whats a good rifle caliber for bear

[shorthair15]

looking to add a backup gun for my son to use for bear hunting. i have a 300 ultramag. this gun is to much for him. i was thinking a 308 or 7mm. thought i would ask on here thanks.

[MountainWalk]

Papa '06. No question.

[Bob33]

The two you mentioned would both be excellent choices.

[shorthair15]

im looking at getting a tikka may get it in 30-06 or 7mm. thanks, well gives me something to do today off to sportsman warehouse.

[MountainWalk]

Heavy seven mag loads and hot ought six loads do about the same thing. Just more expensive, louder, harder kicking.

     For an all purpose back up gun, '06 is tough to beat.

[Wolfdog2314]

Got my first bear with an 06. Went 40 yards and piled up.

[Bob33]

You might also consider a 7mm-08. It's a great caliber with milder recoil than a 30-06 and 7mm.

[Machias]

How old is your son?

[MountainWalk]

Whatever age he is, they don't stay small long.

[Elkterd]

Got a 7mm-08 for my daughter after she shot her first bear with my 300 wsm( like to have took her shoulder off, she was 11) she is now 14 and has shot a Miuley buck, cow elk and another bear with the 7mm-08 and loves it! Good caliber for younger and or smaller framed youngsters. Just my 

[Rich_S]

From another bear thread, this was the caliber of choice in a poll I was taking.



Pretty much the same case as a .30-30, but with almost straight walls instead of being necked down. My load is a 220 grain bullet with RL-7. IIRC, runs about 2200 fps. I've never shot anything but paper and steel with it, but it is reputed to be a great woods and/or large animal cartridge. I used to always bring it along when elk hunting for those rainy days in the deep woods down near HQ road south of Castle Rock.

[Machias]

Whatever age he is, they don't stay small long.

Good reason for more than one gun.  Too many folks start kids out with a caliber way to powerful for a small shooter and help kids develop poor shooting skills.  Much better to start off with the proper caliber and step it up as they grow.

[bobcat]

308 would be perfect. That's what I would go with. That or a 243, depending on the size of your kid.

[Utah]

I'll second or 3rd the 7mm-08..  Stoke it with 140gr Partitions and enjoy the bounty!

[jay.sharkbait]

.250 Savage