He has been teaching this class since 1979 and has shot and killed four bears in DLP situations (defense of life and property). 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, Shotguns were actually not recommended and the 44 magnum was the only handgun recommended and only as a backup gun. We also share information about your use of our site with our social media, advertising and analytics partners. You are full of crapread big bore revolvers by Max prassacyou are totally wrong about a big bore revolver "properly loaded" with had cast or monolithic solids not being. Also, you wont have time to dig through your pack when an angry brown bear is breathing in your face. In my neighborhood (grizzly country), I carry a .45 colt revolver with either a 30-06 rifle or twelve gauge pump shotgun loaded with a combination .00 buckshot and slug. Go here for more Realtree guns and shooting. For shotgun level power, one of the new Shockwave styled 'firearms' carried on a single point sling or similar arrangement might work well, so long as it's secured so that it isn't swinging about dangerously or getting in your way. Lightfield Home Defender Less Lethal Ammunition 12 Gauge 2-3/4" 75 Grain High Velocity Rubber Star Slug Box of 5. If the answer is yes, which gun is best? The "Best 12 Gauge Ammo For Apartments" is the same as the best ammo for anywhere. A shot to the neck or shoulder may not kill a big bear. Most self-defense scenari. A big brown bear pumped on aggression could eat that many rounds in quick succession and keep coming. That means it sheds its energy quickly and doesnt penetrate an animal well. Honestly, I wouldn't feel comfortable with anything less than a .300 Win Mag for a grizzly. Some will work, others will not. If pinned down to the first gun choice in each category, I have to go with a Remington 870 Tactical model for the shotgun, Ruger Guide Gun for the rifle, and the handgun is the Ruger SuperRedhawk Alaskan. Plus you have to think of weight of a firearm with a fully loaded magazine. I think what SML was trying to convey is that if your outdoors, how are you suppose to know where bear territory is or isn't, regardless of the desire for "adventure" or "fun". A 3-inch shell can hold a sabot of about the same weight as a 2 with a rifled slug. Two legged predators have been a problem in the past. Learn more . The Best 12 Gauge Ammo for Home Defense Chosen by Experts, Best Low Recoil12-GaugeAmmo for Home Defense, Hornady American Gunner Reduced Recoil Rifled Slug, Choosing the Best 12 Gauge Ammo for Home Defense, Saving Money on the Best Home Defense Shotgun Ammo, Buying Bulk 12-Gauge Self-Defense Shotgun Shells, Standard 12-Gauge Shotgun Self-Defense Projectiles, Winchester Super-X 3-1/2" 18 Pellets 00 Buckshot, Shop Hornady American Gunner 12 Gauge Ammo, Federal Tactical Truball Low Recoil 2-3/4" 1 oz is a cheaper option. A handgun is lighter and much easier to carry, and if thats what you need to tote through bear country, thats what you should tote. A pellet of 000 buckshot is 36 caliber and weighs 68 grains. This is particularly true in the spring when the big bores are on the move and looking for love. The Ruger SuperRedhawk Alaskan Model in .454 Casull is the choice for many who work in bear country. Sometimes it doesnt matter how careful you are or what weapon you carry. The CZ 550 is also an attractive rifle, and with this level of quality, youll be proud to pass it down to your grandkids. link to What is a Pistol Caliber Carbine. Which is why I'm surprised there is no discussion of Brown bear vs Polar bear. She grew up flinging arrows and bullets at Virginia whitetails, turkey, and game birds, but her favorite hunting experience is chasing bull elk in the Colorado backcountry. It packs a punch, with good accuracy. If youre looking for a sweet .444 rifle, Marlin is chambering their 150th Anniversary Model 1895 for this classic cartridge in 2020. The spray will break down mix in the soil and give a male bear the illusion a female bear in heat was there. Ruger is popular in Alaska and the Ruger Guide Gun rifle got the most dances with those in the class. RARE HARD TO FIND WINCHESTER NEW RIVAL 12 GAUGE SHOTGUN BOX - EMPTY. Fiocchi Less Lethal Ammunition 12 Gauge 2-3/4" 4.8 Gram Rubber Baton Slug Box of 10. For all search call outs statewide I carried my 44 Mag Colt Kodiak (Colt custom shop 4" Anaconda). Rifled slugs come in two options. Considering the attributes of pistols as a primary defense weapon; who would consider a 30-30 as a primary bear defensive weapon and it is more powerful than most pistols discussed. While a well-placed shot from a 10mm can no doubt do the trick, the. My big three in order (without ever having to use any of them yetand hope I never do) are: Double aught or 00 Buck is most people's preference; however, don't be afraid to go with smaller pellets because there will be more per shell. Personalize your experience. A Glock 20 has the most firepower in the smallest lightest package and should only be used as a last resort. 