looking for a good gun for proctection in the wild.

Bears ?

 

Multiple people have already suggested slugs. Most people hunt with Scopes on long rifles so follow up shots are going to take a lot longer than with a shotgun. With the range you'll need to shoot an attacking bear at a scope will be rendered nearly useless anyways.

 

Agreed on the scope

 

At least out here scopes are commonly used since shots at big game are 75+ yards. Probably not as bad up north but in a shit hit the fan situation I want as quick of a follow up shot as possible

 

Pepper spray works great. Plus I don't know how National Parks are in Canada, but in the US they ban all guns. I often carry a can of pepper spray though .. especailly during Spring mating and Fall feeding. I used it once on two young bears (about 1 1/2 years) that got into our trash at the house, and just wouldn't go away. One blast and those suckers took off at full speed. Plus they get to live.

 

you follow english common law...the magna carta is part of that
you are a subject of the queen

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Law_of_Canada

 

There's so much facepalm in this thread...

1) I love bearspray. The stuff rocks. It works on anything from bear to hogs to dogs to people, as well. And you can't miss with it, the spray is incredible.

2) Buckshot barely spreads, especially at close distance, even with an 18" barrel and an open choke.

3) The OP is still Canadian, no handguns.

4) There is no 4.

 

Believe what you want .

The Canadian Parliment passes it's own laws .

 

^^^ FISH ON

 

yes i know that....but the magna carta is organic law....you follow it because its part of english common law...just like the US does until we declared independence....we still follow common law precedent that was set before independence just nothing that has happened since...

 

I suggest the OP follow up on the .45-70 Marlin lever actions. Weigh about 7-12 lbs loaded with a sling, are quick to bring into action, are accurate out to what you can see over the fixed sights and will stop anything coming your way.

 

I have one of these in mossy oak (springfield m1a SOCOM), its .308 and can take almost anything down

 

This is not the case anymore. Now all firearms are permitted in National parks, handguns,rifles, shotguns all open carry. Even into the national monuments in D.C which had a 30 year long ban on handguns

 

not sure if it's been said yet, but a keltec sub 2000 is a "rifle" that folds in half (so it would be easy to pack around in like a backpack or something) and comes in a variety of pistol calibers. don't know that much about them, but it looks like it would be up your alley. also not sure if canada would consider these "rifles" or "pistols". check em out.

 

I know the OP can't carry a pistol but I wanted to offer these comments.

In Florida we deal with four primary threats:

1) Rattlesnakes
2) Feral hogs,
3) Black bears, and
4) Alligators.

I've carried a friend's Judge with the 6" barrel the last several trips in the Florida woods. First two shells are # 6 birdshot for rattlesnakes. The last three are Winchester 225 grain Silvertip HPs for the angry feral sow or female black bear when I inadvertently get between them and their respective litters or that gator coming our of the water after one of my dogs.

I feel better prepared than I did when I carried a Magnum revolver because of the ability to deal with the snakes which are actually the highest likelihood to come across. It is surprisingly accurate with the .45s. and my next gun purchase will be a Judge of my own.

 

ran into this thread...dont know if you guys saw this:

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=52a_1310968570&p=1

nuts...brown undies for sure

 

Your best weapon will be common sense. However if you are going to get a gun I would reccomend a shotgun since your a novice. My personal favorite is the Wingmaster 870. Dead shit simple and nearly indestructable. Can be bought with lightweight polymer stock and fore end. Bass Pro has them on sale all the time as well as Cabella's.

A good OH SHIT load would be lead with 00 Buck for the quick shot off the snap and follow it with either another 00 or a couple of slugs since by round 2 you should have a good sight picture. If you can't kill whatever is attacking you with that. I call it Darwin'ian selection!!
I have successfully hunted black and brown bear as well as deer, moose and turkey all with a bow so a shotgun is almost like cheating..

A quick not on the moose, don't waste ammo shooting them in the head. Anything under a 308 and they will shake it off and come twice as fast.