Cheap, short, reliable. ... Lee Enfield #4mk1 .303, already bubba'd. 180's. Cut back to 18.5", homemade folder stock if you can. Fits in the canoe pack and alway's there if/when you need it.
" be prepared "
" be prepared "
The perfect bush gun while clearing northern cabin land?
- Thread starter fiveonenine
- Start date
A rifle/shotgun needs a full length stock to be effectively used on anything besides a door. Super short barrel shotguns are very limited in their uses. I prefer a multi-use firearm; perhaps a 12ga package with rifled slug barrel and smooth bore with adjustable chokes. If a rifle will be more useful to you a lever action 45-70 with a full length mag tube would be a common choice. Browning sells a take down lever action (BLR) with detachable mag that is available in more calibers and can be an excellent hunting rifle.
Worse case senario.. you tell your side to the judge they tell theres... no proof you were hunting ect... watch it get droped.. I wouldnt really worry about it at all.. Heck I spend lots of time in the bush and ive bumped into many bears I have never been worried about it..
- Location
- Halifax, NS
I see at least one black bear per trip whenever I'm out for more than 1 night and yeah they are about as dangerous as a whiskyjack, assuming its not a momma bear and/or hungry.
However, I've got a dog (aka cougar magnet), not to mention the grizzlies out on the west coast, who are not so tame by nature. It will only take one run in with one of these ugly things to make me wish I brought a firearm, which is why Im going to start.
Last hunting season on Vancouver Island I had a pretty scary run in with a Black bear where I actually had to fire a warning shot for it to back down.
Both my father and I were hunting and he thought he had seen a deer down the road so he walked farther down the road to stand on a tall stump to get a vantage point when I seen the mother of all black bears come charging out of the bush straight at him! It chased him halfway back up the road towards our quad where I was when I had managed to load my gun and crack off a shot towards it and made it stop in its tracks.
There was absolutly no sign of cubs or anything just happened to maybe startle the bear? Goes to show that sometimes thats all it takes even with a so called "mild" black bear.
As far as the best bush gun your going to want something your comfortable with and can work under stress.
Both my father and I were hunting and he thought he had seen a deer down the road so he walked farther down the road to stand on a tall stump to get a vantage point when I seen the mother of all black bears come charging out of the bush straight at him! It chased him halfway back up the road towards our quad where I was when I had managed to load my gun and crack off a shot towards it and made it stop in its tracks.
There was absolutly no sign of cubs or anything just happened to maybe startle the bear? Goes to show that sometimes thats all it takes even with a so called "mild" black bear.
As far as the best bush gun your going to want something your comfortable with and can work under stress.
Brodie69 nailed it, bears are not bullet proof so dont get hung up on what type of gun or caliber. Just make sure you are comfortable with it by taking it out and practicing with it, and tailor it to suit your needs. I pack my Benelli Supernova Tactical 18.5" w/ 2 shot extension most of the time. Its never far (usually over my shoulder) and can be deployed instantly if need be. Problem solved. I had to jump into my father truck years ago when a silvertip grizz sow and her cubs suddenly appeared across the road from where we were stopped for lunch. Small truckstop on one side where we were parked, bush up to the road on the other side at a bridge going over the Babine river in B.C. It suddenly occurred to me why 99% of the fishermen and photographers carried shotguns everywhere down there. Later that day, one of the cubs was chasing a couple salmon around in the river under the bridge and I dropped a few rocks down beside it. It looked up at me, then went back to what it was doing, like it couldnt care less. That was my only run in with a bear that didnt make me nervous.
Benelli M2 Tactical 18.5 inch barrel, no chance of shortstroking as its a semi, light easy to carry and a shotgun has all the firepower you need at close range to dispatch the threat. i would NEVER use a pump when fighting a bear too slow, police don't use pump pistols for a reason, too slow and too much room for human error, semi's are so realiable now that pumps really are obsolete. You can find them new for $1600 if you talk nice to the dealers, worth every penny.
- Location
- Halifax, NS
Canada Ammo is selling thier 18.5" Cougar semi for $450. They will be sold out by the end of the week I am sure. Next shipment will probably come in about 2 years from now lol.
My problem with semi is that it comes from the factory too long. Im buying a 12.5" grizzly 4+1 12ga 3" because its really cheap, reliable, and short. I plan on bringing it with me on 7 day expeditions with a 90lb pack, so an 18.5" semi is really not at all ideal.
- Location
- Halifax, NS
That guide gun has got my attention, definitly something I would seiously consider buying; however, its like $800-$1000 and I would probably want to start reloading...
