Author Topic: Shotgun for Black Bear? (Read 5650 times)

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #30 on:** February 26, 2007, 01:48:52 AM »

Robert Baggett, stick with that slug gun. Sure a 30-06 will kill a bear. So will a 243, but I always like a big hole. If you have to track a bear a big hole will let the blood flow, that is what you want. Bear fat will clog small holes and the bear fur will soak up the blood and make it a little more difficult to track if needed.

My taxidermist has no problem repairing bullet holes. I could not show you where the repair was done, he does such a good job.

teddy12b · « **Reply #31 on:** February 26, 2007, 10:11:07 AM »

Yesterday I had a breakthrough with my 870 express 12 gauage. I had an old computer with a lot of information on it that i didn't want anyone else to ever get there hands on so when I decided to get rid of it I decided it was going to get the "shotgun" special. Anyway, I set the old computer on the ground so I was looking at it from the top and fired two winchester 3" fully rifled slugs through the top of the computer from 20 yards. Neither of these slugs made it the whole way through the computer! One almost did and dented the bottom of the computer. This shocked me because I thought a slug wouldn't have any problem getting through a computer.

Anyway, the reason I brought that up is because I want to know what kind of slugs you'd be usign in your shotguns for bear hunting. My 870 is for home and that's why the fully rifled slugs, and my savage 210F loaded with 3" federal Barnes slugs is my hunting shotgun. I should have tested the barnes bullets on the computer but it's too late now. Who's got a favorite bear killing slug?

Robert Baggett · « **Reply #32 on:** February 26, 2007, 10:30:40 AM »

Good Question!

teddy12b · « **Reply #33 on:** February 26, 2007, 10:35:56 AM »

I'm glad somebody thinks that's a good question. I didn't think computers were that tough, but they stopped 3" winchester lead rifled slugs from less than 20 yards.

bearfat · « **Reply #34 on:** February 26, 2007, 11:39:06 AM »

Here's the inside of a computer. There can be alot of metal hit depending on the slug path I guess.

You can see a thumb off on bottom right for perspective.

I was surprised to see how much empty space there was too. Most of the guts were on one side.

Not the best pic to answer this question but at least something.

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #35 on:** February 26, 2007, 11:52:37 AM »

In my Beretta I use the 2 3/4 inch 12 gauge Lightfields. My buddy uses the 2 3/4 inch Remington Solid copper's in his 12 gauge.

Rev Buck · « **Reply #36 on:** February 26, 2007, 01:42:26 PM »

For shooting computers I would recommend a .30-06 with maybe a fmj bullet of at least 180 grains. Those computers are tuff critters

(grinning, ducking, & running) Rev

teddy12b · « **Reply #37 on:** February 27, 2007, 01:40:19 AM »

When I get home I'll take some pictures of the computer. It's still in the can. I'm half tempted to go try out some of the federal barnes slugs on it anyway.

Let's face it, who hasn't at one time or another wanted to blast a computer?

Anybody getting slugs all the way through bears or are they stopping somewhere inside?

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #38 on:** February 27, 2007, 02:25:16 AM »

teddy12b, on both bears shot with different slugs, Remington Copper Solids and Lightfields, nether slug was retrieved. Both passes through.

teddy12b · « **Reply #39 on:** February 27, 2007, 05:58:06 AM »

Great info to have. That's great that both slugs passed through. Were these broadside shots? How far away were they? How big were the bears? Any pictures?

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #40 on:** February 27, 2007, 11:30:04 AM »

Both shots went through shoulder and out the opposite side, distance was 25 and 35 yards. Bears were 150 and 300 pounds. I don't have the pic's of our shotgun hunts. I do have a few pic's of my 500 Mag and 45-70 bears. Also I don't know how to post pics. But they were posted on here awhile back.

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #41 on:** February 27, 2007, 11:37:12 AM »

Quote from: teddy12b on February 27, 2007, 05:58:06 AM

Great info to have. That's great that both slugs passed through. Were these broadside shots? How far away were they? How big were the bears? Any pictures?

Here is a link to that thread.

http://www.graybeardoutdoors.com/smf/index.php/topic,96106.0.html

WylieKy · « **Reply #42 on:** February 28, 2007, 06:51:52 AM »

Quote from: teddy12b on February 27, 2007, 01:40:19 AM

When I get home I'll take some pictures of the computer. It's still in the can. I'm half tempted to go try out some of the federal barnes slugs on it anyway.

Let's face it, who hasn't at one time or another wanted to blast a computer?

Anybody getting slugs all the way through bears or are they stopping somewhere inside?

Make sure you specifically destroy your hard drive if you have any financial, personal, or otherwise sensitive info on it. Even if the computer is blown up, if the hard drive is still in one piece they can still get you info. Kind of like pulling the engine out of a wrecked car and putting it in another. You may already know this, but I thought it was worth the post.

