Which shotgun for close-range bear defense?

[Cosmoline]

OK, assuming I'm limited to a 12 ga. shotgun for bear defense inside of fifty yards, what are my best options?

Right now I've got a Mossberg 500 and I like it, but it's heavy and not terribly fast on second shots.

What about the DB "coach guns" I see around? Those any good with slugs, or are they just for cowboy action stuff?

Also, what about semis? I know next to nothing about semi shotguns, but I've heard that they can jam up quickly if loaded with hot slugs. I've always liked the old Auto-5 style guns.

Other ones I like the look of are the "trench gun" remakes (the nicer ones, not the cruddy ones) and the old Ithaca 37's, which are about half the weight of my 500 or at least feel that way.

 

[Blain]

I wouldn't mind having an short barreled Super mag for bear defense actually. 3.5" shells will do a number on them.

 

[Omaha-BeenGlockin]

Browning BPS 24in 10ga looks good to me-----to heck with the weight.

 

[mnrivrat]

I'm thinking your 500 will do just fine. If your set on an auto the Rem 1100 is reliable and nothing the matter with the Browning A5 either (just learn how to set up the friction system properly). Not to mention several others good auto's with higher price tags. Don't worry - when the bear is charging - that 500 will be pumping em out faster than you thought possible !

 

[Preacherman]

A few points...

1. In any defensive weapon, the three most important criteria are reliability, reliability, RELIABILITY!!! I would not risk my life with any semi-auto shotgun - I've seen too many of them malfunction, even with full-power loads. Yes, I know that a pump can also malfunction, but this is almost always due to operator error (i.e. short-stroking), and I'll trust my own training and experience to avoid this problem.

2. A double-barrel gun is NOT sufficient (at close range, which is what you specified) against a bear or something that can get an "adrenaline dump" and come for you. You might blow its heart into rags and tatters, and shred its lungs, but all it needs to do is get in one swipe with its claws, or one good bite, and you're in a world of hurt. I want something that will let me hit it repeatedly and accurately and powerfully - and for this, a double just won't do... (That's why, in Africa, those who use double rifles are also backed up by others, with either another double, or a magazine rifle!)

3. Given (2) above, I'd recommend the Mossberg highly, as it can handle a capacity of 6 rounds (5 + 1) without a magazine extension. On others, like Remington or Winchester, I'd go with at least a 2-round mag extension, to give 6 + 1 capacity.

4. As mentioned in your earlier thread, I'd go for Brenneke slugs: 2¾" shells would work fine - I find the recoil of the 3" biggies or 3½" monsters is too severe for quick follow-up shots.

What barrel do you have on the Mossberg? If it's a field-length 26" or 28", I'd suggest getting a shorter barrel (24" would be my choice, for greater slug velocity, but 20" would also be OK) for faster handling.

 

[Dave McCracken]

Your Mossie is a fine choice,with appropriate ammo. The shooter is the weakest link here. I'd practice fast shots on clays and static targets, trying to insert Brennekes and buck into a 6" circle.

FYI, I've input which suggests that wildlife pros dealing with problem bears oft have a pump mix loaded slug, buck, slug, buck, etc, standing by.

HTH...

 

[Gearhead Jim]

Probably the bigger issue is chosing the correct ammunition. Most hollow point slugs expand much too quickly to make it into the vitals of a large bear. Last I heard, Breneke (sp?) slugs were best but it's been a while since I looked into that.

Also, it is best by far to have someone (armed) with you. Some bear attacks come from surprise and you might not have time to bring any gun to bear (pun). In that case, your buddy can (carefully) shoot the bear off of you, or you can do the favor for him.

 

[CWL]

Cosmo, you live in Alaska, you should be telling us these things.

If you are gonna be living on your own private property far from civilization, a pump would make more sense than an semiauto. I don't know what conditions winters are where you live (or plan on living), but semis can be real finicky at times. -I love my semi, but I live in sunny CA and mines's an indoor SD gun. If I was going outside, I'd take my remmy pump.

 

[Cosmoline]

Thanks for the input. My shotgun-fu is weak I fear, and needs improvement. 99% of my shooting to date has been with rifles and revolvers. I just bought a big box of PMC discount slugs and will practice practice practice with them using rapid fire.

What about an Ithaca deerslayer? The weight impressed me, and I was thinking of getting my roommate (a left-handed woman) to buy it for her use. Or would recoil be too intense with slugs?

 

[AJ Dual]

How about Remington Copper solids?

Sounds just like the thing for bears. Hollowpoint for the energy dump, but still hard copper for the penetration that thick, dangerous game calls for.

Of course, here in WI, what we call a Bear would look like an overgrown black raccoon to an Alaskan...

I have one question about a pump being the end-all be-all for bear defense, If your facing a Grizzly charge, wouldn't the speed advantage of an auto somewhat compensate for any reliablity edge a pump would give you? And, God forbid, what if you're getting mauled, but still had a chance to fire the shotgun one-handed?

Just some random thoughts. Please keep in mind I've never shot anything but clays with my shotguns.

 

[Dave McCracken]

Ithacas are good slug guns. The lighter weight does mean more felt recoil, but there's always a tradeoff. Let your roomie decide. Start off with light loads.