20 guage or rifle for bear?
- Thread starter Swimmer
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D
Deleted member 28227
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.30-06
I'm wavering between a 20 gauge with slugs and a 270 WSM for hunting them this year over bait, as well. I don't think either is necessarily better at those ranges, just pick which you'd prefer to shoot one with. Right now I'm leaning towards 20 gauge.
SFC B
Well-known member
An 06 with a 180gr bullet will net you more than an extra THOUSAND lbs of energy at that distance. The 20ga is still plenty if that is all you have but at almost double the energy I would definitely go with 06. Here is what I got with the same setup (06 @ 90m) and he didn't take a second step.
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Gunner46
Well-known member
I have absolutely No qualms with the 20ga, as long as it shoots an appropriate group. It has more than enough energy and makes BIG holes ! Big holes in bears are your friend. 
Plus this: Momentum. 30/06 180gr @ 2600= 69. 20ga 3/4oz slug @ 1600= 75
Plus this: Momentum. 30/06 180gr @ 2600= 69. 20ga 3/4oz slug @ 1600= 75
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Salmonchaser
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- Nov 12, 2019
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My first two DLP shootings on grizzly were settled with a 12 gauge, due mainly to happenstance. It worked. Growing up in Alaska and Oregon I always hunted big game with a rifle, no experience hunting with slugs. I would always choose a rifle but I’m interested in why you are considering a 20ga.
In any event, good luck with your hunt.
In any event, good luck with your hunt.
Nick87
Well-known member
Whichever your more accurate/familiar with.
buffybr
Well-known member
I easily killed my first two black bears on DIY spot and stalk hunts, one with my Govt Model .45 acp pistol and the other with my Ruger .44 mag SBH pistol. Both were one shot kills with cast bullets. Both a 20 ga slug and a .30-06 bullet have far more energy than my pistol bullets. Bullet placement is most important.
wisconsinteacher
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I would use the 30-06. If scoped, you might gain a little more time as dark approaches and the bears come in right at dark.
L
longbow51
Guest
Never shot a bear and don't plan to (like my wild game meat rare), but do know a few wardens and if they go after a wounded bear they use 12 ga with slugs. So either should be fine.
VikingsGuy
Well-known member
Do they make 12ga in a RUM variant??
MO Betta
Well-known member
3 & 1/2"?
12 Gauge from Hell
12 Gauge from hell
How's it going guys? Very glad I listened to a member on a different forums advice to come here with some of my questions. My first thread ever got me set on the right track for acquiring a specialty sizing die in a short amount of time. This is a project of mine that I've been working on...
castboolits.gunloads.com
VikingsGuy
Well-known member
seems like a Darwin award finalist in the making
VikingsGuy
Well-known member
A 4 & 1/2" maybe
pabearhunter
Well-known member
12 gauge with copper solids.
thusby
Well-known member
At typical bait ranges, it isn't going to make a bit of difference what you shoot it with. I've seen a 400 pound bear tip over from a 150 grain .308 in about 20 steps. Just use hard cast ammo. Leave the plastic tip stuff at home.
MO Betta
Well-known member
This guy is in one of the reloading group pages I'm in on Facebook. Glutton for punishment.
