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Big Game Hunting => Bear Hunting => Topic started by: 1972Pinto on March 26, 2017, 11:10:12 AM


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Title: "Bear calibers"
Post by: 1972Pinto on March 26, 2017, 11:10:12 AM
What is your "Bear caliber"? I'm using my savage 110 7mm Rem mag. No bear with it yet, but hopefully I will get one this fall since I struck out on spring bear :bash:
Title: Re: "Bear calibers"
Post by: ghosthunter on March 26, 2017, 11:32:50 AM
30.06
Title: Re: "Bear calibers"
Post by: Tikka300wsm on March 26, 2017, 11:40:29 AM
300 WSM
Title: Re: "Bear calibers"
Post by: j_h_nimrod on March 26, 2017, 11:57:44 AM
.30-06
.300 Win Mag
.338 Win Mag
.325 WSM
.375 H&H
.458 Win

And this year 28 Nosler
Title: Re: "Bear calibers"
Post by: RadSav on March 26, 2017, 12:10:20 PM
I am really hot on the 325 right now.  But the majority of my rifle kill bear have been with the 308 Win.  Wife has done well with the 257 Roberts.

One of the most successful black bear hunters I know has killed every single one of his bear with the .243 shooting 100 grain Core-Lokt from 10 yards to just shy of 400 yards.

While guiding I would cringe when I saw guys show up carrying large magnums.  Black Bear seem easy to kill with good shot placement from just about anything you would shoot a deer with.  But place the shot poorly they are one of the toughest to put down with second and third shots once the adrenalin starts pumping.  In my experience the average hunters just don't shoot the large magnums as well.  And that has led to some rather exciting blood trails and point blank follow-ups.  Shoot what you shoot best.  If that's the 7Rem you should be better than good to go!
Title: Re: "Bear calibers"
Post by: JakeLand on March 26, 2017, 12:22:44 PM
.308 or .270 WSM
Title: Re: "Bear calibers"
Post by: 1972Pinto on March 26, 2017, 12:30:10 PM
I bought a 300 win mag last year, expecting some long shots but never saw a deer more than 200 yards away. Being surrounded by a bunch of other young men, I bought the hornady superformance 180 grain 300 WM. When I shot my deer last year at 180 yards, I hit it in the shoulder :bash: and wasted almost all of the front shoulder. Now the 300 is just my range rifle. Too destructive for hunting
Title: Re: "Bear calibers"
Post by: JakeLand on March 26, 2017, 01:33:53 PM
That was my issue with deer and my .300 WSM
So I got a .270 WSM with 140 grain and it's the ticket
Title: Re: "Bear calibers"
Post by: 7mmfan on March 26, 2017, 01:46:48 PM
That was my issue with deer and my .300 WSM
So I got a .270 WSM with 140 grain and it's the ticket

Just don't hit them in the shoulder! (Says the guy who has shot almost every animal he's ever shot through the shoulder  :chuckle:  )
Title: Re: "Bear calibers"
Post by: JakeLand on March 26, 2017, 02:10:35 PM
Ya I know! But with bear that's where you wanna hit them in my opinion, I don't like tracking them
Title: Re: "Bear calibers"
Post by: Go Blue on March 26, 2017, 02:34:39 PM
270 and a 30-06 are the two that we will be using.
Title: Re: "Bear calibers"
Post by: wadu1 on March 26, 2017, 03:53:09 PM
I prefer a 45-70, but my 9.3X62 works just as well  :)
Title: Re: "Bear calibers"
Post by: syoungs on March 26, 2017, 04:21:27 PM
I've got a sweet 45-70 I like packing around bear country, but I wouldn't hesitate to use my 30-06, may even try out my 6.5 creedmoor, I do prefer to put em down hard though, which means 45-70 for me.

I am researching a new gun right now though, thinking a 338 win mag, but not sold just yet
Title: Re: "Bear calibers"
Post by: Magnum_Willys on March 26, 2017, 05:22:27 PM
I've got a sweet 45-70 I like packing around bear country, but I wouldn't hesitate to use my 30-06, may even try out my 6.5 creedmoor, I do prefer to put em down hard though, which means 45-70 for me.

I am researching a new gun right now though, thinking a 338 win mag, but not sold just yet
338 Win Mag is the classic elk rifle, with the new eld bullets its got punch out to 800 yards.   I have nearly identical .300 wm and .338 win mag rifles and for some reason the 338 seems to kick less, go figure. 

