What to look for in a bear defense shotgun?

Well, at close ranges apparently course sand will be devastating to anything up to and including a Kodiak, as I've learned here on the forum, but not over-penetrate the flora.

Mathman, I think it was, let me in on Estate Cartridge's coming out with a tactical Managed Recoil Vacuum-Cleaner Dust load in a "flite-control" cup that will get patterns smaller than the actual bore of the shotgun at 90 yards which is ideal -- he can hardly wait!

;)
 
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use 00 or 000 buck shots if your scared to lack precision with your slug.. your using the nova as a defence gun so distance should not be a problem... with in 40 yards i believe you cant get much mor damage then with a them 00buck shots.. if your iffy about the buck shots try the winchester rackmaster slugs the rifled slugs for smooth bore.. iv beeen shooting those through my over-under with a mod chock and i group with in 2 inchs at 60yards never really tried further ... i hunt in the thickets of canada dont really need anything further..
 
Bear defense with a rifle is all about penetration. Sorry, but I would not trust buck shot for deep penetration and be able to crash through bone after going through the tough hide of a bear. You need some lead that is going to carry it's momentum no matter what it hits. If you can't hit the bear where it needs to be hit with slugs, then carry bear pepper spray. If you can't utilize a shotgun slug with muzzle energy over 3000 ft-pds, go with a rifle instead that has that minimum muzzle energy which means starting with a 30-06 as the minimum bear gun.
 
In all seriousness, I have heard that native Americans use a 12 ga for bear defense with the first load bird shot to take out the bears eyes and nose and then slugs to kill the bear once disabled. The problem with this approach is that folks ordinarily only have time for one shot before the bear gets to them. So, bird shot may be an effective way to disable a bear perhaps, but I would NOT count on it for killing a bear or stopping a charge, it just does not have the penetration needed.
 
I have heard that native Americans use a 12 ga for bear defense with the first load bird shot to take out the bears eyes and nose and then slugs to kill the bear once disabled.
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I'd like to see a reference for that?
 
No reference I could find, just something I remember off the top of my head. No idea if it is really true and I am not advocating its use. I am only responding to a large number of folks advocating buck shot or even bird shot which I don't believe is the right answer.
 
Well, this just went South fast with "birdshot is for Grizzlies" and pepper spray over copper-plated 000 Buckshot in a 3" Magnum 12 ga. for defense...

Really?
 
nice thread gaiz

awesome, based on what ive hear here


Birdshot for grizzlies

dont aim the shotgun just point it.


Got it! methinks ill cook myself up some of those dragons breathe rounds and go hiking in plate armor!
 
In all seriousness, I have heard that native Americans use a 12 ga for bear defense with the first load bird shot to take out the bears eyes and nose and then slugs to kill the bear once disabled. The problem with this approach is that folks ordinarily only have time for one shot before the bear gets to them. So, bird shot may be an effective way to disable a bear perhaps, but I would NOT count on it for killing a bear or stopping a charge, it just does not have the penetration needed.
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A most excellent way to get one's self killed.

Again, try patterning that birdshot on a bear face-sized target, with eyes on it from distances you think you will shoot at, (and still leave time for another shot).

See how many little pellets hit the eyes.
 
Great point. Once again, I was not advocating that approach, just responding to others talking about bird shot. I am not a shotgun defense man myself, I prefer a large chunk of lead from my Marlin, but that is just my own preference. If I did go with the 12 ga, it would only be slugs, no bird shot, no buck shot.
 
The only reason I would prefer a shotgun (either pump or Benelli autoloader) is due to my ability to fire follow up shots faster than with a bolt or lever gun. But regardless of platform, I am only shooting large, solid chunks of lead at a bear...that means slugs in a shotgun. YMMV. ;)
 
Waterman is wise. Do NOT use any buckshot load for bear defense, even 000.
It has no real penetration. Many times my 00 buck will bounce off an oak tree at 30 feet.
 
Even I can outrun an oak with a 30-foot head start. Now try a 3" Magnum 12 ga. 000 Buckshot load with hardened pellets. Grizzly? NP, IMO.
 
If I ever go on a guided brown bear hunt and my guide's shotgun is loaded with anything other than slugs, me thinks I'm going home. :D
 
Really Shortwave? I recall reading a gunmag author's nationally known bearhunt guide, understand they were hunting black bear, was carrying a .22 Mag rifle. The author was using a .357 revolver with soft bullets. The guide, who was up a tree, did help stop the charging bear for him after the author shot it in the head without result...
 
Bear Defense

One of my best friends spent time rotating up to Hudson's Bay many years ago for the DNR to study the snow goose nesting grounds damage problem, and the people running the program told him to bring a 12 ga. pump with slugs and always have them on your person when outside the bear fences and never be more than 20 or 30 yards from your ATV. The lesson was this: If you see a polar bear that's more than 200 yards away, leave the area immediately. If he's within a hundred yards, just get ready and don't stop firing until you run out of ammo or he goes down, cuz he will catch up to you. Slugs and lots of 'em. Buckshot won't penetrate unless you hit eyes or he's too close.
 
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