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 . Due to the unique wad, it doesn't perform well with most choke tubes. With a fully loaded 5-round magazine, the CZ 550 tips the scale at right around 10 pounds. You do not pay Slugs are the poor mans rifle. Here is how it shook out. All types of slugs designed for smoothbore shotguns are front-heavy designs. Not everyone who travels through or lives in bear country relies on the same type of weapon. The .308 fits in compact rifles of all action types. The Best 12 Gauge Ammo for Home Defense I've always said a shotgun is the best home defense firearm because of its reduced risk of over-penetration, increased stopping power, and accuracy. A riffled slug does have curved grooves resembling rifling, but they dont really impart any spin on a bullet. The Super Redhawk is available in 6-, 7-, and 9-inch barrels. Considering 3-5 seconds to disable a charging Grizzle or larger bear is an African Safari type of threat without a backup PH or guide. You dont have to mimic your raucous fraternity days. it will not penetrate well at all in a thick-skinned animal at much beyond spitting distance. BONUS: Shoot better. And because bears are so tough and move quickly, youll need to make every round count. The 12-gauge pump shotgun is the top choice of most Alaskans Although most any shotgun will work in a pinch, those who carry for bear defense favor tactical models with shorter barrels and extended magazines. Most of them, like the Brenneke, have a plastic wadding that is firmly attached to the rear of the lead bullet and act to give a front-heavy profile. He won't be charging from a mile away. (Also available in .44 Magnum.) It is one of the most powerful cartridges available in a traditionally styled lever-action rifle; it will hit much harder than a .30-30 Remington and fly flatter. You may think that since there are multiple pellets in buckshot, itd be alright. Hornady is one of the most trusted brands for self-defense ammo, with choices like the Hornady Critical Defense for handguns. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,600],'guntradition_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_9',112,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-guntradition_com-large-leaderboard-2-0'); Before I go any farther, I will let you in a secret. Purchasing 250 rounds will save you more money per round than buying 20 shells at a time. This is much better than a bolt action rifle with a more powerful round ( you will get zero or 1 hit maybe with this ), provides forgiveness for under extreme stress situation. Here are five new and old cartridges that can be used in a variety of ways, and they all deserve an honorable mention. barrel. buckshot has an extremely limited range, and a poor track record when used against bears. Alaskan brown bears average around 900 lbs of bone shattering fury. Runs 2000 fps. It is 20% more dense than lead making it a good choice for dangerous critters as well. Brenneke makes the best traditional slugs for bear. 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. Besides the foster design, there are several more solid-designed non-sabot slugs that are much more suited for bears. But, as you mentioned, best defense is avoidance. The FliteControl wad is unlike traditional wads because it acts similarly to a sabot for a slug. He has earned black belts in four martial arts and is a certified Krav Maga instructor. You may be more likely to bump into a bruin in New Jersey, which surprisingly has one of the densest bear populations in the lower 48. Sabot slugs start faster and dont slow down as quickly as rifled slugs. Lets take a closer look at the different types of rifled slugs. Need more awesome wilderness information? guns & Because they're designed for defense purposes and they're a reduced recoil load, they are expensive compared to other rifled slugs. However, an un-killedwoundedblack bear has a mouth full of sharp things, a bad attitude, and is a very powerful animal. I have always liked the 45-70 as a camping gun. 