The other reason I want to stick with a shotgun is, according to me, rifles seem far more ideal for hunting trips and are more complex and needy for cleaning. A shotgun seems like it would take the abuse better, but I have never used a real lever action rifle.
Basically, at 25 yards, the accuracy of the rifle would not be any better than a shotgun, and the stopping power is marginally better. One cool thing I like about the shotgun is that I can buy flares for it for a reasonable price. That could save my life one day, allthough the chances are slim.
bear gun
The whole issue of whether any predator is "dangerous" to you is variable to the perception of the individual as well as the capability of the individual.
There's a lot of people I work with and have worked with that are perfectly capable bare handed wearing a loin cloth in the wilderness...seriously.
Most will likely need some sort of weapon to even the odds or improve them.
More still would likely need a firearm if the predator in question does get to contact distance and is intent on harm.
All this aside, if you feel the want/need/desire to have a firearm for predator protection the comment about the one that is function tested, you are familiar/comfortable/proficient with is the one you should have.
Makes no mind if it is a 22 single shot/12g semi auto drum fed/300Winmag hvy barrel bolt.
If you don't have it when you need it it is useless.(too expensive/tooheavy/afraid of getting caught with it/afraid of it getting wet)
If you don't know how to use it it is useless.(too complicated/don't practice/unfamiliar/didn't learn in the 1st place)
If it doesn't work it is useless.(malfunction/piece of crap/poorly maintained/####ty ammo/operator error/poor quality)
Sooo.....The firearm you have when you need it that works when you need it that you know how to use when you need it is the one you should have.
If a person who only owned a bolt action rifle and hunts once a yr asked me what to procure I would say a bolt action rifle of decent quality that is function tested with the ammo to be used and practice with it enough so you can grab it/#### it/unsafe it/shoot it with reasonable accuracy while squating with your pants around your ankles.
This is the scenario where it will count. And if you doubt it, try practicing exactly like this...you'll be surprised how difficult it is. You might get some static from the range officer at the indoor carpeted gun club though!!! lol
My 2c worth for the original poster. The flexibility of a decent 18 to 20in 12g shotgun is hard to argue with.
Slugs are very effective on ANY predator if on target.
Buckshot is also effective for closer range and offers better hit potential.
The ability to use it for survival and other uses is very appealing like birdshot,flares for foraging and signaling.
12g ammo is available arguably the most in Canada now and in the future both in stores and areas of opportunity.
They are simple to operate, come in almost every config imaginable, are usually durable,reliable,weather resistant,easy to clear when malfunction and because they are so prevalent parts are and will be readily available as well as they are the most likley firearm to selfgunsmith or have repaired by other than a gunsmith.
Avoid pistol grips/folding stocks and accessories that make the gun less shootable. Put a sling on it so you're more apt to carry it and hang it places where it will be available when you need or want it.
If you're on the cheap a decent quality single shot is great.
Use a buttstock shell holder to keep shells available to the gun.
The NEF survivor's are perfect.
A quality 12g pump is also good. repeat shots are comforting and the mag capacity of the gun precludes carrying ammo and or not having ammo when needed. Make sure the gun is sound and you know how to use it.
Practice/practice/practice. Make sure the gun shoots to point of impact with the ammo you're using or at least you know where the gun shoots if it does not.
Sorry for the lengthy post. Some of the replies irritated me and I didn't think a 2 liner would do it justice.
Good luck, and have fun with your adventure.....I am envious of that and the land.
The whole issue of whether any predator is "dangerous" to you is variable to the perception of the individual as well as the capability of the individual.
There's a lot of people I work with and have worked with that are perfectly capable bare handed wearing a loin cloth in the wilderness...seriously.
Most will likely need some sort of weapon to even the odds or improve them.
More still would likely need a firearm if the predator in question does get to contact distance and is intent on harm.
All this aside, if you feel the want/need/desire to have a firearm for predator protection the comment about the one that is function tested, you are familiar/comfortable/proficient with is the one you should have.
Makes no mind if it is a 22 single shot/12g semi auto drum fed/300Winmag hvy barrel bolt.
If you don't have it when you need it it is useless.(too expensive/tooheavy/afraid of getting caught with it/afraid of it getting wet)
If you don't know how to use it it is useless.(too complicated/don't practice/unfamiliar/didn't learn in the 1st place)
If it doesn't work it is useless.(malfunction/piece of crap/poorly maintained/####ty ammo/operator error/poor quality)
Sooo.....The firearm you have when you need it that works when you need it that you know how to use when you need it is the one you should have.
