Shotgun for black bear

Hi all,

Being new to hunting, and just having completed my Hunter Education Course and purchased my PA license, I realized that the course didn't really address the proper type sporting arm to use for certain animals. For example, is it appropriate to hunt black bear with a 12 gauge shotgun shooting slugs? The reason I ask is that some of the 'special reg' units in this area only allow bow or shotgun - no rifle - and I am just trying to get an idea of what is acceptable or not. I did look in the digest of rules / regulations that we were given, but it only addresses this aspect as far as muzzleloaders go, not shotguns or even the minimum acceptable rifle caliber.

Can you let me know thoughts?

Thanks!

John, this is just my opinion, offered in 'good faith'.

I would imagine that quite a few bear have been killed with a 12 gauge, but I would not recommend it. At close quarters, the 12 gauge has considerable muzzle energy, but lacks the penetration that is desirable for a large, fat, and heavily boned animal.

Don't get me wrong, you may hear from 6 different guys that they took their bear with a 12 gauge. Personally, I don't think it's the right gun. If you have a choice, anything from .308 on up is OK. A .30-'30 will kill a bear, but like the 12 gauge, it is a marginal choice.

One of the ethics us 'old guys' hope to instill in new and younger hunters is to use the right tool for the job. If you are able, use a caliber that will help ensure a quick and clean kill.

Having said that, if you do decide to use the 12, get close, within 50 yards, and use a scope. You will need to do some good shooting to be fair to the animal.

Good luck,

<snip> One of the ethics us 'old guys' hope to instill in new and younger <snip>

Hi Noah,

Thank you for your reply. Basically, that is exactly what I was looking for - to find out if it was 'the right tool for the job'. The last thing that I would want to do is cause unnecessary suffering by using an inneffective tool. Being somewhat new, I am still trying to get a feel for what is acceptable v. unacceptable, so I appreciate your thoughts.

Thanks again,

I agree with the advice to use a good rifle caliber and additionally that the .30-30 is marginal. Use premium bullets and ammo and make sure you know your bear anatomy for clean, killing shots. Unlike deer, your health and even life could depend on the shot you make. You do NOT want to just wound a bear of any size!

BUT, I would not discount all shotguns slugs across the board. I have Winchester Supreme Partition Gold Slugs that are basically the equivalent of a factory (not hot loaded) .45-70 or one of the pretty good black powder rifles, both quite capable of taking decent size bears. 385 grains of .50 cal Supreme Partion Gold slug moving at 1900 fps is pretty good bear medicine.

I haven't hunted with that load yet, but a friend of a friend tried it on hogs and said it bowled a 350 pounder right over!

I've heard good things about the Brenneke Rottweil slug as well, but again no personal experience.

Seems to me the State of Pennsylvania has already decided that shotguns are appropriate for black bear or they'd ask you not to use them. I've yet to hunt bear but it seems to me that were I hunting them over bait at very close range (as is the style here in Minnesota) a Brenneke slug (the hard lead fixed wad jobs that have been used on African buffalo, not the soft Fosters) from a rifle sighted smoothbore would do nicely. When other hunting methods are used and the range increases or engagement time decreases the rifle would likely be a better choice. Good hunting!

Hi kh,

As I said to 'Propwash' :o) ,my post was only my opinion. I haven't experimented with the slugs you mentioned, but I have hunted whitetails with slugs. They will do the job out to 100 yards (my personal limit), if the shot is carefully placed.

The premium slugs may do better, I just don't have experience with them.

My main concern, with a new hunter, is that he or she be aware that a wounded bear can be a serious threat, and that they are prepared to make a sure kill.

I'm not discounting your advice, at all. The 12 gauge slug is potent at closer ranges. For a new hunter, 'close up' might be a little too close, or maybe not... :o)

I've never had the opportunity to hunt wild boar. I know they get big, but how does the bone structure compare to bear? We have 400 to 500 lb. bear in my area, and they are 'big boned'. A shoulder shot with a 12 gauge is 'iffy'.

....just trying to give safe advice.

Regards,

I know that dog hunters in NC use to use buckshot often. If a slug would not penetrate buckshot sure would not. Use a slug inside 50-75 yards and I am sure you will be fine.

If I were to hunt bear with a shotgun, I'd use a Remington 870 with a fully-rifled slug barrel and load it with the Winchester Partition Gold slug. It is the rough equivalent of the old .50-120 Sharps load ( 50 cal. 385gr. slug at 1900 fps.) and should do for black bears. Accuracy should be quite good from a rifled shotgun barrel, which is legal here in VA.

Hmmm, the past couple posts bring up an interesting question for me, again being somewhat new. I have seem people recommend different types of slugs, such as the Fosters, Sabots, Winchester Supreme Partition Gold Slugs, and the Brenneke Rottweil slug. I am confused as to what the differences are. Are they meant for a specific type of barrell, such as one that is rifled as opposed to a regular improved-cylinder barrell?

Can anyone elaborate on this for me? I know its a little off-topic from hunting bear, but still relevant in my mind!

If possible, use the example of the above slugs in an improved-cylinder barrell (as that is what I have!).

Hi John,

I can't comment on the high-grade slugs, as I haven't used them. I also can't (and wouldn't) tell you not to use your 12 gauge for bear. As I stated in my first post, many bear have been taken with shotguns.

Just keep in mind that it's a marginal gun for the job. You'll need to get close (especially with an I.C. smooth bore, they're not that accurate), and do some excellent shooting.

That bear can cover 50 yards in under 5 seconds. :o)

Good luck, and hunt safely.