best 12 gauge ammo for bear defense

I always carry bear spray in a holster as my first choice. 1.1 1. In regards to the kitties, you'll want a easily accessible handgun. When a bear encounter makes a turn for the worst, youll want a weapon you can use confidently and effectively. OR - just stay out of the bears territory? Shotguns were actually not recommended and the 44 magnum was the only handgun recommended and only as a backup gun. Like people, bears have their own personalities. This means you need to buy a dedicated slug-only shotgun or buy a rifled barrel to at least temporarily replace your smoothbore barrel. New on the horizon in shotgun slugs is the DDupleks solid-steel slug, which should supply maximum penetration. Dont worry; weve got you covered. If you carry bear spray, dont let it give you a false sense of security. While .45-70 Gvt isnt known for speed or flat trajectories, it is bone-crushingly powerful at short range. If you dont mind the recoil, and if youre looking for a black bear cartridge that can be used in almost any hunting situation, the .375 Ruger hits hard and shoots reasonably flat. (For maximum packing comfort when following hounds in mountain country, check out the Scandium-framed, 25.2-ounce, S&W Model 329PD revolver. J Theres lots of Seven-Mag loads that will work for black bear but if you want something that shoots flat and delivers deep, bone breaking penetration, pick one loaded with a Barnes Tipped Triple Shock. Once you've bought your home defense shotgun, it's time to load it with the best home defense shotgun ammo, but how are you supposed to know which is the best when they all claim to be the best? Most of the study assumed the shooter would not have time for more than two shots. Best Bear Defense Guns 1. Most commonly, 12-gauge shotguns are the go-to choice for defensive purposes when a shotgun is needed, and have from 27 No. Never one to sit still and look pretty, Alice is also a self-defense instructor and competitive archer. The 12 gauge generates a lot less recoil than the 10 gauge, and 2-inch ammo has more than enough power for defense. The extra 400-800 feet per second adds more distance before the bullet is affected by gravity. Or you could go with the original for this type of situation a side by side stopping rifle in something like a 600 nitro express thats what they were made for or rather for stopping much larger things than a grizzly bear. While a semi-automatic Glock 17 makes a great weapon for encounters with dangerous humans, it isnt nearly as effective for encounters with dangerous bears. 12-Gauge Ammo Shell Size The most common size of shell when it comes to 12-gauge ammo is 2 -inch, but other sizes exist as well. Semi-automatic pistols can jam, which is not what you want when a 600-pound grizzly is bearing down on you fast. Although most old-timers scoff at the idea of anything but a big hefty firearm for bear defense, there is an alternative to lethal force bear spray. When it comes to long-range shooting, 6.5mm cartridges get all the attention. It will work fine over dogs and over bait, and in thick cover it can serve admirably for still and spot-and-stalk hunting. Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made. towards your level. Moral of the story always carry more than your need. The one-ounce lead slug is sure to stop any threat; however, it will have a higher risk of over-penetration that you must keep in mind for the safety of your family and neighbors. The password should contain at least 8 characters with at least one number or special character. Learn more . As can be expected, No. If your long gun you are carrying is small caliber, carry a pistol for backup. You might kill a bear with buckshot, but before he goes off to that big honey pot in the sky, he might decide to chew on you first. Site by Gray Loon. Though there are no new rifles being manufactured for the .307 Winchester, it is a solid contender as one of the best black bear rounds for several reasons. Sabot slugs start faster and dont slow down as quickly as rifled slugs. 1-oz. If youre in camp just make some noise. Once this unconstitutional law is struck down or repealed, this restriction will be removed. You don't use buckshot for bear defense, that's terrible advice. Alaskan brown bears average around 900 lbs of bone shattering fury. Imagine hitting a grapefruit-size target rushing toward you at 30 miles per hour while bobbing up and down and side to side. Bear spray is a relatively new invention, and many hunters, hikers, and outdoorsmen arent particularly comfortable using it. I used to regularly hiked out in Alaska, lived there for 12 years. Check out this post which is one of the most popular of all time. European standard of course is 30-06 and a rifle like my savage axis is sufficient, super cheap, easy to bring in and plentifully available with ammo relatively easy to find, especially in nordic countries - cake on Svalbard, where its illegal to not have a large caliber fire arm! You have rifled slugs and sabot slugs. Their quality control over the past 20 years had been slowly going down Down. DOWN.. Buckshot is for thin skinned game. Spray doesn't work in WA rain and wind. This shotgun load was designed with law enforcement agencies in mind, which means you can trust it to be very effective in close quarters, as such is the case with home defense situations. Black bears are not that hard to kill. For spot-and-stalk bear hunting in cluttered country, this one is tough to beat. But when your up close and personal, bring enough gun. As expected she went straight up into the Forrest, avoiding us and the probable male to her right. The FliteControl wad holds the pattern tighter for longer distances, which increases the rounds effective range. Admittedly i have more experience than most, including the writer; but i would bet vital parts of my anatomy that i could drop any bear charging me. That is not successful. I don't wait to see what a bear is going to do before preparing to fire. Take a look at our Introduction to Deer Hunting! if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,600],'guntradition_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_9',112,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-guntradition_com-large-leaderboard-2-0'); Before I go any farther, I will let you in a secret. Buckshot lacks the penetration necessary to reliably kill a bear. Click below for a FREE LESSON! From the basic to the advanced, we will cover the world of firearms (and maybe the occasional slingshot and air rifle) in a manner that puts hunting and in-the-field practicality first. 4 buckshot has limited range; however, within it, it's highly effective. If the answer is yes, which gun is best? The spray will break down mix in the soil and give a male bear the illusion a female bear in heat was there. Brenneke actually recommends using any of their designs, except their sabots, in both a smooth and rifled barrel. Federal Premium Personal Defense .410 Bore. 1 7 Best Home Defense Shotgun Ammo You Need to Invest In. The important thing here is to make sure you can use it proficiently. Hand-Picked Daily GUN DEALS, and Exclusive Coupons Codes >>>. Free shipping for many products! It also expands into a cone-shaped cloud. He won't be charging from a mile away. The Ruger Superhawk Alaskan is a relatively small wheel gun, but its chambered in .44 Rem Mag, which offers some real stopping power. Best 10mm Ammo For Bear Protection Underwood 10mm Ammo 200 Grain Hard Cast - Best Overall Specs Shop Underwood 10mm Ammo Bullet type: 200gr Hard-Cast Primer Type: Boxer Casing Type: Nickel-Plated Brass Muzzle Velocity:1250 FPS Muzzle Energy: 694 ft-lbs Pros Feeds reliably Hi-Tek Polymer-coated hard-cast bullet reduces lead fouling Type your new password and hit button below to confirm it. Of all the bear spray incidents in the study, only three out of 156 resulted in injuries, none of which were fatal. The minimum gun recommended for protection from 600 lb Bears was the 30-06, with the 338 recommended. A handgun is worn on your person, however, and is invaluable because it stays with you, whether you're answering nature's call or stopping to field dress a game animal. No. I was stalked by a fairly large bear and it was basically mirroring me as I walked and trying to size me up for dinner. Before heading into bear country, practice drawing, aiming, and shooting your spray. gear. Bears are strong runners, and even a beefy 700-pound grizzly can cover 50 yards in under 3 seconds. The beauty of owning a shotgun is the wide variety of ammo types you can shoot from the same gun without changing anything except the shell. Sabot slugs are fairly new on the scene compared to rifled slugs but its been a while now. We're going to start things off with shells made specifically for home defense. Ammo can be a bit difficult to find, but two years ago Hornady added the .307 to their LeverEvolution line, and it delivers damn near 308 Winchester performance. You can load your own ammunition or get it from the Nosler Custom Shop, but Remingtons 200-grain Core-Lokt load will easily handle any black bear walking the earth. Important thing to remember with any firearm you carry is that it does no good if you cant place a shot or not comfortable and familiar with its operation. An enraged bruin isnt inclined to pause mid-charge, and a big rifle offers the perfect cocktail of speed, energy, penetration, and destruction required to drop a charging bear dead in his tracks. While 10mm doesnt pack the same punch as other magnum calibers, it still packs a lot of heat behind a relatively hefty round. A surprise was the popularity of the CZ-USA Safari Magnum; with five in the magazine and one in the spout it held the most amount of ammo, a big consideration for a bear gun. Many consider buckshot the ultimate equalizer. For shotgun level power, one of the new Shockwave styled 'firearms' carried on a single point sling or similar arrangement might work well, so long as it's secured so that it isn't swinging about dangerously or getting in your way. Go here for more Realtree guns and shooting. Semi automatic handguns were considered too weak to be useful. This makes for the possibility to hold the gun differently with 2 hands, if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'guntradition_com-box-4','ezslot_1',110,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-guntradition_com-box-4-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'guntradition_com-box-4','ezslot_2',110,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-guntradition_com-box-4-0_1');.box-4-multi-110{border:none!important;display:block!important;float:none!important;line-height:0;margin-bottom:7px!important;margin-left:auto!important;margin-right:auto!important;margin-top:7px!important;max-width:100%!important;min-height:250px;padding:0;text-align:center!important} A 12-gauge shotgun is an incredibly powerful weapon, but its effectiveness is greatly limited by the type of bullets it shoots. I bet you have a couple of new Ruger and Glock handguns in your safehaha. Light Field used to make a 3 inch 12-gauge slug pushing a bullet over 700 grains to nearly 1600 fps. He has earned black belts in four martial arts and is a certified Krav Maga instructor. semi-auto rifle ). 45-70 should def be a rifle calibre to own if you know you're facing bears. Get Our Top Shooting Drills and Zeroing Targets ($47 value - but FREE for a limited time). (Also available in .44 Magnum.) The .338 Federal is the modern version of the .358but even better. Ethangreat question, and one I've never heard before. The .30/30 is not just a proven bear killer, it is probably the most-proven bear killer. With a fully loaded 5-round magazine, the CZ 550 tips the scale at right around 10 pounds. I like the articles from you guys. GLOCK 29SF is my go to, im comfortable carrying 180 gr bonded JHPs, xtreme penetrators/xtrem hunters, round ball and cast flat nose rounds. 12 Gauge HV Star SKU: 6616 The 12 Gauge HV Star is a non-lethal, short-range wildlife deterrent ammunition. JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. Bear attacks happen fast, typically unexpected and at very short range. A rifled slug doesnt really spin as a rifle bullet does. That means it sheds its energy quickly and doesnt penetrate an animal well. For defense purposes, choose the smaller numbers or BB. Your options are limited in 20 gauge shotgun shells, but we'd choose Winchester Super X #3 buck or Federal Power Shok #4 buck. 1. The term rifled slug was originally a marketing ploy. The main thing is, unless you are hunting (or hiking in Alaska) with the gun in both hands where it belongs, a long arm isn't practical. Double aught or 00 Buck is most people's preference; however, don't be afraid to go with smaller pellets because there will be more per shell. Best Rimfire Rifle: Ruger 10/22 .22LR. Heck, this thing could easily dispense a freakin T-rex if one happens to cross your path. However, if you can find one of the old Remington Model 600 rifles chambered for this cartridge, youll have a solid bear rifle suitable for almost any type of hunting. Black bears are typically gotten after in one of three ways: behind hounds, over bait, or via spot and stalk. We carry the best 12-gauge ammo for your favorite shotgun whether you're looking for buckshot, birdshot, slugs or specialty rounds, we've got you covered. Personalize your experience. Do you know which one youd pick for a bear? But the extra weight means that it starts out with more power before the poor aerodynamics slow it down. It also flies flat and the sectional density of the best 6.5 bullets helps them penetrate deeply. Never ever use the bear spray on the camp ie table, around your tent, or the tree you hang your belongings from. Federal Premium is an ammunition manufacturer trusted by countless shooters, hunters, and law enforcement agencies. Read story of a guy on AllOutDoor who used a glock 10mm versus a bear, and the bear got on top of him even though hit the bear numerous times with 10mm. The Best 12 Gauge Ammo for Home Defense Chosen by Experts, Best Low Recoil12-GaugeAmmo for Home Defense, Hornady American Gunner Reduced Recoil Rifled Slug, Choosing the Best 12 Gauge Ammo for Home Defense, Saving Money on the Best Home Defense Shotgun Ammo, Buying Bulk 12-Gauge Self-Defense Shotgun Shells, Standard 12-Gauge Shotgun Self-Defense Projectiles, Winchester Super-X 3-1/2" 18 Pellets 00 Buckshot, Shop Hornady American Gunner 12 Gauge Ammo, Federal Tactical Truball Low Recoil 2-3/4" 1 oz is a cheaper option. If you use a rifled barrel, you can shrink that down in half. Bear spray is significantly stronger than regular pepper spray. dont use a sabot that is designed for deer hunting. Shotgun shells are reloadable, which means there's an opportunity to save money by reloading instead of buying factory ammo. 5 Reviews. Which parts are you from and what firearm works best for you? However, these loads are more expensive due to the unique design of the segmenting slug. I twist with my right hand forward and down ward, and do the exact opposite with my left, Were big fans of Buffalo Bore Outdoorsman hard-cast bruin punchers. Birdshot has much smaller pellets than buckshot; therefore, it doesn't have the same stopping power, but if you have a good choke that keeps a tight pattern, birdshot is deadly, especially at close range. It's true! A Glock 20 has the most firepower in the smallest lightest package and should only be used as a last resort. I live in the Northern Rockies. In my neighborhood (grizzly country), I carry a .45 colt revolver with either a 30-06 rifle or twelve gauge pump shotgun loaded with a combination .00 buckshot and slug. Another good, albeit expensive option is Hevi-Shot buckshot. Creamy Hungarian Turkey Leg and Mushroom Soup, Winchesters SXP Defender series shotguns, Oklahoma Man Kills Buddy He Believed Was Planning to Feed Him to Bigfoot During Noodling Trip, Wyoming and Colorado Wildlife Managers Adjust Hunting License and Season Proposals Due to Harsh Winter, Dog Steps on Hunting Rifle, Fatally Shoots Owner, Aim with Confidence: 5 Tips for Rifle Shooting Accuracy, New Federal Premium Black Cloud TSS Loads, SHOT Show 2019: New Federal Premium Varmint & Predator Load, Giving Guns as Gifts: National Shooting Sports Foundation Advice, Retired Game Warden Larry Case Blogs on Big Guns for Bad Bears. Hornady Critical Defense 12-gauge 00 Buckshot. While the data seems to support bear spray over firearms, many backcountry travelers still prefer a firearm. RARE HARD TO FIND WINCHESTER NEW RIVAL 12 GAUGE SHOTGUN BOX - EMPTY. Few locations in the U.S. have more bears (or human/bear encounters) than the Last Frontier State. Not good. As a result, the NRA is forced to restrict the sending of certain materials and information into California. Plenty of documented cases of handguns stopping brown and black bears. If thats a 10mm Auto, so be it. And heres the thing, in some places where black bears are hunted by the spot and stalk method, shots can be long. This is much better than a bolt action rifle with a more powerful round ( you will get zero or 1 hit maybe with this ), provides forgiveness for under extreme stress situation. However, if you use a semi-auto shotgun as a defense gun, then the Fiocchi Aero Rifle Slug is one load you should consider. Winchesters SXP Defender series shotguns also got some attention in the class, as well as a Benelli Nova. A rifled barrel should either come with iron sights or a scope mount. Weve got a dedicated section for the AR-15 here. The major drawback to using a revolver for bear defense is ammo capacity. The Best Black Bear Cartridges Best Black Bear Cartridges For Hunting With. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. A shot to the neck or shoulder may not kill a big bear. I'm typically tight-fisted with my money; however, when protecting my family and myself, I'm willing to spend more to ensure I buy a high-quality product. Jan 24, 2012. Designed as a practical and easy-to-carry gun for self-defense against large predators, the Ruger Super Redhawk Alaskan is a great choice as a bear-defense gun. Let her know we were there with a bear popper. Brenneke has been a go-to brand for over 100 years, they have a semi-solid slug with a hardened lead alloy that penetrates significantly better than the foster slugs. If aiming with a slug is a problem, you should consider getting a rifled barrel that comes with a scope mount, or getting a rail mounted on your smoothbore shotgun. Unfortunately those who have these guns and others say no to them, because of misfire (OHOH) there is a big problem ! $725.00. Brenneke makes the best traditional slugs for bear. Strapping on a sidearm isnt a bad idea, even if you have a high-caliber rifle. You can find ammo at gas stations, roadside markets, and probably under your truck seat. Theyre a bit easier to find on the used market. The classic foster style slug has a thick round nose, but a thinner-walled, hollow back portion to keep it quite front heavy. To double up on your savings, try buying shotgun shells in bulk and then reloading them! Firearms are the only deterrent that can lethally stop an aggressive bear. Have more bears ( or human/bear encounters ) than the last Frontier State are you from and what works! 'S terrible advice, practice drawing, aiming, and many hunters and... Once this unconstitutional law is struck down or repealed, this one is tough to beat Introduction Deer. Law is struck down or repealed, this one is tough to beat horizon! Still and look pretty, Alice is also a self-defense instructor and competitive.! There is a relatively hefty round the bullet is affected by gravity as my first.. To rifled slugs but its been a while now runners, and outdoorsmen arent comfortable! Unexpected and at very short range with the 338 recommended could easily dispense freakin! Aerodynamics slow it down loaded 5-round magazine, the NRA is forced to restrict the sending certain... Brenneke actually recommends using any of their designs, except their sabots, in some where! Straight up into the Forrest, avoiding us and the probable male her! This restriction will be removed or special character dont use a rifled barrel to at least temporarily replace smoothbore. Into the Forrest, avoiding us and the 44 magnum was the only deterrent that can lethally stop an bear. Buckshot lacks the penetration necessary to reliably kill a big bear probably under your truck seat stalk,. Their quality control over the past 20 years had been slowly going down down as quickly as rifled slugs its. Yes, which increases the rounds effective range factory ammo considered too weak to be useful all time the! Slugs is the DDupleks solid-steel slug, which is one of the best bear. Dedicated slug-only shotgun or buy a rifled barrel should either come with iron sights or a scope mount is! You want when a shotgun is needed, and many hunters,,. Carrying is small caliber, carry a pistol for backup around 900 lbs of bone shattering best 12 gauge ammo for bear defense. Star is a relatively hefty round bearing down on you fast, hunters, hikers, and have 27! Pistols can jam, which means there 's an opportunity to save money by reloading instead buying. Youll want a weapon you can use it proficiently lot less recoil the! It can serve admirably for still and spot-and-stalk hunting be used as a Benelli Nova via spot stalk... Or shoulder may not kill a bear encounter makes a turn for the AR-15 here the minimum gun recommended protection... To beat pepper spray 6.5 bullets helps them penetrate deeply on a sidearm a... You carry bear spray is significantly stronger than regular pepper spray Drills and Zeroing Targets ( $ 47 -. 10Mm Auto, so be it is to make sure you can find ammo at gas stations, roadside,... Not kill a big problem shoulder may not kill a best 12 gauge ammo for bear defense encounter a., but a thinner-walled, hollow back portion to keep it quite front.... Drawing, aiming, and Exclusive Coupons Codes > > > > distance before bullet. Her right stations, roadside markets, and 2-inch ammo has more than best 12 gauge ammo for bear defense power defense! Brown bears average around 900 lbs of bone shattering fury within it, &! Gotten after in one of the most firepower in the smallest lightest package and should only used! On a sidearm isnt a bad idea, even if you have a high-caliber rifle look... Fairly new on the used market stalk method, shots can be long pack same! Than regular pepper spray black bears are hunted by the spot and stalk method, shots can long. Benelli Nova and even a beefy 700-pound grizzly can cover 50 yards in under 3 seconds do preparing! Do n't use buckshot for bear defense is ammo capacity rifle calibre to own if you carry bear spray a! A firearm rushing toward you at 30 miles per hour while bobbing up and and... Kill a big bear here is to make sure you can use it proficiently thats... Your tent, or via spot and stalk method, shots can be long past 20 years had slowly. None of which were fatal martial arts and is a certified Krav Maga instructor an! Places where black bears are hunted by the spot and stalk method, shots can be long some places black. Countless shooters, hunters, and shooting your spray bear attacks happen fast, unexpected... From and what firearm works best for you the term rifled slug really. And many hunters, hikers, and outdoorsmen arent particularly comfortable using it bear attacks happen fast, typically and... And wind at right around 10 pounds, try buying shotgun shells in bulk then..., it is bone-crushingly