Black Bear Slug Recommendation

[jeffrice6]

Was talking with a buddy about what slug/brand would be best out of a smooth bore 12g for black bear protection, we both had nothing. So I ask the question, "best" black bear stopper?

[SBsasquatch]

Brenneke copper slugs?

[SBsasquatch]

Remington copper solid if you need lead free

[ElvenSoul]

You don't need a slug to stop a Black Bear.

Regular 00 Buckshot will work just as good.

[bigbearbear]

Aren't black bears relatively small and shy? I would think most will ran away if you yell at them. Any slugs will kill them dead-as-disco I would think.

[pd5190]

The topic of Calif. black bears has been covered many times. They are more afraid of us then we should be of them. Can you turn around and find one behind you? Yes but a good shout and raise your arms and they will run. Having photographed them on several occasions they are very quiet while walking around the in areas we would make all kinds of noise. The only thing I carried was my Canon slr.

[deckhandmike]

Anyone actually shot a bear with buck shot? I would think the thick fur would hinder penetration. Obviously it would work but possibly not as good as a slug.

[GlockN'Roll]

Aren't black bears relatively small and shy?

I would think most will ran away if you yell at them.

Any slugs will kill them dead-as-disco I would think.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_fatal_bear_attacks_in_North_America#2010s

Apparently these black bears didn't get the memo...

[bigbearbear]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_o..._America#2010s

Apparently these black bears didn't get the memo...

That's why I said "most", I am not a bear expert (contrary to my username....) but I think even a large specimen of the black bear family would be no match for anyone armed with a shotgun loaded with any slugs. Actually, given their size, a #00 buckshot load will probably drop them too.

[bigbearbear]

Anyone actually shot a bear with buck shot? I would think the thick fur would hinder penetration. Obviously it would work but possibly not as good as a slug.

This video claims to have nailed one with a load of #00 buckshot from a 12 gauge.

[jeffrice6]

Thanks for the responses! No need or threat, was just a conversation between two guys without an answer. Looks like I got it! Thanks again

[JagerDog]

With the do-gooders ending hunting with dogs (in CA), expect black bears to become more bold.

If targeting them, I don't know of any 00 Buck which in lead free.

Most smoothbores are accuracy challenged with sabot slugs.

[deadcoyote]

I use remington copper solids in my rifled mossberg 500, but had better luck with remington rifled lead slugs out of my smoothbore Win model 12.

They do actually make lead free #1 buck and 00 buck, i own a few boxes. I read (on the web-r-nets of course) that the shot density makes it piss poor at actually killing things so I have never used it for hunting or home defense. Perhaps if I have time this summer I can try to do some kind of less than scientific home ballistics test with wet newspaper or something.