The Firing Line Forums - View Single Post - What to look for in a bear defense shotgun?

mattamuskeet · July 23, 2011, 07:19 PM

Peter Hathaway Capstick wrote on the subject of shotgun self defense and selection of shot size. His conclusion was that the largest shot is usually NOT the best choice. For example, 2 3/4" load of 00 contains 636 grains of lead and about 2400 ft/lbs of energy. A load of #1 buck has 800 grains of lead and 3000 ft/lbs.

He also states that he "almost decapitated a lioness with a 20 gauge load of 7 1/2 or 8 shot..." at close range.

The article was in Guns & Ammo, December 1983; and is also in his book "Last Horizons".

Food for thought.

July 23, 2011, 07:19 PM	#58
mattamuskeet Member Join Date: April 7, 2008 Location: North Carolina Posts: 99	Peter Hathaway Capstick wrote on the subject of shotgun self defense and selection of shot size. His conclusion was that the largest shot is usually NOT the best choice. For example, 2 3/4" load of 00 contains 636 grains of lead and about 2400 ft/lbs of energy. A load of #1 buck has 800 grains of lead and 3000 ft/lbs. He also states that he "almost decapitated a lioness with a 20 gauge load of 7 1/2 or 8 shot..." at close range. The article was in Guns & Ammo, December 1983; and is also in his book "Last Horizons". Food for thought.