12 gauge and bear

[catwithboost]

Would you use 00buck for a bear and if so at what distance? I have Remington Mag.Buckshot 3 1/2" 00buck 18 pellet. My shotgun will not shoot slugs. It has the ACCU-MAG X-Factor Turkey Choke.

[Huntbear]

At close range, you bet.  That choke is fixed?  I thought they all screwed in and out any more.

[catwithboost]

No you can chance these out it is not fixed. But went to Cabelas and could not find a choke labeled bear   This is the factory choke. Not sure what choke I would use if this one is not the right one. Also what do you call close range?

[ICEMAN]

I would not recommend shooting a bear with that specific shotgun.

You know you really want a slug gun or a medium caliber rifle......right?

[catwithboost]

I would not recommend shooting a bear with that specific shotgun.

You know you really want a slug gun or a medium caliber rifle......right?

Yes but don't have  So seeing if this will do. As close range as the bear I am watching is I just don;t feel that I can use my 7mm mag in the area and get a good shot off. Plus a 4.5-14x40mm scope at 20' is a pain to pull up and find the target and shoot when I will be shaking my A$$ off!

[ICEMAN]

Sorry Brian, my bad'! You know I am jealous of that shotgun! 

[catwithboost]

Sorry Brian, my bad'! You know I am jealous of that shotgun! 

I was going to get a slug barrel for it but all of them I found are blued not camo. Some day you will most likely have it.

[bucklucky]

Brian, why would you have to use your scope in that thick of stuff, just stuff the barrel in his ear as he walks by......DUH 

[catwithboost]

That might work.  or make my younger brother jump on its back. As I hit it on the head.

[BLKBEARKLR]

Sorry Brian, my bad'! You know I am jealous of that shotgun! 

I was going to get a slug barrel for it but all of them I found are blued not camo. Some day you will most likely have it.

Y dont you just get the blued barrel and then have it dipped?? They should be able to match the camo pattern.

[Huntbear]

No you can chance these out it is not fixed. But went to Cabelas and could not find a choke labeled bear   This is the factory choke. Not sure what choke I would use if this one is not the right one. Also what do you call close range?

Unless you are wanting a rifled slug barrel, you can use a modified choke and shoot slugs out of the smooth bore.  That is how they did it before rifled slug barrels came along.

[catwithboost]

No you can chance these out it is not fixed. But went to Cabelas and could not find a choke labeled bear   This is the factory choke. Not sure what choke I would use if this one is not the right one. Also what do you call close range?

Unless you are wanting a rifled slug barrel, you can use a modified choke and shoot slugs out of the smooth bore.  That is how they did it before rifled slug barrels came along.

I was going off of what is printed on the barrel  Are you 100% on the modified choke?

[billythekidrock]

Shotguns work great if you are hunting over bait or tracking a wounded bear. Other then that you would be better off with a rifle.

[addicted]

sounds like its time to get  a new gun 

[Gutpile]

No you can chance these out it is not fixed. But went to Cabelas and could not find a choke labeled bear   This is the factory choke. Not sure what choke I would use if this one is not the right one. Also what do you call close range?

Unless you are wanting a rifled slug barrel, you can use a modified choke and shoot slugs out of the smooth bore.  That is how they did it before rifled slug barrels came along.

I believe Mossy does not want slugs through their overbored barrels, I believe it causes to much pressure or something. The 835 and 935's have these barrels. Do a search and I'm sure you'll turn something up. It has nothing to do with the choke and everything to do with the barrel. Mossy uses dedicated slug barrels for that.

I'm a bit foggy on this but I do remember reading about it once before.

I think it's a poor choice for hunting bear when you have a 7mm to use. You just limit yourself too much.  

[ICEMAN]

Great reminder Gutpile!

From the web:

SLUGS:
Overbored 835® Model Accu-Mag barrels are designed for lead or steel pellet shot loads only. We specifically disclaim any responsibility for damage or injury resulting from firing slugs (single projectile ammunition) through overbored barrels. Use only 835 Model barrels designed specifically for slug shooting.

Plus more discussion here: http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=410776

[Gutpile]

Here you go.
From the FAQ section on the Mossy website

Can I fire slugs through my 935™ or 835® vent rib, Accu-Mag® choke tube barrel? 