If I could only have one rifle it would be the 338 wm ( synthetic stock, good pad, no brake, 4-24 scope )

For bear though anything that reaches out to 1000 yards I would be fine with. 
Title: Re: "Bear calibers"
Post by: 87Ford on March 26, 2017, 05:31:11 PM
7mm

280Ackley
Title: Re: "Bear calibers"
Post by: JimmyHoffa on March 26, 2017, 05:33:07 PM
I've got a sweet 45-70 I like packing around bear country, but I wouldn't hesitate to use my 30-06, may even try out my 6.5 creedmoor, I do prefer to put em down hard though, which means 45-70 for me.

I am researching a new gun right now though, thinking a 338 win mag, but not sold just yet
338 Win Mag is the classic elk rifle, with the new eld bullets its got punch out to 800 yards.   I have nearly identical .300 wm and .338 win mag rifles and for some reason the 338 seems to kick less, go figure. 

If I could only have one rifle it would be the 338 wm ( synthetic stock, good pad, no brake, 4-24 scope )

For bear though anything that reaches out to 1000 yards I would be fine with.
Faster bullet, faster powder, more powder

Title: Re: "Bear calibers"
Post by: jpharcher on March 26, 2017, 06:00:19 PM
Mathews DXT 70# draw
or my 325 WSM
only the Mathews has had success.
Title: Re: "Bear calibers"
Post by: JoeE on March 26, 2017, 06:31:02 PM
My last bear I killed with a 243.
Title: Re: "Bear calibers"
Post by: brew on March 26, 2017, 06:34:33 PM
What is your "Bear caliber"? I'm using my savage 110 7mm Rem mag. No bear with it yet, but hopefully I will get one this fall since I struck out on spring bear :bash:
i use the 7mm rem mag also and have never had an issue.  i shoot factory 160 gr nosler partitions---they're a little spendy for a box but "silverado" prefers them... my gun is a stainless browning A-bolt with the synthetic stock and she just celebrated her 25th birthday.  as far as shot placement every bear i've shot (with the exception of 2) have been a double lunger and they've dropped like the rug was pulled out from underneath them.  one was quartering to me so i put the crosshairs at the base of his neck just in front of his forward shoulder and the bullet took out his far lung--dropped in his tracks.  another was quartering away from me and i hit him low in the heart and the bullet came out forward of his front off leg...he started jumping up and down like a frog and before i could rack another round in he was dead within 20 yards from where i shot him.  luckily so far i've never had to track a black bear.  my shot ranges have been as close as 25 yards over bait (when it was legal) to upwards of 300 yards.  .
good luck with the bear hunting as they are my favorite game to hunt
Title: Re: "Bear calibers"
Post by: cm2cb4 on March 27, 2017, 10:29:17 AM
Currently a 30-06 with 185 gr Berger bullets, but I got my eye on a 338 win mag (too much?)
Title: Re: "Bear calibers"
Post by: 7mmfan on March 27, 2017, 10:48:31 AM
Ya I know! But with bear that's where you wanna hit them in my opinion, I don't like tracking them

Oh you're 100% right. A double shoulder shot should anchor them most of the time regardless of the caliber, as long as you have a quality bullet.
Title: Re: "Bear calibers"
Post by: 1972Pinto on March 27, 2017, 11:28:28 AM
To me, I think the 338 is a bit much unless you hunt at longer ranges. I hunt the thick 113 and 105 units for bear. Sure you see them far away, but usually when I see them they are 100 yards or less. I feel like a 338 would certainly end up with a dead bear :chuckle: however most likely end up with alot of tissue destruction. Even a 30-06 up close is pretty nasty! I can't imagine the exit hole of a 338 :twocents:
Title: Re: "Bear calibers"
Post by: JDHasty on March 27, 2017, 11:29:27 AM
I prefer a 45-70, but my 9.3X62 works just as well  :)

Me too

Shoot through w/the Hornady 350 RN was a concern though.  That bullet would carry all the way from the front shoulder out the rear ham.  But when I used to do a lot of bear hunting I really liked the Marlin 1895 SS. 
Title: Re: "Bear calibers"
Post by: Alchase on March 27, 2017, 11:49:30 AM
I hit it in the shoulder :bash: and wasted almost all of the front shoulder. Now the 300 is just my range rifle. Too destructive for hunting

That is not the caliber as much as round placement.

