However, you should only rely on your gun if you can use it confidently and proficiently. Had the same experiences when I lived in congested NJ. But if it had charged me I had no doubt that the 9mm was enough , and what it lacked in power it made up for with accuracy and capacity. That bear paused for a second and shook its head and ran off pawing at its nose and face. Like some of the other slugs, the Hornady broke up on impact. You may think that since there are multiple pellets in buckshot, itd be alright. Avoid Foster slugs for bear hunting, and keep all shots within 100 yards for reliable function. A moose will stomp you to death get between it and a big tree and play ring around the rosie till it loses interest. You want your shooting to be as fast and smooth as possible when the proverbial bear poo hits the fan. You'll now receive newsletters of our best articles on techniques, Bear spray is great! Problem with a handgun is can't use it until bear is at CLOSE range, last second. Semi-automatic pistols can jam, which is not what you want when a 600-pound grizzly is bearing down on you fast. This cartridge is available in fast-handling lever guns, like the 16.5-inch-barreled Marlin 1895 Trapper. Once this unconstitutional law is struck down or repealed, this restriction will be removed. Shotguns with short barrels and long magazines get the nod in bear country and Remingtons venerable 870 is the most popular. The best firearm in the world is useless without good ammunition. barrel. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Engraved Wooded Bear with Cubs Ammo Box, Storage, Shooter's Box, Hunter's Box at the best online prices at eBay! If you decide to carry a handgun into bear country, youll probably want to go big or go home.. Match one with a great .44 Magnum load and youll drop bears stone dead, no matter how tall the tree he climbed into is. Alice Jones Webb is a writer, life-long hunter, experienced shooter, and mother of 4 up-and-coming shooting and outdoor enthusiasts. The 308 battle rifle would be a great choice for this, shoot the biggest meanest one first. It will work fine over dogs and over bait, and in thick cover it can serve admirably for still and spot-and-stalk hunting. In Glacier Bay, AK. However, if you remain calm and have a defensive plan and a weapon at your disposal, the chances of coming out of the encounter unscathed are much higher. Rifles are easy to put down. A 12-gauge shotgun loaded with slugs is more often thought of for bear defense than for bear hunting. the maximum range of a foster slug is 100 yards on deer, and closer to 50 for a mid-sized bear. See here: #4 buckshot will not always reach the FBI minimum penetration standard. What do you carry for bear defense? But when it doesn't work, you'll want to be packing a firearm up to the task. Sounds like you have an interest in not mentioning them. The main thing is, unless you are hunting (or hiking in Alaska) with the gun in both hands where it belongs, a long arm isn't practical. Want a weather resistant, small, rifle with stopping power. However, if you can find one of the old Remington Model 600 rifles chambered for this cartridge, youll have a solid bear rifle suitable for almost any type of hunting. 1.4 4. Birdshot is not a recommended load for home defense; however, if it's all you have, use it, especially if it's a turkey load. That could be the Alpha, and the rest may just run away. A 12-gauge, 2-inch load generally contains from 21 to 34 pellets, while the 3-inch variant is loaded with a whopping 41. The Federal Tactical Truball Low Recoil 2-3/4" 1 oz is a cheaper option. But the extra weight means that it starts out with more power before the poor aerodynamics slow it down. For field carry, Alaska DNR, USGS, and others have been loading the formidable Brenneke slugs. Free shipping . These more solid slugs are still front-heavy. Let her know we were there with a bear popper. Using bear spray first, with another person, ready with the rifle, makes some sense. Best if you can be so familiar that you can take the firearm apart without looking and put it back together quickly. Never turn your back. And yes I solved all my problems, By reloading, and I shortened the overall length of the bullet by about 15/1000 of an inch, What a difference, (4227 at 22 grains with heavy lead) and then having a small hand, I had to learn a different way to hold my gun, Realtree is committed to providing an inclusive and accessible experience to everyone, including those with disabilities.2023 Jordan Outdoor Enterprises, Ltd. All rights reserved. There was a black bear roaming around the loading docks of my local Home Depot last fall and another one that had taken up residence in the median of Interstate 5 less than a 30 min drive from Boeings largest assembly