If a person who only owned a bolt action rifle and hunts once a yr asked me what to procure I would say a bolt action rifle of decent quality that is function tested with the ammo to be used and practice with it enough so you can grab it/#### it/unsafe it/shoot it with reasonable accuracy while squating with your pants around your ankles.
This is the scenario where it will count. And if you doubt it, try practicing exactly like this...you'll be surprised how difficult it is. You might get some static from the range officer at the indoor carpeted gun club though!!! lol
My 2c worth for the original poster. The flexibility of a decent 18 to 20in 12g shotgun is hard to argue with.
Slugs are very effective on ANY predator if on target.
Buckshot is also effective for closer range and offers better hit potential.
The ability to use it for survival and other uses is very appealing like birdshot,flares for foraging and signaling.
12g ammo is available arguably the most in Canada now and in the future both in stores and areas of opportunity.
They are simple to operate, come in almost every config imaginable, are usually durable,reliable,weather resistant,easy to clear when malfunction and because they are so prevalent parts are and will be readily available as well as they are the most likley firearm to selfgunsmith or have repaired by other than a gunsmith.
Avoid pistol grips/folding stocks and accessories that make the gun less shootable. Put a sling on it so you're more apt to carry it and hang it places where it will be available when you need or want it.
If you're on the cheap a decent quality single shot is great.
Use a buttstock shell holder to keep shells available to the gun.
The NEF survivor's are perfect.
A quality 12g pump is also good. repeat shots are comforting and the mag capacity of the gun precludes carrying ammo and or not having ammo when needed. Make sure the gun is sound and you know how to use it.
Practice/practice/practice. Make sure the gun shoots to point of impact with the ammo you're using or at least you know where the gun shoots if it does not.
Sorry for the lengthy post. Some of the replies irritated me and I didn't think a 2 liner would do it justice.
Good luck, and have fun with your adventure.....I am envious of that and the land.
BC Bigbore
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- BC's Peace Country
You say you'll be clearing land in the bush? I'd be more concerned about being swarmed by wasps or bees than having a run in with a large animal. I work in the bush of northern BC and during the warmer months, we log a lotta time quadding (alone) into remote wells, miles from the truck (via sled in winter) We take precautions such as wilderness survival & first aid courses, dangerous animal encounter courses, check in systems & the use of our SPOT gps tracking devices. I have a 12g pump filled with slugs on hand at all times. No folding stocks or 12.5" bbls. Either an old Win 1200 18.5" bbl. or my newer Rem 870 Tactical with peep sights. Both have full stocks and one is constantly within reach. The number one thing I've found with spending much of my life working, hunting & fishing "way back yonder" is to be aware of what's going on around you. You can't always avoid a run in with a defensive bear or moose but with proper training, preparation and awareness, you can do a lot to prevent situations that lead to unleashing that last resort. And...keep your eye out for bees 
the last 2 posts friggen nailed it! the only thing I'll add is about folding stocks. I drive an old toyota truck so space is not a luxury I have. A folding stock makes a shotgun with proper barrel length nice and compact for easy storage. That being said, after you pull it out and clear it/prove it safe...open the stock and leave it there! then load and carry on. You likely wont have time to open it up if youre suddenly charged, and it doesnt need to be compact when its on you. The only other problem can be cheek weld, wire stocks are brutal and any aftermarket stock can have a different drop that can make lining up your sights/bead difficult. Another point filed under practice and proficiency. Nothing beats a proper full stock, but be smart if you plan on going with a folder.
A dog or two! Unless you plan on having that thing across your back/ shoulder all day while you working, which would be a P.I.A.... Bring whatever gun you think your going to play with most up there while your goofing off instead of working. Not 100% sure on the rules in Ontario about antique handguns in the bush, but that might be the ticket. Or a ticket?..... Somebody with more knowledge about this can chime in.....
- Location
- Western BC
I like the Mossberg 930 Home Security: it has an aluminum receiver and is probably the lightest of all 18" shotguns available in the marketplace. You could cut it all the way down to 12" and still be non-restricted. There isn't a lighter option I don't think. The Norinco 870 8.5" is heavier than a Mossberg HS right out of the box. I've owned both. If you use a shotgun with a rifle stock, a shotgun scabbard is available that you can use to draw your Mossberg from. It has backpack straps and Molle attachments. Nice gear setup that one.
- Location
- Western BC
00
delete
delete
Last edited:
