Well, i've hunted big bears quite a bit, and shot a few too. You didn't say what "exact" load would be used in the guns you listed, and that's the "most important" part!!

Personally, the others here have a LOT MORE respect for a 12 guage on bears, than i do!! And as i get to pick the load, i'd take the 300 Wby any day over a 12 guage!!!

Drilling Man

12ga.

You didn't say what the bear is doing.

I'd take the 300 inside of 60 yards.

Charging inside of 30 yards????? Maybe 12 gauge, because I "might" be able to get off 2 shots (if i was REALLY lucky) instead of 1 with the 300

Well being that most unalarmed small NC whitetails I have killed have run close to 100 yards after being "hammered" by a 300 weatherby as have most mule deer and elk . There is no way I would use it in a life and death situation...Buckshot or rifle slugs..have them mixed up in the tube magazine they are way better.

When I was guiding in Alaska, most everyone carried a shotgun with buckshot for close range grizzly defense, including me. Most of the time the bears were fishing 50 yrds or less from you and your clients. I much prefer a shotgun in that type of situation.

I'd say go for the 12 gauge loaded with a slug followed by some buckshot- that way you can shoot the slug when hes farther away and then if he gets close you have the buckshot to finish him off.

I will take the .50 assault rifle for $500 please....

if the grizzly was on standing up growling at me... (300 weatherby mag) would knock him down in his tracks.. but if he was running at me i still would take the 300 weatherby if it was open sites and not scoped...i have a box of weatherby 220 grain round noses and a box of wolf brand buck shot in front of me as i type.. well i have to say i would never change my mind..lol

glock,

You would be very disapointed with those 220RN's out of a 300 Wby. mag., they just can't stand up to the high velocity of the Wby. on big game at close ranges!!!


It's true, a lot of guys carry a 12 ga for bear protection, but how many of them do you hear about useing them??? Personally, i always carried a rifle with proper bullets for the job, as i like the higher penetration and energy it has over a shotgun.

I use to see a LOT of guys carrying a 357 mag loaded with Norma 158 grain solids too!! I always told them, "save the last shot for your self, that way you won't suffer so much when the bear gets there!!!"

Drilling Man

DM the old saying goes " always be faster than your fishing partner or client"or "If you carry a pistol for bears always have 6 shots,5 for the bear and one for you."

My vote gose Winchester Mdl 1300 8-shot Camp defender in 12 ga. I'm fill'in her with 3 shots of 3 inch 000 Buck and 5 shots of 385 gr Winchester 3inch sluggs,when he turns my way I'm unloading on him.I can work a pump faster than a Rooster pheasant can fly out of my range,6 shots in 40 yards and that is after he's in the air and thats no BS.