ive don't it and it works. Ive also seen quite a few other bear harvested by buckshot at 30 yards or less and they all were meat on the table. Two many opinions by people who have not experience with it. At 20 yards NOTHING will slam a deer like a load of 12 guage double ought. Contray to what some walter mitty types thing a black bear is no harder to kill then a deer unless maybe if your talking 500lb black bear. Ive taken MANY bear through the years with bow, handgun, rifle and shotgun and in my experience a well hit bear doesn't go anywhere and I sure cant say that about deer. Would it be my first choice for bear hunting? Nope, not even in the top 5 but it sure would get it done if it was all I had in my hands.