I would not hestitate to use a 12 ga. slug on a blackie. Choose your shot and distance and you will be fine. I have not used the 12 ga. hunting but have done three in when I was snaring them. I use my 300 rum for them hunting but many other lighter calibres will be fine. I used to use a 308 win.

Thanks for the info.As I said, I had never hunted BB before, and heard so many stories of them just brushing off shots from some weapons.What do you think would be my optimum range to take them down and do you have any suggestions on the best slug?

You should be good out to at least 75 yds maybe more but make sure you know the drops because slugs drop fast. I just used the old fashion lead rifled slug in 3" magnum but if I were hunting with the shotgun instead of killing a trapped bear I would probably look at some of the new sabot slugs out there. As for blackies being hard to kill.... not in my experience. I have shot 10 including the 3 snared ones and have not ever needed more than one shot and all have dropped in their tracks or within 20 yds or so. Place your shot well and let the bullet do the rest.

Any .30 caliber or up will be more than enough for a black bear. Lots of black bear get killed every year with .270s. If you're using anything less than .30 caliber make sure it is a heavy-for-caliber bullet.

A slug gun will, of course, work. Your range is then considerably less, though.

Would you suggest using a 3" shell or would a 2 3/4 be sufficient?

I don't think the bear will know the difference.

Thats pretty good....

I've only shot one. I had no problems with a 30-06 and 180 grain Failsafe bullets. ---My guide told me his clients lost two bears the year before using 20 gauge slugs. --- Staying away from the 20 gauge sounds like good advice, especially after I say how big they get and how heavy the shoulder is constucted. I would go with a combination that gives good penetration.

It was fun. Good luck on your trip.

I have used a 270 and 7 mag. My wife dropped pne in its tracks last year with her 243 over bait at about 60 yds.

Most everyone around use their deer rifles. More often than not I'm carrying one of the 30 calibers with a well constructed 150gr or 180gr. I do like my single shot 30-06 with 220gr. It will anchor them where they stand but, all that bullet isn't neccessary.