Newbee - carrying for bear defense

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InTheTrees

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Hey guys,

I am prospecting up in a northern BC valley known for Grizzlies. After much back and forth I have decided (and purchased) a 930 Mossberg semi-auto. Please dont tell me it is the wrong gun, because that is what I have, and I am not about to change it.

I have been practicing targets with the gun out in the woods, and also practicing my sling/unsling techniques. I dont wanna be one of those a-holes who end up shooting their buddy or their own foot.

Now, I have a specific question:

A lot of my prospecting work requires two hands. I will mostly be walking trails with detecting equipment occupying both hands and my head. I have my sling/unsling technique down nicely. Muzzle up - on the back.

BUT... how should I load the semi-auto to be ready for problems?

With "cruiser ready", safety off, no round chambered. I have to pull to load it up. Fine by me...

Or.. have a round chambered, safety on, then flick it off and ready to go. I am a little worried about this, as I am hiking over rough country and would hate a mis-fire blowing off the back of my head.

Other options? Suggestions?
 
I'm no expert, but my two cents for what it's worth. I have a Mossberg 930 as well and like it a lot so I would carry it in your situation. I would prefer to have a round chambered, safety on, as I believe a bear isn't going to wait for you to chamber a round and they can be on you in seconds. Even a slung rifle has proven to be a disadvantage if time is critical, however you may have no choice.
 
I suggest you try “African carry.” Strap over your non-dominant arm, muzzle down, hand on forend. You turn your palm up while holding the forend, slip out of the sling and grab the grip with the dominant hand. You have excellent control of the gun and the draw is fast. See the link below and skip to about the 1:00 mark.

https://youtu.be/6wn4kCmmDu4

I’d also carry with round in chamber and safety on as I did when hunting rabbits in thick brush. The arm helps control the muzzle direction and covers the trigger guard. If I was concerned about bears, I wouldn’t want to have to chamber a round while they were deciding which part of me would be the best appetizer.

ETA: I see that you need both hands; I still like this style but it’s not as good if you don’t have the non-dominant arm free.
 
2 point adjustable sling such as the excellent BFG VCAS. Unless you want to be constantly throwing it back onto your shoulder while you're working on one knee or bent over. Carried in a patrol position, round chambered safety on. If you need it in a hurry just drop whats in your hands and the gun is on your chest ready to go. Transition to low ready, thumb on safety ready to go. Perfect for keeping the gun under control while you use both your hands. This has been my preferred method for years.
 
Thanks guys - I will investigate the grate ideas.

As for ATC, it is too late for this season. I considered it early on but was discouraged by the CFO. He did not think it would be very likely, as as I only do this a few weeks of the year, and not professionally. They only issue a few hundred wilderness carry permits a year.
 
Mossberg 930 is an awesome shotgun, just make sure it’s cleaned well especially on the gas tube. Another option is to carry in a back scabbard; this allows you to have unimpeded use of your hands without your shotgun constantly getting in the way, and is quick enough to draw over your shoulder into ready position when needed.
 
I prospected in northern bc for 10+ seasons. My preference was to not carry a firearm, but to keep one at camp since that's where you're most likely to have problems. Like you said, prospecting is a two-hand pursuit and I always found a gun just got in the way. Work with a partner and break lots of rocks - you probably won't even see a bear in the field.

That being considered, sometimes you need to carry, especially if you're alone. I'd want a shorter gun but if you aren't bushwhacking it probably doesn't matter. Never carried a semi but my practice with a pump is safety off, nothing in the chamber, tube full of slugs, and some target load on hand if I just needed to make some noise. Carry in a scabbard on the side of my backpack. Never took it out while on traverse, but I did have to chase a few bears out of camp with it.
 
I really liked this video below explaining wilderness carry of a shot gun.

Now I know it's based off a pump action not a semi-auto, but the idea of trying to eliminate the fine motor skill needed for the safety and rely on the more gross motor skill of pumping the action seems to make a lot of sense to me.

So for your semi-auto I'd ask what is easier for you to operate, the safety or the charging handle?

 
InTheTrees said:
Thanks guys - I will investigate the grate ideas.

As for ATC, it is too late for this season. I considered it early on but was discouraged by the CFO. He did not think it would be very likely, as as I only do this a few weeks of the year, and not professionally. They only issue a few hundred wilderness carry permits a year.
Click to expand...