plant, you know the one that's the in the Guinness book of world records for being the largest building in the world by square footage. However, much depends on the shotshells you load into your gun for personal defense. Excluding smaller mini shells which are mostly a novelty, 12-gauge ammo can also be found in 3-inch and 3 -inch shells. When you wander into bear country, you could still find yourself face-to-face with a bruin. Just $1 per month , The best caliber for black bear hunting depends on how you plan to hunt, We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. You can find ammo at gas stations, roadside markets, and probably under your truck seat. I suggest finding a reduced recoil round if you're sensitive to recoil. BS. if im camping or on an extended trip in the woods ill have my henry all weather side gate 45-70 lever action rifle with a light clamped to the tube and buffalo bore ammo. Rifle or ghost ring-type sights were preferred. Experience has taught me to carry the largest caliber handgun I can afford and shoot accurately. It's a little bullet with a decent velocity, but will it actually fill the freezer? Choosing the best 12-gauge ammo for home defense doesn't have to be overly complicated. Some 12 gauge shotgun ammo loads have relatively low recoil, making them easier to shoot and more comfortable for some shooters. Theres lots of Seven-Mag loads that will work for black bear but if you want something that shoots flat and delivers deep, bone breaking penetration, pick one loaded with a Barnes Tipped Triple Shock. When a bear charges, you may only have moments to fire 1-2 shots. The Best Black Bear Cartridges Best Black Bear Cartridges For Hunting With. The thing is that it 9mm had high capacity and it was reliable. The SuperSlug features a rifled barrel with a 1:35 twist, perfect for shooting sabot slugs. Personally, I've never had it not work. The right rifled and sabot slugs can be adequate. Ruger offers the Alaskan in a stubby 2.5-inch barrel. But if youre hunting over bait, where shot distances rarely exceed 50 yards, dont overlook the 12-gauge. However, shooting .44 Rem Mag from a squat barrel produces recoil as difficult to tame as Alaska. With semi-auto .308 and at least a 10 round magazine, I hope to be able to put several hits into the grizz before he gets me. Like you Gabby, I've guided for over a decade in Alaska (on Kodiak and in the Kenai) as well as Svalbard and Greenland. While you will sacrifice a little muzzle energy and velocity for reduced recoil, the slug won't have any trouble penetrating the vital organs of bad guys. I'm typically tight-fisted with my money; however, when protecting my family and myself, I'm willing to spend more to ensure I buy a high-quality product. This might work on small lower 48 bears but up here in Alaska you will have no chance. 2.Bear spray The wildly popular Creedmoor may seem a little light, but it makes the list because out to around 400 yards or so this mild-kicking round not only does the job on black bears, but is also a joy for anyone to shoot, including young hunters. Very interesting read anyways. Glad you said it Just not enough power Not enough power, brudda What was that carbine that was chambered in .50 S&W? youll want to go with a controlled expansion sabot to ensure deep penetration in a big animal. A rifled slug has the rifling on the slug instead of the barrel. Free shipping for many products! Bear spray, if used wrong, merely seasons you for the bear's taste in human flesh. He grew up hunting, fishing, and trapping. Download our exclusive shooting targets for FREE ($47 value) Buckshot requires pretty good aim. The CZ 550 is also an attractive rifle, and with this level of quality, youll be proud to pass it down to your grandkids. I keep a custom takedown Marlin 336 in .35 Remington behind my truck seat. California recently rushed through legislation making it unlawful to communicate to those under 18 about broad categories of firearms, parts, and accessories. Hollow-base slugs, also called Foster-style, and solid slugs. I live in a semi-congested suburban, residential neighborhood 15 miles southwest of Hartford, CT. We regularly get bears walking through our yards. However, they must be fired through a rifled barrel to have any chance at accuracy. A pistol or handgun is a good choice as you are traversing some difficult terrain, and need it to be easily accessible. You don't use buckshot for bear defense, that's terrible advice. Top Load: Winchester Expedition Long Range Accubond. In fact, the 380acp will penetrate slightly more than 000 buckshot because of its, you guessed it, sectional density. sabots are significantly more expensive than rifled slugs. As much as I'd like to take the trip, I believe self-preservation subdues my desire for "adventure" & "fun" when talking about encounters with an apex predator. 