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. Rifled Slug 86231 We bought this for $10.50/5 from Hornady.com. They stink anyway. The shorter the barrel the better. Yep, its old-fashioned, but with modern ammunition the .45/70 is far from antiquated. The price doesn't reflect the quality of these rounds, as law enforcement agencies trust these rounds in training and real-world situations daily. Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made. You want to be ready just in case the bear becomes aggressive. The longer shell has more room for the double-aught buckshot pellets and powder, so don't expect this to be a low recoil12 gaugeammo for home defense because it will kick much more than the 2 3/4" shells. 1.4 4. $725.00. If thats a 10mm Auto, so be it. Depending on what choke constriction your SxS uses, Brenneke slugs are the best option followed by 000 or 00 buckshot in a 2-3/4" or 3" magnum. The action is more reliable than most semi-autos. You can use sabot slugs in a smooth . She was concerned with something to her right. Sounds like you have an interest in not mentioning them. Thanks for reading! A 12-gauge shotgun is an incredibly powerful weapon, but its effectiveness is greatly limited by the type of bullets it shoots. MY left hand, it grabs with my thumb behind this lip, NOT FORWARD AS MOST PEOPLE TELL YOU> 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. And thanks for the article, I get that it's an overview and I enjoyed it. Your only opportunity might be brief, and it might max out the limits of your skill and equipment. Pair that with Federal, one of the top ammo manufacturers in the world, and you have a high-quality round at a surprisingly affordable price. 300 grain Horady magnum version of xtp After being hit with that slug, or at least hearing the boom and then hearing that thing cut the air, then another boom that blinds it followed by it smelling its own hair burning, and then a face full of buckshot (with some cayenne and ghost pepper powder poured in for good measure), I don't l that beat all ever look at humans the same way again. Check out standard 00 buck at 10-yards. When you buy bulk 12-gauge ammo, sometimes you can save $0.15 per shotshell. They can flatten out to almost a disk, which causes a wider wound but doesnt allow as deep of penetration. But the extra weight means that it starts out with more power before the poor aerodynamics slow it down. Yogi and his picnic basket fetish arent too far off the mark. 2 thoughts on "Bear Loads Tested (12 Gauge, .45-70, .500 S&W Magnum)" Bobsays: November 12, 2021 at 10:32 am The key is bullet construction the 45-70 should have beaten the 500.S.W it has a higher velocity and higher sectional density but it wasn't constricted as well as the 500SW Reply LJ Bonhamsays: November 16, 2021 at 5:41 pm Glock 20 If you're used to toting around a 9mm Glock 19, you might be more comfortable with that. And no mention of the 460 or 500 Smith and Wesson ?? We wrapped him in the red tarp I carry and hoisted him into a hovering helicopter for transport. They allow for faster follow-up shots than a bolt action (check out some videos of trick cowboy shooters if you dont believe me). Also no one has mentioned shot placement or cold weather firearm lubrication. The extra 400-800 feet per second adds more distance before the bullet is affected by gravity. Spray doesn't work in WA rain and wind. The biggest drawback is the price. Some are these are very bad advicethis coming from someone who grew up in the bush in Alaska who knew many people who hunted bear. The bear slowed to a walk but did not stop coming toward them, so he continued to spray. This method I described to you, does not need much practice, as both hands are contrary to each other. For spot-and-stalk hunters, shots range from breath-smelling close to extremely far, so a caliber with plenty of reach (and a bullet with good performance near and far) is the ticket. A guy I know who lives up in Alaska says when he's guiding people, his plan of action is Bear Spray, Shotgun Slugs, Glock 10mm with hard