I have never had excessive amounts of waste shooting a 300 WM or a 7MM.
I have also seen horrific waste from a .243 hit to the shoulder or ribs.
Title: Re: "Bear calibers"
Post by: 1972Pinto on March 27, 2017, 02:34:29 PM
It's hit or miss really. My younger brother shot his mule deer with a 243. Using 95 grain Federal fusions went thru both shoulders and out the far side. Dropped in its tracks and only about 6oz of bloodshot meat. I've heard the SST doesnt hold together very well. Maybe that was the issue.
Title: Re: "Bear calibers"
Post by: dmoua on March 27, 2017, 10:01:00 PM
.243 or .308. They both do the job just fine.
Title: Re: "Bear calibers"
Post by: tgomez on March 28, 2017, 12:03:35 AM
What is your "Bear caliber"? I'm using my savage 110 7mm Rem mag. No bear with it yet, but hopefully I will get one this fall since I struck out on spring bear :bash:


My father use to own a 7mm Mag in a Savage 110 with a fiberglass stock nicknamed "black death." He shot 10 bear with that rifle and many deer, elk, and coyote. My personal choice is my Remington 700 in 30-06 with 180 grain Core-Lokt ammo. Best of luck to you this year! I hope everyone gets to experience at least 1 bear in a lifetime. It's such a great animal to hunt and my favorite! Looking forward to September 😀👍
Title: Re: "Bear calibers"
Post by: Tiger1358 on March 28, 2017, 12:17:10 AM
Savage 111 Trophy Hunter in 300 Win Mag. You got the right caliber, shoots well, got a lotta power, and its maximum effective range is almost the same as 338 Lapua Magnum. 7mm rem mag rocks!
Title: Re: "Bear calibers"
Post by: Magnum_Willys on March 28, 2017, 07:08:13 AM
30-06 mauser action with dbl set triggers.  Uncle used to show off for us kids with it by sticking a wood match in the middle of the hundred yard paper target then light it with the first shot and watch the target burn up.  Shoots dimes all day long.
Title: Re: "Bear calibers"
Post by: bearpaw on March 28, 2017, 07:28:55 AM
Bear are tough critters, I think more wounded bear are never recovered than any other animal, a lot of the bear we get have been shot before and healed up, so it's not so much the size of the gun as it is hitting them well. Know that you will hit vitals or don't pull the trigger. Having said that, I do prefer larger calibers and/or lots of powder, but it's not necessary if you put the bullet where it belongs.
Title: Re: "Bear calibers"
Post by: JDHasty on March 28, 2017, 08:46:08 AM
Bear are tough critters, I think more wounded bear are never recovered than any other animal, a lot of the bear we get have been shot before and healed up, so it's not so much the size of the gun as it is hitting them well. Know that you will hit vitals or don't pull the trigger. Having said that, I do prefer larger calibers and/or lots of powder, but it's not necessary if you put the bullet where it belongs.

When I was young and hung out w/lots of hound guys the number one choice was 18.5 inch barrel Marlin 336 in 35 Rem.  I used a 45/70 Mod 1895 SS and it was a well respected stopper too.   
Title: Re: "Bear calibers"
Post by: Sitka_Blacktail on March 28, 2017, 09:36:56 AM
They will all work if you hit them right. Many old time Alaskans used 30-30s and other assorted smaller calibers for bears including brownies. I have even heard of "old timers" using .22s but I wouldn't recommend it.

