Best 12 gauge round for bear protection

[Papa Charlie]

I haven't had a need for this information for way too many years. I have a couple of friends that are head up to Alaska and asked me what is the best 12 gauge round for bear protection.

Looking for some specific information here.

Thanks in advance.

 

[CJ6]

Slugs/OO Buck

 

[Willie]

I would think hard slugs would work best, maybe following up with buck shot if you're really nervous, haha

 

[SBS]

Slightly better than wearing bells or bear spray (both recommended by Forest Service). Best load is not any 12 ga., but something between .338-.458. If Papa Bear decides to have you for lunch, you need a stopper, not something that lets him live long enough to do his thing before maybe expiring. Can't count on scaring a bear off with a warning shot, so it better be capable. Hunted with Ben Forbes who had guided over 350 brown bear kills and he said the worst weapon he used on a brown bear was a 12 ga. Shot the bear 6 times and had to be bailed out by his buddies. Happened early in his guiding career and after next trying a .270 Mag. wildcat, didn't take long to move up to a .458 Lott, which had outlasted 3 stocks when I went with him. Also didn't find any of the local residents out in brown bear country with less than a .338, even hunting deer. The spring I was up there with Ben, the remains of a deer hunter missing since fall was found with the remains of a large brown bear nearby. The hunter had emptied his .30-06 and his 44 Mag. revolver, but the bear got him before it died. I'd suggest carrying whatever you would hunt them with, even though that's not what you're going there for. A rifle is not much heavier than a shotgun, so why not?

 

[lb-ft]

My brother lived in Alaska. All the locals always had a 12 gauge with slugs. Maybe it’s all they had?

 

[Fuj]

Some time back I remember reading of a Shortened 760 Game
Master pump chambered for the .35 Whelen. The idea was to stay
with a pump for quick repeating shots. If I only had a 12 gauge
available, I'd install a tube extender for more rounds, and triple 0.

 

[Papa Charlie]

Thanks, I will let my friend know. As they are planning the trip to Alaska via boat through Canada, they are limited to three rounds in the shotgun. I doubt that they will have a need for this but that is what they want so was just trying to help them out.
Patrick

 

[Charlie-NY]

I've seen the Black Magic slugs recommended many times for bear defense. The video is worth a look.

 

[SBS]

Sounds like they have to use shotguns. You need penetration to get to the vitals on the big bears and I'd choose slugs over buckshot.

 

[Jr solocam]

Has anyone seen any actual comparisons with slugs vs 00 vs lead BB's as far as penetration, and for lack of a better word, violent destruction? Slugs would penetrate best, but it would be interesting. For human protection I use lead BB's.

My experience with the big bears is zero, but I'd use slugs...

 

[762willdo]

I lived up there in bear country, we alternated 00 slug 00 slug……….that being said there is a book about a professional hunter in Alaska in the 1920’s and the rifle he used to hunt grizzlys was a 220 swift because he said it would reliably penetrate there skulls, not much else would……. I think the book was called “the wolf man”

 

[Bill K]

Most Alaska folks that carry a shotgun, a lot of them do, have slugs in the magazine and one in chamber. The old shotgun slug is one hard hitting/stopping weapon.
I have relatives and friends up there and this is their advice, if you carry a shot gun.

 

[Jim Hankins]

I lived up there in bear country, we alternated 00 slug 00 slug……….that being said there is a book about a professional hunter in Alaska in the 1920’s and the rifle he used to hunt grizzlys was a 220 swift because he said it would reliably penetrate there skulls, not much else would……. I think the book was called “the wolf man”

The .220 swift came out in 1935...

 

[Orr89rocz]

Use the right slugs. Some deer fosters are very soft. If rifled barrel, some of the jacketed sabots are much better imo. The big lightfield Commander slugs are hard hitting. But they dont make hunting ammo anymore. Dixie slugs used to have huge hardened lead slugs but idk if they are in business anymore either.

 

[762willdo]

The .220 swift came out in 1935...

Your right I read the book a long time ago, so I checked he was a pro hunter from 1915 to 1955 so it must have been after it came out that he used it………

 

[Papa Charlie]

Thanks for the information. I didn't know there were hardened tip slugs. Makes a lot of sense.
Patrick

 

[L.Sherm]

For up close and personal and add in Brushy country which alot of Alaska is especially S.E. Slug and Buckshot.
If your good with a rifle little more open country 45-70.

 

[brokeasajoke]

I lived up there in bear country, we alternated 00 slug 00 slug……….that being said there is a book about a professional hunter in Alaska in the 1920’s and the rifle he used to hunt grizzlys was a 220 swift because he said it would reliably penetrate there skulls, not much else would……. I think the book was called “the wolf man”

My neighbor and I used one to shoot through body armor plates that were stopping 308 rounds. The swift looked like it drilled perfect holes through the armor plates.

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

I have seen a lot of deer missed at close range(less than 100') mostly because of lack of practice with slugs. I don't believe a charging bear will be an easier target, then a deer trotting by.

 

[farmerjohn]

Spent a lot of time up there in the 70s and 80s, gold panners and salmon canners all carried short 12ga pumps, slugs and buckshot and usually the last shot would be #8s, sometimes two loads of little shot. Told me that under up close they wanted him blind and his eyes were right up front. Said they figured if he's blind they would have a better chance.... John