No,  935™ and 835® field barrels (those with a ventilated rib) are "overbored," and the extra inside diameter may cause the projectile to "wobble" producing unreliable accuracy. A projectile may wedge inside the barrel causing an obstruction. Obstructions of any kind can cause damage to the firearm resulting in damage to the barrel and/or personal injury to you or those around you. Dedicated fully rifled slug barrels are available for the 935™ and 835® models. Other 935™ and 835® Accu-Mag® choke tube notes: Buckshot and steel-shot loads are not recommended for use with an extra full turkey tube installed.

[catwithboost]

Ok sounds like I will have to try to hunt him with my 7mm mag. Thanks for the answers everyone.

[bearmanric]

BAD IDEA i would bever shoot a bear with a shotgun with buckshot. a slug yes in the proper barrel. that's what they use in alaska. they have some great slug's. i would only use that shot gun for coyote and bobcat. and i would have it on my lap and a varmint rife on a bypod. like all the world champion call's do in the big contest.that barrel i told you is for turkey shot or deadcoyote or copperplated buckshot.  you scare me talking this way. please dont try a slug in that barrel. Rick

[catwithboost]

Rick I did not say I was going to use a slug. I have 00Buck for it.

[bearmanric]

i wouldnt use buckshot. why wound a animal. Rick

[catwithboost]

That is what my question was to start off with. If it would be ok to shoot a bear with buckshot. Looks like the answer is no. So I will not be using it for a bear.

[Kain]

I asked the ame question under the "caliber" thread and got a different answer.   
Its on page 3
http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,29620.30.html

I think around thirty-forty yards and less you would be fine for summer bears.  Start to get into a big bear or fall bear with lots of fat it might not be enough.   

[bowhunter1972]

ya you no me brother i will jump on he's back and start stabbing  ah shoot may have to open a can of whoop @$$ on him 

[billythekidrock]

I asked the ame question under the "caliber" thread and got a different answer.   
Its on page 3
http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,29620.30.html

I think around thirty-forty yards and less you would be fine for summer bears.  Start to get into a big bear or fall bear with lots of fat it might not be enough.   

Those answers came from experienced hunters and really it was just one positive "at thirty yards" and one honest "but I would stagger it with buckshot".

Buckshot is not a good choice unless you know what you are doing and are very close. If I were shotgunning for bear I would possibly put one round of buckshot behind the first or second slug, but I would never have it as my first option.

[Huckleberry]

If you know how to shoot and pattern your gun then you're fine with buckshot. I've killed 5 bears with 00 out to 50 yards or so (and lots of deer).  Buckshot is deadly. Not much of a blood trail but most bears won't bleed a lot anyways. 10+ pellets usually kills pretty quickly. Your not going to be punching through a bears shoulders but as long as you avoid that they are somewhat frail animals in my opinion. The ribs are half the size of a deer and as long as you watch your angles the heart and lungs aren't too hard to hit. They make 3 1/2" 000 that works pretty well. Just be sure to pattern the gun because buckshot can be tricky and doesn't always group well.

[PWN Kurt]

Get a smaller scope for that 7 mag.  1.5 x 4 variable should be good.  And shoot the heaviest bullets you can find for it.

Or, a guy like me wouldn't care if the blued slug bbl didn't match my camo receiver and stock.  The bear won't care either.

Have fun!

Kurt

[bearmanric]

use what make's you feel comforble. Rick

[catwithboost]

I am going to take my 7mm mag to the area this week and see how it works on 4.5 power.

[JackOfAllTrades]

sounds like its time to get  a new gun 

Time for an iron sighted lever gun!

Or, -I think someone suggested a slug barrel for your shottie. They don't come in camo? So what. Buy a used one and paint it.

Otherwise, is borrowing an iron sighted rifle, slug shottie an option?

Nothing wrong with a 44mag at close range either.

-Steve

[Wanttohuntmore]

If it is 20 feet or less, who needs a sight?  You should be able to point and hit at that range.  I've never understood the need for a "brush gun" even though I have plenty.  I can still hit just as good with my long barreled guns at close range. 

[h2ofowlr]

Use improved cylinder for that shotgun.  YOu should be good up to 100 yards if you practice up.  A standard Remington 3" slug will drop about 16" at a 100 yards.  I have shot many deer with my Browning BPS.  It will dump a bear as well.