looking for a good gun for proctection in the wild.

300win mag would work but thats a longish rifle... slower followup shots. That would be a great all around hunting rifle though.

I am a fan of the 35 Whelen also (30-06 necked up to .35) like this: http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=249844769

 

No pistols in Canada

We only have one state , Canada , we do however have provinces and territories

 

Against bears I wouldn't trust anything less than a 7.62x51 cartridge. Norinco M14 clone (available in Canada but not in the US) with Troy MCS polymer furniture would be my recommendation:

 

From the Alaska Department of Natural Resources, Division of Parks and Recreation:


Protection
Most people who hike in Alaska’s wilderness don’t carry a weapon. They know that the best defense is common sense. Traveling and camping carefully are all that they need. If you feel the need for additional protection, consider carrying "pepper spray", a bear deterrent made from the juice of red-hot peppers. This incapacitating spray teaches bears a lesson without permanently maiming them. It’s available at local sporting goods stores and at visitor centers. Be familiar with the characteristics of the brand you choose and its warnings.

You are allowed to carry a gun for protection in state parks. Remember, though, that more people are hurt by the guns they carry than are hurt by bears. Select a gun that will stop a bear (12-gauge shotgun or .300 mag rifle) and practice firing it at a rifle range. Any bear shot in self defense must be salvaged and turned over to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.

Now, I understand that Canada is not Alaska, but there is useful info in there. If you plan to carry one, practice with it and make sure you know your local regulations.

 

You would get more range and probably more shots out of a lever action rifle, than a shotgun. Something like a 44-40 would pack a whallop. I would'nt want to shoot any bear with a scatter gun, Buckshot or not. A rifled barrel shotgun with slugs would be a viable option though. Just my opinion. Good Luck

 

Rifled barrel shotgun with slugs? Wouldn't that be just a bolt-action rifle?

 

No it would'nt be a rifle @ all. It would still be a shotgun. You can get a rifled barrel shotgun in lots of different actions (singleshot, bolt action, pump, or semi auto). You can still shot any shot shell you want, not just slugs. Does this clear it up any?

 

Ma-deuce.



Oh wait, you said light weight. Well, it's light if you mount it on a truck.

OP, I'm with the others in that you typically don't need a gun w/ black bears. Now, grizzlies and moose? Yeah, I can see the concern. But please know the difference in "hungry and in your camp" versus "hungry and eating you." I've had black bears w/in 20 feet and no problems. At least 4 different encounters. granted, these are bears in California, which might behave differently than yours.

 

Just don't take a woman with you and you will have no problems!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=szFO7Wo7ZCE

 

They also sell slugs that have the rifling on the slug itself so that you can use a smooth barrel shot gun with a slug with out the need to chang barrels. Its what I use when walking to a hunting grounds to hunt quail/dove and don't want to carry and change barrels, and my glock 22.

 

good to know and

 

In California, people carry this anti-bear device in their pockets and packs. It's not bear spray or a gun. It's a piece of durable nylon cloth. It's white in color and virtually doesn't take any room. Hell, carry 3 or 4 if you need to. It's this thing called...A WHITE FLAG. You see, if a bear or any big game is going to hurt you, just pull out the white flag and get on your knees. Make sure you hold it high in front of you. Don't forget to wave it around in a back and forth motion. Practice it at home if need be. Don't worry, it'll be over in less than 5 minutes. Remember, pain is weakness leaving the body.

 

after reading this thread, i'm a little bit confused, are we just trying to have a self defense weapon if, say you happen to wander in between a mother and her cub. Or are we actively fighting lazer bears as pictured below... because i was thinking op wanted it for defense

 

I'm picking up your sarcasm.

 

I would say why not carry two guns? carry a 12 gauge shotgun strapped to your back and a pistol like a Glock or a desert eagle in a holster on the hip , always better to be OVER PREPARED then under. IMHO

 

Because the OP is in Canada and can't carry a pistol

 

Smith & Wesson 500! Done.

 

thread/

 

still looking at a few choices. It's gonna be a bit, mandatory 28 day waiting period. before I can get my firearm license.

 

remington 600 or 660 magnum.- 350 rem.mag. small and pack a wallop. 600 has 18 1/2" barrel, 660 has 20" barrel.