bear "killing" question?

Europeans are familiar with

shotguns for outdoor recreation.

Soviet Era military relics are

best in places like Finland where

it had been previously dropped

by thousands of suddenly dead

users. Yup, the Finn's will grin

when they see a Mosin Nagant.

I would prefer the nagant but either would do the trick in my opinion.

The nagant would be the better choice.

What are you planning to do? You asked about killing, and about protection. Those are two completely different topics.

Technically a shotgun slug will have a little more power.

But (assuming you use a proper expanding round in the Mosin, not just surplus FMJ stuff) the difference is not enough that I would make the decision based off of it alone. And since it's a slug (i.e. no spread) the "less aiming" argument that people tend to apply to shotguns doesn't apply here.

So, the important difference in your choice should be your familiarity and proficiency with each weapon.

Which have you found is more reliable? Which are you able to carry in a manner easily used quickly (bear encounters are often quite fast)? Which are you just plain more comfortable with?

Those are the questions that should make the difference.

TL;DR: both will work; use what you're best with; use expanding hunting ammo if using the Mosin.

Tim, please take your meds.

Slugs are good.

Well this was why is said mosin nagant (because i knew the gun "nuts" here like you ;) (just joking) will know that the mosin fires the 7.62x54 fmj.

(and thats definitely more than enough penetration power for any kind of bear ;)

But as you said my question was not "how many bears in a row ;) can a mosin penetrate" it was what does more instant damage,

and you convinced me for the slug,

btw. thank you for your answers,

was really appreciated

My choice for bear protection is my .444 marlin lever action but if I had to pick between a 91/30(by the way 7.62 isn't the correct way to say it it's 7.62x54 if you just say 7.62 that means 30 cal you could mean .308,30-06,7.62x39 or many other rounds) and a 12/70 I'd pick the 12/70 with slugs it has more impact force and probably can be shot faster both can kill a bear tho