Author Topic: Favorite bear rifle or bow! (Read 12729 times)

tgomez · « **on:** July 25, 2015, 12:46:17 AM »

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE/MUST HAVE RIFLE OR BOW TO TAKE ON BEAR HUNTS? Mine is my Remington 700 SPS in 30-06 with Nikon Buckmasters 4.5-14×40 SF scope, shooting Hornady Superformance GMX .150s, or Remington Core-Lokt .180s.

RadSav · « **Reply #1 on:** July 25, 2015, 02:09:01 AM »

I don't think I could answer that question honestly with a single choice. Not sure I have a "Favorite" or "Must Have" bear gun or bow. That is more of an eeny, meeny, miny, moe decision for me. I've probably shot more bear with a Model 88 Winchester in .308 than anything else. When I moved up from Oregon it was one of only three guns I brought with me so it does have a special place. Still one of my favorite guns to carry so maybe that's the answer.

The .444, .243, 6mm, 30-06, 7mm, 270WSM, 257Bob, 250Sav, 300Sav, 325WSM, 300WM, 30-30, 358, 7X57, 12 Gauge and Triple Deuce all performed flawlessly with the right ammo and each was my favorite as I viewed each bear through the sight or scope. My bow list is equally mixed. Probably having tagged more bear with the old Golden Eagle Talon MkV with 2219 XX75/Zwickey BDD than any other single outfit.

I think I might list my "favorite bear hunt" as the one when I tagged a big coastal boar with a T/C Contender Super 14 in 30-30 shooting 130 grain Hornady Spire Points. He was in tall thick salal 130 yards and slightly below me. Each blast of the Weems he would stand up and look around. But the brush was tall enough all I could see was the head. He finally stood up long enough for me to drop the call and get a good rest and hold the mil-dot for an end of his nose impact. If not for the cloud of red mist floating in the morning air I may have thought I had missed. To this day that is the only bear I have taken past 50 yards with a pistol. Was pretty dang exciting!!

jkthomps · « **Reply #2 on:** July 25, 2015, 05:59:54 AM »

Nice setup tgomez! Like RadSav, I don't think I could answer with one choice; however, I do have a Remington model 760 30.06 pump that I consider old faithful. It was my first hunting rifle when I was 12 and I can always count on it and love shooting it. I pretty much retired that rifle and now use a Tikka T3 .300 wsm or Remington model 700 30.06. I archery hunt with Bear Attitude now, nothing special but gets the job done

coachcw · « **Reply #3 on:** July 25, 2015, 06:44:53 AM »

.375 H&H one of the best all around cartridge next to the 300wm. I own neither right now ! what the heck .

AdnaHunter · « **Reply #4 on:** July 25, 2015, 07:18:33 AM »

I use a 325wsm 220 grn sierras.

MountainWalk · « **Reply #5 on:** July 25, 2015, 07:55:49 AM »

Pre-64 Winchester m-70, in. 35 Whelen. Still don't have a favorite load. The rifle doesn't wear as scope. Redfield ring sight.

The scout · « **Reply #6 on:** July 25, 2015, 08:00:58 AM »

300 rum for everything

Smoke · « **Reply #7 on:** July 25, 2015, 11:02:36 AM »

depends on what I'm carrying at the time... ether the 06, 270, or hoyt... most times I'm carrying the Hoyt tho...

superdown · « **Reply #8 on:** July 25, 2015, 11:30:00 AM »

My favorite if i could only choose one would be my browning A-Bolt II with a Leupold VX-III 2.5-8x36 325wsm shooting Winchester 220grn power points.The one i am using this year just because i haven't taken any game with it yet would be my marlin 336 stainless 30-30 with a Leupold 1.5-4x28 scout scope using hornady 160grn leverevolution.Third would understandably be considered a better bear gun than the 30-30 would my Winchester 1886 45-70 with a lyman fool proof peep sight on it shooting Winchester 300grn premium silver tips.I am reserving that rifle for deer season and if i don't get a bear by the time deer season rolls around i will just shoot a bear during deer season with the 45-70.I like to use a different rifle and cartridge as often as i can for the experience of variety and seeing first hand how they work on the animals.I walked right up on a bear a few years ago while muzzy hunting for deer and let it walk away because i honestly forgot i had a bear tag.

