Bear defense shotgun.

[Pdvdh]

My Rem Versa Max semi-auto 12 ga jammed on me this morning hunting Sandhill cranes. Glad it wasn't a brown bear.

 

[J E Custom]

For self defense I chose a pump action because it can be cleared quickly if a round doesn't go off and quick follow up shots are possible.

I chose this one for the weight (Carry) and the overall features in 3"
I also like the pistol grip and the paint/camo is OK (I'm not into the "Cool" factor as much as function).



J E CUSTOM

 

[Pdvdh]

Agree. Pump is better for multiple reasons. Less finicky on the shells it digests. Get a misfead or jam, rack it again and you're likely back in the game again.
If you choose a semi-auto for bear may God be with you. Because the bear isn't. And if you choose semi-auto, at least shoot a box of your selected bear loads thru it to confirm function. And if you switch to a different bear load, shoot another box to confirm function with that new shell. Shells are cheap compared to reconstructive surgery - or worse.

 

[HARPERC]

Whatever you pick, check it for function.

 

[dgarrett]

Way back when.... everyone used to say Remington 870 ...first shell #8 to blind the bear slugs to put it down.. Was said that all the major bear guys used this combo. Guess It might even be better with an extended mag... They didn't have them back then

 

[J E Custom]

Just to place things in perspective, The type of shotgun and it's dependability is important but it must be fed good ammo also to be effective.

My choice for dangerous game (Like Bear) would be 000 Buck shot
because of the number of .36 caliber hits with one shot. The chances of hitting a vital area with 10 - 70.6 grain 36 cal bullets are much better,
and with 5 rounds that's 50 chances compared to 5. No doubt the slug has more energy but in a panic situation chances of a less than lethal
hit are much greater.

I have killed charging Hogs with a shotgun and it was very effective at stopping a very ****ed of animal intent on hurting me in there tracks.

So my recommendation is to pick the best weapon for your needs and feed it the best ammo. Your life may depend on it.

Just my opinion

J E CUSTOM

 

[Pdvdh]

I've begun loading some Tungsten shot pellets in my 12ga for sandhill cranes. Dropped one yesterday at 95yds with a 1 7/8oz load of #5s.
The density of lead is about 11gr/cc.
This TSS shot weighs 18g/cc. Heavy as gold and platinum.
I've tried to get some in single 0 buckshot. Or 00 buck. It would be the ultimate brown bear self defense load.
Tungsten is hard and will not deform under recoil, or upon impact with bone. I shoot 50% of my #5 pellets into a 30" diameter circle at 100yds. That's no typo. 50% @ 100yds. That's how round the pellets are and how true they fly.

One pellet of tungsten single 0 buckshot weighs 78gr.
One pellet of tungsten double 00 buckshot weighs 85.7gr.

One pellet of lead 000 buckshot weighs 68gr, based on the data I collected.

AKDFG has penetration tested 00 lead buckshot on brown bear skulls at like 25yds. It failed to penetrate the skull on a frontal shot.

My supplier could order some, but so far has been unwilling. Tungsten pellets cost about $55/lb. My reloads cost me about $7/shell.

 

[HARPERC]

......AKDFG has penetration tested 00 lead buckshot on brown bear skulls at like 25yds. It failed to penetrate the skull on a frontal shot......../QUOTE]

.......Tungsten sounds intriguing, never been much of a shotgunner, never had much luck with the various buckshots penetrating.

.....Used a couple of 870's with little issue. Heavy slug loads did seem to batter the one open.

.....Back in time when we pushed the envelope with black bears (although towards the end there was the possibility of surprises). I had a single shot cut just legal, loaded with a slug. In tight places at flashlight distance I didn't see more than one shot happening, before contact.

 

[Hatrick]

I've begun loading some Tungsten shot pellets in my 12ga for sandhill cranes. Dropped one yesterday at 95yds with a 1 7/8oz load of #5s.
The density of lead is about 11gr/cc.
This TSS shot weighs 18g/cc. Heavy as gold and platinum.
I've tried to get some in single 0 buckshot. Or 00 buck. It would be the ultimate brown bear self defense load.
Tungsten is hard and will not deform under recoil, or upon impact with bone. I shoot 50% of my #5 pellets inti a 30" diameter circle at 100yds. That's no typo. 50% @ 100yds. That's how round the pellets are and how true they fly.

One pellet of tungsten single 0 buckshot weighs 78gr.
One pellet of tungsten double 00 buckshot weighs 85.7gr.

One pellet of lead 000 buckshot weighs 68gr, based on the data I collected.

AKDFG has penetration tested 00 lead buckshot on brown bear skulls at like 25yds. It failed to penetrate the skull on a frontal shot.

My supplier could order some, but si far has been unwilling. Tungsten pellets cost about $55/lb. My reloads cost me about $7/shell.

What velocity is the shot at muzzle. I shoot sporting clays and can't imagine the lead on a flying sand hill at 95 yds.

 

[Pdvdh]

You can load the tungsten shot the same speeds as lead shot, and higher, based on the total weight/payload.
My 1 7/8oz load is going about about 1275fps.
I didn't shoot the sandhill @ 95yds with lead shot. Shot him going mostly straight away with #5 TSS tungsten shot. #5 TSS shot will penetrate 2" in duck/goose/crane at 132yds. It's a whole new game. TSS shot is 64% denser than lead shot.
And it doesn't deform at ignition like soft lead shot does. Thus my 50% pellets into a 30" diameter pattern board AT 100 yards. Try that with lead shot, if you can still penetrate the cardboard pattern board with it at 100yds. Unbelievable...

One of the pellets punched thru the cranes heart at 95yds. Right where I was aiming!

 

[Pdvdh]

Imagine what 00 buck tungsten would do to a bear's skull at 15-20yds. Instant immobilization/death. No need for medi-vac rescue flight. For me or the bear.

 

[KyCarl]

I have a Benelli M4 as a home defense gun?
https://www.benelliusa.com/m4-tactical-shotgun

 

[Ckgworks]

Try Dixie tri-ball.....I load these myself, and in my pump it will keep all 3, 60 cal. Balls in a palm size group at 40 yards. That's sending 945 grains of hard cast lead per shot......I'm still waiting to actually shoot an animal with one but the testing I've done on wood and brick are impressive compared to slugs and buck shot. Next time I'm in bear country, my shotgun will be stuffed full of them.

 

[Pdvdh]

The benefit to buckshot over quality slugs from shotguns is the enlarged POIs from the multiple pellets. It allows a bit of aiming error while still hopefully disabling the bear or attacking animal with a shot to the head.
Tungsten buckshot may pattern so tightly that this advantage is diminished at 15-25yds. I don't know because I haven't been able to try it out yet. Out of a cylinder choke, it might be "perfect", for a save your life - bear charging scenario.