Brenneke slugs and bears?

[BLJ]

Picked up a 500a this weekend and my mind started to wander. Brenneke are supposed to be the medicine for bears. Any experience 50 yards and closer in a defense situation? Specifically looking at the Green Lightening for a 12 gauge.
I'm not trying to start a debate on shotgun, rifle, pistol, spray. The weather was crappy yesterday and I got bored and started to think about this. Links to documentation would be great. Thanks.

 

[chinook907]

The Brenneke greens are what ADF&G settled on for bear protection for crews, and for killing problem bears.

 

[BLJ]

That’s interesting. I assumed it would one of the more potent offerings. Do you have a link to the study? If there was one? Thank you.

 

[DawnPatrol]

Specifically looking at the Green Lightening for a 12 gauge.

They work.

 

[BLJ]

Sounds like I might have track some down.

 

[chinook907]

That’s interesting. I assumed it would one of the more potent offerings. Do you have a link to the study? If there was one? Thank you.

None that I'm aware of.

Just went off the manufacturers specs as compared to others. Brenneke makes a load or two that are even more stout, but with a fair bit more recoil. Staff that carry them are a broad spectrum of sizes and experience, and that was a consideration.

 

[BLJ]

I was looking at the green because of the recoil. I noticed they had a load that was around 3800 ft. lbs. but I bet it would be a pretty wild ride with a short barreled 12. I’ve never been in a bear fight, but I would think multiple shots on target at a lower energy would be better than one miss. Thanks again.

 

[Mattahall15]

Good way to stop one in its tracks. Better than basically any pistol out there for bear defense.

 

[BLJ]

@Mattahall15. I would have to agree with that. I point a shotgun a lot better than a pistol for sure.

 

[VernAK]

ADFG did an extensive bear control near a village a few years back. Shooting from a heli, they killed 80+ in a few days....black and grizzly. Many of the bears were recovered for villagers to process meat. Villagers complained that the Brenneke slugs ruined too much meat. When the shooter switched to the old Foster slugs, it took more shots to down the bear but they could "eat right up to the hole". IIRC, they did another shoot the next year, with similar results, and moose numbers rebounded.

 

[BLJ]

I figured something that size would be pretty hard on meat.

 

[Htm84]

ADFG did an extensive bear control near a village a few years back. Shooting from a heli, they killed 80+ in a few days....black and grizzly. Many of the bears were recovered for villagers to process meat. Villagers complained that the Brenneke slugs ruined too much meat. When the shooter switched to the old Foster slugs, it took more shots to down the bear but they could "eat right up to the hole". IIRC, they did another shoot the next year, with similar results, and moose numbers rebounded.

Out on the kuskokwim?

 

[RyanShields]

There really isn't an animal in North America that a 12 guage slug won't kill inside 100 yards. The thing starts out a larger diameter than any rifle round will expand to.. when they mushroom and flatten out they are easily punching a 1" hole. There used to be a company called Light field that made slugs and they would film hunts around the country with them killing all sorts of big game using shotgun slugs. Everything I've shot with them acts like they got hit with Thor's hammer, lol

 

[Blockcaver]

Any comments on the Challenger wadcutter shaped slugs? Might be another option but recoil is fierce in my testing on firewood blocks fired in a Stevens 311 SxS.

 

[BLJ]

I’ll check out the Challengers. But if recoil is big, they’re probably not what I’m looking for. I want some punch, but would also like to have the option of follow up shots if need be. Thanks.

 

[BRTreedogs]

I here the black magic recommended on a podcast.
Have you been able to find anything of the sort in stock?

What kind of choke would you use?
I have an 18" 870 tactical.
No rifling but adjustable choke

 

[Eastcoasthunter94]

I here the black magic recommended on a podcast.
Have you been able to find anything of the sort in stock?

What kind of choke would you use?
I have an 18" 870 tactical.
No rifling but adjustable choke

I would think either improved cylinder or modified choke. Definitely not a full choke. Most tactical shotguns don’t even take chokes. I have an escort 12 gauge that has no choke fitting in the barrel and it shoots slugs fine.

 

[BRTreedogs]

I would think either improved cylinder or modified choke. Definitely not a full choke. Most tactical shotguns don’t even take chokes. I have an escort 12 gauge that has no choke fitting in the barrel and it shoots slugs fine.

Thats why I was willing to pay so much for the thing.
870 Tactical with Ghost rings is the only one I know of with adjustable chokes.

 

[Broomd]

I don't hunt elephants but if I had to kill anything else at close range the brenneke slug would be my first choice. I killed a large black bear with one in 2005 and it did it's job with aplomb..

 

[RyanShields]

I’ve never been in a bear fight, but I would think multiple shots on target at a lower energy would be better than one miss.

Check out Federal Hydroshok reduced recoil slugs. I've used these and won't go back to a full recoil slugs...I just don't see the need because they both shoot clean through everything and the reduced recoil slugs feel like a high brass bird shot.