Need to Know what shot to take for hunting

Big Tom · September 29, 2010, 09:28 PM

This Saturday I am going hunting for the first time ever! I am going with a couple of friends. We will be going after dove and squirrels. I am brining my 20 gauge pump with me. I currently have 7 1/2 shot and 5 shot. can I just bring the 7 1/2 shot for both or no? Also I understand that Black Bear may be in the area. What do you recommend if I should encounter one with my friends? Slugs? Thanks for the help!

publius · September 29, 2010, 10:32 PM

7 1/2 will be fine for both. Just leave the bears alone and they will leave you alone. Just steer clearf if you see one, especially w/cubs. That's really the only time a black is dangerous, when she feels her cubs are in danger. You won't have time to put in a slug if you are charged, aim for the face w/the 7 1/2 shot.

idek · September 29, 2010, 10:38 PM

7-1/2 shot should be fine for both squirrels and doves and would be a better choice than 5. Some people may like 6 best for squirrels, but 7-1/2 is fine.

If your gun has interchangeable chokes, MOD might be a good one to start with, but bring others if you feel the need to change later.

Rifled slugs would probably be your best bet if you had a bear confrontation. Remington, Federal, and Winchester all make similar ones. The Brenneke company makes more varieties of rifled slugs that may pack a little more punch.

If I was concerned about bears, I'd maybe look into these:
http://www.brennekeusa.com/cms/h_magnum.html

johnbt · September 30, 2010, 02:02 PM

re: bears

Can you outrun at least one of your friends?

hardworker · September 30, 2010, 02:19 PM

Black bears are like big raccoons. Don't bother them and they won't bother you.

markj · September 30, 2010, 03:31 PM

Quote:

re: bears

Can you outrun at least one of your friends?

To make absolutly sure, put a peanut butter sandwich in his jacket........

Big Tom · October 16, 2010, 08:20 AM

Well bad news guys I never went out. One of the guys we were going with was diagnosed with Terminal Bone Cancer.....he is only 19 years old....

Dave McC · October 17, 2010, 06:16 AM

Damn. Sorry to hear about this......

markj · October 18, 2010, 04:46 PM

Quote:

with Terminal Bone Cancer.....he is only 19 years old

He has my prayers, my first wife died from this. Is there anything I can do to help? I hope you can be there for him, he will need a lot of support and friendship.

September 29, 2010, 09:28 PM	#1
Big Tom Senior Member Join Date: December 27, 2009 Location: Northeast, Maryland Posts: 441	Need to Know what shot to take for hunting This Saturday I am going hunting for the first time ever! I am going with a couple of friends. We will be going after dove and squirrels. I am brining my 20 gauge pump with me. I currently have 7 1/2 shot and 5 shot. can I just bring the 7 1/2 shot for both or no? Also I understand that Black Bear may be in the area. What do you recommend if I should encounter one with my friends? Slugs? Thanks for the help! __________________ ANTI-GUN is ANTI-AMERICAN!

September 29, 2010, 10:32 PM	#2
publius Senior Member Join Date: January 25, 2005 Location: Mississippi/Texas Posts: 2,505	7 1/2 will be fine for both. Just leave the bears alone and they will leave you alone. Just steer clearf if you see one, especially w/cubs. That's really the only time a black is dangerous, when she feels her cubs are in danger. You won't have time to put in a slug if you are charged, aim for the face w/the 7 1/2 shot. __________________ "Suppose you were an idiot, and suppose you were a member of Congress, but I repeat myself." Mark Twain

October 16, 2010, 08:20 AM	#7
Big Tom Senior Member Join Date: December 27, 2009 Location: Northeast, Maryland Posts: 441	UPDATE! Well bad news guys I never went out. One of the guys we were going with was diagnosed with Terminal Bone Cancer.....he is only 19 years old.... __________________ ANTI-GUN is ANTI-AMERICAN!

September 29, 2010, 10:38 PM	#3
idek Senior Member Join Date: August 20, 2009 Posts: 903	7-1/2 shot should be fine for both squirrels and doves and would be a better choice than 5. Some people may like 6 best for squirrels, but 7-1/2 is fine. If your gun has interchangeable chokes, MOD might be a good one to start with, but bring others if you feel the need to change later. Rifled slugs would probably be your best bet if you had a bear confrontation. Remington, Federal, and Winchester all make similar ones. The Brenneke company makes more varieties of rifled slugs that may pack a little more punch. If I was concerned about bears, I'd maybe look into these: http://www.brennekeusa.com/cms/h_magnum.html

September 30, 2010, 02:02 PM	#4
johnbt Senior Member Join Date: December 6, 1999 Location: Richmond, Virginia USA Posts: 6,004	re: bears Can you outrun at least one of your friends?

September 30, 2010, 02:19 PM	#5
hardworker Senior Member Join Date: August 4, 2010 Posts: 820	Black bears are like big raccoons. Don't bother them and they won't bother you.

October 17, 2010, 06:16 AM	#8
Dave McC Staff In Memoriam Join Date: October 13, 1999 Location: Columbia, Md, USA Posts: 8,811	Damn. Sorry to hear about this......