.375 is a popular caliber there now.
Title: Re: "Bear calibers"
Post by: 1972Pinto on March 28, 2017, 02:04:35 PM
My dad uses his savage 110 30-06, not being a very good tracker, he has always opted toward heavy bullets. So he bought 2 cases of 220 grain corelokts and he's used them ever sense. For deer, bear, coyotes, and even a couple grouse :chuckle: I know bears are tough but I don't think they're THAT tough. But then again, I saw a 250 pound bear shot with a 12 gauge 3" slug and he ran almost 100 yards up hill before he kicked the bucket
Title: Re: "Bear calibers"
Post by: Machias on March 28, 2017, 02:11:26 PM
I don't want to start a big ol debate, but just my not so humble opinion, lots of wounded bears are from guys shooting too far at an animal that has an outline and body features that are hard to tell even at close range.  Plus the whole going to break them down mentality.  You take out both lungs and that bear is NOT going to go very far.  My opinion, bears are easy to kill, as long as you take out BOTH lungs.  Their movements and lack of features makes guys "think" they are breaking down a shoulder and they are not.  So many guys try to shoot punishing rounds and can't shoot them accurately so they have marginal hits.  Marginal hits on a bear is most likely a lost bear.  Caliber?  Whatever you can shoot effectively and actually place the bullet where it needs to be. 
Title: Re: "Bear calibers"
Post by: JDHasty on March 28, 2017, 03:16:37 PM
My dad uses his savage 110 30-06, not being a very good tracker, he has always opted toward heavy bullets. So he bought 2 cases of 220 grain corelokts and he's used them ever sense. For deer, bear, coyotes, and even a couple grouse :chuckle: I know bears are tough but I don't think they're THAT tough. But then again, I saw a 250 pound bear shot with a 12 gauge 3" slug and he ran almost 100 yards up hill before he kicked the bucket

I tried to mash 'em. 

I shot a 200 lb black bear through the heart and it spun 180 degrees, and took off down the trail it was on for ~25 yards, took a 90 degree right turn and went another 50 yards and all traces of blood disappeared.  This left me standing there scratching my head and wondering.  The trail went right along the left side of a five foot diameter Douglas fir dead fall and so after a bit I says to my self:  self, do you think that bear sprung over the tree and landed on the far side?  Only one way to find out, so I pulled myself up to climb over and there was another trail heading away from  the tree and it looked like someone had walked down it slinging red paint everywhere.  So I jumped down and followed the trail about 40 yards around a bend  and there was the bear lying there dead, with leaves and other forest floor matter pushed up in front of it's face and it's back legs up under it. 

The bear had squeezed through a hole under the tree trunk the size of which you could probably barely push a basketball through. 

After that day I wanted a shoulder if I could get one either before or after taking both lungs out.  I will also say that I helped other hunters hack our way into bear that had both lungs blown to atoms and had run a hundred yards into a blackberry tangle that made getting them out of there a terrible ten hours of hell experience. 
Title: Re: "Bear calibers"
Post by: pashok23 on March 28, 2017, 03:39:18 PM
First 2 bears i shot with .270 130gr and the last year i shot with .300WM 185gr at 530 yards .I dont think i could of shot last bear with .270 cal at that range.I kept doing a few follow up shots at over 600 yards.So my bear rifle is .300 WM
Title: Re: "Bear calibers"
Post by: Ridgeratt on March 28, 2017, 07:10:36 PM
I don't want to start a big ol debate, but just my not so humble opinion, lots of wounded bears are from guys shooting too far at an animal that has an outline and body features that are hard to tell even at close range.  Plus the whole going to break them down mentality.  You take out both lungs and that bear is NOT going to go very far.  My opinion, bears are easy to kill, as long as you take out BOTH lungs.  Their movements and lack of features makes guys "think" they are breaking down a shoulder and they are not.  So many guys try to shoot punishing rounds and can't shoot them accurately so they have marginal hits.  Marginal hits on a bear is most likely a lost bear.  Caliber?  Whatever you can shoot effectively and actually place the bullet where it needs to be.


You sir have spoken with wisdom of experience!
Title: Re: "Bear calibers"
Post by: mountainman on March 28, 2017, 09:38:44 PM
Preface my comment to say I have been in on the harvest of many bears. Seen them shot with many calibers and bullets placed in many placed. Yes, lung shot bears will die. Sometimes on the spot, sometimes they have run a long way. Typical bear country is right cover, so my thinking is bigger caliber and break them down on the spot. Some may say bears aren't built any sturdier then a deer, and that may be almost true comaring a 150# deer to a #150 bear. But a #250 old mulie buck is nothing compared, none wise, to a #450 bear. Break the shoulder down. Dead bear on the spot 100% of the time👍
Title: Re: "Bear calibers"
Post by: Machias on March 28, 2017, 10:09:10 PM
Average bear in WA is 140-150 pounds.  450 pound bear in WA is like 7 foot 6 inch man, sure they are out there, but they are few and far between.  Not arguing and your logic is solid.  The problem comes from guys "thinking" they are breaking down a shoulder, particularly at long range using weapons they cannot shoot with pinpoint accuracy.
Title: Re: "Bear calibers"
Post by: Alchase on March 28, 2017, 10:27:11 PM
I don't want to start a big ol debate, but just my not so humble opinion, lots of wounded bears are from guys shooting too far at an animal that has an outline and body features that are hard to tell even at close range.  Plus the whole going to break them down mentality.  You take out both lungs and that bear is NOT going to go very far.  My opinion, bears are easy to kill, as long as you take out BOTH lungs.  Their movements and lack of features makes guys "think" they are breaking down a shoulder and they are not.  So many guys try to shoot punishing rounds and can't shoot them accurately so they have marginal hits.  Marginal hits on a bear is most likely a lost bear.  Caliber?  Whatever you can shoot effectively and actually place the bullet where it needs to be. 

