Shotgun for Polar bear defence
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Stevie-Ray
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How about the Brenneke slugs, but with a fast firing Benelli M4?
It's a polar bear. Can't really think of anything more frightening, unless a T-rex appears.
It's a polar bear. Can't really think of anything more frightening, unless a T-rex appears.
Inebriated
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Seems like a Saiga would be right at home dealing with polar bears.
I'd trust a pump more, but if there were ever a gun suited to shooting big things in cold places, seems like the Saiga is that gun lol.
d2wing
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Eldon, that is what the Alaska report on bear defense said. I go by experts opinions and my own experience in killing with all types of weapons. Not mythology proven wrong. There was just a video posted of a guy shooting a Buffalo with a 45/70 broadside at under 100 yards. The first shot the buffalo ambled off. It took four shots to kill a buffalo with that old round. The guy thought he had done well. I just shake my head. My skin, I go with what works.
Sam Cade
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If I was in the OP's shoes I'd be on the 'phone with you ordering that very thing right now.
I'd go with the slug gun myself. Take enough ammo. It's not likely you'll run out because you're probably only going to use it in dire circumstances, but if you did need ammunition, 12 gauge is a pretty universal round in any country where guns are legal.
Can we say the same for .45-70?
Can we say the same for .45-70?
Arkansas Paul
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Another vote for a short barreled shotty with Brenneke slugs.
plumberroy
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I absolutely would not trust sabots for stopping a big bear!!! In the dozen or so deer I have seen shot with sabots I have saw one blow up and 2 not expand that is to high of a failure rate to trust my life on . Brenneke's or maybe federal truball penetrators in a short pump with a I.C. or Mod. choke would be my choice
Roy
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d2wing
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No I don't shoot buffalo Shirley, but my friend who is a Game warden shoots them with a .223, one shot kills in a precise spot. DRT. I would be more than willing to stand next to you and both shoot at Buffalo 300 yards away. One shot, no bench or shooting sticks by the count of ten, factory ammo and guns. Post the pictures you must have of all your buffalo kills all Shirley.
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d2wing
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I just remembered that I have been attacked by an animal larger and much more dangerous than either a typical bear or buffalo, and have killed a few with a 22lr.
We raised cattle mostly Holsteins, but a few Angus and Herefords were raised too. A Holstein bull has reached 5000 lbs. Although the ones I shot were 1500 lbs. 40 times more people are kills by Cattle than bears each year. I have been charged by a moose, and come face to face with bears and buffalo in the wild. I am not real worried since the only one that put me in a hospital was a Holstein. I think a short barreled 12 gauge would be fine. The largest Alaska bear was killed by an Eskimo women with a single shot 22lr. Those of you with cowboy dreams, your 45/70 is ok too. Why is a 44/70 better than a 444 Marlin?
We raised cattle mostly Holsteins, but a few Angus and Herefords were raised too. A Holstein bull has reached 5000 lbs. Although the ones I shot were 1500 lbs. 40 times more people are kills by Cattle than bears each year. I have been charged by a moose, and come face to face with bears and buffalo in the wild. I am not real worried since the only one that put me in a hospital was a Holstein. I think a short barreled 12 gauge would be fine. The largest Alaska bear was killed by an Eskimo women with a single shot 22lr. Those of you with cowboy dreams, your 45/70 is ok too. Why is a 44/70 better than a 444 Marlin?
Torian
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You don't want a slug that deforms on impact (like many are designed to do), when you need SERIOUS penetration to include breaking through multiple inches of thick cranial plate.Anybody know how well these slugs work? I've always thought these looked like they'd be good for bears.
Follow the advice given on this thread. Go with Brenneke...and do not use sabots. The Brenneke slugs are a hardened lead alloy...the standard for barrier penetration slugs in the industry AFAIK.
Torian
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Again...that is a very nice and EXPENSIVE gun. For a 6 month stint...the OP may not be wanting to spend that kind of money.
Sav .250
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There`re still protected............yes ?
D2wing, I'm sure the polar bear will stop its charge and wait nicely for you to put a bullet in its ear hole if you ask it to. Somehow I feel like you have completely missed the point that the only time you can legally shoot a polar bear is when it is attacking you and your shots will be rushed with a bad angle for reaching vitals. Your last two anecdotes about contact .22 shots on domestic cows and 300 yd precision shots on buffalo are completely irrelevant.
Svalbard is about as far north as you can get and still technecly be in Norway. The only ad the city(?) puts out is come see the polar bears. Original poster says contract is for, I believe 5 months a year for 3 years totaling 15 months. Weapon is for stopping bears, must be light, must be compact and must deliver max stopping when bear is upset. Expense of weapon should be deductable as well as ammo (safety requirement of employment) Buy the best that fits your description of qualifications, actually buy two deduct both. Alaskan Co Pilot would be the choice if it was my a$$ on the line
blindhari
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d2wing
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Torien I like the Win slugs for deer. I have not used the Brennekes but as Inebriated said, they are the choice of professionals for dangerous bears because they are harder and give more penetration. Expansion is like putting on brakes in a critter and spreading energy into tissue. In the right place this is a good thing. Sometimes a bullet can pass through a critter with minimum tissue damage, this is called over penetration. This is why bullet selection is important to the task at hand. Most guys agree that penetration is more important when you have a very large tough animal charging you at close range. You want to be able to shoot through to the vitals at any angle. Some feel with a large bullet you do not need expansion. Some studies disagree, but I would go along with what Inebriated said and use what the pros use. In this case too much is better than not enough penetration.
If I'm not mistaken most with exception of one line are inertia operated which is fancy word for coil spring operated system. They once made one that was dual pump/semi mode but the pump mode was found to be superfluous.
d2wing
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Sorry Eldon, I tend to wander sometimes, lost in old memories.
Torien, I have used semi auto shotguns in subzero weather with no problems but if I was the OP, an 870 is pretty much the only choice. Some guys may prefer a double barrel or another brand but being a Mossberg owner, I would still go with the 870.
Torien, I have used semi auto shotguns in subzero weather with no problems but if I was the OP, an 870 is pretty much the only choice. Some guys may prefer a double barrel or another brand but being a Mossberg owner, I would still go with the 870.
The penetration would be more then adequate if you find hard lead non-deforming ones from early 70s that marketed by Smith & Wesson though some in five pack might be past best if used by date. Not what I would want packing in magazine when in bear country.Anybody know how well these slugs work? I've always thought these looked like they'd be good for bears.
As for bead vs rifle sights, I prefer the Remington rifle sights. Target acquisition is fast, gives a little more precision if you have time to line up your shot.
If not, the front sight is still big enough to use 'like a bead' at close range.
If ALL you will ever use it for is bear defense, a bead sight won't get knocked out of alignment like the adjustable rear could while say, being knocked around in a helicopter.
Bear defense is a REAL thing on Svalbard. The working seasons are short and the bears are plentiful. Hope you don't ever have to use your shotgun.
If not, the front sight is still big enough to use 'like a bead' at close range.
If ALL you will ever use it for is bear defense, a bead sight won't get knocked out of alignment like the adjustable rear could while say, being knocked around in a helicopter.
Bear defense is a REAL thing on Svalbard. The working seasons are short and the bears are plentiful. Hope you don't ever have to use your shotgun.
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