tgomez · « **Reply #9 on:** July 25, 2015, 11:50:14 AM »

Superdown- my cousin shoots the Marlin 336 in 30-30 with the Hornady Revolution ammo for all big game, and he swears that it gives it another 80 yards of effective accuracy! I think you will enjoy that set-up. Besides that who doesn't like to pack around a good old lever action rifle.

superdown · « **Reply #10 on:** July 25, 2015, 12:04:27 PM »

Quote from: tgomez on July 25, 2015, 11:50:14 AM

Superdown- my cousin shoots the Marlin 336 in 30-30 with the Hornady Revolution ammo for all big game, and he swears that it gives it another 80 yards of effective accuracy! I think you will enjoy that set-up. Besides that who doesn't like to pack around a good old lever action rifle.

That's good to hear

yeah i love lever guns and old style guns in general.The only rifle my dad ever bought for himself to hunt with is a BLR in .358 winchester He's taken a lot of deer with that rifle over the last 30 years.He has bought and sold a lot of other rifles but never hunted with anything else. I have asked him why he doesn't use something different and his answer is always nothing has ever taken another step after getting shot so why would i ? I can't really argue that logic.

mountainman · « **Reply #11 on:** July 25, 2015, 01:29:54 PM »

.444!

whackmaster · « **Reply #12 on:** July 25, 2015, 01:44:05 PM »

257 Weatherby Magnum

Firedogg · « **Reply #13 on:** July 25, 2015, 02:36:43 PM »

My favorite depends on where and how I am hunting.

For those open across to the next hillside or clearcut shots I use my Browning Stainless Stalker in .300 Win Mag.

If I am spot and stalk or just working my way through reprod or thick brush its a Marlin 1895 .45-70.

crschralping · « **Reply #14 on:** July 25, 2015, 02:48:24 PM »

My favorite is my 300 weatherby mag. Second favorite is my savage 110 -06.

BULLBLASTER · « **Reply #15 on:** July 25, 2015, 03:11:27 PM »

Quote from: coachcw on July 25, 2015, 06:44:53 AM

.375 H&H one of the best all around cartridge next to the 300wm. I own neither right now ! what the heck .

You need to change that coach! And fast! My 375 is quickly becoming my go to. For just about anything.

jackmaster · « **Reply #16 on:** July 25, 2015, 03:25:46 PM »

A spear

scottfrick · « **Reply #17 on:** July 25, 2015, 06:32:21 PM »

Mine is my 300 ultra mag topped with a swaro 4-12x50 scope. Shooting reloaded 185 grn Berger bullets. Just a few more weeks till its prime time:)

eastcoastguy · « **Reply #18 on:** July 25, 2015, 07:08:09 PM »

Rem 700 sps in 7mm mag. VxII scope and just making the switch to noslar accubond

RadSav · « **Reply #19 on:** July 25, 2015, 07:11:16 PM »

Quote from: eastcoastguy on July 25, 2015, 07:08:09 PM

Rem 700 sps in 7mm mag. VxII scope and just making the switch to noslar accubond

7RM/Accubond is one bad arse bear killer combo

KFhunter · « **Reply #20 on:** July 25, 2015, 07:36:08 PM »

I'll use a Ruger .44 mag carbine down in the brush and thick stuff

google image

MountainWalk · « **Reply #21 on:** July 25, 2015, 07:51:06 PM »

KF, those are bada$$ little cannons. Nice rifle.

KFhunter · « **Reply #22 on:** July 25, 2015, 07:52:08 PM »

Quote from: MountainWalk on July 25, 2015, 07:51:06 PM

KF, those are bada$$ little cannons. Nice rifle.

ya I love it, it's knocked the heck of out it's share of critters.

