Hunting Washington Forum

Equipment & Gear => Guns and Ammo => Topic started by: alecvg on January 30, 2010, 09:11:50 PM

Title: Shotgun Info For Bear Protection?
Post by: alecvg on January 30, 2010, 09:11:50 PM: So I have a Remington 870, and I want to use it for shooting slugs for bear protection and for brush hunting deer, Do I need a rifled barrel, or can I just use a rifled choke? Sorry, I don't know anything about slugs with shotguns. Thanks!
Title: Re: Shotgun Info For Bear Protection?
Post by: carpsniperg2 on January 30, 2010, 09:13:42 PM: its far better to have a rifled barrel or you can get rifled slugs that will work.
Title: Re: Shotgun Info For Bear Protection?
Post by: Huntbear on January 30, 2010, 09:58:00 PM: rifled slug barrel, much better.
Title: Re: Shotgun Info For Bear Protection?
Post by: STIKNSTRINGBOW on January 31, 2010, 01:58:43 AM: I really don't think bears need protection...... :chuckle:
Title: Re: Shotgun Info For Bear Protection?
Post by: cwuwildcat on January 31, 2010, 07:56:30 AM: Yogi Bear might need a body guard while stealing all of those pic a nic baskets!
Title: Re: Shotgun Info For Bear Protection?
Post by: AWS on January 31, 2010, 08:27:46 AM: Take a look at this discusion on another site.

http://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/3725687/1/Shotgun_slugs_vs_bears (http://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/3725687/1/Shotgun_slugs_vs_bears)

AWS
Title: Re: Shotgun Info For Bear Protection?
Post by: Mookie on January 31, 2010, 10:35:41 AM: I was using rifled slugs in my 20 ga and they were surprisingly accurate, about 1.5 at 50. Since you are looking for protection and not hunting the long range accuracy is probably not to necessary. I staggered mine with 00 and slugs.
Title: Re: Shotgun Info For Bear Protection?
Post by: Shootmoore on January 31, 2010, 10:46:48 AM: Alot of people say you need a rifled barrel for slugs. If I am using slugs for deer I would say yes. If you are using the shotgun mostly for bear protection I would say go with an 18 smoothbore. The smoothbore will be more about what slug you use.

I have shot many 18" smoothbore's. I shoot the Fedral classic 2 3/4 slugs. With a 18" smoothbore using nothing more than the stock bead site you can clover leaf 5 shot groups at 50 yds. You can keep them in a 6" circle at a 100 yds. For a woods carry gun I prefer the 18" smoothbore, its more compact for easier carry, and in a pinch I can load bird shot for grouse if needed.

One thing you will find is not all slugs are created equal, and in a smoothbore you will notice a difference. Why the Fed classics are the most accurate I have no idea. Stay away from there 3" if you go with the smoothbore, the accuracy really drops off.

I've shot the 3 gun comp in yakima with the 18" smooth with that load numerous times, longest shot is out to 50 yds. I have shot a clean score with the buck/slug combo required numerous times and the shotgun stage is always won by a 100% score. I also use the fed classic 00 buck, nice tight groups and usually always pattern north to south making it easier to keep those 9 pellets in the 10 zone.

Shootmoore
Title: Re: Shotgun Info For Bear Protection?
Post by: dirty24d on January 31, 2010, 11:03:28 AM: how much do the 18'' smoothbores cost ? I'd love to get one!
Title: Re: Shotgun Info For Bear Protection?
Post by: Shootmoore on January 31, 2010, 11:09:53 AM: Quote from: dirty24d on January 31, 2010, 11:03:28 AM
how much do the 18'' smoothbores cost ? I'd love to get one!

Shop around, you can usually pick one up new for $100-$150. Sometimes you can get them cheaper. I picked up a couple one year from a gunshop that bought a block of 870's from a Police Department. They were slapping on full length barrels to resell and I picked up the 18" barrels for $45 a piece.

Shootmoore
Title: Re: Shotgun Info For Bear Protection?
Post by: dirty24d on January 31, 2010, 11:11:58 AM: sweet deal thanks for the quick reply. I've only been on this site a few days and already hooked hard!!!
Title: Re: Shotgun Info For Bear Protection?
Post by: alecvg on January 31, 2010, 12:18:43 PM: Awesome, thanks for the info guys, I really won't be needing it for long range, so that 18" Smoothbore sounds perfect, and not to pricey either. Thanks again!
Title: Re: Shotgun Info For Bear Protection?
Post by: Mookie on January 31, 2010, 05:50:28 PM: If you check around you can find good prices on used barrels. I just picked up a Mossy 24" factory turkey barrel for my 835,camo, ported and adjustable fiber optic sites, for $50.
Title: Re: Shotgun Info For Bear Protection?
Post by: MikeWalking on January 31, 2010, 07:59:30 PM: FWIW I've heard from several F&W guys in WA and Alaska, If you're using shotgun for bear protection pick the smooth bore and chamber a 00 or 000 shell first, maybe have your first two shots be that, then load slugs behind them. Some say 00, slug, 00, slug,slug, 00, 00 I think that's overthinking a bit myself.

Their idea is to hit the bear in the face with buckshot in hopes of blinding it and filling it's nose with enough blood to stop it from smelling you. Which hopefully gives you time for an aimed slug shot.

Personally if I'm in a place where I need be carrying a Long Gun for bear defense it's my 1895 45-70 with hardcast 430gr +p
Title: Re: Shotgun Info For Bear Protection?
Post by: carpsniperg2 on January 31, 2010, 08:17:18 PM: i know allot of the same but what the guys i know do is slugs first then the last 2 are #8 bird shot to blind the bear never heard of oo buck to blind the # 8 has a little more chance of finding them 2 eyes and with there eyes gone and in so much pain they are not going to be worries about smelling you lol they are going to be messed up and bleeding out from the slugs if one did not find the central nervous system
Title: Re: Shotgun Info For Bear Protection?
Post by: satchel3006 on January 31, 2010, 09:22:05 PM: the number 8 birdshot seems like a bad idea talk about a pissed off bear. theres an ammo company (dixieslugs.com) that has a buckshot load that uses 3 60 caliber balls i think thats what i would use
Title: Re: Shotgun Info For Bear Protection?
Post by: carpsniperg2 on January 31, 2010, 09:31:30 PM: i don't know if i would do it myself but that what the guides i know use and the idea is you get about 10x more pellets with the 8 shot easyer to find a eye with that many compared to 9or12 pellets in oo buck glad i don't have to worry about it.
Title: Re: Shotgun Info For Bear Protection?
Post by: Thenewguy on February 01, 2010, 07:37:23 AM: i say buckshot/slug combo alternate between the 2 in your shotgun of choice