[captainkf]

Hello All!

Thanks in advance for your help. I am moving with my family to Nunavut and it was recomended that I buy a gun for protection from polar bears in the community. I was going to buy a 30/30 but was told by a knowledgable southerner that I should look at a 450 marlin ss guide gun with rear peeps or a 45/70 as the ammo is more readilly available here in Canada.

I want something small, powerful that is not going to cost too much for the gun or the ammo.

I really need help as I am getting close to departure.

Thanks all!

-Richard

 

[jmortimer]

A pump action shotgun with Dixie Slugs or Brenneke Black Magic Slugs would be a better choice and also serve as a fine HD firearm.

 

[captainkf]

thanks, manufacturer

What are dixie slugs? Who are the manufacturers? Slug sizes? Why would this be better?

Thanks alot!

-Richard

 

[45-70 nut]

I think the guy you talked to is right on the money, get a guide gun. shotguns are good too but not as compact as a marlin.

 

[Pete D.]

Captain: If you don't mind my asking, where do you live now? How much hunting experience do you have? What firearms do you already own?
Polar bears are, as you know, large animals. Experienced Eskimo hunters have been known to use rifles for hunting Polar bears that most "Southerners" would find too light for the job. (that is a whole 'nother story and thread). In a non-hunting situation, where I would find myself protecting my person or my family from a large carnivore that might want to do us harm, I'd want a powerful firearm. Both choices mentioned are good ones. Of the two, I would have a hard time choosing between them. You won't be wrong with either choice. If you intend to do some hunting - land animals as opposed to Ptarmigan - then the Marlin may be a better choice.
Where in Nunavut will you be?
Pete

 

[GMFWoodchuck]

I think that any bear on this earth (or any other animal for that matter) will know the difference between a "real" slug (not the deer getting variety of slugs that are so common now) from a 12 gauge or a slug from a 450 marlin. Dead is dead.

There are some 12 gauge loadings that are pushing hard 1 3/8 oz slugs (600 grains!!) at nearly 1900 fps. That's borderline african caliber stuff. (those numbers make it comparable to the 500 nitro express.)

Captainfk, 12 gauge, 450 marlin. The choice is yours. If a polar bear were to survive a bad shot from one of the two choices here, it will also be surviving the other. That said, the polar bear will not be surving a hit from either assuming it's a good shot. Like I said, dead is dead.

Pick one that you think is the prettiest. And concern yourself with more important things like moving your family.

 

[Daveboone]

For bang for the buck, a 12 gauge pump slug gun is going to pack a tremendous amount of deterrent.
They are a relatively close range weapon (75 yars or so) but that certainly would seem to be within your threat zone for a bear. Several different bear hunting guides I have met have a high opinion (and recommend) a 12 gauge for dog bait hunting or dog hunting (as opposed to spot and stalk, where longer ranges are very possible or probable). Just be sure to practice with the pump gun, and be sure to aggressively work the "pump". Gently or slowly working the action can lead to a mis-feed.

 

[jmortimer]

Here is link for Dixie Slugs http://www.dixieslugs.com/products.html - You want the Dixie IGL-DGS ( Dangerous Game Slug) .73 caliber slug at 870 grains at 1,200 fps - designed for Alaska bears. It is hard cast a definately a step up from the .45 caliber Marlins. A good pump action shotgun is more reliable than a lever action and will save you $$$. Here is the Brenneke Black Magic http://www.brennekeusa.com/cms/blackmagic.html - .73 caliber with 600 grain slug at 1,500 fps. Both of these are "more gun" than any .45 Caliber lever action, more reliable and will smoke any animal on the earth. Both are good out to 100 yards and will be fantastic at home defense as well. You can get two nice pump shotguns for the price of one less reliable lever action. This should be any easy decision.

 

[oneoldsap]

Just for the record , you can shoot 45/70s out of the .450 Marlin !

 

[MikeG]

I'd suggest you find out what is available in your area, and what the other locals might be using before you make a decision. Getting eaten by polar bears probably doesn't happen every day (or no one would live there).

Guys, keep in mind that this person will be in CANADA and the far reaches of civilization at that. Not likely there is a Cabela's or Bass Pro or the like next door; nor can they likely get every product we can.

 

[Bigfoot]

Shoot 45-70's out of a 450 Marlin?

Don't think so. The rim is totally different size and shape.

Don

 

[Token]

Marlin lever gun in 45-70 or a 12 GA pump with the most powerful slugs you can find. Both of these are pretty common to find in Canada. I would recommend you special order some heavy-duty 45-70 loads from Buffalo Bore or Garrett Cartridges [just Google them]. Note that the special ammo will hit you hard when you fire it...and it's expensive.

Both guns are commonly available in Canada...I recommend some range time with them well before you are in a position to need them. Best of all, stay away from bears!

