Caliber and effective humane range

[Jordanskylery]

I have hunted deer for some time and am familiar with my limitations but am going after bear for the first time.  I know many out there use a large caliber only to take down bear but I am limited in weapon selection to my .308.  I feel my accuracy is best with this low recoil and still retains good knockdown power.

I am hunting with a top quality 168 grain .308 out of a bolt action, and I am an accurate shot with it.  I know they are much different in ways of anatomy, less chance of blood trail due to fat blockage and a slower heart beat which can allow further travel. 

What would be the recommended max effective range to kill a bear with a low chance of them running off a great distance or mortally wounding them?  Also at longer ranges does the choice of shot placement change?

[Woodchuck]

I will probably get flamed for this but here goes. If an animal is downrange, any animal, I try to put it right on the shoulder and break em down. Most times you will get the heart and or lungs at the same time and they don't run so good on two legs. 

[Blacktail Sniper]

Bears are tough critters.  I shot mine at less than 25 yards with a .45/70 and a 405 grain bullet.  In the chest, through the heart and took out a shoulder on exit.  Bear still managed to go 50+ yards!

I would say, try to get an angle to take out the shoulders.  Search on here, there are some threads on bear anatomy that are very helpful.

Your .308 should have plenty of power for one of our bears, as far as range goes, my personal opinion is to always try and get as close as possible.  That said, I would have no problem reaching out 200 yards or so, as long as I have a clear shot, and know that I can put the round on the target where I want it to be.  For me, that is hitting a one gallon sized plastic milk jugs every shot.

Good luck, can't wait to see some pics and hear a good story!!

[h20hunter]

So far I agree with the above. The one bear I help haul out last year was not a big fella. Small boar that took a .30-06 through a shoulder and a second shot through the spine between the shoulder blades and out the arm pit. From the description of the first shot and the results it sounded like the bear would have kept going and going without that second shot. For how long....who knows. Tough critter indeed.

[D-Rock425]

I've shot and killed 5 bears with my 7mm-08 and 140 grain bullet.   Pick your shots and hit them good and it a dead bear.

[h20hunter]

D-Rock knows the bear I'm talking about. He was a tough little guy.

[D-Rock425]

I watched the whole thing.  Coached the kid right through it all.  I wish i had a coach last Saturday 

[h20hunter]

gonna bring that up are you?

[shedkid]

I have killed three bears-one with a 243 when i was eight at 364yards and killed it with one shot-second bear i killed with 7mm08 at 150 yards when i was ten-third bear was with 270short mag at 300 yards. to me it doesnt matter what hunting caliber you use as long as its bigger than a .223, to me its all about shot placement, my advice is shoot them right through the front shoulders and dont stop shooting unless its dead or its gone.Bears are very tough animals,i hoonestly think there tougher than elk.

[D-Rock425]

gonna bring that up are you?

nope leaving it at that.

[h20hunter]

Got it D...


Shedkid....you know a guy goes by Bildo?

[shedkid]

nope,why?

[h20hunter]

Just asking, no worries, I agree on shot placement.

[deleted BGS]

whats with that bildo character?

[shedkid]

no why