You were clear Daryl. I might not have been. I agree with you about the buck and slug/round ball thing, especially the round balls. I'd think twice about smaller ga than 12 and wouldn't trust Foster style slugs as I have seen some really poor penetration with them in some media but I would think a 12 bore RB at max velocity from a light semiauto would make for an excellent bear protection gun. That it would work well for grouse and other birds and snowshoes and everything else a smoothbore is good for is a real plus, too.

What velocities have you obtained with RB's in 12 bore guns?