I live in mississippi and we run dogs for deer down here quite a bit. The preferred gun for this is a 12 gauge with buckshot, it makes hitting a deer moving by at warp speed a bit easier than when using a rifle and it does a good job when used as it's intended. Max range on a deer for using buckshot is around 50 yds with 40 yds being a better practical maximum. It's adequate for deer at those ranges, but after seeing many deer hit with buckshot inside 40 yds and seeing how it rarely gives complete penetration on a 100 pound deer at those ranges I'd have to say anyone would be insane to use it for any kind of grizzly/brown bear defense at any range.

Edited by - boltman on 09/26/2002 02:08:35