Another bear question: 20 ga w/ slugs

[d2wing]

I suppose it is fair to tell you that most bear attacks in the US happen at Yellowstone. But they are still extremely rare.

 

[Art Eatman]

Most of the Yellowstone problems begin with a touron (cross between a tourist and a moron) wanting to feed the cute bear.

 

[Arkansas Paul]

Thinking a 20ga might be enough (w/ proper hard casts) and wouldn't break my lady's shoulder if she needed to use it.

There isn't nearly as much difference as most think.
What little difference there is is negated by the 20 gauge frame being smaller and the gun being lighter.
A heavy magnum load in a 20 won't have much less felt recoil than a 12. And it won't be any less effective either.

 

[au_prospector]

^^^ I vote this ^^^

Was shooting 20 GA Rifled Foster slugs from a Mossberg pump not long ago. Heavy recoil. Dont think a North American bear will complain much about it being 20 gauge.

Seriously for hiking, ect... surely a large cal pistol on your hip and a can of bear spray would be less conspicuous, more effective, and less cumbersome than lugging around a shotgun even a 20 ga.

 

[PurpleMountainOutdoors]

^^^ I vote this ^^^

Was shooting 20 GA Rifled Foster slugs from a Mossberg pump not long ago. Heavy recoil. Dont think a North American bear will complain much about it being 20 gauge.

Seriously for hiking, ect... surely a large cal pistol on your hip and a can of bear spray would be less conspicuous, more effective, and less cumbersome than lugging around a shotgun even a 20 ga.

Yeah, I'm gonna carry my G20 loaded hot w/ hardcasts, and a can of bear spray while hiking. I was actually just thinking about what to keep in the campsite, which will essentially be car camping so heavy and cumbersome won't come into play. I'll probably just bring the 12 ga and save my money and not get the 20 ga.

 

[stressed]

just use your g20. no point in shotgun imo.