I would agree with this, I came across an exception that scared the crap out of me at 17. I was hunting elk near Ilwako in the 70's. I was sitting on a ridge finger, when I heard multiple shots coming from a clearing about 400 yards away. I made my way down to the clearing and there was an elderly gentleman in his 60s, sitting on a log who had obviously been chain smoking cigarette after cigarette, trying to recover his composer. The ground around the small clearing was total devastation! The underbrush had been ripped up and thrown in up the trees, and the small alders within the clearing had been knocked down or bitten through.
I asked "what happened?" he said he shot the bear from about 30 yards. He said his first shot was a hit, the next shots all missed. In the couple minutes it took to die, it completely tore up the surroundings in a huge circle, attacking everything within reach. 
When gutting, we noticed the bear's heart was gone. It his first shot been a perfect heart shot.
In the two minutes it took to die, the bear caused havoc on everything in reach. This bear was 140 lbs (guessing) not a big bear, yet the damage he caused in the last two minutes of life, was freaky.
He was so freaked out how lucky he was that the bear did not see him in its death throws, he had tears coming down his face.

I know this is not normal behavior for a bear, I learned a new respect for how tough bears can be that day.
Title: Re: "Bear calibers"
Post by: ghosthunter on March 28, 2017, 10:46:26 PM
So this thread is conderdicking what I have read.

Most what I have read says wait on broadside shots until the fron leg is foreword.
But many here are saying hit the shoulder straight through.

What's the vote?
Title: Re: "Bear calibers"
Post by: mountainman on March 28, 2017, 11:06:49 PM
Front leg forward when archery hunting PERIOD.
Shoulder with suitable caliber the rest..
Title: Re: "Bear calibers"
Post by: mountainman on March 28, 2017, 11:08:38 PM
Average bear in WA is 140-150 pounds.  450 pound bear in WA is like 7 foot 6 inch man, sure they are out there, but they are few and far between.  Not arguing and your logic is solid.  The problem comes from guys "thinking" they are breaking down a shoulder, particularly at long range using weapons they cannot shoot with pinpoint accuracy.
yes, of course assuming an accurate shot..
Title: Re: "Bear calibers"
Post by: JDHasty on March 29, 2017, 05:43:20 AM
I don't want to start a big ol debate, but just my not so humble opinion, lots of wounded bears are from guys shooting too far at an animal that has an outline and body features that are hard to tell even at close range.  Plus the whole going to break them down mentality.  You take out both lungs and that bear is NOT going to go very far.  My opinion, bears are easy to kill, as long as you take out BOTH lungs.  Their movements and lack of features makes guys "think" they are breaking down a shoulder and they are not.  So many guys try to shoot punishing rounds and can't shoot them accurately so they have marginal hits.  Marginal hits on a bear is most likely a lost bear.  Caliber?  Whatever you can shoot effectively and actually place the bullet where it needs to be. 

I would agree with this, I came across an exception that scared the crap out of me at 17. I was hunting elk near Ilwako in the 70's. I was sitting on a ridge finger, when I heard multiple shots coming from a clearing about 400 yards away. I made my way down to the clearing and there was an elderly gentleman in his 60s, sitting on a log who had obviously been chain smoking cigarette after cigarette, trying to recover his composer. The ground around the small clearing was total devastation! The underbrush had been ripped up and thrown in up the trees, and the small alders within the clearing had been knocked down or bitten through.
I asked "what happened?" he said he shot the bear from about 30 yards. He said his first shot was a hit, the next shots all missed. In the couple minutes it took to die, it completely tore up the surroundings in a huge circle, attacking everything within reach. 
When gutting, we noticed the bear's heart was gone. It his first shot been a perfect heart shot.
In the two minutes it took to die, the bear caused havoc on everything in reach. This bear was 140 lbs (guessing) not a big bear, yet the damage he caused in the last two minutes of life, was freaky.
He was so freaked out how lucky he was that the bear did not see him in its death throws, he had tears coming down his face.

