barrel length for slug gun.. grizzly defense!

[500mag_guy]

Hey guys im looking at cutting down a few double barrel 12ga for packing when we are out wheeling.

What would you recommend 18.5" or 20"?

Id think 20" but i dont know how much an extra 1.5" will do for it.

Like i said this is going to be mainly a slug gun. Possibly a "00" in one barrel.

Thanks, 500

 

[angus-5024]

The extra 1.5'' isnt gonna make a lick of diffrence either way. The 18.5" is faster to swing but the 20" is gonna be faster MV. It matters not when sending that much weight that far.

My wheelin/back packer has an 18".

 

[500mag_guy]

i have a mossberg 18" pump 12ga. Pistol grip and a mossberg 20" pistol grip and i mainly bring the 20" because i can have 8 rds and not just 6. But a sxs would just be bad-***!!!

 

[HARPERC]

Pretty much no difference, I'd go 18.5". You don't have an extended magazine with the break open, and with a shorter action you've got a pretty handy package to start with. I would put slugs in both barrels.

 

[500mag_guy]

Pretty much no difference, I'd go 18.5". You don't have an extended magazine with the break open, and with a shorter action you've got a pretty handy package to start with. I would put slugs in both barrels.

Yes i do agree i think slugs will probably be the main residents in these barrels.

In my pistolgrip pump shotys i stagger slug, #4 buck shot. The slug always being the first batter-up.

 

[Trickymissfit]

Yes i do agree i think slugs will probably be the main residents in these barrels.

In my pistolgrip pump shotys i stagger slug, #4 buck shot. The slug always being the first batter-up.

If I was using a double barreled shotgun as you say, I'd rig it up with better sights. For slugs, I'd use Brenke Lion Slugs rather than generic deer slugs. They are built much tougher than regular slugs are

When I go on fishing trips up your way, guides often carry Mossberg pump shotguns with 3" mag deer slugs in them. I always took a .444 with 330 grain bullets in it. Now I will take my .450 Marlin loaded with 405 grain bullets. With #4 buckshot, I think I'd want something a little tighter than an open bore. Perhaps an improved modified.
gary

 

[500mag_guy]

Well the reason i load slug then #4 buck is because a uncles experience up in alaska.

He originally thought the same way and used "00" 13 pellets in a 3"magnum shell... #4 buck 41pellets out of a 3"mag

Out of a 18" barrel those 13 pellets spread WAY out at 15 yards.

The slug first is ment to spin the bear then the 41 24cal pellets to disorient him by taking out his nose and eyes. Then you are back to a slug to finish.

Proven to work on an alaskian grizzly.
Works for me!!

 

[500mag_guy]

Well i guess barrel length will decide it self. A pistol grip double barrel has to be at least 26" so i guess we will cut the stock first and figure out barrel length after.

 

[Trickymissfit]

Well the reason i load slug then #4 buck is because a uncles experience up in alaska.

He originally thought the same way and used "00" 13 pellets in a 3"magnum shell... #4 buck 41pellets out of a 3"mag

Out of a 18" barrel those 13 pellets spread WAY out at 15 yards.

The slug first is ment to spin the bear then the 41 24cal pellets to disorient him by taking out his nose and eyes. Then you are back to a slug to finish.

Proven to work on an alaskian grizzly.
Works for me!!

Your idea is right, but you want to keep the load very dense in that first forty feet or so. Personally I'd rather use #2 buckshot in a modified barrel. The idea is to have an eight inch pattern at twenty five feet. I'd rather use a Mossberg with 3 1/2" 12 gauge loaded with buckshot. But powerwise ant forty feet that .450 is way more than you'll ever need. Still if you can round up a few of the Active 3 1/2" hulls. You can get about 20% more pellets in the case (probably 50+)
gary

 

[500mag_guy]

Mine will only eat 3". But bigger is always better specially when its your life your gambling with.

 

[Riverman]

If you really are going into grizzly country, I recommend saving the double barrel and purchase a pump with an 18" tube. Two rounds is not enough lead down range for me. I spent several years working on Kodiak Island and elk hunting on Afognak and Raspberry Islands. I never had to use the shotgun on a bear, but I know if I did I would not have been counting on a making combat reload after two shots. I have faced one of these animals at close range more than once
each time the bear thought of some place better to be. The worst grizzlys that I've seen are the ones just outside of Yellowstone Park in Wyoming. These bears are brave enough that it is almost unsafe to elk hunt in that country.

Good Luck !!

 

[Trickymissfit]

If you really are going into grizzly country, I recommend saving the double barrel and purchase a pump with an 18" tube. Two rounds is not enough lead down range for me. I spent several years working on Kodiak Island and elk hunting on Afognak and Raspberry Islands. I never had to use the shotgun on a bear, but I know if I did I would not have been counting on a making combat reload after two shots. I have faced one of these animals at close range more than once
each time the bear thought of some place better to be. The worst grizzlys that I've seen are the ones just outside of Yellowstone Park in Wyoming. These bears are brave enough that it is almost unsafe to elk hunt in that country.

Good Luck !!

Boy are you right! I faced down a very large male (600+lb.) about three hundred yards inside of WY just off the Beartooth. He killed a hiker comming thru there a few days later, and a lot of people thought it was me! Never go there alone again!
gary

 

[500mag_guy]

If you really are going into grizzly country, I recommend saving the double barrel and purchase a pump with an 18" tube. Two rounds is not enough lead down range for me. I spent several years working on Kodiak Island and elk hunting on Afognak and Raspberry Islands. I never had to use the shotgun on a bear, but I know if I did I would not have been counting on a making combat reload after two shots. I have faced one of these animals at close range more than once
each time the bear thought of some place better to be. The worst grizzlys that I've seen are the ones just outside of Yellowstone Park in Wyoming. These bears are brave enough that it is almost unsafe to elk hunt in that country.

Good Luck !!

I have mossberg 18" and a 20" pump guns. And i agree with you two shots is not enough.
We've had some really close encounters with grizzlies over by west Yellowstone and then down by Lincoln. It definitely reminds you how big they are. I always pack my. 500 s&w and normally reach for it first knowing i can start with it from about 100yards out and thats a freight train in its self.
Not a whole lot going to walk away from that.

 

[Riverman]

I've hunted the Thorofare three times for elk. The first time was with Gary Fales on the South Fork right after guide Mike Potus was chomped by a sow with cubs. The second and third trips were with Ron Dube on Mountain Creek over Eagle Creek Pass. I know that I've seen as many grizzlys as I have seen bull elk on these three hunts. I traded the bear spray in for a Freedom Arms .475 Linebaugh after the first hunt.

I killed a nice bull elk on each of these hunts and it was a real thrill coming back to the carcass the next morning to recover the meat and antlers. These lower 48 grizzlies are totally out of control after not being hunted for over 35 years.