.410 for bear defence

[dnepr]

Forget the slugs. They lack the necessary penetration.
However, at self defense distances, the buckshot loads perform admirably.
Carry several in a buttstock carrier. I load my own using one #000B in bottom of shot cup(.350” Lee), and 3- .375” Lee RB in a shot cup.
Also, load some CCI Velocitor .22lr in the top barrel.
I’ve got a .22/410 Savage. It shoots surprisingly close to sights with slugs, and patterns well with the buckshot.

I kinda thought the slugs might be light on penatration, I have no experience on game with them , I did shoot an aluminum casing with on once , it went through 3/16ths aluminum no problem but how that relates to game I have no idea , I did try some 3” shells loaded with 5 .310 rb , I only loaded 3 or 4 but they seemed to patten about the same as bird shot , I like the idea of your bigger buckshot a lot better ,

For now the bears are napping so is something to figure out for next year

[725]

I think it's pretty light. Have to ask yourself; Would I be comfortable if my children used a .410 against bear? I'm not really a bigger / better / faster kind of guy, but using enough gun makes good sense to me. I'd think a .410 is too light. Can it kill it, heck yes. Will it stop a charge? Tough gamble. We don't all have the luck of Bella Twin back in 1953.