I know this is not normal behavior for a bear, I learned a new respect for how tough bears can be that day.

A friend was shook like a rag doll by a dying bear that got him by the pants leg.  Had his knee not slipped out of it's mouth it would have been bad.  As it was, it didn't do him any good.  He was bruised up pretty bad. 
Title: Re: "Bear calibers"
Post by: 1972Pinto on March 29, 2017, 08:42:42 PM
Now THAT would change the way I do things! Being that I've never seen a cougar in the wild and only seen 4 bears I don't carry a sidearm. However now I might!! :chuckle:
Title: Re: "Bear calibers"
Post by: wooltie on March 30, 2017, 07:20:42 AM
I don't want to start a big ol debate, but just my not so humble opinion, lots of wounded bears are from guys shooting too far at an animal that has an outline and body features that are hard to tell even at close range.  Plus the whole going to break them down mentality.  You take out both lungs and that bear is NOT going to go very far.  My opinion, bears are easy to kill, as long as you take out BOTH lungs.  Their movements and lack of features makes guys "think" they are breaking down a shoulder and they are not.  So many guys try to shoot punishing rounds and can't shoot them accurately so they have marginal hits.  Marginal hits on a bear is most likely a lost bear.  Caliber?  Whatever you can shoot effectively and actually place the bullet where it needs to be. 

I would agree with this, I came across an exception that scared the crap out of me at 17. I was hunting elk near Ilwako in the 70's. I was sitting on a ridge finger, when I heard multiple shots coming from a clearing about 400 yards away. I made my way down to the clearing and there was an elderly gentleman in his 60s, sitting on a log who had obviously been chain smoking cigarette after cigarette, trying to recover his composer. The ground around the small clearing was total devastation! The underbrush had been ripped up and thrown in up the trees, and the small alders within the clearing had been knocked down or bitten through.
I asked "what happened?" he said he shot the bear from about 30 yards. He said his first shot was a hit, the next shots all missed. In the couple minutes it took to die, it completely tore up the surroundings in a huge circle, attacking everything within reach. 
When gutting, we noticed the bear's heart was gone. It his first shot been a perfect heart shot.
In the two minutes it took to die, the bear caused havoc on everything in reach. This bear was 140 lbs (guessing) not a big bear, yet the damage he caused in the last two minutes of life, was freaky.
He was so freaked out how lucky he was that the bear did not see him in its death throws, he had tears coming down his face.

I know this is not normal behavior for a bear, I learned a new respect for how tough bears can be that day.

A friend was shook like a rag doll by a dying bear that got him by the pants leg.  Had his knee not slipped out of it's mouth it would have been bad.  As it was, it didn't do him any good.  He was bruised up pretty bad.

Yikes.  So how did your friend come in contact with the dying bear?  Was your friend following a blood trail, or did it approach the dying bear thinking that the bear had already seen the revenant?
Title: Re: "Bear calibers"
Post by: JDHasty on March 30, 2017, 09:12:46 AM
I don't want to start a big ol debate, but just my not so humble opinion, lots of wounded bears are from guys shooting too far at an animal that has an outline and body features that are hard to tell even at close range.  Plus the whole going to break them down mentality.  You take out both lungs and that bear is NOT going to go very far.  My opinion, bears are easy to kill, as long as you take out BOTH lungs.  Their movements and lack of features makes guys "think" they are breaking down a shoulder and they are not.  So many guys try to shoot punishing rounds and can't shoot them accurately so they have marginal hits.  Marginal hits on a bear is most likely a lost bear.  Caliber?  Whatever you can shoot effectively and actually place the bullet where it needs to be. 