DIYARCHERYJUNKIE · « **Reply #23 on:** July 25, 2015, 09:08:57 PM »

RadSav · « **Reply #24 on:** July 25, 2015, 09:49:23 PM »

Quote from: DIYARCHERYJUNKIE on July 25, 2015, 09:08:57 PM

Mine

Sorry to tell you this...I think they built that one backwards

DIYARCHERYJUNKIE · « **Reply #25 on:** July 26, 2015, 06:27:30 AM »

Just upside down. I just switch my helical...

NINEX19 · « **Reply #26 on:** July 29, 2015, 10:17:18 AM »

This year, I will be taking my new .308 Ruger Predator. Not sure I will call it my favorite yet; though I can see it will be one of my favorites.

In the past I have used a Winchester 88 (.308) and a Marlin 336 (30-30). I like hunting bear with lever guns, but choose the gun based more on where the hunt will be (terrain) and expected weather.

They are all my favorites. Its hard to leave all but one at home.

vaz,,66 · « **Reply #27 on:** July 29, 2015, 12:26:47 PM »

This is what i'm going to use : .35 rem. and .444

longrangekiller · « **Reply #28 on:** August 06, 2015, 07:30:53 PM »

300 ultra mag

Turner89 · « **Reply #29 on:** August 06, 2015, 08:03:27 PM »

Remington 710 30-06 (AKA THE WAR AXE

) I bought at GI joes with some $25 gift safety gift cards from work. Amo? Whatever is on sale, or I find in the garage.

.......somehow I manage a little success every now and then

Duckslayer89 · « **Reply #30 on:** August 06, 2015, 08:22:03 PM »

KIMBER MOUNTAIN ASCENT .308-165 Nosler Accubond
Leupold Vx3 3.5-10
Ultralight and easy handling mountain gun best investment I've made. Shoots great too

257wbymagkiller · « **Reply #31 on:** August 06, 2015, 08:54:12 PM »

I have been favoring my 257WBY latley! with accubonds

Longbowz · « **Reply #32 on:** August 06, 2015, 10:39:44 PM »

Remington model 673 in .350 rem mag. Two bears to its credit so far.

Machias · « **Reply #33 on:** August 07, 2015, 05:49:37 PM »

I have no desire to ever hunt bear with a rifle. Bow only for me. Love hunting bears!!

MountainWalk · « **Reply #34 on:** August 07, 2015, 06:51:07 PM »

Here's mine. Clear cut and bush capable. Mostly loading Sierra 225's BT, or Speer 250's, @2800fps and 2600fps, respectively.

RadSav · « **Reply #35 on:** August 07, 2015, 08:38:13 PM »

Quote from: 257wbymagkiller on August 06, 2015, 08:54:12 PM

I have been favoring my 257WBY latley! with accubonds

Hmmmm. Who would have guessed?

BGLEMIN · « **Reply #36 on:** August 07, 2015, 09:05:49 PM »

Mathew's Drenalin...aptly named for those up close moments!!

mountainman · « **Reply #37 on:** August 07, 2015, 10:22:52 PM »

Quote from: vaz,,66 on July 29, 2015, 12:26:47 PM

This is what i'm going to use : .35 rem. and .444

444 Marlin

jkthomps · « **Reply #38 on:** August 07, 2015, 11:04:52 PM »

Quote from: longrangekiller on August 06, 2015, 07:30:53 PM

300 ultra mag

How do you like the muzzle brake? Notice a big difference?

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

dasbear · « **Reply #39 on:** August 15, 2015, 09:18:14 AM »

My weapon of choice is always a T/C Encore short and compact most times my 308 AI occasionally 35 walen AI

BOWHUNTER45 · « **Reply #40 on:** August 15, 2015, 09:47:37 AM »

Quote from: dasbear on August 15, 2015, 09:18:14 AM

My weapon of choice is always a T/C Encore short and compact most times my 308 AI occasionally 35 walen AI

nice ..that 35 Walen is a bear killing machine ..I watched my hunting partner dump quit a few bears with it !!

BOWHUNTER45 · « **Reply #41 on:** August 15, 2015, 09:53:49 AM »

.270 Back from my serious days as a Bear hunter

Just wish I could back up 20 yrs

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Author Topic: Favorite bear rifle or bow! (Read 12729 times)

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