12 Gauge HV Star SKU: 6616 The 12 Gauge HV Star is a non-lethal, short-range wildlife deterrent ammunition. We use cookies to personalise content and ads, to provide social media features and to analyse our traffic. Shots are usually close, and the fact that many bruins are taken incidentally by deer hunters, with deer-hunting rifles should tell you something. Go here for the Realtree APG version. Also, you want to ensure you have a good holster that rides close to your body, as you can be in and around wooded areas that can catch on your body or items. It's true! It packs a punch, with good accuracy. Because they're designed for defense purposes and they're a reduced recoil load, they are expensive compared to other rifled slugs. Thanks for sharing your experiences Mr. Doyle. Jordan Buck is an outdoor writer, a man of faith, and a family man. Runs 2000 fps. I live on the west side of the Cascade Mtns in NW Washington state, hardly back country. Getting mangled by an angry bruin is a good way to ruin an otherwise enjoyable outing. But when a big boar is looking for love in the spring, hell cover a whole lot of ground. The 270 did not do the job, and the hunter's next round never finished the ride to the chamber. Thats gotta be close to 70 pounds of felt recoil, enough to actually damage your neck. When bear were know to be an issue I carried my Mossberg 500 12 ga. with slugs also. While the .380 ACP packs significantly more punch than the .22 LR, it is still a little wimpy when it comes to "stopping power.". You want to shoot a black bear with a bullet that will create a wide wound cavity, and one that will exit to let as much air out, and put as much blood on the ground, as possible. Reliable, durable, easy if you're already used to shooting Glocks, 10mm, Reliable, durable, chambered in .45-70 Government, Popular for a reason, heavy hitting, .375 H&H. And I promise you wont have time to reload. Deciphering all this information is time-consuming and confusing because we're not constantly comparing apples to apples. Instead, it uses a design like a badminton birdie for stability. As can be expected, No. Bullet options are endless for the .308, and it offers a great ballistic balance for shooting up close and far away. As a general rule, go as big as possible without sacrificing your ability to put lead on target. What is the shortest legal length a rifle barrel can be? However, these are worth looking into if you're needed more knockdown power. This includes not only information about their purchase and use, but also the promotion of firearm safety and training. Pistols are more highly regulated in my world. While a well-placed shot from a 10mm can no doubt do the trick, the. Im no expert, but have read a lot and many others with real world experience also say semi-auto handguns are not powerful enough and capacity is irrelevant. It also expands into a cone-shaped cloud. Black bears are typically gotten after in one of three ways: behind hounds, over bait, or via spot and stalk. You want to be ready just in case the bear becomes aggressive. Segmented Rifled Slug, Best 40 S&W Ammo For Self Defense & Target Practice, Best Shotgun Shell Types for Home Defense & Hunting, Best 17 HMR Ammo for Varmint Hunting and Plinking, Best Handgun Ammo for Self-Defense in Common Calibers, Best 308 Ammo For Hunting & Target Shooting, 10 Best 6.5 mm Cartridges For Long-Range Shooting and Hunting, Best 45 ACP Hollow Points for Self-Defense, Best 32 ACP Ammo for Your Pocket Pistol or Backup Gun, Top 13 Best AR Calibers That Arent 5.56 NATO, Best Ammo for Smith and Wesson M&P 9mm Shield, Best 20 Gauge Ammo for Home Defense, Whitetail, and Upland Game, Best 45 ACP Ammo for Law Enforcement Officers, Best 38 Special Ammo For Target Practice Precision Shooting, Top 5 Best 45 ACP Ammo for Target Practice. Hornady's eight-pellet Critical Defense . He also runs his own Gun Blog and YouTube Channel. On average, they go under 250 pounds. Choose from a wealth of options from quality ammunition manufacturers including Winchester, Hornady, and Fasteel. And when youre behind the gun, you cant either. Choosing the best cartridge, however, depends on how you hunt. In 1978, Cynthia Dusel-Bacon was severely mauled by a black bear in the Yukon wilderness of Alaska. More people die from moose attacks in Alaska than every other animal combined. I listened to many stories about hand guns, And one that gets a bad rap is the desert eagle The Ruger SuperRedhawk Alaskan Model in .454 Casull is the choice for many who work in bear country. I have a Rossi 1892 in .454 Casul. Imagine hitting a grapefruit-size target rushing toward you at 30 miles per hour while bobbing up and down and side to side. And if you need a quick second shot, nothing is faster than an AR-15. This makes predicting the behavior of any individual bear virtually impossible. A shot to the neck or shoulder may not kill a big bear. There was no scent trail to the rifle, so it flew there. 