I would agree with this, I came across an exception that scared the crap out of me at 17. I was hunting elk near Ilwako in the 70's. I was sitting on a ridge finger, when I heard multiple shots coming from a clearing about 400 yards away. I made my way down to the clearing and there was an elderly gentleman in his 60s, sitting on a log who had obviously been chain smoking cigarette after cigarette, trying to recover his composer. The ground around the small clearing was total devastation! The underbrush had been ripped up and thrown in up the trees, and the small alders within the clearing had been knocked down or bitten through.
I asked "what happened?" he said he shot the bear from about 30 yards. He said his first shot was a hit, the next shots all missed. In the couple minutes it took to die, it completely tore up the surroundings in a huge circle, attacking everything within reach. 
When gutting, we noticed the bear's heart was gone. It his first shot been a perfect heart shot.
In the two minutes it took to die, the bear caused havoc on everything in reach. This bear was 140 lbs (guessing) not a big bear, yet the damage he caused in the last two minutes of life, was freaky.
He was so freaked out how lucky he was that the bear did not see him in its death throws, he had tears coming down his face.

I know this is not normal behavior for a bear, I learned a new respect for how tough bears can be that day.

A friend was shook like a rag doll by a dying bear that got him by the pants leg.  Had his knee not slipped out of it's mouth it would have been bad.  As it was, it didn't do him any good.  He was bruised up pretty bad.

Yikes.  So how did your friend come in contact with the dying bear?  Was your friend following a blood trail, or did it approach the dying bear thinking that the bear had already seen the revenant?

Got cheap.  He was given some ratty old ammo that had a "little corrosion" on it, but since you rarely shoot a bear over dogs at a distance of over five or ten yards.... 

This was over three decades ago, but I think that I remember most of the details correctly:
The first shot was so weak that it ricocheted off the skull, but knocked the bear out of the tree.  The bear was not in the mood to talk things over and work out their differences when it landed on the ground at his feet, and the empty case was stuck in the chamber and the dogs were tied back and the bear got him around the knee and the dogs couldn't help him out. Luckily, he rolled and the bear ended up with just the seam of the double front Carhart's and was giving him a pretty good stirring when he was finally able to get the gun unjammed and finished the fight.

He was all black and blue that night all the way from his toes to his shoulder, but then turned the damnedest shades of green and purple I have ever seen after a couple days.     
Title: Re: "Bear calibers"
Post by: Machias on March 30, 2017, 09:19:22 AM
Rodeo!!  :chuckle:
Title: Re: "Bear calibers"
Post by: JDHasty on March 30, 2017, 09:21:59 AM
Rodeo!!  :chuckle:


Yee hah! 
Title: Re: "Bear calibers"
Post by: buglebrush on March 30, 2017, 09:27:09 AM
I've killed a lot of bears with my .270  Really the only animal I still hunt with a rifle as everything else is archery.
Title: Re: "Bear calibers"
Post by: RadSav on March 30, 2017, 01:00:39 PM
Rodeo!!  :chuckle:

Yee hah!

I knew a guy who roped an 80#ish bear back in the mid eighties.  Said it was all fun and games until he jumped out of the tree.  "S*&T got real in a hurry once I hit the ground", he said.  Then he pulls out his pictures...no bear pics, just pictures of him in the hospital getting stitches.
Title: Re: "Bear calibers"
Post by: seth30 on March 30, 2017, 01:02:56 PM
Will be using the 300 savage :tup:
Title: Re: "Bear calibers"
Post by: hunter399 on March 30, 2017, 01:34:32 PM
 :tung:
Title: Re: "Bear calibers"
Post by: Alchase on March 30, 2017, 02:06:31 PM
Rodeo!!  :chuckle:

LMAO!
Title: Re: "Bear calibers"
Post by: 1972Pinto on March 30, 2017, 02:17:50 PM
My great grandpa used a savage 99 300 savage made in 1922! 150 grain corelokts never failed him! But then again his biggest deer he ever shot was a 180lb mulie. But when he passed on, so did the rifles hunting career. It's a fun gun! But at almost $30 a box for federal powershok, I don't shoot it very often.
Title: Re: "Bear calibers"
Post by: seth30 on March 30, 2017, 02:40:56 PM
My great grandpa used a savage 99 300 savage made in 1922! 150 grain corelokts never failed him! But then again his biggest deer he ever shot was a 180lb mulie. But when he passed on, so did the rifles hunting career. It's a fun gun! But at almost $30 a box for federal powershok, I don't shoot it very often.
I love mine and reload for it.  Have been using 308 brass, resizing, trimming and tuning to my gun :tup:
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