[HayleyDavidson]

Hi everyone!

Welp, it's that time of the year again in northern Atlantic Canada and the curious little white devils also known as polar bears are afoot in the hundreds chasing the seal herds south.

Gun safe's are usually opened by residents know, outside lights kept on, vehicles kept unlocked and children are kept inside and given escorts to and from school.

My husband's trail cam even picked up on one passing by in the forest behind our house! (See picture below!)
So cute though!

One lady in our town had her outside hot tub torn to pieces and another man woke up to a bear inside his basement which had broken through the door.

My husband leaves for work in a few days and he insists I keep one of my firearms handy just in case the worst happens.

I've narrowed down my options to three firearms and would like to get your opinions on them.

1) Husband's Remington 700 .30-06
2) New-to-me Remington 11-87 12 Gauge (LOVE IT!, Such a smooth shooter!)
3) My Grandfather's Winchester 94 .32 Win. Spl.

I love all three of these firearms but am leaning towards my newly acquired Remington 11-87 for this task.

I know my Hubby's Model 700 in .30-06 has the best ballistics for bears, but it's a cumbersome bolt-action rifle with a scope attached and I do notice the recoil quite a bit more than my auto-loading shotgun.

My Grandfather's Model 94 handles like a dream but is also a bit clunky and slow when it comes to working the action, loading it again is also laborious.

I have a box of Federal 220 grain .30-06 ammo for his Model 700 and tons of Truball Deep Penetrator slugs for my 11-87. With the plug removed it can take 5 shells which I can shoot much more rapidly than either my bolt action or lever action, that's why I'm leaning towards the shotgun.

In all likelihood I'll never have to use this for defense, but it never hurts to be prepared.

What do you guys think? Poll is at the top of the post!

 

[Rooster booster]

Shotgun and slugs.

 

[54bullwinkle]

Semi auto 12 ga with slugs is the go to for guides in high risk areas
Some pretty aggressive slugs made just for this

There is a video of a brown bear taking two loads ( I guess target loads) to the face. Slowed him down enough for guy to get back in his house.

 

[oneounceload]

For inside the house duty, go with the shotgun and slugs - for outside where you may have some time, the '06

 

[vatrap]

12 gauge and slugs definitely, and get some slugs like these. Bonded copper or solid copper.

 

[Mule head]

I would vote for 12g slug of some hard design. I wouldn’t want to depend on a semi auto shotgun especially 11-87. Would feel much better with a good dependable pump gun.

 

[cdb1097]

12 Ga with really good slugs.


cdb

 

[HayleyDavidson]

I would vote for 12g slug of some hard design. I wouldn’t want to depend on a semi auto shotgun especially 11-87. Would feel much better with a good dependable pump gun.

Hi Mule head,
Thanks for your opinion.
I also have a Mossberg 590A1 Mairner 12 gauge.
I guess that would work with slugs too!

 

[Vette Jockey2]

No less an expert than Bob Brister took Cape Buffalo with a shotgun shooting slugs. I know polar and grizzly bears are tough hombres but probably no tougher than a buffalo. Use the shotgun with slugs.

 

[Shawlerbrook]

Not even a close decision although I might choose that Mossberg Mariner just because it’s handier.

 

[Fro86]

Out of your choices, the shotgun with slugs.
My choice would be a lever action 45-70.

 

[Warden]

First of all, excellent post! Text is clear and concise AND entertaining!
Definitely the 11-87 because it's very capable and almost as important, you like it!
But on another note, I thought most of the Polar Bears were dead because of global warming?

 

[Ryan L]

Definitely a 12 gauge with slugs, but I don't like the idea of a semi-auto; what if it jams? I vote for the Mossberg Mairner.

 

[rkrcpa]

Mossberg Mariner for the win!

 

[Jm17]

12 gauge with slugs. Breneke slugs would be my choice. I would also prefer a pump shotgun but of your choices the 11-87 is best.

 

[John CO]

I have no experience with the white bear, but I assume they are heavy muscled, heavy boned, have determination to live & a much more nasty attitude than black bear. You want as big of hole as possible with extreme ability to penetrate. A heavy heavy none or minimal expanding bullet is necessary. I am assuming you want something that will stop a charging bear not just shoo a curious bear away. I don’t know the ballistics of your 32 Win. Spl.. Shotgun slugs will not reliably penetrate. Big whacks without penetration are not reliable on determined bear. The 06 with monometal 210 to 220 gr would be the very, very minimum to hopefully stop a determined charge. Get as large of hole as you can manage, but stem to stern penetration is essential. .338, .375 or bigger with low expanding monometal or hard cast. From reliable web sources, google what brown bear guides are carrying.

 

[Phage]

A native Alaskan I knew flew as a bush pilot for a decade or so. He said it was about nine years too long to be in that line of work. His choice for everything was a Ruger .44 magnum carbine, with a red dot sight and a sling. He shot a bunch of big game with it, he was allowed to take plenty of caribou and deer, but, I can’t recall if he shot bears with it. He wouldn’t have thought twice about it if one threatened him or a client.
I used to have a picture of him, salmon fishing with the Ruger slung over his shoulder, and bears in the background.

All that said, I’d vote for your Mariner, with slugs, or, the magazine loaded with the “Policeman’s Cocktail” alternating loads of slugs and 00 buckshot.

Phage

 

[StinkeyPete]

What do the folks around you use?

I imagine if you're out on the ice, a high powered rifle with a scope is the tool for the job and if you are in town a 12 gauge is the thing.

The .32 Winchester is for date night because someone else has the shotgun and you'll be the envy on everyone that sees you with that beauty!

 

[hunter981]

12 ga pump. And, if you haven't, shoot a couple of rounds at a bucket so you know the recoil to expect. You don't want to be surprised by the harsh recoil. Get a little experience if you haven't.

 

[HayleyDavidson]

What do the folks around you use?

I imagine if you're out on the ice, a high powered rifle with a scope is the tool for the job and if you are in town a 12 gauge is the thing.

The .32 Winchester is for date night because someone else has the shotgun and you'll be the envy on everyone that sees you with that beauty!

Hi Stinky Pete!
Most people here use pretty standard stuff from rifles in .308, .30-06, .303 British, .300 Win Mags and .30-30 etc. The RCMP and our provincial wildlife officers use 12 Gauge pump guns. I think they both use the Remongton 870 but the Mossberg family is also quite popular, as are semi-auto bird guns.

I'm leaning towards my Mossberg 500 Mariner now! It's perfect for this application and our harsh salt water environment!