really sucked, (liek when I tested buckshot) I would have remembered. I suppose I shoudl have written all this stuff down..
Like you, I hutn grouse with a 20 guage. Mine can only take 23/4" shells.
After being terrorized b a HUGE black bear a few years ago while I was hutnign grouse with my girlfriend, I took to carrying 5 slugs with me on the ammo belt, along with the #6 shot.
I figure it is better than nothing! :mrgreen:
Actually, it is pretty decent when you consider that it probably hits harder than a .44 magnum.
I did some paper testing with them, but I can't remmebr the exact results. If they really sucked, (liek when I tested buckshot) I would have remembered. I suppose I shoudl have written all this stuff down..
I have no doubt a 20 gauge slug could drop a bear.. the question is can you put the slug where it needs to go?
With a 12 gauge, you are just giving a bit more leeway as to where you put the slug for it to do it's job.
As has been said about ALL calibers/gauges which are on the small side... shot placement is 90% of the equation.
With a 12 gauge, you are just giving a bit more leeway as to where you put the slug for it to do it's job.
As has been said about ALL calibers/gauges which are on the small side... shot placement is 90% of the equation.
A 20 gauge 7/8 ounce slug is not even close to a 12 gauge 1 1/8 ounce slug on deer... I would use it for bear protection if it was all I had... but personally I have seen way to many wounded and lost deer from 20 gauge shotguns to put my life on the line against a bear with one :idea:
I used to carry a lite 20 gauge single shot for grouse and kept 5 slugs with me incase i ran into a bear.They do work at 50 yards on black bears,slug went threw both sides of the chest, Lots of blood like a hose leak and the bear went about 60 yards into the bush.
There wasnt any knockdown or stopping effect to the impact of the slug so i switched to a 12 gauge side by side.
There wasnt any knockdown or stopping effect to the impact of the slug so i switched to a 12 gauge side by side.
Popcan...
Rest easy my fast feathered hunting friend. Your 20 gauge will absolutely unequivically knock down your elusive "blackie". 2 3/4 or 3" are both fine.
There are sabots that travel 1900 fps nowadays and I believe Remington sells them. However, as it has been mentioned far too many times before, shot placement IS key.
Good luck!
Rest easy my fast feathered hunting friend. Your 20 gauge will absolutely unequivically knock down your elusive "blackie". 2 3/4 or 3" are both fine.
There are sabots that travel 1900 fps nowadays and I believe Remington sells them. However, as it has been mentioned far too many times before, shot placement IS key.
Good luck!
SCR
Exactly how many bears have you killed with a 20 gauge shotgun :?:
You need a rifled barrel to shoot sabots effectively... if your out small game hunting with a 20 gauge it is not likely to have a rifled barrel :?
This is exactly right and in a defense situation it is very hard to place a shot on a bear... you are just as likely to hit it in the head as the chest. :shock: That is why a 20 gauge slug is a poor second choice to a 12 gauge slug. :roll:
No, actually. If your supposition is correct (and I suggest it is) then wouldn't #3 buckshot be a better bet to do some damage / deter than a wildly shot slug?BIGREDD said:
Yes, I'm a newbie, so I'm just asking. :wink:BIGREDD said:
No, buckshot woud not be a better choice. :mrgreen:
Popcan, for you...
I will test out 2 20 guage slugs ASAP. One will be a regular FOster style Federal,a nd the othr a sabot slug. I've found sabot to shoot reaosnably well in a smoothbore at closer ranges, out to maybe 40 yards.
I'll also test a 12 guage 3" Foster slug for comparison.
SInce I don't have too many 20 guage slugs, you'll get a smaple of *1* but it shoudl give us some idea...
Popcan, for you...
I will test out 2 20 guage slugs ASAP. One will be a regular FOster style Federal,a nd the othr a sabot slug. I've found sabot to shoot reaosnably well in a smoothbore at closer ranges, out to maybe 40 yards.
I'll also test a 12 guage 3" Foster slug for comparison.
SInce I don't have too many 20 guage slugs, you'll get a smaple of *1* but it shoudl give us some idea...
