A Good Rifle For Bear Protection; Has Marlin Arms Gone Downhill?

In my opinion, a can of bear spray in a holster would serve the majority of folks on here.

The very fact that you're getting another gun JUST for bear protection means that it will be unfamilar to you. Quick-where is the safety!
Does it hit your shoulder uncanted every time?

JMR40-you noted the 6 rounds in your bolt action...
How many can you fire in "one thousand one, one thousand t" because that's about the time you have in a determined bear charge from 20 paces.

And GreenMt, I wish that you'd rethink your defense plan of blinding a bear in a national park. No slugs available anywhere for a 16ga?
 
Years ago, I enjoyed many backpack fishing trips into the wilderness country of Wyoming. This is grizzley country, too. I carried a featherweight single shot 16 gauge shotgun loaded with slugs. Never had a problem with bears so I can't report on its effectiveness.

Jack
 
16 ammo is real scarce now although i might have a round or two of slugs packed away somewhere.

@point blank range i dont see a real problem with #6 shot
 
My Marlin 1895 Guide Gun in .450 of about 2003 has been wonderful, but it did need a Limb Saver recoil pad, I know, WHOoSe.
 
I've been thinking about a Browning BLR levergun for my next rifle.
Maybe a BLR in 450 Mar would suit the OP. According to their website, the BLR weighs 7 lbs empty and has a 20" bbl. It's listed for $1,099. Street prices may be less.

Buffalo Bore has 405 gr LFN and 500 gr ammo. It's expensive, but it isn't likely to be shot very often except for occasional practice.
 
Mystro, nice looking shooter. I had some work done on my post war '94 to make it a little handier. It's mostly a cast bullet gun but I guess it wouldn't be too bad of a griz gun with factory ammo. Much better than the fishing pole and .45 Colt revolver I had when I walked up on Mr. griz. That was SW MT.


 
If you don't like your 870s weight loaded up w/ slugs or its field barrel length convenience. Why not buy a police or slug barrel. Which by the way I think is the most appropriate for the purpose. Most times there are no problem finding store stocked slugs. But if you prefer too carry a near if not heavier rifle for the same purpose. I frankly can't suggest a weapon for the purpose verses a 870s ability's. My second choice. May I suggest a can of bear spray. Quick to be drawn, easy sighting, very little weight, and guaranteed results. BTW The only good Marlin were those made by (JM) Marlin. All Remington/Marlins have been want-a-be's since day one.
 
Speaking as someone who has followed this closely as the grizzly aka Brown Bear population up here is pervasive (and the following deals withe Brown, not black bears which should be deal with differently)

1. Bear spray is your friend (thats really the first 11)
12. You are better off playing dead
13. The best shotgun load I worked with (did not have to use but the party Chief set the load) was 4 rounds of double O buck and a slug (with spare slugs in the kit). You are not going to kill a grizzly quickly with a shotgun slug, you can blind him and distract him and the OO buck is your best chance (or next size down). Slug was to kill him
14. Any gun you carry should have hard cast lead bullets.
15. A pistol you might as well shoot yourself with.
16. I have seen some evidence that massive trauma will kill one, twice from high capacity 9mm pistol (wielded by tow different idiots who lived) and once with an AK74. One reported incident of a 45 acp 9 shot, but I did not fully trust the person telling the story.

If you have ever had the dubious luck to see a grizzly move (in person, not on TV) then you will truly know terror, they are insanely quick. The times I have they moved away, thank you very much.

As someone noted, one shot from a bolt action is all you are going to get one shot off if you are lucky and you better have nerves of steel. A lot easier to talk it than do it.
 
I was told by a jellystone park ranger that a 500lb griz was a big griz for the park and I'm guessing for the lower 48. 1500lbs of muscle teeth and claws with a Hi-Power...holy crap!!!,,,can you say crap in here? holy poop!!!
 
carry a LARGE can of pepper spray as your primary defense tool on your right/strong side hip, and as a backup in case the OC and evasion/avoidance don't work, a large revolver in a cross-draw holster on your weak side hip. OC spray is more effective as a deterrent than a gun, and as a bonus: hands are free, bear doesn't die, and you don't have to deal with proving self-defense to authorities.
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Okay, time for this again:

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A 3" 12 gauge slug works wonders on big dangerous critters.
I think a .458 Socom with at leat a 10 round magazine would be good bear medicine.
 
I'm in the market for two products Marlin offers and they have the best design for my needs. I'm not buying either at this point. Maybe in a few years.
I have one rifle from Marlin produced in the last few years. Bolt action and the receiver has worn where the bolt handle rides. I have fired a few thousand rounds out of the rifle at least, but both parts are stainless. I really don't think the receiver should be worn like that.
 
I'll stay out of dangerous bear country as the first option.

Second option for me would be a Remington (or other good) gas-operated 3" chambered semi-auto, 12 gauge, hard-chromed, synthetic-stocked 20" barreled shotgun. Load with 000 or 00 for the first three, then two Brenneke slugs.

I'm not good with pumps in an emergency, but can get off five semi-auto shots in about one second, if necessary.

That gun would be lighter than a Marlin and faster to fire the first shot. A glow-bead sighting system would also help.

Screw-in chokes would make such a rig a nice meat-gathering gun for other game as well.

Note: I've seen folks short-cycle pump shotguns/rifles and lever-actions under stress, but a good semi-auto, I believe is more reliable in a pinch, provided it's cared for reasonably well. There are military-grade semi-auto shotguns that are really good.
 
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