coles Posted July 19, 2006 Report Share Posted July 19, 2006 if you saw my post about elk hunting in the big game forum you will know what im talking aobut. up where i will be hunting alot with my bow there is grizzlys everywhere. last night we saw 2. and ill be hunting around swampy areas so just were the bears like the live. i have a taurus titainum 41 mag but the thing kicks soo bad and is soo loud i can hardly shoot it. i would be more comfortable with a shot gun an they hit harder anyway with buck shot or slugs. so what would be a good set up for an 870 or a Nova.which would you go with. its gotta stay pretty light too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strut10 Posted July 20, 2006 Report Share Posted July 20, 2006 Re: best gun for bear protection? My advice would be an 18" barrel for the 870 and some slugs.........whichever ones will penetrate the best. Buckshot is not going to get to the central nervous system like a slug. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coles Posted July 20, 2006 Author Report Share Posted July 20, 2006 Re: best gun for bear protection? i have heard to alternate slugs and buckshot. i would also get a mag. extention to. thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
257bob Posted July 23, 2006 Report Share Posted July 23, 2006 Re: best gun for bear protection? I would carry the handgun. You are hoping to not have to use either I'm assuming. The handgun is lighter, smaller and easier to pack. If you have to use it and I hope you don't, I promise you won't hear the gun or feal the recoil. I know it is not pleasant to practice with at all. I am planning to buy the S&W Airlight 44 Mag for the same reason. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJ Posted July 23, 2006 Report Share Posted July 23, 2006 Re: best gun for bear protection? First check into what your game laws say about carrying a firearm during archery season. If its legal, why not take your handgun? You are not going to be shooting target practice with it. You will not be shooting any distance with it it will be close range or you are poaching a bear. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HarvDog Posted July 24, 2006 Report Share Posted July 24, 2006 Re: best gun for bear protection? [ QUOTE ] First check into what your game laws say about carrying a firearm during archery season. If its legal, why not take your handgun? You are not going to be shooting target practice with it. You will not be shooting any distance with it it will be close range or you are poaching a bear. [/ QUOTE ] With a CHP (Concealed Handgun Permit) in Virginia, I carry my Ruger 357 Magnum. Yeah baby!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coles Posted July 25, 2006 Author Report Share Posted July 25, 2006 Re: best gun for bear protection? no im not poaching bears. are you crazy? i wouldnt want to spend the rest of my life in jail. but shotguns have more knockdown power am i right? i found a benelli nova with an 18" barrel. im really considering it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whitetailtrax Posted July 25, 2006 Report Share Posted July 25, 2006 Re: best gun for bear protection? How about a can of pepper spray - I carry mine from time to time when hunting or working in griz country - fortunately I've never had to use it. I have a couple hunting parterns that have used it and it works well. If you insist on carrying a gun, just remember to file down the front sight......that way it won't hurt so bad when the bear shoves it up your.....well, we've all heard that joke. Whatever your decision, I hope you have a safe and memoriable season chasing elk up on the front. I can't wait to get after them here around Helena. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coles Posted July 26, 2006 Author Report Share Posted July 26, 2006 Re: best gun for bear protection? we saw another griz last night. if i didnt tell ya'll they had a horse die so they drug it out in the field and they have been watching it. he was on his way to the horse. they saw a huge one the other night. so theres alot of em. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Colorado Bob Posted July 29, 2006 Report Share Posted July 29, 2006 Re: best gun for bear protection? I'd opt for the 12 guage-----with slugs. Plus I would take out the plug & I would use 2 3/4"-----1 oz---sluggers. I've got not confedience in a pistol------I KNOW I can hit it with the shotgun. CB Remember you are betting your life on the choice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strut10 Posted July 30, 2006 Report Share Posted July 30, 2006 Re: best gun for bear protection? [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] First check into what your game laws say about carrying a firearm during archery season. If its legal, why not take your handgun? You are not going to be shooting target practice with it. You will not be shooting any distance with it it will be close range or you are poaching a bear. [/ QUOTE ] With a CHP (Concealed Handgun Permit) in Virginia, I carry my Ruger 357 Magnum. Yeah baby!!! [/ QUOTE ] You have many griz in Virginia?? I would, again, recommend the shotgun with slugs for serious bear protection. Or.....just learn to run from zero to 40 mph in under 4 seconds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LifeNRA Posted July 30, 2006 Report Share Posted July 30, 2006 Re: best gun for bear protection? [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] First check into what your game laws say about carrying a firearm during archery season. If its legal, why not take your handgun? You are not going to be shooting target practice with it. You will not be shooting any distance with it it will be close range or you are poaching a bear. [/ QUOTE ] With a CHP (Concealed Handgun Permit) in Virginia, I carry my Ruger 357 Magnum. Yeah baby!!! [/ QUOTE ] I also have my CCP or CHP, but the PA Game Commission still has a law against the carring of a firearm during archery season! Which I can be FINED for if stopped by a PA WCO! Like AJ said, check your game laws! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coles Posted July 31, 2006 Author Report Share Posted July 31, 2006 Re: best gun for bear protection? i agree with CB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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