Considering what I've read on here from other people, a few weeks a year is not enough to get an ATC. One person said the CFO required it to be their primary occupation, and wanted tax documents to support such a claim. As he only did it (prospecting) for 2 weeks a year while on vacation from his real job, he was told no dice. I have never applied for an ATC myself though, so this is anecdotal at best.

I know you said you didn't want to discuss other guns, but Personally, I would want a short pump gun. Due to the length of the gas system you can only go so short with a semi, and they're far less intuitive when something goes wrong - with a pump you're already holding onto the piece that runs the action, and going from unloaded to loaded or getting a fresh shell in if one doesn't go bang is quicker and doesn't require taking a hand off the gun to run the action which allows you to stay on target better in the event of a malfunction or empty chamber.

Obviously your semi is better than throwing rocks though! Lol
 
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I’d have to see what’s quicker, disengaging the safety or racking the charging handle. Generally speaking if I have a round chambered and the safety on the gun is in my control at all times, either in my hands or slung and one hand is on the sling keeping the muzzle pointed where I want it to be pointed. If I need the use of both hands it’s either loaded with the safety on and slung cross shoulder tightly on my back with the muzzle up or it’s unloaded with the safety off and right beside me while I’m doing what I need to do with two hands. I’ve got vicker slings on anything I hunt or hike with so it’s quick to unsling or snug up and secure it over a pack or cross shoulder on my back.
 
InTheTrees said:
Hey guys,

I am prospecting up in a northern BC valley known for Grizzlies. After much back and forth I have decided (and purchased) a 930 Mossberg semi-auto. Please dont tell me it is the wrong gun, because that is what I have, and I am not about to change it.

I have been practicing targets with the gun out in the woods, and also practicing my sling/unsling techniques. I dont wanna be one of those a-holes who end up shooting their buddy or their own foot.

Now, I have a specific question:

A lot of my prospecting work requires two hands. I will mostly be walking trails with detecting equipment occupying both hands and my head. I have my sling/unsling technique down nicely. Muzzle up - on the back.

BUT... how should I load the semi-auto to be ready for problems?

With "cruiser ready", safety off, no round chambered. I have to pull to load it up. Fine by me...

Or.. have a round chambered, safety on, then flick it off and ready to go. I am a little worried about this, as I am hiking over rough country and would hate a mis-fire blowing off the back of my head.

Other options? Suggestions?
Click to expand...

I've found that a muzzle down carry is quicker to get into action, since the support hand need only grasp the forend and push it out towards the target. Where there is room, I use a jaeger carry, where the piece is suspended by the sling under the support arm,then the barrel is forced behind the back of the arm. This is a very secure means of carry, and very quick to get into action, since like muzzle down the support hand simply grasps the forend and pushes it towards the target. It frees up the use of both hands. I certainly would not carry with the sling across my chest, it takes a lifetime to get the gun moving. By carrying the gun muzzle up, if slung on your strong arm shoulder, you must either reach across your chest to grasp the gun then push it towards the target, or you windmill the gun until it points towards the target. Camp Cook was quite adept at this, but IMHO, it is undesirable as it can impact obstacles above and around you, and I doubt its any faster.

Jaeger carry . . .


Depending on the country you work in, a taped muzzle might be prudent to protect the barrel crown from scuffs on rocks, and to prevent bore obstructions. I use electrical tape to tape both rifle and shotgun muzzles, and cover the muzzle with one piece, then make a few wraps around the barrel to secure it. The air pressure created by the slug, shot, or bullet travelling down the bore blows the tape free, and unlike a bore obstruction that will wreck your gun and possibly injure you, it is a perfectly safe procedure.

I carry with an chamber empty, but my pump might prove quicker to chamber than a semi-auto. You can modify the bolt handle so it can be engaged by sweeping your support hand rearwards along the top of the receiver, or perhaps you've developed a tactical type of procedure for running the bolt, like reaching under the piece to grasp the cocking handle with your support hand, so you don't break your firing grip. Only carry the gun with a shell in the chamber if two circumstances are present; first you are alone, secondly, you have absolute faith in the safety. If at anytime you have found that the safety has worn, and allows the the hammer to fall, you must change your technique. I would simply adopt a techanique that did not have to change to meet the circumstances.

Modified bolt handle . . .


I think your choice of a semi-auto is a good one since the solid forearm provides a stable platform, and should you need more than one shot, all you need to think about is the front sight and trigger control.
 
