Thaninator - Good point that I'd like to expand on a bit. I archery hunt almost exclusively now, and with a longbow. If I had to take my chances of hunting with Blains shotgun at 30 yards or my longbow, I'd take my longbow (assuming it was a 70 pound longbow, something like 650-700 grains with a huge broadhead on the end). Where buckshot I think would not penetrate as well, I think that the arrows would.

StealthyCat:
You are correct in your assessment of "hunting" scenarios. However, I would not advise confusing "Hunting" with "Defense".

I'm sure you would not wish to use your long bow on a griz that is charging you, from 25 feet away.

Hunting is completely different than defense, and your long bow will work beautifully for it (assuming you stay out of sight and down wind, and are quiet enough so that the bear's attention is on the arrow protruding from his body, rather than you).

What I'm worried about, is that some novice will pick up on Blain's enthusiasm for buck shot, and use it for defense, rather than the much more effective and proven slugs we've discussed.

His attitude towards buck shot could cost more lives than just his own.

Blain:
You mentioned earlier about your confidence in buck shot's abilities to cause massive tissue damage.

I want to take a moment to explain that tissue damage does not stop a bear. As you may have already discerned, I've seen plenty of bear with massive tissue damage, from shattered faces to demolished chests, and shredded internal organs, that keep on coming.

It is the destruction of supportive bones (shoulder) and vital organs (heart) that will stop a bear…and even then, you will need some luck.

Unfortunately, buck shot, no matter how tightly grouped, does not have the bone breaking, vitals destroying penetration needed for those very quick kills that are necessitated in a self defense situation against a large, fast moving, enraged Alaskan brown bear.

I can promise you that, if you have any brains what so ever, it will only take one time of a bear charging through what ever you can throw at him, to drive this realization home. If you're still alive, and after you've changed your underwear, you'll never mention buck shot again, in the same sentence with bear, unless it's preceded with "Don't use"

<img src=icon_smile_tongue.gif border=0 align=middle> If You Ain't Hunted Alaska, You're Still Just Practicing <img src=icon_smile_tongue.gif border=0 align=middle>

Thaninator

I agree 100% - and truthfully, the idea of 20 yards from a grizzly bear sends shivers down me and I aint never been in grizzly country to ammount to anything. I aint a fool though, and would still like for one day to be able to hunt one. I'd have backup too and I am 99.9% sure it won't be a shotgun loaded with buckshot

im not new in here im pothandle but w/ a diff name

i've never been grizz huntin but i do know they r big bad and ugly and mean

I tried to be civil... now you gues are just pissen me off. My buckshot is more powerful than any damn bow. Further more, the point about this buckshot load is that it is THE most powerful LOAD available for use in a 12 gauge shotgun, more powerful than any slug or anything. That is what you better understand, people use brenneke slugs, well this is even more powerful. This is the ULTIMATE shotgun round. THat'sd what you better understand and I don't care if I have to shoot elephants and hippos to make my point, you guys just get me so riled up all the time I'd face that bear with my bloody bear hands and show you how your supposed to wrestle. Anyone here DON'T think I can whoop there ass in a fight?

From Squirrel to Elephant, the Shotgun is your gun.

Blain I will extend my offer to run the video
camera incase you half to open up a can of whoop ass.

Mike <img src=icon_smile_blackeye.gif border=0 align=middle>

Darn it all, My brother in law, the one that sells insurance read a couple of Blains posts and now refuses to insure him and make us both the benificeraries unless Blain sees a doctor first.He says something about anyone purposely going after a Brown Bear with a 12 gauge needs to see a doctor right away. Old 3 Shoot, if you're running the camera who is Blains much needed backup? Just the thought of all this makes me smile, thats because I have a rifle in my hands.

Hunt smart, hunt safe

Finally over the edge!<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>

<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_blackeye.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_blackeye.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_blackeye.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_blackeye.gif border=0 align=middle>

<img src=icon_smile_tongue.gif border=0 align=middle> If You Ain't Hunted Alaska, You're Still Just Practicing <img src=icon_smile_tongue.gif border=0 align=middle>

YOU GUYS CRACK ME UP, I THINK HE WENT OVER THE EDGE!! BUT YOU GUYS ARE TELLING THE TRUTH