 

[zdawg8394]

like token said both shoulld be easy to find, and in my opinion should do the job fine with the correct load you need to find out wich you do better with a shotgun or a rife the shotgun might be cheaper like a remington 870 magnum? if im correct it holds 3 1/2 shells , but its not as compact as the rifle, but its more versitile and as listed above it can be a good home defense gun!, good luck with your choice

 

[tanman83]

protection

i would get a 375 H&H or a 416 Ruger nothing in this world would be safe

 

[Skyler]

Get a 12 guage shotgun. Simple, easy and reliable. I would go with a Remington or a Mossberg just because of thre host of aftermarket support for those two shotguns. Replace the stock with a folding and/or collasping stock, that will cut down the guns OAL for storage. Get the barrel anywhere from 18"-22" long and make sure you get one loaded for the 3" or larger shells. Fill the whole thing with slugs. The larger slow moving projectile is an amazing bear stopper, it's what many people swear by when they come up here to fish during the summer (I'm in Southcentral Alaska). It's going to kick like a son of a gun but it will stop a bear. The Marlin guide guns are amazing and would serve you excellently. There are also the pistol chamberings from the .454 Casul on up that are for sure bear stoppers but I do know people that carry .44 Magnums and very hotly loaded .357s.

 

[captainkf]

reply

Captain: If you don't mind my asking, where do you live now? How much hunting experience do you have? What firearms do you already own?
Polar bears are, as you know, large animals. Experienced Eskimo hunters have been known to use rifles for hunting Polar bears that most "Southerners" would find too light for the job. (that is a whole 'nother story and thread). In a non-hunting situation, where I would find myself protecting my person or my family from a large carnivore that might want to do us harm, I'd want a powerful firearm. Both choices mentioned are good ones. Of the two, I would have a hard time choosing between them. You won't be wrong with either choice. If you intend to do some hunting - land animals as opposed to Ptarmigan - then the Marlin may be a better choice.
Where in Nunavut will you be?
Pete

Don't mind at all. I am southern BC right now, however I have lived in northern BC, southern AB and Nova Scotia. I grew up hunting deer and birds but am no expert. I own a 12 gauge pump and a 30/30 lever. I am moving to cape dorset.

-Richard

 

[captainkf]

I think that any bear on this earth (or any other animal for that matter) will know the difference between a "real" slug (not the deer getting variety of slugs that are so common now) from a 12 gauge or a slug from a 450 marlin. Dead is dead.

There are some 12 gauge loadings that are pushing hard 1 3/8 oz slugs (600 grains!!) at nearly 1900 fps. That's borderline african caliber stuff. (those numbers make it comparable to the 500 nitro express.)

Captainfk, 12 gauge, 450 marlin. The choice is yours. If a polar bear were to survive a bad shot from one of the two choices here, it will also be surviving the other. That said, the polar bear will not be surving a hit from either assuming it's a good shot. Like I said, dead is dead.

Pick one that you think is the prettiest. And concern yourself with more important things like moving your family.

Thanks for the info. I think I will stick with a 12 gauge then since I already own one. I appreciate your help and kind words.

-Richard

 

[captainkf]

reply

Here is link for Dixie Slugs http://www.dixieslugs.com/products.html - You want the Dixie IGL-DGS ( Dangerous Game Slug) .73 caliber slug at 870 grains at 1,200 fps - designed for Alaska bears. It is hard cast a definately a step up from the .45 caliber Marlins. A good pump action shotgun is more reliable than a lever action and will save you $$$. Here is the Brenneke Black Magic http://www.brennekeusa.com/cms/blackmagic.html - .73 caliber with 600 grain slug at 1,500 fps. Both of these are "more gun" than any .45 Caliber lever action, more reliable and will smoke any animal on the earth. Both are good out to 100 yards and will be fantastic at home defense as well. You can get two nice pump shotguns for the price of one less reliable lever action. This should be any easy decision.

Thank you for the time and info you put into your response!

-Richard

 

[captainkf]

reply

I'd suggest you find out what is available in your area, and what the other locals might be using before you make a decision. Getting eaten by polar bears probably doesn't happen every day (or no one would live there).

Guys, keep in mind that this person will be in CANADA and the far reaches of civilization at that. Not likely there is a Cabela's or Bass Pro or the like next door; nor can they likely get every product we can.

Thanks for reminding the others of where I will live. However, I can get allot of ammo via canada post, which is great. I can access a couple of box stores and/or have family ship ammo up.

-Richard

 

[captainkf]

reply

Marlin lever gun in 45-70 or a 12 GA pump with the most powerful slugs you can find. Both of these are pretty common to find in Canada. I would recommend you special order some heavy-duty 45-70 loads from Buffalo Bore or Garrett Cartridges [just Google them]. Note that the special ammo will hit you hard when you fire it...and it's expensive.

Both guns are commonly available in Canada...I recommend some range time with them well before you are in a position to need them. Best of all, stay away from bears!

Range time a must!!!! Thanks, I agree.

-Richard