Bear hunting: what gun, ammo, and grain, do you use?

[rynokron]

You def need at least a .50 bmg round or bigger. Anything else won't vaporize the target.

This. 

[Blacktail Sniper]

You def need at least a .50 bmg round or bigger. Anything else won't vaporize the target.

This. 

 

[Alchase]

Im using this, http://www.remington.com/product-families/ammunition/centerfire-families/premier-core-lokt.aspx  is it good ammo? accurate? should I be using a different grain? im still trying to grasp grain and what it means for me.

Grain, is the weight of the bullet.

Simple example, take two bullets of the same make and powder but different weights
165 grain, will shoot faster, with less drop over distance
180 grain, will have more energy, will be effected by gravity quicker so will have more drop over distance

[wraithen]

Im using this, http://www.remington.com/product-families/ammunition/centerfire-families/premier-core-lokt.aspx  is it good ammo? accurate? should I be using a different grain? im still trying to grasp grain and what it means for me.

Grain, is the weight of the bullet.

Simple example, take two bullets of the same make and powder but different weights
165 grain, will shoot faster, with less drop over distance
180 grain, will have more energy, will be effected by gravity quicker so will have more drop over distance

Gravity is a constant. The heavier bullet will travel more slowly so it will not go as far. The benefit of the heavier bullet is it will also be less affected by wind and air friction.

Alchase, didn't mean to step on your toes but I think that explanation was slightly over simplified.

[Alchase]

No Problem at all, thx for the addition 

[xXLojackXx]

300 rum shooting 215 grain Berger's at 2950 Fps. Flatter than any of the lighter Barnes bullets at distance and causes real damage! 
pic is the exit on the bear I killed this year. DRT! Not a step after being hit!

Bergers do a lot of damage but that's not necessarily a good thing. They fragment to pieces, and cause a lot of meat damage/loss on an unfortunate miss placed shot (sure, don't miss!). They were designed as a target match grade bullet and people discovered their affect on deer. In my opinion, the Barnes TSX or an Accubond is a far superior hunting bullet, with great accuracy as well. I get 1"-1.25" groups at 300 yards with my .300 and Barnes bullets, and they perform admirably.

[JackOfAllTrades]

KC_Kracker,   those 180gn Remington CorLokts will work fine for bear in this state.  That is an under appreciated bullet.
 
For me?  30cal 'what-ever rifle is in my hand'. Hand loads.  44mag revolver with 250-300gn solids, SP or TC, also handloaded to the hilt.
 
-Steve

[BULLBLASTER]

[quote author=xXLojackXx link=topic=105936.msg1383729#msg1383729 date=1


Bergers do a lot of damage but that's not necessarily a good thing. They fragment to pieces, and cause a lot of meat damage/loss on an unfortunate miss placed shot (sure, don't miss!). They were designed as a target match grade bullet and people discovered their affect on deer. In my opinion, the Barnes TSX or an Accubond is a far superior hunting bullet, with great accuracy as well. I get 1"-1.25" groups at 300 yards with my .300 and Barnes bullets, and they perform admirably.
[/quote]
can't argue with my results tho. I will agree that accubonds are a great bullet as I shoot them in other rifles. A Barnes will never again find itself in any of my rifles as I do not like them... and I have shot them and killed animals with them. I have killed numerois animals with betters and have never had what I would consider excess meat loss.
I will stand by by comment about Berger's shooting flatter than faster lighter Barnes over distance. All pluses for.me.to use Berger's.

[jess]

I also agree with ya on bergers! I will never shoot any other bullet! I have seen lots of animals run from other bullets.. But never a berger!!! They always drop on the spot!! Remember i shoot better i shoot berger!

[abe henderson]

Ruger Hawkeye .338 win mag, ss/syn, 250 gr nosler partitions, Leupold vx3 1.5-5.

Great shooting gun, sub moa, no frills, won't break the bank, gets drug up and down the mountians, gets left in the rain all the time...keeps on gettin it done.

BUT, after this spring season on the AK Peninsula, I'm thinking of geting the ruger .416.  Had too much crazy stuff go down.  Also I really like the Trijicon scopes, wish they had a 1-6 like Leupold does instead of just the 1-4. 

[Kc_Kracker]

Grain, is the weight of the bullet.

Simple example, take two bullets of the same make and powder but different weights
165 grain, will shoot faster, with less drop over distance
180 grain, will have more energy, will be effected by gravity quicker so will have more drop over distance

Gravity is a constant. The heavier bullet will travel more slowly so it will not go as far. The benefit of the heavier bullet is it will also be less affected by wind and air friction.

Alchase, didn't mean to step on your toes but I think that explanation was slightly over simplified.
[/quote]

finally i have an answer for dummies!!!  thanks that makes a ton of sense.

[coachcw]

outta your 300 the 180,s are a good choice accubonds perform well and hornady interlocks . factory fedral premium throphy bonded bear claws also are a good choice for factory ammo.

[xXLojackXx]

I'm not arguing that Bergers do a lot of damage and animals drop right away. I just wouldn't use them on anything bigger than a deer or maybe a black bear, because they fragment so bad I would question them to penetrate an elk or moose. Thin skinned game is a no brainer.