slug guns anyone

[12GA00buck]

I'm considering getting a rifled barrel for by mossberg 500. Anyone think a slug gun would be appropiate for bear hunting/protection in close cover at ranges under 40 yards? If so which rifled slugs would you recomend? I live in SE Alaska so the woods here are incredibly dense, which really elimates the need for a scoped bolt gun. I'm also condidering a marlin 45/70, but a rifled barrel for my shotty is a helluvalot cheaper.
Thanks for your input

 

[sportsmandl]

slug guns for the three bears

my friend,

if i were you i would buy either a Browning 870 pump or a cheaper mossberg pump. a good auto would be nice also if you can afford to cut one down for use in the bush. if you're dealing with bears you might try alternating your load with 00 buck, rifled slug, (winchestrer power point slugs), 00 buck, rifled slug so on and so forth till your mag is full. keep the chamber loaded also just for good measure while in Brown bear country.

BTW save a shell for yourself in case things don't go your way...kidding

suggested reading: "BEAR ATTACKS" by Ben [i think] Herrerro
he did his college thesis on all types of bear attacks. it's a very good read! and you'll find out bears are not as unpredictable as some people believe.

 

[Kingcreek]

A short smoothbore barrel for the 500 would be a good choice. a rifled shotgun barrel is great for 80 yards and over but it pretty much makes it a slug-only weapon, giving poor performance with shot. a smoothbore will do just fine with slugs at your ranges and you can still pattern shot.

 

[zero_chances]

just use rifled slugs in your smooth bore. that way you dont have to spend a lot of money for something you dont need.

 

[Jack2427]

For bear defense ranges a smoothbore is fine. And as mentioned above, you can use buck when desired. I would pick a short barrel, no more than 20", preferably 18", and use the slugs that your barrel "likes". this means you will have to shoot up some to find how they strike with your specific gun. If you can, use the hardest heaviest slugs you can find. For bear defense you need penetration, then some more penetration.

I got a brownie in 95 using a 45/70, and if I were to get another permit I would used something heavier. As far as I am concerned, any bear is Mister Bear, and no one to trifle with.

 

[danurve]

12GA00buck; As an alternate you can get a rifled choke for about 1/3$ of an extra barrel.