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Author Topic: What gun for bear, for wife?  (Read 4875 times)

Offline n_mathews13

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What gun for bear, for wife?
« on: October 17, 2017, 06:33:42 AM »
We have been hunting ID in spring for bear. Wife hasn't filled a tag there yet. She is nervous about using a .300 win ( can't blame here). What round/ gun should I be looking at that?
 I know and understand that placed in right spot in won't matter as much what round a guy uses, I used a .308 for years. But I also know, to have a exit hole is huge.
Any thoughts? I was lookn at the interchangeable TC

Offline fowl smacker

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Re: What gun for bear, for wife?
« Reply #1 on: October 17, 2017, 06:45:36 AM »
Black bears are thin skinned.  A .270 has killed many bear over the years.  If you can put a 130gr core lokt or any good mushrooming bullet into the lungs or boiler room, it's going to get the job done.

Offline Southpole

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Re: What gun for bear, for wife?
« Reply #2 on: October 17, 2017, 07:10:52 AM »
Black bears are thin skinned.  A .270 has killed many bear over the years.  If you can put a 130gr core lokt or any good mushrooming bullet into the lungs or boiler room, it's going to get the job done.
:yeah: I've killed a couple of bears with my .270. They've all hit the dirt effectively. My rifle weighs a ton so the recoil doesn't bother me. Besides that, when I want to kill something bad enough I don't feel or hear a thing anyways.
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Offline CaNINE

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Re: What gun for bear, for wife?
« Reply #3 on: October 17, 2017, 07:30:13 AM »
A 308 or 7-08 with a good penetrating hunting bullet like a nosler partition or accubond. Moderate recoil and plenty of bear killing energy. If you go magnum put a muzzle brake on it and it will kick on par with the 308. Just be sure to keep ear protection handy when in the field.
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Offline jennabug

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Re: What gun for bear, for wife?
« Reply #4 on: October 17, 2017, 07:36:08 AM »
It's a bit late for it now, but you may consider getting a suppressor for your 308. We got a SilencerCo Omega a few years back that can be used on multiple calibers, and it significantly reduces the recoil. I could shoot that thing all day.

Offline KFhunter

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Re: What gun for bear, for wife?
« Reply #5 on: October 17, 2017, 08:01:14 AM »

Offline boneaddict

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Re: What gun for bear, for wife?
« Reply #6 on: October 17, 2017, 08:22:32 AM »
.270, 25-06, 30/30, .300 savage, all good for bear.   

Offline Bob33

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Re: What gun for bear, for wife?
« Reply #7 on: October 17, 2017, 08:28:15 AM »
If it fits her you .308 would be a fine choice. Reload or purchase some reduced recoil ammunition for it, and it should be pleasant to shoot. If you are planning to purchase a new rifle for her, my first choice of caliber would be 7mm-08. It's the same base cartridge as the .308 but shoots a smaller bullet.

And for the record a bullet from a .308 makes essentially the same size hole as a bullet from .300 magnum, everything else being equal. They shoot the same bullets; the only difference is velocity.

A typical black bear is not particularly difficult to kill. Good shot placement with a good hunting bullet will put them down.
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Offline BULLBLASTER

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Re: What gun for bear, for wife?
« Reply #8 on: October 17, 2017, 09:11:43 AM »
anything you would comfortably use for deer would be sufficient for black bear  :twocents:

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Re: What gun for bear, for wife?
« Reply #9 on: October 17, 2017, 09:47:19 AM »
I'd suggest .30-06 for the bear. For the wife, I would urge you to seek counseling first.  :tup:
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Offline Alchase

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Re: What gun for bear, for wife?
« Reply #10 on: October 17, 2017, 10:41:31 AM »
I'd suggest .30-06 for the bear. For the wife, I would urge you to seek counseling first.  :tup:

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Offline n_mathews13

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Re: What gun for bear, for wife?
« Reply #11 on: October 18, 2017, 12:14:47 PM »
My plan was for her to use .308 and get a new scope for it. Maybe Barnes X round

Offline Blacktail Sniper

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Re: What gun for bear, for wife?
« Reply #12 on: October 18, 2017, 12:18:27 PM »
Not a bad plan by any means. 

Get it set-up and her shooting it so she is comfortable with how it fits and such, then turn her loose!!
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Offline runamuk

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Re: What gun for bear, for wife?
« Reply #13 on: October 18, 2017, 12:47:22 PM »
7mm 08 it's good for deer, bear, and elk.  Both of mine shoot off the shelf ammo. 

Offline b23

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Re: What gun for bear, for wife?
« Reply #14 on: October 18, 2017, 01:11:10 PM »
Kind of surprised nobody has suggested a 6.5 Creed yet.  Seems like that would be a good fit given the criteria.

Offline Rem14

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Re: What gun for bear, for wife?
« Reply #15 on: October 18, 2017, 06:10:05 PM »
The wife shoots a Savage Lady Hunter in 6.5 creedmoor, 140gr., has taken a lot of Deer and a Bear with 1 shot kills, a rifle made for women.

Offline n_mathews13

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Re: What gun for bear, for wife?
« Reply #16 on: October 18, 2017, 09:38:01 PM »
Kind of surprised nobody has suggested a 6.5 Creed yet.  Seems like that would be a good fit given the criteria.

I've never heard of that gun. What's it compared to?

