Bear Defense Shotgun Loads

[treillw]

I'm looking for a shotgun shell to use for coyotes. I'll probably end up with some 3.5" magnum with buckshot, or something of that sort.

Just got me thinking, a similar load might be viable to have in the gun around bears - say walking into to retrieve meat in a hostel environment. Might be worth adding a slug or two into the tube as well.

Anybody looked into bear defense shotgun loads?

I've heard people say that regular bird shot does the trick if you shoot them in the eyes with it. Dunno if I wanna put that one to the test though!

 

[VernAK]

Brenneke

 

[robtattoo]

I'm not sure I wouldn't prefer lots of 3" 00 buck, with 1 brenneke slug as my first shot.

I'd avoid 3½ shells. Lots more recoil for very little extra velocity.

 

[fraz01]

Federal makes a tungsten HD shot shell in 00 buck at 1600fps. Hog hunters like this shell, should be pretty stout.

 

[howl]

The tungsten loads will crack a skull but I wouldn't want to pay for enough to shoot many coyotes.

 

[Werty]

I can speak from experience, buckshot ain't worth a shit to kill grizzly, go slugs!

 

[Dirt Wagon]

I would only carry D Dupleks Stealhead Slugs in the chamber if bears had me on the menu.

D Dupleks 1 oz solid steel slug.

It's designed to shoot in all kinds of chokes. Comes in both solid and expanding.

 

[VernAK]

I can speak from experience, buckshot ain't worth a shit to kill grizzly, go slugs!

I have friends with a huge sample size and they swear by Brenneke slugs. Bone breaking penetration is needed and I don't see that happening with any shotshell unless the bear is point blank.

 

[Yellowknife]

Brenneke slugs are the standard in Alaska for the majority of bear guards (yes, it's a profession), and field people carrying shotguns. I've personally used a couple on a black bear, and had excellent performance.

Buckshot is generally considered to have very poor penetration and be a poor choice. There are still a few people that go that route, but it's getting more rare.

I've heard people say that regular bird shot does the trick if you shoot them in the eyes with it. Dunno if I wanna put that one to the test though!

I've heard this argument for birdshot and buckshot more times than I can count. I will point out that if you shoot a bear in the eyes with a hard cast slug... that works even better!

My dad actually tried the the buckshot in the face thing on a small blackbear once. It required follow ups and the buckshot was recovered between the hide and the skull with minimal penetration. He has carried slugs ever since.

 

[howl]

Lead buck will flatten out on bone. The extra dense tungsten stuff will not.

 

[Yukon Cornelius]

Brenke black magic. 2 3/4” or 3”. That’s all you need. Alaska wildlife troopers use it. Fish and game and the federal wildlife departments use it as well. Trust the experts. Not the internet experts.

 

[jfs82]

If the plan is to shoot a bear in the face with shot, make it go blind and die a slow painful potentially aggressive death, just put a slug in it and get it over with. Better for you and the bear. If you can shoot the bear in the butt with the shot, then you shouldnt be worried anyway.

 

[Beendare]

Brenke black magic. 2 3/4” or 3”. That’s all you need. Alaska wildlife troopers use it. Fish and game and the federal wildlife departments use it as well. Trust the experts. Not the internet experts.

Yep^