Posted on 08/02/2018 4:59:55 AM PDT by w1n1
The group of Alaskans that I spent time with this summer landed decidedly on the side of firearms over bear spray. Some carry both, but they definitely want a gun available. As usually occurs in the gun world, if we decide we need a gun for some task, the question always arises. Which gun is best?
"THE 12-GAUGE PUMP shotgun has been the choice of most people for bear defense in Alaska for some time,” said Steve Nelson of Anchorage. Nelson has been teaching bear defense classes since 1978, when a USGS coworker was severely mauled by a black bear. “There are many reasons for the shotgun’s popularity. Shotguns and shotgun ammo are widely available, are generally less expensive than rifles, have magazines capable of holding several rounds, and with slugs they will deliver a big, heavy projectile," he said.
The Remington 870 outnumbered other shotguns in this bear defense class, specifically a tactical version with ghost ring-type sights. This is a quick handling shotgun that holds seven rounds and delivers the 870’s rock solid dependability.
The Mossberg Scorpion, built on Mossberg's tried-and-true Model 500 action was also present, and this weapon has a lot of goodies to turn heads. Read the rest of the Big Bear Guns here.
Here’s the list from the article
Remington 870
Mossberg Scorpion
Winchester Defender SXP
Benelli Nova
.375 H&H
.375 Ruger
Mossberg Patriot
CZ-USA .375 H&H
My personal preference would be the .375 H&H, not only because I’m intimately familiar with it but that African pros also speak very highly of it.
20 years ago it was the minimum legally allowable caliber for elephant in a few countries still carrying on Safari operations.
PLUS, it’s trajectory is nearly Identical with a 180 grain 30-06. Huge Plus. No having to juggle windage and elevation numbers if you’re already an 06 shooter.
Ammo’s widely available and it’s not going to break your bank.
The one I don’t see listed here used to be recommended by Alaskan Bear guides. The Winchester .338 magnum.
Granted, bigger is better in a charge, but at close quarters/self defense distance you may be lucky enough to Get a 2nd shot if you need it.
The .338 is a shorter casing than the .375, so it’s a shorter action.
At social distance with a hostile bear, this makes the tendency to Short Stroke the bolt and pull the trigger on an already fired empty less of a temptation as your knees are shaking and your bowels are letting go.
10 mm Glock, many shots, dead bear, see bush pilot handbook.
FYI that article contains an extremely gruesome photo.
For later.
I don’t entirely understand the “pump shotgun” thing. I have never had my 1187 fail to chamber a second round.
Nor I.
Unless it was with low brass field loads...and I find them next to useless, anyway.
I have an early 1100 and a later 1187.
Neither have failed to chamber, except with low brass.
And that's just about every 8th or 10th round.
No idea as to why, other than carbon buildup perhaps or just crappy field loads.
Now, if I shoot low brass field loads, I use my 870.
It's simply a matter of mechanical reliability.
The 11 series Remington are known for that peculiarity with low brass...but then, why the hell would anyone be in bear country with low brass field loads, unless you were after grouse or fool hens...and then I'd damn well have a BFR backup.
S&W 686 7rd using 200 gr. hardcast
If you can't get back on target for a second shot quickly you're in trouble.
I don’t see an ‘extremely gruesome photo” there, nor a link to one.
?
“Neither have failed to chamber, except with low brass.”
IIRC the gas system can be adjusted to handle low power loads.
My apologies, it was a different article in the same publication. See below.
http://americanshootingjournal.com/man-survives-bear-attack-but-loses-face/
Yeah... that qualifies as extremely gruesome. Amazing he survived.
Big bears...Winchester Model 71 in .348 WIN
Yeah...but it's a pain in the butt.
I just don't use low brass field loads.
“I just don’t use low brass field loads.”
Give the bears a sporting chance. :-)
For a grizzly , my weapon of choice would be the Starship Enterprise with fully charged phasers.
Never underestimate a grizzly.
Glock 10 would be a good choice in a handgun in the automatic category. In revolvers any .44 magnum, 454 Casull, S&W 500 would suffice.
A 45/70 lever guide gun or .12 gauge with slugs will do the trick for black, brown or grizzly.
.348 Winchester?
OK, sort of, provided you handload and the airline or other numbskulls don’t lose your ammunition.
https://www.ballisticstudies.com/Knowledgebase/.348+Winchester.html
At least it’s a rifle.
Any handgun suitable for stopping a charging big bear is not something Most guys would want to fire a 2nd time after firing it the 1st.
“The .348 does its best work at close ranges. It produces a high level of trauma when loaded with 200 grain bullets at velocities of 2500fps which stay above the 2300fps mark for a short distance. Once this initial velocity is shed, performance becomes somewhat more mild. With fast expanding bullets, game may run but are just as likely to react in a drunken manner and not travel too far. At impact velocities below 2200fps, wounds become more narrow and game run longer distances.”
good info, and yes it must be hand loaded, nobody makes it anymore.
“ big bear guns”. Didn’t see any mention of what guns big bears carry.
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