Offline n_mathews13

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Re: What gun for bear, for wife?
« Reply #17 on: October 18, 2017, 10:38:02 PM »
Probably will stick with .308 since I have it and it's efficient. They may or may not have thick skin , but also have fat and long hair. Makes them hard to track, so always try to avoid doing so. Was just wondering what other opinions are on here.


Offline KFhunter

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Offline Blacktail Sniper

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Re: What gun for bear, for wife?
« Reply #19 on: October 18, 2017, 11:27:52 PM »
Kind of surprised nobody has suggested a 6.5 Creed yet.  Seems like that would be a good fit given the criteria.

I've never heard of that gun. What's it compared to?


Some light reading on the 6.5 Creedmoor:

https://www.outdoorlife.com/evolution-65-creedmoor

https://www.americanrifleman.org/articles/2017/8/23/tested-hornady-65-creedmoor/



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Offline n_mathews13

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Offline n_mathews13

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Re: What gun for bear, for wife?
« Reply #21 on: October 19, 2017, 04:51:34 PM »
What can you tell me about a .35 whelen

Offline runningboard

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Re: What gun for bear, for wife?
« Reply #22 on: October 19, 2017, 06:42:16 PM »
Romans 14:2 he who eats only vegetables is weak
Genesis 27:3 Now then, get your equipment—your quiver and bow—and go out to the open country to hunt some wild game for me

Offline spoonman

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Re: What gun for bear, for wife?
« Reply #23 on: October 19, 2017, 06:46:33 PM »
I killed my first bear with a 270wsm 130gn accubond.  More importantly is whatever she shoots accurately!

Offline runamuk

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Re: What gun for bear, for wife?
« Reply #24 on: October 19, 2017, 07:43:15 PM »
Yeah where is the person actually shooting the rifle? Because if she doesn't like shooting it she won't be comfortable and it doesn't matter which caliber it is.

Take her out let her try a few of your buddies rifles or do what I did let her do the research then buy one and see how it goes.

7mm 08 best caliber any day of the week.  25 06 LOVE, 257 Roberts ai sure, 308 if it's big and heavy it's nice. 243wssm in AR platform so much fun. Those are all hunting calibers.

Guns I hated shooting 30 06, 45acp, 20 gauge shot gun.

I like my guns small and fast kinda like my. ..

Well you get the idea.

Offline quadrafire

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Re: What gun for bear, for wife?
« Reply #25 on: October 19, 2017, 07:49:45 PM »
Well when I first read the title to this thread I thought you were looking for a caliber to off a bear and another for your wife  :yike: Carry on..........

Offline n_mathews13

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Re: What gun for bear, for wife?
« Reply #26 on: November 02, 2017, 08:04:47 AM »
Got her a 450 bushmaster
Now I need to settle on a scope

Offline n_mathews13

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Re: What gun for bear, for wife?
« Reply #27 on: November 03, 2017, 08:19:52 PM »
.

Offline Biggerhammer

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Re: What gun for bear, for wife?
« Reply #28 on: November 03, 2017, 08:41:06 PM »
Select a bullet that fits your needs, then select the appropriate cartridge to push it at a velocity that suits you. Northwest black bears are over rated! They are fairly easy to kill, actually boringly easy.

Offline slavenoid

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Re: What gun for bear, for wife?
« Reply #29 on: November 03, 2017, 08:54:19 PM »
Got her a 450 bushmaster
Now I need to settle on a scope

Curious to know what reason you chose a 450 bushmaster? I like the round but kinda thought you were joking at first. I was thinking of running 450 bushmaster through an AR platform next year.

Offline n_mathews13

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Re: What gun for bear, for wife?
« Reply #30 on: November 04, 2017, 08:43:55 PM »
I think it will make a good "in blind gun". I think the round will do well. Plus it came with the 16" barrel, out a vortex 1-4x.

Offline runamuk

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Re: What gun for bear, for wife?
« Reply #31 on: November 04, 2017, 09:52:35 PM »
So has the wife shot it? What does she think?

I would love to hear her write up on this caliber.

Offline 2labs

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Re: What gun for bear, for wife?
« Reply #32 on: November 04, 2017, 11:02:34 PM »
Questions like this? How bout a .204 in the ear hole, ..keep yer wife comfy?
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Offline n_mathews13

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Re: What gun for bear, for wife?
« Reply #33 on: November 05, 2017, 07:23:08 PM »
Took her shooting today.
She loves it
She didn't like using the shoulder pad, and shot a box just fine.
We practiced mostly at 50yd since that is about ground blind to bait.
She made a group of 5 within 2 blocks.
Likes trigger pull.
We liked how the safety is right next to thumb, for easy safety switch.
Gun was loud, but expected .
It isn't a heavy gun, so that's nice. Thought kick would be worse due to that.

35$ a box at sportsmens, and a box went fast. I hope to have someone reload for me. Id like to get a round with a Barns bullet.
 
Scope worked well
We really like the 1-4x. I've never had one.

We will go out again when not on a time limit. I will build a shooting bench I think, the fold up table pissed me off today (probably more user error then table fault )

She did well and was happy. So can't complain. Now for a sling and its own gun case


Offline Timberstalker

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Re: What gun for bear, for wife?
« Reply #34 on: November 05, 2017, 08:25:15 PM »
Good stuff!
If you aint hunting, you aint livin'

Offline Biggerhammer

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Re: What gun for bear, for wife?
« Reply #35 on: November 05, 2017, 08:36:14 PM »
Those .450's have a great muzzle brake.

 


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