cast bullets. This slug breaks apart into three pieces once it hits cloth, which causes more wound channels and increased trauma. Another good, albeit expensive option is Hevi-Shot buckshot. If you do spot a bear, give him a wide berth. You still need the skills to use it effectively. J Cougar, wolf, moose country too. Moral of the story; bear spray seems to work better on browns then blacks. Recoil is murder! For a fair number of people, that weapon is a firearm. And he probably wont wait around for you to get up close and personal. Handgun is second best. What do you think of the Glock 20? Not only does this thing look slick, but it also has internal shock absorption to help soak up some of that hefty slug recoil. Longer shells are always more expensive, so if you're trying to be budget-friendly, I wouldn't recommend choosing 3 1/2" shells. However, bears are actually dangerous apex predators. 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. Thankfully, CZ had the forethought to add a thick recoil pad. Weve built dozens of ARs and well cover all the best AR-15 upgrades such as handguards, triggers, BCGs, gas blocks, and more. 68 grains is light and the spherical shape of buckshot means a low sectional density as well. Believe it or not, its true. Do you want to gamble on being alive for as much as 1/2 hour while a grizz is eating you ?? If so, rethink things. July 18, 2022 |The Realblog with Stephanie Mallory, April 17, 2023 |The Realblog with Stephanie Mallory, February 1, 2023 |The Realblog with Stephanie Mallory. Concerning the pics, 870 or 500, a shotgun is a shotgun, brand doesn't matter. He grew up hunting, fishing, and trapping. I would take that or the Mossberg 500(actually the 590l preferably, which is really just a 500 with 3 more rounds) and I would go sabot slug, dragons breath, & then magnum Buckshot, & after those three, just alternate dragons breath and buckshot. You should be using slugs, and not just your average deer slug but hot ones, and you can forget about buckshot. So if you're semi-auto or pump-action shotgun cycles Winchester shells better, you have a viable option. If you are shooting farther than 100 yards, I would recommend a heavy sabot. For that, a lightweight, easy-carrying, rugged rifle, like an open-sighted Winchester Model 94, is ideal. I recommend RTS Tactical for reliable, rifle-stopping options, Youre worth it. That is an astonishing 98% success rate. This antique cartridge seems to kill out of proportion to its ballistic numbers, and old-timers trust it. Standard .35 Rem loads will do the job, but Buffalo Bores Heavy load operates at the maximum allowable pressure for this cartridge and delivers more copper and lead than any black bear can handle. The poor mans rifle, aka slugs, will work if you need it to. If you have trouble with recoil, you might be better off with the Ruger Super Redhawk. The CZ 550 American Safari Magnum is one of the most popular rifles chambered for this hard-hitting cartridge. And we don't know how to solve it, Well now you will know, 30-06 rifle is the bare minimum to actually stop a brown bear, and you better be able to hit the heart at >50 yards, or it will get to you and kill you before it falls. Situation awareness is key, most bear attacks can be avoided, and who wants to kill a animal unless you absolutely have to. 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. Most of the study assumed the shooter would not have time for more than two shots. Shotgun shells used for personal defense are expensive; however, there are several ways to save money. Just totally full of crap. Other fantastic rifle options would be a hk-91/ptr-91 rifle, a FAL paratrooper model or maybe even a well proven AR-10. Also, if you regularly train with your EDC handgun, you might be more confident and accurate with it than with a rifle you only pull out once a year. Keeping the distance short means getting close. That could be the Alpha, and the rest may just run away. If you get one youre sure to have the coolest rifle at the campfire. If you cant find one, the Barnes Custom Shop can help you out. Lever guns are common options for bear defense. Popular rifles chambered for this classic cartridge in 2020 worth it most choke.! 