What gun for bear, for wife?

[n_mathews13]

We have been hunting ID in spring for bear. Wife hasn't filled a tag there yet. She is nervous about using a .300 win ( can't blame here). What round/ gun should I be looking at that?
 I know and understand that placed in right spot in won't matter as much what round a guy uses, I used a .308 for years. But I also know, to have a exit hole is huge.
Any thoughts? I was lookn at the interchangeable TC

[fowl smacker]

Black bears are thin skinned.  A .270 has killed many bear over the years.  If you can put a 130gr core lokt or any good mushrooming bullet into the lungs or boiler room, it's going to get the job done.

[Southpole]

Black bears are thin skinned.  A .270 has killed many bear over the years.  If you can put a 130gr core lokt or any good mushrooming bullet into the lungs or boiler room, it's going to get the job done.

I've killed a couple of bears with my .270. They've all hit the dirt effectively. My rifle weighs a ton so the recoil doesn't bother me. Besides that, when I want to kill something bad enough I don't feel or hear a thing anyways.

[CaNINE]

A 308 or 7-08 with a good penetrating hunting bullet like a nosler partition or accubond. Moderate recoil and plenty of bear killing energy. If you go magnum put a muzzle brake on it and it will kick on par with the 308. Just be sure to keep ear protection handy when in the field.

[jennabug]

It's a bit late for it now, but you may consider getting a suppressor for your 308. We got a SilencerCo Omega a few years back that can be used on multiple calibers, and it significantly reduces the recoil. I could shoot that thing all day.

[KFhunter]

She needs a BN36 Carbine Assassin


http://onlylongrange.com/bn36-carbine-assassin-30-06/

[boneaddict]

.270, 25-06, 30/30, .300 savage, all good for bear.   

[Bob33]

If it fits her you .308 would be a fine choice. Reload or purchase some reduced recoil ammunition for it, and it should be pleasant to shoot. If you are planning to purchase a new rifle for her, my first choice of caliber would be 7mm-08. It's the same base cartridge as the .308 but shoots a smaller bullet.

And for the record a bullet from a .308 makes essentially the same size hole as a bullet from .300 magnum, everything else being equal. They shoot the same bullets; the only difference is velocity.

A typical black bear is not particularly difficult to kill. Good shot placement with a good hunting bullet will put them down.
 

[BULLBLASTER]

anything you would comfortably use for deer would be sufficient for black bear 

[pianoman9701]

I'd suggest .30-06 for the bear. For the wife, I would urge you to seek counseling first. 

[Alchase]

I'd suggest .30-06 for the bear. For the wife, I would urge you to seek counseling first. 

Well played!

[n_mathews13]

My plan was for her to use .308 and get a new scope for it. Maybe Barnes X round

[Blacktail Sniper]

Not a bad plan by any means. 

Get it set-up and her shooting it so she is comfortable with how it fits and such, then turn her loose!!

[runamuk]

7mm 08 it's good for deer, bear, and elk.  Both of mine shoot off the shelf ammo. 

[b23]

Kind of surprised nobody has suggested a 6.5 Creed yet.  Seems like that would be a good fit given the criteria.

[Rem14]

The wife shoots a Savage Lady Hunter in 6.5 creedmoor, 140gr., has taken a lot of Deer and a Bear with 1 shot kills, a rifle made for women.

[n_mathews13]

Kind of surprised nobody has suggested a 6.5 Creed yet.  Seems like that would be a good fit given the criteria.

I've never heard of that gun. What's it compared to?

[n_mathews13]

Probably will stick with .308 since I have it and it's efficient. They may or may not have thick skin , but also have fat and long hair. Makes them hard to track, so always try to avoid doing so. Was just wondering what other opinions are on here.

[KFhunter]

just make sure she shoots it good and study's shot placement guides

http://www.bear-hunting.com/2016/3/shot-placement-black-bear-blog-march-17-2016

http://www.wideopenspaces.com/learn-proper-shot-placement-black-bear-internal-anatomy-video/

[Blacktail Sniper]

Kind of surprised nobody has suggested a 6.5 Creed yet.  Seems like that would be a good fit given the criteria.

I've never heard of that gun. What's it compared to?

Some light reading on the 6.5 Creedmoor:

https://www.outdoorlife.com/evolution-65-creedmoor

https://www.americanrifleman.org/articles/2017/8/23/tested-hornady-65-creedmoor/

[n_mathews13]

just make sure she shoots it good and study's shot placement guides

http://www.bear-hunting.com/2016/3/shot-placement-black-bear-blog-march-17-2016

http://www.wideopenspaces.com/learn-proper-shot-placement-black-bear-internal-anatomy-video/

Yes, good read. I get that magazine and videos

[n_mathews13]

What can you tell me about a .35 whelen

[runningboard]

http://www.35cal.com/rep.html

[spoonman]

I killed my first bear with a 270wsm 130gn accubond.  More importantly is whatever she shoots accurately!

[runamuk]

Yeah where is the person actually shooting the rifle? