Ideal gun for backcountry protection

[tango71]

I am surprised that not many of you mentioned shotguns with 00 buck and or slugs. I am almost done building my bear gun from a Remington Model 31 and have complete confidence that it can take out a bear. I pray I never get myself in to that situation but you never know. Camping out in the backwoods, you never know what can happen.

[popgunn]

Just have to keep an eye out for blacks around here but for something short and handy I too use a "Mares Leg" in .45 Colt because it's what I have, the .44 mag would have an edge I believe. If I were to be in your neighborhood with some browns I'd think a 45-70 Marlin Guide Gun would be my pick if I owned one.

[stuckeyman]

Originally Posted by crawfy

Bear spray and a 45/70 marlin guide gun.

Me too.

[greylynx]

Originally Posted by Speckle55

I use a 30-30 too model 94 loaded when i don't forget to put on my back and bear spray on hip.. and you don,t have to shoot all the time..but if you do sometimes just a shot in front of the charge will do.. here is one .. i sat with him two years ago at the ABA conv in Red Deer and chatted.. nice guy great bow hunter

i had one incendent last year with a Grizz with three cubs picking Huckleberrys.. wow gun was in the truck .. enjoy David

info she with cubs is at Lovett Lake this year and put the run on afew anglers

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vUG8UPsgE3U
http://www.outdoorsmenforum.ca/showt...=Grizz+reports

All good posts.

Speckle:

How many times do I have to tell you there are no grizzly bears in Alberta.

Say: Did that Lovett grizzly sow have twins again? If she did, she is one little bear factory. Maybe there is some truth to the locals saying twins are not uncommon down that way.

Take care you guys.

[Albertaguide]

rem 870 with extended mag first load 2 1oz slugs, the one 00buck then one #8 bird shot, then finally 2 bangers. basically you're escalating the lethality as you run the gun. 2 bangers to scare, lite shot to smack buck to turn and finally last chance two slugs to "put em down" if need be. hate to think of cubs orphaned because i got spooked and wasted mama, but better them than me. and don't worry about getting to the slugs in a hurry you'll be running that gun on an empty chamber before you can blink in a dngerous encounter.

[TangoKilo]

I picked up a cute little Ruger 44 carbine for exactly this role.

250Gr hard cast @ 1600fps is exponentially more persuasive to a bear then throwing rocks is!!

[Canuck Bob]

I carry my hunting rifle, 444 Marlin. I am considering a BPS Uplander, the little Walnut straight stocked short barrel shotgun, as an occasional alternatives when I want to do some shooting as well as carrying. The 444 is too much for rabbits or chicken.

What do folks think about rubber bullets for a 12 gauge, say one up followed by slugs? These recent discussions have convinced me to carry bear spray as well.

I don't big game hunt much these days so the 444 has been tuned as a camp rifle. It has always had a peep but now I don't carry any insert, put a large bead front when my small bead fell off the sight, and zeroed at 75 paces it hits poa to 100 paces. When I practice its 50 paces offhand usually.

[Tundra Monkey]

[QUOTE=Canuck Bob;1536840]I carry my hunting rifle, 444 Marlin. I am considering a BPS Uplander, the little Walnut straight stocked short barrel shotgun, as an occasional alternatives when I want to do some shooting as well as carrying. The 444 is too much for rabbits or chicken.QUOTE]

Throw some 410 shells in your pocket and them chickens n' bunnies won't know what hit em!!!!!!!!!

and leave the rubber bullets at home.

[philthygeezer]

Originally Posted by sinawalli

How effective is a bear banger? Ever had to use one? Fired a couple behind my house, and they are loud!! I would worry about wind direction when using spray.

I've seen them work. However, I had spray and a shotgun for backup. Options are good.

Lately I've been thinking that a .338 win mag with 250 grain Nosler partition bullets might be better than a 12 gauge or a .45-70.

[cdrabb]

Originally Posted by bat119

I like my Rem 600 350 mag. 18.5" barrel with no scope, its easy to load in a hurry just drop one in the pipe and your good to go. It fits sideways on my quad just behind the seat for easy access

X2

[dogslayer403]

1895 in 45/70 with 540gr hardcast what else do you need!!!! I agree bear spray is effective for sure but what happens when it doesnt work or the wind is blowing at you and you succeed only in blinding yourself? Has anyone ever over shot a bear with a bear banger and had it detonate on the other side of him????? which way do you think he runs after that. Besides no bear spray and bangers means room for more skoal and jerky LOL

[Wrenchman]

Originally Posted by kabaner

Russian SKS 7.62X39. Dependable and durable. Plus its cheaper then wheat chaff so your not going worry if you accidently drop it in a river or down the side of a mountain.

Agreed!! Bad pun, but the frickin thing is bulletproof! Don't know about yours, but mine still fired after a trip in the water. (just had to see if it would...) Cheap to target shoot with, reliable, and plenty loud enough. Also a semi auto, so a quick double-tap is possible as well Gonna take my first deer with it as well. Plus how freakin cool is the bayonette!)

[Gonehuntin']

#1 bear defense tool-brain.Also great to have bear spray, but it's damn hard to beat a pump shotgun loaded with quality slugs.Plain vanilla.I know, the same boring answer.The original bear banger.Rubber slugs, bear scare cartridges and bird/ buckshot have no place as "bear defence" loads. However, load yours as you see fit.

[New Hunter Okotoks]

870 Defender or 870 Marine. Take the Plug out and fill it with slugs.

If you are in a situation where you jump a bear on a killsite, surprise a Sow with Cubs, or have a Predatory Bear stalking you, you might only get one shot before the Bear is on you. I would rather have that shot be with a heavy slug than some bird shot. That one shot might break a front shoulder with a slug, but will do very little with bird shot. No matter where the slug hits, it's going to do severe damage.

[skinnykid]

What about a Taurus "MODEL 4510 .45/.410 (2.5" CHAMBER) ULTRA-LITE WITH FIBER OPTIC SIGHT"? Perfect for today's super animal, like the flying squirrel... Those little buggers come outta nowhere!



I carry my lever... Winchester 94, .375win...

[Lefty-Canuck]

Originally Posted by Gonehuntin'

#1 bear defense tool-brain.Also great to have bear spray, but it's damn hard to beat a pump shotgun loaded with quality slugs.Plain vanilla.I know, the same boring answer.The original bear banger.Rubber slugs, bear scare cartridges and bird/ buckshot have no place as "bear defence" loads. However, load yours as you see fit.

X2....nuff said

LC

[ww2269]

Just purchased a ROSSIE RANCH HAND in 44 mag. Its 24" long and weights about 5lbs. Got the verbal go head from the fish cops to pack it while bow hunting. So far i can't hit a 4x8 ply wood at 20 yards but it sure makes a bang!

Originally Posted by ww2269

Just purchased a ROSSIE RANCH HAND in 44 mag. Its 24" long and weights about 5lbs. Got the verbal go head from the fish cops to pack it while bow hunting. So far i can't hit a 4x8 ply wood at 20 yards but it sure makes a bang!

Ya, a set of new sights are pretty well mandatory on the Rossi.

[Forest Techer]

Originally Posted by popgunn

Just have to keep an eye out for blacks around here but for something short and handy I too use a "Mares Leg" in .45 Colt because it's what I have, the .44 mag would have an edge I believe. If I were to be in your neighborhood with some browns I'd think a 45-70 Marlin Guide Gun would be my pick if I owned one.

Come on...out of context this would be a wild post.

the old marlin 30 30 is my camp gun for bears sometimes it comes to work with me. If someone is chased out of an area Ill have to finish it and I bring it along with me. it's short, reliable, relatively light and is more accurate in a hurry then the shotgun I have.

Now i have carried a shotgun for really long backpacks of over 10 days Because of the ammo versatility. The NWT I would have birdshot for grouse and slugs for bears and a few flare shots for emergency.

A good dog is worth 10x any gun this is only based on working alone in the bush for years. Alert 100% of the time, carries itself and will alert the bear or cougar to you and vice versa sooner, many times this was a difference of 10 meters, no dog and it would have been me face to face with the bear being 10 meters in front of me makes all the difference. Even sleeping at night that dog is still doing its job around camp. That said a bad dog and the opposite applies. Mind you there are some people in this province that don't care what kinda gun you have but will shoot your dog without thinking. A gun is only money to replace, you can replace it the next day. My dog was free but I've invested tons of time and she has earned her keep for years keeping me, my employees and my camp safe.

Apologies for the digress. Get a 30 30 lever and you won't ever second guess it.

[Dick284]

All this worry about bear protection.

Out of all the experts, who here has actually had to bring force to bear on old Yogi?

The best advice I've seen on this post, is have your brain switched on, and bring the bear spray.

[Lefty-Canuck]

Originally Posted by sheephunter

Ya, a set of new sights are pretty well mandatory on the Rossi.

What sights did you go with SH?

LC

[Scott N]

Originally Posted by Dick284

All this worry about bear protection.

Out of all the experts, who here has actually had to bring force to bear on old Yogi?

The best advice I've seen on this post, is have your brain switched on, and bring the bear spray.

X2.

[KegRiver]

Originally Posted by Dick284

All this worry about bear protection.

Out of all the experts, who here has actually had to bring force to bear on old Yogi?

The best advice I've seen on this post, is have your brain switched on, and bring the bear spray.

I have, on several occasions. But only twice to protect self.
That is after living in bear country for a few days more then 58 years.

I don't usually carry anything for bear protection other then common sense.
There are exceptions however. Spring beaver hunting for instance.

[heartshot]

Just thought I would throw my two cents in. If you’re going into bear country carry bear spray, it will be the most effective.

Now on the off chance you need a gun, a shotgun or a lever will do. Mare’s leg & pistol grip shotguns are useless, you’re not going to hit anything with these. Pick something you can shoulder, get a good anchor with and a shorter barrel.

Now that thats been said, shooting a charging bear is not like any other shooting you done and requires practice. Most grizzlies that have been shot in a charge situation have taken more than 4 shots to stop. There are several training exercises you can do to train yourself to shoot a charging bear effectively & in my opinion you need to have this training.

Another thing I recommend is reading the book "Bear attacks: The deadly truth" by James Shelton, It will open your eyes and I believe they go over some of the firearms training exercises I’m talking about.

Be safe.

[Lefty-Canuck]

Originally Posted by heartshot

Just thought I would throw my two cents in. If you’re going into bear country carry bear spray, it will be the most effective.

Now on the off chance you need a gun, a shotgun or a lever will do. Mare’s leg & pistol grip shotguns are useless, you’re not going to hit anything with these. Pick something you can shoulder, get a good anchor with and a shorter barrel.

Be safe.

I agree....that's why I made some mods..

http://www.outdoorsmenforum.ca/showt...ighlight=rossi

LC

[Forest Techer]

Originally Posted by Dick284

All this worry about bear protection.

Out of all the experts, who here has actually had to bring force to bear on old Yogi?

The best advice I've seen on this post, is have your brain switched on, and bring the bear spray.

I agree 100%

Ive only had to take action once in a standoff and it was without a gun or dog and I maced this young black bear I couldn't chase off (understandable he was there first and it looked like a choice raspberry patch). Kinda stupid because it was embarassingly small my size maybe 185lbs. It kept following and following and I wasnt going to put my back to the bear so after one of my charges when he was sniffing at me I let a burst go. He didn't like it and bounced way back then after some sneezing and head tossing he left. before my dog I only carried mace when I remembered it and had about a 6 or 7 standoff s that didn't need anything but yelling and running at them. Bears are not looking for a fight so bring one and they usually leave. There's lots of people working in the bush all week all year and bears are only a nuisance, not a constant threat like many people think.

That being said about spray The op's question was about a good gun.

The other bEnifit of the dog is it's much more of a deterent then a warning shot in the dirt. This has been proven hence the bear dog programs. This way the next human this bear sees or smells he's gonna remember that dog and not worry about it. Bears are also harassed by wolveswhich makes them more wary of large dogs.

[mudbug]

A gun you can actually hit something with that your comfortable using

[Speckle55]

this is what happens when you lose fear of a Bear.. Black bear males will stock you as in Liard Campground and the guy used his 30-30 to save more carnage.. David

of the 69 Black bears killing humans 92 % were males Black bears recent study

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0427312/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of..._North_America

[Speckle55]

here is the Liard story .. David
http://www.readersdigest.ca/magazine/rogue-bear-rampage

[lmtada]

Originally Posted by crawfy

Bear spray and a 45/70 marlin guide gun.

Right Answer. Cowboy guns are fun.