New to Shotguns: Need recommendations on versatile bear protection gun for the bush

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BC_bush_man

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Thought I would start my research here on shotguns by asking you kind folks to steer me in the right direction in my search for a bear protection shotgun.

My criteria are as follows:

-Must have sling mounts
-Most of my walking will be in steep mountain forests so it can't be too long
-I'd like a pump action simply because it's just plain cool but anyone with good advice can easily steer me away from that if i'm better off with something else.
-IT's main use is for bear protection. I have a 2 mile water line that requires maintenance up a mountain to a spring and there are alot of bears. Did I say ALOT of bears! I carry spray but I just wanted something to make me feel a little safer when I am up there on my own. It would also double for HD duty.
-I would carry it on a sling not in my hand, as such, it should be comfortable to wear that way. If it's too long, it will get caught on branches etc...
-Not necessarily looking for the cheapest thing out there but I do like quality.

If you could let me know which models I should look at I will start there.

Thanks in advance for your advice.
 
If your are from B.C. You might want to look at Dlask's SMD 12.

If you want short and it's for defense only I'd consider a 12.5 inch or 14 inch barreled 870.....
 
Get the brenneke style slugs which are solid and sometimes hardened as opposed to the foster style slugs which have a hollow back and are easily deformed. You will get more penetration to more reliably put down a bear.
 
What kind of bears?

If yiou're talking eastern black bears, which might run 225 lbs. or less, a shotgun, properly fitted out, would be fine. I say that based on shooting over 30 of the critters.

If you're in BC and referring to something larger, I'd want to see a comparison of the energy of the slugs you'd be using compared to, say, a .375 H + H.
 
Either a Remington 870 with a 3" Magnum Receiver or a Mossberg 500 with a 3" Magnum Receiver will be a great shotgun for what you want to use it for. There are slight differences between the 2 and I like the Mossberg better in part because of where the safety release is placed.

I wouldn't get too short a barrel because in the field while firing slugs you will want a longer sight picture to aid in accuracy. No reason to let an angry Bear too close before you drop it. Mossberg has a Model 500 with a 24" barrel for Turkey hunting. That length barrel IMO will be short enough to carry in the field, long enough to aid in accurate fire from 50 yards and still short enough for HD use.
 
i would definatly go with a remington 870 marine mag with a 18'' barrel. not the cheapest gun around but a very nice. I would go for 3'' 000Buck or rifled slugs.
 
Thanks everyone for the awesome advice. I guess it will be the 870. Looks nice to me!
 
Badger Arms, a member that I have not seen post in some time, is a guide in AK.

He was in and out of Bush Planes.
His sharing was, he was never without his shotgun while on the ground.
Now this member was the REAL Deal and had spent too many years in the Bush, and with clients.

He used a Ithaca 37, with slugs and his was Pistol Gripped Only.
He is one exception amongst a few here, that had a legitimate need for a PGO.
It was always on his person, always, even fishing. Slung immediate upon exiting the plane
Bush planes are not big, so this PGO fit into the plane with clients and gear.

His other recommendations were 870s, full stock, 18.5", brass bead , slings and slugs.
NO PGO, and No PGO with full stock.

He is again an exception to the "NO PGO rule" . He knew how to shoot one, and practiced quite a bit.
His choice the Ithaca 37, then 870 due to climate in AK.

Real Deal, and he knows of what he speaks.
 
In answer to the question about ballistics, the .375 is a 270 to 300 grain bullet at about 2500-2800 feet per second. A fast slug is about one ounce at 1500-1700 feet per second. I don't know how to do the energy comparisons. I do know they both will make you sit up and beg for Advil.
 
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