FYI....I prefer black powder rifles on computers. It amuses me.

WylieKy

teddy12b · « **Reply #43 on:** February 28, 2007, 07:18:08 AM »

Good point to mention for those that aren't aware of that. Make sure you blast the hard drive too! I neglected to mention that I blasted the computer broadside twice with some Remington Nitro #2 steel shot before I gave it the slug test. I pretty much ruined everything in that computer just to make sure my information didn't end up in the wrong hands.

Robert Baggett · « **Reply #44 on:** March 02, 2007, 08:18:14 AM »

Ok guys, I did it. After thinking about it I decided against the shotgun and bought a new rifle. I needed one anyway, so I have decided to take it on my bear hunt. I bought a Tikka Lite Stainless .300 wsm and put a Zeiss Conquest 3x9x40 with Talley Rings on it. I think it will get the job done. Maybe next time I take my Benelli.

teddy12b · « **Reply #45 on:** March 02, 2007, 10:19:46 AM »

Well, I can't fault you for that. Everyone "needs" to buy a new gun every once in a while.

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #46 on:** March 02, 2007, 10:22:52 AM »

Robert Baggett, I would not of talked you out of a new gun, but that 300 wsm is going to blow a big hole in the side of that bear. I have a 300 Win Mag, a 338 Win mag and a 300 RUM and would not take any of them for a bait hunt for bear. The distance for most bait sights is under 50 yards. So I think you should get another gun...LOL

Get a 45-70, 35 Remington or even a 30-30 in a Marlin, great bear guns.

Robert Baggett · « **Reply #47 on:** March 02, 2007, 10:38:43 AM »

LOL, I had a Browning SS .338 that was stolen over a year ago and I have not replaced it yet so I figured it was about time. It may be a little over kill for black bear but I like big guns! We may have the opportunity to have a crack at a wolf too but it won't be under fifty yards. I do have a Marlin 30-30 by the way.

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #48 on:** March 02, 2007, 11:40:16 AM »

Now you need a 45-70..

dabigmoose · « **Reply #49 on:** March 03, 2007, 02:25:03 AM »

wow so those computers really do stop bullets in the movies lol.
use your marlin you should be fine and good luck
dabigmoose

Robert Baggett · « **Reply #50 on:** March 05, 2007, 03:03:31 AM »

Redhawk1, it is like your signature says, "If you are going to make a hole, might as well make a big one"

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #51 on:** March 05, 2007, 04:46:31 AM »

You got that right...

muskydx · « **Reply #52 on:** March 06, 2007, 07:23:23 AM »

anybody ever use a 20 ga for bear?

Spanky · « **Reply #53 on:** March 26, 2007, 06:47:33 PM »

Quote

Yesterday I had a breakthrough with my 870 express 12 gauage. I had an old computer with a lot of information on it that i didn't want anyone else to ever get there hands on so when I decided to get rid of it I decided it was going to get the "shotgun" special. Anyway, I set the old computer on the ground so I was looking at it from the top and fired two winchester 3" fully rifled slugs through the top of the computer from 20 yards. Neither of these slugs made it the whole way through the computer! One almost did and dented the bottom of the computer. This shocked me because I thought a slug wouldn't have any problem getting through a computer.

I couldn't help but laugh out loud when I read this

That's what I call REDNECK!! You can come hunt with me anytime

Spanky

teddy12b · « **Reply #54 on:** April 30, 2007, 10:17:34 AM »

Hey Spanky,
I'm too much of a redneck, I just try to make sure my identity doesn't get stolen. If you want to go hunting that'd be fine with me. I'll bring the "computer crasher" so you can try it out if you'd like.

wild country · « **Reply #55 on:** May 02, 2007, 12:00:37 AM »

I have shot two with an 870 shotgun. At the range you will be shooting at it should put them down quick. You might ask the range you will be shooting at, Most of my baits are 15-20 yrds, lots of my friends and clients bow hunt. As for the hole I like Redhawk1's quote something about make a big one!. For the rug if you put the shot tight to the shoulder, just behind, the hole will blend with the arm pit or can be stiched. Good luck happy hunting.....

Robert Baggett · « **Reply #56 on:** May 03, 2007, 06:34:19 AM »

Well guys, I am off to Alberta tomorrow for my first bear hunt. Hopefully, I will bring back some pics to share.

teddy12b · « **Reply #57 on:** May 03, 2007, 11:15:09 AM »

Good luck Robert!

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #58 on:** May 04, 2007, 01:16:53 AM »

Good luck to you Robert.

Robert Baggett · « **Reply #59 on:** May 15, 2007, 06:34:56 AM »

Hey guys, I'm back. Best guided trip I have ever been on bar none! Everything from the guides to the food to the accommodations were outstanding! Here are a couple of pics of the two bears that I took.