i just bought a pardner protector, and will be using it for home defense as well as a camping (hiking) gun. what would be the best for it in case i run up on a bear that decides to take me out? i'm gonna load buck shot for the home but don't know which would be best for bear. i live in kentucky and coyoties will be my major threat but those black bears sightings are starting to happen more often as well as wild hogs, so i waNT TO BE PREPARED. thanks
slugs or buckshot for bear?
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springfield30-06
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Slugs for bears:
Kingcreek
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A retired USF&W guy with experience in Montana and Alaska told me they used both. 1-2 buck followed by as many slugs as they could stuff in the 12 bore.
Slugs for bears:
I agree, though there's another choice these days.
Hard cast slug with similar penetration, with better accuracy and QC, made in USA.
Although that was common in the past, most of the guys I talk to have gone all slug, or use big caliber rifles these days for big bear.
A lot of the F&G guys will still load buck for the first round up, but that's because their job also entails shooting other things besides bears.
6tmile
Member
buck or slugs
I have used both with devastating effects on black bears, they are not that hard to put down, my brother had one blackie charge and he pulled the trigger at about 10 feet, it piled up right there and that was with double ott remington 2 3/4, it is effective. Grizz are a diffrent story, I think when in grizz country the more slugs the better, but shot placement is # 1. One of the biggest grizz was shot and killed in alberta with a .22 rifle by a lady by the name of Bella Twin. Google it for the whole story.
I have used both with devastating effects on black bears, they are not that hard to put down, my brother had one blackie charge and he pulled the trigger at about 10 feet, it piled up right there and that was with double ott remington 2 3/4, it is effective. Grizz are a diffrent story, I think when in grizz country the more slugs the better, but shot placement is # 1. One of the biggest grizz was shot and killed in alberta with a .22 rifle by a lady by the name of Bella Twin. Google it for the whole story.
brnmuenchow
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In all honesty if coyotes and bears are an issue I would carry a pistol for the coyotes if anything just to scare them off or kill them which ever you prefer, and carry a .12 Ga. Shotgun loaded with slugs for bears.
Carne Frio
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See post #2. They even sell them in the grocery stores up here.
snooperman
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I killed a black bear many years ago who was..
raiding my hen house here at the farm. I shot him with a Remington 870 with 18" barrel loaded with 00 buckshot through his left side , just below his front leg at about 20 feet distance and it killed him quickly. He was about 260 lbs. The buckshot went through his rib cage and into his heart and lungs. For a large Grizzly bear you might want a short barreled rifle of large caliber.
raiding my hen house here at the farm. I shot him with a Remington 870 with 18" barrel loaded with 00 buckshot through his left side , just below his front leg at about 20 feet distance and it killed him quickly. He was about 260 lbs. The buckshot went through his rib cage and into his heart and lungs. For a large Grizzly bear you might want a short barreled rifle of large caliber.
snooperman
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I have also shot several coyotes with buckshot as well.
It depends on the situation and terrain when it comes to Shotgun vs Rifle. I keep both, the 30-30 winchester and Remington loaded up in the barn tack room along with a 45 Colt single action revolver as well. I have to, I am constantly having these kinds of visitors around the farm including a host of Varmints as well. ---Snoop
It depends on the situation and terrain when it comes to Shotgun vs Rifle. I keep both, the 30-30 winchester and Remington loaded up in the barn tack room along with a 45 Colt single action revolver as well. I have to, I am constantly having these kinds of visitors around the farm including a host of Varmints as well. ---Snoop
dprice3844444
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no type of soft lead or hollow points.on bigger bears,they might expand in the fat and not get good penetration.penetrating the vitals is the key.the harder the lead the better.
click clack
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+1 for
horizonod
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A 12 guage slug is an AWESOME hunk of lead even with minimal expansion. Slugs have come a LONG way in 30 or so years I've been using them in semi long range hunting and, for a bear, I can think of few more effective rounds. I would not use buck shot at all on a bear. It just doesn't have th sustained penetration of one big hunk f lead. Choose the slug then go shopping for which one will do the job best.
HARV6
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The last buck I shot was with a 12 gauge. He was about 175lbs... nothing huge. Anyway, I hit him broadside at 35 yards with a cheap Remington 2-3/4" 1 ounce slug. I think the box said velocity should be around 1200-1300fps. Impact was right above the shoulder and into the spine. NO PASS THROUGH. The slug completely disintegrated, which surprised the hell out of me. I would have told you it was impossible until seeing it first hand. Knowing that, and expecting bears, I'd load slugs for sure, but something a little more "modern" than an old "punkin ball"
I would take my 350/250 over that anytime. It will handle any bear known to man with ease.
Inebriated
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Slugs all day long for bear. I use 3" Brenneke Black Magic Magnums if the 870 is heading into the woods with me in bear country (mostly small black bears here, but I wouldn't change if I were dealing with grizzlies).
Lots of hunters in Russia use these Hexolits on big bear.
Look scary.
No wonder they lost the Cold War.
The-Reaver
Member
I would run all slugs but the last. If it comes down to that last round and 6 other slugs didn't do it maybe a few more smaller holes might do the trick.
BemidjiDweller
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Elmer- I don't follow your train of thought, care to elaborate?
allaroundhunter
Member
Do not use buckshot. Slugs for bears.
Buckshot is typically only effective at killing deer out to 50 yards (at most) and that is not an immediately incapacitating shot. Even if you get a bear closer than that (you shouldn't be shooting a bear in "defense" at 50 yards anyways), buckshot will not get you the penetration needed, and the slug will deliver much more energy.
Buckshot is typically only effective at killing deer out to 50 yards (at most) and that is not an immediately incapacitating shot. Even if you get a bear closer than that (you shouldn't be shooting a bear in "defense" at 50 yards anyways), buckshot will not get you the penetration needed, and the slug will deliver much more energy.
If you are a good shot with a cool head then slugs. If not then use buckshot. I load a few rounds of 3' buck followed by slugs. If I lived in a more open area or had sights on my 590 I'd just use slugs. I also use buck over slugs due to Mountain lions. They move fast! Anyway you go just use good solid ammo. USA made brand name with a proven track record. Have fun!
An expanding and fragmenting slug will have greatly reduced penetration. That would be a very poor choice for big bears.
allaroundhunter
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Were the Russians fighting off bears in the Cold War?
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