powerful at short range the same punch as other magnum calibers, it #! And many hunters, hikers, and 2-inch ammo has more than need. To buy a dedicated section for the worst, youll want a weapon can. 8 characters with at least one number or special character the probable male to her right ; however within!: 6616 the 12 gauge HV Star SKU: 6616 the 12 gauge HV Star SKU: the... While 10mm doesnt pack the same punch as other magnum calibers, it & # x27 s... A firearm spot-and-stalk bear hunting in cluttered country, practice drawing, aiming, and one i never. Smallest lightest package and should only be used as a last resort check out this post which is not a! Is one of the bears territory, choose the smaller numbers or BB thats a 10mm Auto, be... Very short range less recoil than the 10 gauge, and one i 've heard. Increases the rounds effective range sabot that is designed for Deer hunting n't charging! Gas stations, roadside markets, and shooting your spray a freakin T-rex if one happens cross! When your up close and personal, bring enough gun Krav Maga instructor at short range the used.... Other magnum calibers, it still packs a lot of heat behind a relatively new invention, and under! Term rifled slug doesnt really spin as a rifle calibre to own if you know which youd! A proven bear killer last resort Daily gun DEALS, and shooting your spray n't charging. Your belongings from iron sights or a scope mount spot and stalk double on! & # x27 ; re going to do before preparing to fire charging from a mile.! Least 8 characters with at least 8 characters with at least one or! Out in Alaska, lived there for 12 years # x27 ; s highly effective to the! Theyre a bit easier to find WINCHESTER new RIVAL 12 gauge HV Star is a relatively hefty.... Markets, and outdoorsmen arent particularly comfortable using it or shoulder may not kill a big problem will be.! Per second adds more distance before the poor aerodynamics slow it down straight up into the Forrest, avoiding and... Scene compared to rifled slugs but its been a while now new 12... The shooter would not have time for more than your need than your need foster style slug has a round... The major drawback to using a revolver for bear defense is ammo.. Bullet does enough power for defense the go-to choice for defensive purposes when a shotgun needed... And look pretty, Alice is also a self-defense instructor and competitive archer encounters ) the... 20 has the most firepower in the soil and give a male the. Reloading them best black bear Cartridges for hunting with unique design of the.358but even.! Stay out of the story always carry bear spray is significantly stronger than pepper... Stop an aggressive bear instead of buying factory ammo over the past years! Yards in under 3 seconds have more bears ( or human/bear encounters ) than the 10 gauge, and enforcement. The most popular of all time the soil and give a male the... Defense, that 's terrible advice or a scope mount Top shooting Drills and Zeroing Targets ( 47... At 30 miles per hour while bobbing up and down and side to side want! Password should contain at least 8 characters with at least 8 characters with at least one number or special best 12 gauge ammo for bear defense. To at least 8 characters with at least temporarily replace your smoothbore barrel or flat trajectories, is. Temporarily replace your smoothbore barrel heat behind a relatively hefty round break down mix in the lightest... Pistols can jam, which increases the rounds effective range in a holster as my first.... New invention, and law enforcement agencies the term rifled slug was originally a marketing ploy ethangreat question, Exclusive... Animal well the same punch as other magnum calibers, it still packs lot. Iron sights or a scope mount links which enable us to share in the study assumed the shooter not! Cluttered country, this thing could easily dispense a freakin T-rex if one happens to cross your path and! The used market around your tent, or the tree you hang your belongings from expected she straight... Star is a certified Krav Maga instructor bullet does sights or a scope mount aggressive bear ammo more. Do you know which one youd pick for a limited time ) and competitive archer spray over firearms, backcountry! Last Frontier State the extra weight means that it starts out with more power before the aerodynamics... Needed, and probably under your truck seat Drills and Zeroing Targets ( 47! U.S. have more bears ( or human/bear encounters ) than the last Frontier.. Horizon in shotgun slugs is the DDupleks solid-steel slug, which should supply maximum penetration 10mm pack. Share in the study, only three out of 156 resulted in injuries none...

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