Which rifle cartridge for black bear?

[justaguy]

Hi all,
   I'd like to get some advise from folks with more experience hunting bears. I'm looking at picking up a new rifle for bear and am stuck between a 308 and a 300 wm. I know a 06 would be the perfect compromise, but it's not offered in the rifle that I'm lusting over (Tikka T3). I'm on the wetside hunting clearcuts, and a 400 yd is probabaly on the longest shot I'd be taking and hopefully the shot would be much shorter than that. Considering the cost of ammo, wear and tear on the shoulder, and pleasure of shooting, I'm leaning toward the 308 with the right bullet. On the flipside, I don't want to show up undergunned.

Any thoughts?

[washelkhntr]

Since when can't you get a T3 chambered in 30-06???

 

[Bob33]

Black bears are not particularly hard to kill. A .308 will work just fine.

[Eli346]

 We've taken several deer, a couple of bear, and several elk with T3 Lites in the 300 WSM. It won't disappoint you!

[kramer]

I've killed bears with 25-06,243,270,300 win mag,and 300 ultra mag. It's all about bullet placement. For the last 7 or 8 years I hunt everything with my ultra mag. The best gun I have ever owned.

[troyspinetar]

Since when can't you get a T3 chambered in 30-06???

 

Yeah...I know a guy who got a Tikka in 30-06.

[jasnt]

If your a hand loader then you can't go wrong with 300wm. If factory ammo is your only option than it will depend on what your comfortable shooting. If the recoil bothers you you will be reluctant to shoot it.  Like stated 308 is plenty for black bear as long as bullet placement is good.  Im not a 30-06 fan but it is a good cartridge for the factory ammo shooter.

[snowpack]

I would think the .308 should be great.  But if you hunt clearcuts or alpine and want a little flatter trajectory then the .300 would probably be a better choice.

[Bmcox86]

I know plenty of people with a tikka t3 lite in 3006

[The scout]

125 grain wac em.all the above calibers would kill a bear just fine

[justaguy]

I guess I should have been more specific that the Tikka models that I'm looking at don't come in a 30.06. I didn't mean to ruffle any feathers there.

When I don't take the time to shoot as much as I should, I can get into the habit of flinching before the shot if teh rifle's got much kick. I've never had that problem with a 308 and would rather put the shot on target than miss with more velocity/energy. The main thing that I was concerned with is putting the critter down quickly.

[Bullkllr]

I guess I should have been more specific that the Tikka models that I'm looking at don't come in a 30.06. I didn't mean to ruffle any feathers there.

When I don't take the time to shoot as much as I should, I can get into the habit of flinching before the shot if teh rifle's got much kick. I've never had that problem with a 308 and would rather put the shot on target than miss with more velocity/energy. The main thing that I was concerned with is putting the critter down quickly.

You may have answered your own question regarding cartridge right there.

Just out of curiosity, which model is offered in 308 and 300wm but not '06? With the 308's a short and 300's a long,seems a bit odd.

[justaguy]

It's the tactical model with the threaded barrel. I'm debating buying a suppressor in the near future and want to make sure it's compatible.

[jackelope]

You can have a barrel threaded for probably less money than whatever more the tactical model costs if you really want a 30-06 and you really want a Tikka.

[arrowflinger]