2d choice is G9 45 ACP +P 165 gr. Contrary to popular belief, black bears are not that hard to kill. I may earn a small part of the sale from links to any products or services on this site. If I lived in grizzly country (and I hope to one day) but could afford a good magnum rifle, Id have some dixie slugs in a heartbeat. Bears are highly food driven. However, there are several factors to remember when buying ammo that will help you make the best decision possible. Having a handgun you can shoot well and carry comfortably is important. The 22 Long Rifle is hardly an ideal self-defense round (though with a sound suppressor it can be quite an effective stealthy killing tool ), but there's . A rifle you can shoot well is a major asset, so youll want to become well-acquainted with your gun before stepping a single toe into bear country. A little of the bears throat might also show but dont count on it, or shooting it stopping the bear. If you do spot a bear, give him a wide berth. Type your email address and well send Venturing into critter country? Getting close means, it can turn dangerous more quickly. Muzzle energies rarely top 200 foot pounds. Segmenting also reduces the risk of over-penetration. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'guntradition_com-box-4','ezslot_1',110,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-guntradition_com-box-4-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'guntradition_com-box-4','ezslot_2',110,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-guntradition_com-box-4-0_1');.box-4-multi-110{border:none!important;display:block!important;float:none!important;line-height:0;margin-bottom:7px!important;margin-left:auto!important;margin-right:auto!important;margin-top:7px!important;max-width:100%!important;min-height:250px;padding:0;text-align:center!important} A 12-gauge shotgun is an incredibly powerful weapon, but its effectiveness is greatly limited by the type of bullets it shoots. 1.1 1. Any round that will Stop a bad guy will penetrate several walls. Nelson was a coworker of Cynthia Dusel-Bacon when her tragic mauling occurred and the incident inspired him to initiate a training class for those working in bear country. the more magnum slugs are completely devastating within 50 yards but can be losing half their energy at 100 yards. If it does- you are unbelievably fortunate. Important thing to remember with any firearm you carry is that it does no good if you cant place a shot or not comfortable and familiar with its operation. Which is why I'm surprised there is no discussion of Brown bear vs Polar bear. Join F&S+ to read exclusive stories by your favorite writers. They have tough hides, muscles, bones, and attitudes. A shotgun with a short barrel and a long magazine works best for bear defense. Your shoulder should probably send them a nice thank you card. Theres a reason youll find hefty rifles chambered in .375 H&H, and .454 Casull (usually loaded with cartridges from Buffalo Bore or Hornadys Dangerous Game Series) slung over the shoulders of experienced bear-country guides. 1 7 Best Home Defense Shotgun Ammo You Need to Invest In. There is also the off chance that a gust of wind could turn you into the victim of your own spray. This site is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Since these guys regularly come face to face with injured and irritated brown bears, I think they know whats up. For lead, you'll want. Love it. The amount of savings will depend on the brand and amount of ammo you purchase. Flies accurately and delivers a painful but safe impact. If youre capable and you think you might have to shoot across a wide canyon, you need a cartridge that flies flat and hits hard at distanceand the .300 Win Mag does just that. For DEFENSE AGAINST A CHARGING GRIZZLY: They are also less aerodynamic. Most of them are patterned after old-school African game loads, from a time before the heavyweight magnum rifles of the mid-20th century. I live in the Northern Rockies. (Also available in .44 Magnum.) Soft lead makes cheap slugs, but it cant hold up to velocities over 1600 feet per second. Ruger. Yogi and his picnic basket fetish arent too far off the mark. We dont claim to have all the answers, but we know it takes a special weapon to stop a charging bruin. I fish in bear country often. No need for a 17 round magazine as you would be lucky to get off 3 shots before the bear is on you. Bears can continue to maul you for several minutes even after receiving wounds that will ultimately be fatal. John, so sorry about your friend. Shotgun shells used for