Which rifle cartridge for black bear?

[mountainman]

Tikka T-3 stainless 30-06 "frosted" with a Vortex Viper will work as good as anything!

[Wea300mag]

I prefer the 7mm Mag fired from my Tikka T-3 Superlite , but the 30-06 will work great too.

[Bob33]

"I'm leaning toward the 308 with the right bullet."

What he said.

[bobcat]

The 308 is a great cartridge. Basically the same as a 30/06, with just slightly less recoil. You won't regret getting a 308.

[Killmore]

You know why there is no 30-06 short mag, because it already is here,,, 308.

[huntnphool]

http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,147181.msg1951301.html#msg1951301

[Curly]

The T3 Tactical in .300WM has a 24" barrel vs. a 20" barrel with the .308.  And the weight difference is almost a pound heavier with the .300WM.

So, those issues should come into play in the decision making too.  I think it just depends on what you want.  The .300WM probably won't have too much felt recoil in the fairly heavy Tactical rifle compared to T3 lite, but the .308 will definitely have even less kick than the magnum. 

I guess I'd lean toward the .308 in your situation, especially if you get a good rangefinder and get a scope that allows you to dial in the holdover.  A bear won't know the difference between being hit with the magnum or .308 win.

[bearpaw]

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?

I have seen hundreds of bear shot with every conceivable caliber at all types of yardages. I would avoid the 308 if you plan on shooting farther than 200 yards. I would recommend the 300 WM as one of the best bear calibers available for making distant shots and being able to purchase affordable ammo. Additionally, unless a person is an excellent marksman I discourage shooting at bear more than 300 yards as most hunters are not excellent marksman and bear require a very solid hit or you won't be recovering your bear. Good luck, I hope you find what you are looking for and it works well for you. 

[boneaddict]

 

I have to disagree with Bob33 on this one.   I have seen some bear take some serious punishment and they kept on ticking.  Compared to a "prey animal", I think they are way harder to anchor unless a solid perfect hit has been delivered. (my two nickels)

[coachcw]

300 wm hands down , 180 sst . ! about the besty all around caliber out there .

[Curly]

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 guys that are telling justaguy to go with the 300WM (my favorite cartridge BTW), did you read what he wrote above (in bold)?

If a guy flinches with a 300WM, then he is likely to miss or make a bad hit.  If a low recoiling rifle (.308) is used and he doesn't flinch, wouldn't that be better?   

[Mike450r]

A fatal shot is a fatal shot but bears have a little something in them that keeps them going and going there faster than a deer or even an elk.   If fatally hit they will die but the way they will often jump, spin, bite at the impact point and then get the hell out of there is something to see.   And where they go after that can be a mystery if all that fat keeps them from making a good blood trail.

I don't really consider them tougher but I do say the margin for a bad shot or non fatal shot is higher and I definitely put emphasis on their desire to survive and get as far away from danger as fast as possible.

[Bob33]

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 guys that are telling justaguy to go with the 300WM (my favorite cartridge BTW), did you read what he wrote above (in bold)?

If a guy flinches with a 300WM, then he is likely to miss or make a bad hit.  If a low recoiling rifle (.308) is used and he doesn't flinch, wouldn't that be better?   

Hey Curly - why are you recommending a 300WM? Didn't you read what he said about being recoil sensitive? 

[jackelope]

What bullets do you want to shoot?
How does a .308 shoot 180 grain bullets? Is that a consideration? Seems I've seen lots of threads on here in the past about how bears don't bleed or are hard to track. I want to sling as much lead into one as possible. I'd work through the flinch and shoot the .300 win mag and some 180 accubonds.

[D-Rock425]

A fatal shot is a fatal shot but bears have a little something in them that keeps them going and going there faster than a deer or even an elk.   If fatally hit they will die but the way they will often jump, spin, bite at the impact point and then get the hell out of there is something to see.   And where they go after that can be a mystery if all that fat keeps them from making a good blood trail.

I don't really consider them tougher but I do say the margin for a bad shot or non fatal shot is higher and I definitely put emphasis on their desire to survive and get as far away from danger as fast as possible.

I will agree to this.  I've killed a number of bears with a 7mm-08 shooting 140 grain bullets.  I've also lost one a few years back with what I thought was a chip shot and done deal.   Shot placement is everything.  If you can shoot the 308 better that's the one to get.