shot gun for bear defence

Ike said:
Funny thing is that the 'experts' say that you have a better chance of getting struck by lightning than attacked by a bear. I don't personally know anybody who has been struck by lightening BUT I do know 6 people who have been attacked by bears....hmm I never was good at stats.
Cheers
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Let me help you.

.... statistically, it means you just hang out with the wrong people :p



What I meant in my previous post is that, if you have time to get 4 or 5 shots off at a bear, the CO will question if you really needed to shoot at all. On the other hand, maybe I'd rather shoot first and answer questions later, if I was in doubt. ;) I was charged once, over 20 years ago (no guns then), but never had a problem since. Never been hit by lightning either.
 
popcan said:
Let me help you.

.... statistically, it means you just hang out with the wrong people :p
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LOL thats great.

Personally, I'd load with a nice wide spreading 00 for the first shot, the second can be slug because you woulda had a little more time to align the shot.
 
Skip the magnesium flare idea unless you want to find yourself in the middle of a forest fire. :eek: :D

Also yes a Light is a good idea...any idea who carries reasonably priced ones in Canada?
I'd be happy with some sort of adapter, and remote switch fro a mini mag light I have.
 
There are tons of options for a lights and just as many ways to mount. I had a mag-light mounted to the barrel w/ a pressure switch on the forestock. Didn't like it, it snagged on everything due to the way the cord has to be free to rack the rounds and the light would snag on my pack or sheath.

If you do go that route try a stick will a light that provides sufficient lumens to do the job... that job being not just seeing what your aiming at but enough to provide a blinding "shock and awe" or "bear in the headlights" effect and illuminate the background for safety as well. This won't happen with and mag-light. I took the middle ground and like the forestock mounted Surefire but there are good options out there. Mine was about $250 if memory serves, including the light and hardware, form P&D in Edmonton. Easy to install as well. There are good deals now on anything imported as compared to a even a couple of years ago due to the high Canadian vs US dollar exchange rate.
 
RevolverRodger said:
What do you guys think of sabout slugs ?
They pack alot of energy.
Could probably crush a Grizz :D
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I have heard of some tests, very good penetration, but better out of a rifled barrel, although some people have used them for short range out of a smoothbore.
 
I've had very decent accuracy with sabot slugs in smoothbores at closer (50-60 yards) ranges.

I woudl just use the 23/4" Brennekes.

I wouldn't ever use buckshot, it offers no advantages in a bear defense situation, and has a whole lotta drawbacks. Specifically it lacks penetration. But anyone who is a student of CGN bear defense knows this.:) :p
 
I have it on good authority that a 12 ga shotgun with slugs is the worst possible device for bears. Buck shot is better but apparently the best is a 308 with a 3-9x scope and 150 gr Power Points. This is the ideal setup for grizzlies in the willows.

Apparently the 12 ga slugs have (get ready for this one) a low projectile rate.

WTF is a low projectile rate? This just goes to show you that, somewhere, a village is missing their idiot. And he's probably out there somewhere giving bear defense advice.
 
This thread has gone on long enough.

Just put some birdshot into their eyes. Use a .410, because the pattern is tighter!

As a side note, most grizzlies are left-eye dominant, so you may want to aim for that one.
 
popcan said:
I thought we had agreed that a response based upon measured escalation was the way:

* Bells
* Bangers
* Buckshot
* Brennekes
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But where is the negotiation, the groveling and self-loathing that is required prior to defending yourself? :)
 
I know you are just jking popcan, but lets look at that:

* Bells
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Why do I want somehting ding alinging along when I am in the bush? It will impair my hearing and bears are often pretty curious, so they may come to investigate bells, anyway.

* Bangers
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Maybe if someone else is also there with a gun. I'm not wasting one of my rounds to make loud noises, and possibly running the risk of jamming my gun.

* Buckshot
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HAHAHAHAHAHA. Buckshot has killed bears, it's also failed miserably. We all know this!:) ONLY A FRICKING MORON WOUDL USE SHOT INSTEAD OF SLUGS:D ;) :D

* Brennekes
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Attaboy.

Be vocal. Attempt to dissuade the bear form eating you by yelling at it etc. But more important, pick a line, when Mr Bear crosses it, aim for the head and start shooting.:)
 
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....A pump shotgun is nice, but fully loaded, it's very heavy at the end of the day's hiking with pack etc.etc. An alternative, and somewhat lighter, would be a short barreled side by side, maybe one of the "cheapies" aimed at the Cowboy Action Shooters. Loaded with SSGs in one, and a slug in the other barrel, up close it'd be a definite attention getter from the bears perspective! (With added rifle type sights, it'd be like the traditional big game hunting side by side rifles) ... a sling is a must for anything to be carried/used in the bush!) .... David K.
 
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