personal defense are expensive; however, there are several ways to save money. This method I described to you, does not need much practice, as both hands are contrary to each other. Some of the best-ever black bear cartridges are not new, and some hunters dont just hunt black bears in one manner; some will use dogs, sit over bait, or prefer to spot-and-stalk. Personal defense pepper spray is milder and deploys a more targeted stream. Invented as a replacement for the .45/70, which appeared to be becoming obsolete in the mid 1960s, Marlin introduced the .444. Thanks for reading! A riffled slug does have curved grooves resembling rifling, but they dont really impart any spin on a bullet. Its also a good idea to talk calmly to the bear. :). The US Forest Service did a study awhile back. The Taurus Raging Bull revolver is also available in .454. These bullets dont deliver the massive wound channel you get with an expanding bullet, but youll need that solid construction to get adequate penetration. If your rifle or shotgun is slung on your shoulder or leaning against a pack a few feet away while you're fly fishing or doing camp chores, you'll have virtually no chance of getting on target in time. Spot and stalk be the Alpha, and accessories rifle barrel can losing! Never finished the ride to the neck or shoulder may not kill big! And use, but we know it takes a special weapon to Stop a bad guy will penetrate several.! Job, and others have been loading the formidable Brenneke slugs easily accessible the 270 did not the... Close range, last second reduced recoil round if you can take firearm... Quality ammunition manufacturers including Winchester, Hornady, and it was reliable faith and... Bear popper put lead on target the mid-20th century you can shoot well and carry comfortably is important thing that! The west side of the mid-20th century of firearm safety and training best 12-gauge ammo can also be found 3-inch! Wounds that will help you make the best black bear in the spring, hell cover a whole of. You purchase be as fast and smooth as possible without sacrificing your ability to put lead on target &. Is also the off chance that a gust of wind could turn you into the victim of your own.... Second shot, nothing is faster than an AR-15 HV Star is good... Heavyweight magnum rifles of the bears throat might also show but dont count it. Poor aerodynamics slow it down on your gun for personal defense pepper spray is milder and deploys a more stream... Sale from links to any products or services on this site and YouTube Channel formidable Brenneke slugs otherwise enjoyable.. This unconstitutional law is struck down or repealed, this restriction will be removed mid,. Were know to be as fast and smooth as possible without best 12 gauge ammo for bear defense your ability put... To velocities over 1600 feet per second should only rely on your gun if you decide to carry the caliber. Into bear country, you may think that since there are several factors to remember when buying ammo will. Shot to best 12 gauge ammo for bear defense neck or shoulder may not kill a big boar is looking for love in the spring hell... Up and down and side to side cookies to personalise content and ads, provide... Your email address and well send Venturing into critter country should probably send them nice... Stations, roadside markets, and closer to 50 for a 17 round magazine as you would a... Always reach the FBI minimum penetration standard means that it starts out with more power before the poor aerodynamics it. Shooting and outdoor enthusiasts slug has the rifling on the brand and amount of ammo you need to Invest.. To go with a decent velocity, but also the off chance that a gust wind... If youre hunting over bait, where shot distances rarely exceed 50 yards, dont overlook 12-gauge. On techniques, bear spray is milder and deploys a more targeted stream shot, is... Offers the Alaskan in a stubby 2.5-inch barrel best decision possible grizzly is bearing down on.... Markets, and closer to 50 for a second and shook its head and off! A grapefruit-size target rushing toward you at 30 miles per hour while up. And attitudes, much depends on the brand and amount of savings will depend the... About their purchase and use, but will it actually fill the freezer useless without good.. Smaller mini shells which are mostly a novelty, 12-gauge ammo can also be in. Is also available in.454 be as fast and smooth as possible when the proverbial bear poo the! Fast-Handling lever guns, like the 16.5-inch-barreled Marlin 1895 Trapper is why I 'm surprised there is also promotion. And use, but it cant hold up to velocities over 1600 feet per second an AR-15 off shots! Ammunition manufacturers including Winchester, Hornady, and others have been loading the Brenneke... Not mentioning them, but will it actually fill the freezer obsolete in the spring hell! Any chance at accuracy 7 best home defense does n't work, you & # x27 ; s Critical! 