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Author Topic: What gun for bear, for wife?  (Read 4876 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.

 


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