Bear VS shotty?

[Chris Phelps]

I'm thinking of picking up a 12 Gauge pump or auto just to have with me when my friend and I go out hunting yote... I want something as a last resort, just in case. The largest animal in the area that I would have to worry about would be black bear. Chances are slim that one would ever attack us, but I'd rather not be undergunned. Is a 12 Gauge a good choice in the roll of backup for this?

[oldbillthundercheif]

Heck yes, that's about as good as it gets.

[Chris Phelps]

Would you use buckshot or slugs?

[bestbod85]

slugs, i'd want the most penetration possible, but thats just my .02:)

[YukonKid]

with slugs thats about the best you can do. In the handgun threads people say "with my glock whatever i am not undergunned in bear country" :rolleyes: i would rather have 8 rounds of 12 then 15 rounds of 9.

[Glenn E. Meyer]

I don't think most Glockers have said that. Bears and handguns has been done to death and the consensus is long arms with some big revolver if one must but not preferred.

Also Glockers use big letters in sentences when they are supposed to.

[JBriggs]

Slugs would be the best choice. Will penetrate bone, muscle and fat.

[SDBuckaroo]

I just have to post this quote. It is my sig line over at GT....

"You have more of a chance of meeting 5 naked supermodels that want your hot body than you do a bear that wants to eat you." (so says GJJ)

Other than that truth I agree that a shotty is best. It is the weapon of choice among AK guides and such from what I understand.

SDBuckaroo

[oldbillthundercheif]

Slugs have plenty of penetration but I bet it would be a lot easier to hit a fast-moving bear with buckshot.

[Chris Phelps]

"You have more of a chance of meeting 5 naked supermodels that want your hot body than you do a bear that wants to eat you."


so so so so so true. I've seen quite a few bear at a close enough range to make me almost pee my pants, and I've never had any problems. I just don't want to be the one the state starts their "bear attack" statistics on when I am mauled by the first bear in the New England area to have rabies. (Exaduration, I know.) Plain and simple, I feel better knowing I am ready for anything, even though there is a .000000001% chance of anything actually happening.

[Glenn E. Meyer]

Hitting a fast moving bear with buckshot - well, that's an interesting thought given the spread of the shot - 1 inch / one yard typical.

If the bear was at distance and you spread the shot, you have a relatively low penetration 30 cal ish pellets against the toughness of the bear. You would want the hit it with the more compact mass, which hasn't spread. But that's close.

Slugs seem better to me - but I don't have to worry about bears in TX.

[Tbag]

Bear vs Shotty, shotty wins 9 out of 10 times, it's that one time that really eats you up.

[hogdogs]

I would want 00 or 000 for my first 2 shots... If attacked you likely won't be at your best shootin' style. i don't think many alaskan guides load slug first. They are facing a much bigger bruin. But the shotgun is the best bear gun for defense.
Brent

[SDBuckaroo]

Bear vs Shotty, shotty wins 9 out of 10 times, it's that one time that really eats you up.

:eek: :D

[Glenn E. Meyer]

That really bites. Great line, BTW. :D

I wonder if bears discuss this. Now, Smokey Jr. see that guy with a handgun - yes, you can eat him.

[banditt007]

i'd go slugs only. buckshot is going to glance pretty easily off its skull. its not like its going to come after you broad side. its head on, and you have skull and chest/ribs to get through before you hit vitals. if you really want some good bear slugs check out the heavier offerings of brenekke and dixie slugs. also a bear attack is going to be very close (infact at contact distance haha), if you are worried about buckshot spread, that means the bear is far enough away that its not considered self defense, its considered over reacting.

might just be good to have a bird bomb or two on hand, so if you see it at a distance you can just scare it off.