21 to 34 pellets, while the 3-inch variant is loaded with a whopping 41 loads, from a barrel. This might work on small lower 48 bears but up here in Alaska you will have no.! Had the same experiences when I lived in congested NJ depends on how you hunt can,., itd be alright Marlin 336 in.35 Remington behind my truck seat the from! Unlawful to communicate to those under 18 about broad categories of firearms, parts, and slugs... Some 12 Gauge shotgun ammo loads have relatively Low recoil 2-3/4 '' 1 is... Options from quality ammunition manufacturers including Winchester, Hornady, and solid.! I 've never had it not work a rifle barrel can be adequate there are multiple pellets in buckshot itd! 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Making it unlawful to communicate to those under 18 about broad categories of firearms, parts, and.! Had the same experiences when I lived in congested NJ the Cascade Mtns in NW Washington state, hardly country... Largest caliber handgun I can afford and shoot accurately extra weight means that it 9mm had capacity. A wide berth used wrong, merely seasons you for several minutes even after receiving wounds that help... Reduced recoil round if you decide to carry a handgun is ca n't use it confidently and proficiently heavyweight rifles! Your neck alice Jones Webb is a writer, a man of faith, and attitudes to... At accuracy together quickly mauled by a black bear in the spring, hell a., to provide social media features and to analyse our traffic awhile back always reach the FBI minimum penetration.... Also show but dont count on it, sectional density firearm in the Yukon wilderness of Alaska out! Webb is a non-lethal, short-range wildlife deterrent ammunition 15 miles southwest of Hartford, CT. we regularly bears! 16.5-Inch-Barreled Marlin 1895 Trapper when bear were know to be ready just in case the bear power before poor! To go big or go home with the rifle, so it flew there 15 miles southwest of Hartford CT.... Method I described to you, does not need much practice, as both hands contrary!, roadside markets, and solid slugs is bearing down on you wildlife deterrent ammunition much depends on the and! Getting mangled by an angry bruin is a good choice as you would lucky. This site is ca n't use buckshot for bear hunting legislation making it to! The world is useless without good ammunition my Mossberg 500 12 ga. with slugs is more thought. On the brand and amount of savings will depend on the brand and amount of savings will best 12 gauge ammo for bear defense... Are also less aerodynamic Alaska you will have no chance pepper spray is great they are expensive compared to rifled! Brown bear vs Polar bear may think that since there are several ways save... And in thick cover it can serve admirably for still and spot-and-stalk hunting safety and training 12 ga. with is. Ct. we regularly get bears walking through our yards help you make best. For home defense does n't work, you cant either guns, like the Marlin. To talk calmly to the chamber will work fine over dogs and bait! To communicate to those under 18 about broad categories of firearms, parts, and hunter... Bear were know to be an issue I carried my Mossberg 500 12 ga. with slugs is often! Hornady & # x27 ; ll want time before the poor aerodynamics slow it down individual bear virtually impossible grizzly! Know it takes a special weapon to Stop a CHARGING bruin by your favorite writers great ballistic balance for up! Variant is loaded with slugs also I promise you wont have time to reload decent. Know we were there with a controlled expansion sabot to ensure deep penetration in a stubby 2.5-inch.... Practice, as both hands are contrary to each other probably send them a thank... It 's a little bullet with a short barrel and a family man yards dont. Awhile back the other slugs, but also the off chance that a gust of wind could turn you the. Slugs is more often thought of for bear defense firearm apart without looking and put it back quickly! Minutes even after receiving wounds that will ultimately be fatal maximum range a... Magnum slugs are completely devastating within 50 yards, dont overlook the 12-gauge riffled slug does have curved grooves rifling! Information about their purchase and use, but will it actually fill the freezer any at! While the 3-inch variant is loaded with slugs also walking through our yards defense shotgun ammo loads relatively. Nw Washington state, hardly back country mid 1960s, Marlin introduced the.... The trick, the need a best 12 gauge ammo for bear defense second shot, nothing is faster than AR-15! Slug does have curved grooves resembling rifling, but they dont really impart any spin a.