I think you should practice shouldering the gun, chambering a round, and getting a couple slugs on target at 10 yards. However you choose to do so. And you've got about a second and a half to do it in.

Oh yeah. Real slugs. Not those flying teacup Foster style slugs. Brenneke, Challenger, etc.
 
I'll pass along what I'm trying this year after trying different sling setups on my 14" 870...

I bought a dedicated gun carrying pack. I've got a Eberlestock gunrunner that I added a Kifaru waistbelt to.

Another alternative is the Kifaru Gunbearer which I run on my Kifaru Tarryall belt.

If you plan to carry a small pack while out there this options might work for you.

I've got 5 young kids so I carry with the mag loaded, empty chamber, and safety off. For me that provides a level of safety around the kids but I can still dryfire then pump a round in and start shooting.
 
InTheTrees said:
Hey guys,

I am prospecting up in a northern BC valley known for Grizzlies. After much back and forth I have decided (and purchased) a 930 Mossberg semi-auto. Please dont tell me it is the wrong gun, because that is what I have, and I am not about to change it.

I have been practicing targets with the gun out in the woods, and also practicing my sling/unsling techniques. I dont wanna be one of those a-holes who end up shooting their buddy or their own foot.

Now, I have a specific question:

A lot of my prospecting work requires two hands. I will mostly be walking trails with detecting equipment occupying both hands and my head. I have my sling/unsling technique down nicely. Muzzle up - on the back.

BUT... how should I load the semi-auto to be ready for problems?

With "cruiser ready", safety off, no round chambered. I have to pull to load it up. Fine by me...

Or.. have a round chambered, safety on, then flick it off and ready to go. I am a little worried about this, as I am hiking over rough country and would hate a mis-fire blowing off the back of my head.

Other options? Suggestions?
Click to expand...

Sounds good.
With Rottweill Brenneke slugs the Grizzlies need to keep well away from you.

I prefer my 1895GS ‘Guide Gun’ and my load of a 405 grain Woodleigh Weldcore bullet over IMR-3031 powder with a MV of 1875 fps for the big bears but you’ll do fine with the shotgun.

In bear country I’d be bush carrying with one up the spout and safety on with the gun slung over my shoulder.
Wear bells on your boots so you won’t surprise any bears.
 
Hey guys... "its Wednesday", so I thought I would give an update.

I went out and practiced unsling and firing with a number of different configurations. With one in the chamber & safety, and also none in the chamber and charging the semi-auto. I also practised american carry and african carry. Did mostly cheap rounds, but some slugs too.

By far *my* fastest, was african carry, one in the chamber with safety on. The mossberg safety is pretty positive , obvious and well located. I also have a enlarged safety being shipped to me, so it will be quite positive (fine motor skills - yes, but I can be sloppy while ####ting my pants) . Another advantage to african carry is a quick grab to the bear spray if needed.

I like Boomer's idea of tape over the muzzle to keep crap out of the barrel.

Even though I already have an over-sized charging handle, it was just too awkward (for me) to charge and fire - compared to pressing of the safety.

lastly, I also have an OR3GUN vented tube for a little bit more reliability.
 
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InTheTrees said:
Hey guys,

I am prospecting up in a northern BC valley known for Grizzlies. After much back and forth I have decided (and purchased) a 930 Mossberg semi-auto. Please dont tell me it is the wrong gun, because that is what I have, and I am not about to change it.

I have been practicing targets with the gun out in the woods, and also practicing my sling/unsling techniques. I dont wanna be one of those a-holes who end up shooting their buddy or their own foot.

Now, I have a specific question:

A lot of my prospecting work requires two hands. I will mostly be walking trails with detecting equipment occupying both hands and my head. I have my sling/unsling technique down nicely. Muzzle up - on the back.

BUT... how should I load the semi-auto to be ready for problems?

With "cruiser ready", safety off, no round chambered. I have to pull to load it up. Fine by me...

Or.. have a round chambered, safety on, then flick it off and ready to go. I am a little worried about this, as I am hiking over rough country and would hate a mis-fire blowing off the back of my head.

Other options? Suggestions?
Click to expand...

Perhaps a 44 mag or 45 Colt Mare's Leg in a holster? Some of the convenience of a handgun without the ATC a$$pain. You can get nice holsters for them.

Moe
 
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