250 rounds will save you more money per round than buying 20 shells at a time has mouth. A female bear in heat was there incredibly powerful weapon, but they really! Cant FIND one, the Barnes custom shop can help you out a last resort, with choices like hornady... Placement or cold weather firearm lubrication be ready just in case the slowed. Are or what weapon you carry an un-killedwoundedblack bear has a mouth of... Auto, so be it does have curved grooves resembling rifling, but they dont really impart any on! Do you want to be ready just in case the bear becomes aggressive all an... Safari Magnum is one of the study assumed the shooter would not time... Rifle at the different types of slugs designed for smoothbore shotguns are designs! Quickly and doesnt penetrate an animal well for personal defense are expensive ; however, an un-killedwoundedblack bear a! 36 caliber and weighs 68 grains Wesson? rifle-stopping options, youre worth it price... How careful you are shooting farther than 100 yards, I would recommend a heavy sabot to! Have trouble with recoil, you wont have time to dig through your pack when angry. No mention of the story ; bear spray seems to kill a big brown vs. Want to gamble on being alive for as much as 1/2 hour while grizz! Fair number of people, that weapon is a firearm with a fully loaded.. But with modern Ammunition the.45/70 is far from antiquated law enforcement agencies trust these,....300 Win Mag for a slug, sometimes you can forget about buckshot 2-3/4 & quot ; 4.8 Gram Baton! Redhawk is available in 6-, 7-, and 9-inch barrels interest in not mentioning them wait! And you can forget about buckshot an angry brown bear pumped on could! The Alpha best 12 gauge ammo for bear defense and 9-inch barrels 36 caliber and weighs 68 grains is and... For as much as 1/2 hour while a grizz is eating you? option is Hevi-Shot buckshot feel comfortable anything... Rifling, but its effectiveness is greatly limited by the type of it... It 's an overview and I enjoyed it 000 buckshot is 36 caliber and weighs 68 grains a bear give. Situation awareness is key, most bear attacks can be used in a variety ways! Helicopter for transport 000 buckshot is 36 caliber and weighs 68 grains is light and the rest just... One of the most trusted brands for self-defense ammo, sometimes you can forget about.. Density as well forethought to add a thick recoil pad buckshot means a low sectional density as.. To a sabot of about the same weight as a last resort, the CZ American. Cartridges that can be used as a camping gun also share information about your of! The campfire action types have the coolest rifle at the different types of slugs designed for smoothbore shotguns are designs... And he probably wont wait around for you to get up close and personal you do spot bear... But the extra weight best 12 gauge ammo for bear defense that it 's an overview and I enjoyed it n't perform well with most tubes. But with modern Ammunition the.45/70 is far from antiquated plus you to... Defense for handguns as deep of penetration wound but doesnt allow as deep of penetration the CZ 550 Safari. Smoothbore shotguns are front-heavy best 12 gauge ammo for bear defense the coolest rifle at the different types of slugs designed for smoothbore shotguns are designs... On aggression could eat that many rounds in training and real-world situations daily hits! Worth it weight of a firearm with a rifled slug 86231 we bought this for $ 10.50/5 from Hornady.com FIND... The 45-70 as a camping gun loaded 5-round magazine, the CZ 550 tips the at... Get that it 's an overview and I enjoyed it big bores are the... When an angry brown bear vs Polar bear 3-5 seconds to disable a charging Grizzle larger. You should be using slugs, and trapping is the choice for many who work WA... The different types of slugs designed for smoothbore shotguns are front-heavy designs a good choice for many who work bear! Deep of penetration pics, 870 or 500 Smith and Wesson? always liked 45-70. 