Ideas for camping/truck gun suitable for bear?

[Grizzly16]

Are you hunting with it or just keeping it around in case you need it? If it is a just in case a good 44 mag or 454 cassull long barrel revolver would be easier to keep handy and lighter. And I've seen what the 454 can do to a deer. I'm pretty sure it would deal with SC size bears very well.

Or even a sbr'd draco with folding stock would be pretty easy to carry around.

[Jake'sDad]

Ahhh...I was looking at it on the tablet, looked like a synthetic stock.

[tpd223]

A Mossberg 590 or Remington 870 loaded with that new Federal high penetration slug would be a great choice, if you are not wanting a long gun that is also good for deer hunting at distance or whatever.

The shotgun would also be a better choice for defense against people than a bolt gun.

[Jake'sDad]

A Mossberg 590 or Remington 870 loaded with that new Federal high penetration slug would be a great choice, if you are not wanting a long gun that is also good for deer hunting at distance or whatever.

The shotgun would also be a better choice for defense against people than a bolt gun.

Pretty much what I was thinking.

[mkmckinley]

I just bring my 870 on camping trips and load it with slugs. I've never actually had to shoot a bear but it's been nice to have the option a couple times. I've read that penetration may be an issue with slugs and something like a massaged lever gun from Superior Firearms llc would be the gold standard for dealing with large bear. My wife carries a can of pepper spray as well.

[mkmckinley]

We have both where I live but the brown bear are what I got the 45-70 for.
Pat

Any good bear stories from AK?

[J-Dub]

It appears that on their website Alaska fish and game even recommend a 12ga (with slugs of course).

Realize that a 12ga foster type slug is probably going to be 1oz which is over 400gr. Velocity is over 2000fps (at the muzzle). So for up close protection, i would feel pretty comfortable with 6-8 slugs in a shotgun. Especially for black bears.

An 870 marine would make a great camp gun, little to no worry about rusting....low maintenance.

[Jake'sDad]

Realize that a 12ga foster type slug is probably going to be 1oz which is over 400gr. Velocity is over 2000fps (at the muzzle). So for up close protection, i would feel pretty comfortable with 6-8 slugs in a shotgun. Especially for black bears.

Where are you getting foster slugs that go over 2000 at the muzzle?

[Alaskapopo]

It appears that on their website Alaska fish and game even recommend a 12ga (with slugs of course).

Realize that a 12ga foster type slug is probably going to be 1oz which is over 400gr. Velocity is over 2000fps (at the muzzle). So for up close protection, i would feel pretty comfortable with 6-8 slugs in a shotgun. Especially for black bears.

An 870 marine would make a great camp gun, little to no worry about rusting....low maintenance.

Here are some chono results for slugs I have shot. The Breneke load is a 2 3/4 mag. You are not getting 2000 fps from a shotgun slug, no way.

Shotgun Benelli Breneke Black Magic 2 ¾
1440
Remington reduced recoil
1170

Pat

[J-Dub]

Sorry, 2000fps is advertised for some Sabot slugs. Even so, i dont think 1400 is anything to laugh at...