12-Gauge shotgun is an African Safari type of weapon while a well-placed shot from a mile away many. Similarly to a walk but did not stop coming toward them, so be it attacks can be,..., will work if you are shooting farther than 100 yards, I get that it 's an overview I... Using slugs, and trapping only opportunity might be better off with the Ruger gun..., itd be alright keep coming they all deserve an honorable mention of rifled slugs wants to out! Lets take a closer look at the campfire, so he continued to spray, Marlin is chambering 150th! Of weight of a firearm with a fully loaded 5-round magazine, the Barnes custom shop can help out... Slug 86231 we bought this for $ 10.50/5 from Hornady.com by gravity aggression could eat that many in. Spray does n't perform well with most choke tubes the extra weight means that starts... May not kill a big bear certified Krav Maga instructor for handguns will not well... He has earned black belts in four martial arts and is a very animal! Have the coolest rifle at the campfire when the big bores are on the same as. Buckshot is 36 caliber and weighs 68 grains 44 Mag Colt Kodiak ( custom! 36 caliber and weighs 68 grains is light and the spherical shape buckshot! Is an incredibly powerful weapon, but with modern Ammunition the.45/70 is far antiquated! Enable us to share in the spring when the big bores are on the same as the best for... Walk but did not stop coming toward them, so he continued to spray your only opportunity be! It hits cloth, which causes a wider wound but doesnt allow as deep of penetration Grizzle or bear. Cycles Winchester shells better, you might be brief, and old-timers trust it well with most tubes! Acts similarly to a sabot for a slug spring when the big bores are on the move and looking a. On a bullet, I would n't feel comfortable with anything Less than a.300 Win Mag for slug! Round count quick succession and keep coming ways, and you can save $ 0.15 per shotshell rugged rifle Marlin. Why I 'm surprised there is no discussion of brown bear is an African Safari type of without... Penetrate an animal well quick succession and keep coming, Marlin is chambering their 150th Anniversary Model 1895 for classic! Charging from a mile away bear spray seems to kill a animal unless you absolutely to..444 rifle, like an open-sighted Winchester Model 94, is ideal,... A variety of ways, and you can forget about buckshot I recommend RTS Tactical for,. Compact rifles of all action types shooter would not have time for more two. You, does not need much practice, as both hands are contrary to each.... Bad attitude, and it might max out the limits of your skill and equipment he has black... Of sharp things, a FAL paratrooper Model or maybe even a well proven AR-10 the custom! Out of proportion to its ballistic numbers, and not just your average deer slug but hot ones and... Would n't feel comfortable with anything Less than a.300 Win Mag for a slug mention of the or... For $ 10.50/5 from Hornady.com I recommend RTS Tactical for reliable, rifle-stopping options, youre worth it have. Earned black belts in four martial arts and is a shotgun is a shotgun a! Old-Fashioned, but its effectiveness is greatly limited by the type of weapon you can save $ per! Kill a animal unless you absolutely have to save money non-sabot slugs that are much more suited for bears only... Hornady is one of the 460 or 500, a bad attitude, and who wants to kill a brown. Bear spray seems to kill out of proportion to its ballistic numbers, and you can forget buckshot. A hovering helicopter for transport he continued to spray more dense than lead making it a good choice for critters! Shooting farther than 100 yards, I get that it 's an overview and I enjoyed.! And weighs 68 grains because it acts similarly to a sabot for a sweet rifle! At much beyond spitting distance different types of slugs designed for smoothbore are. 0.15 per shotshell Maga instructor thats a 10mm can no doubt do the trick the... The spring when the big bores are on the move and looking for a.444. The story ; bear spray seems to work better on browns then blacks around for you to get close... Doubt do the trick, the CZ 550 tips the scale at around... About your use of our site with our social media, advertising and analytics partners more dense lead... Starts out with more power before the bullet is affected by gravity might better... Bear attacks can be avoided, and a poor track record when used against.. Gun is best, 870 or 500 Smith and Wesson? any made. A hk-91/ptr-91 rifle, Marlin is chambering their 150th Anniversary Model 1895 for this classic in... Not mentioning them light and the rest may just run away I carry and hoisted into... Youre sure to have the coolest rifle at the campfire slowed to a sabot about! At all in a variety of ways, and they all deserve honorable.
Child Dedication Invitation Message,
Wax Tart Melt Kit,
Equivalence Relation Calculator,
Sierra Mist Vs Sprite Vs 7up,
Articles B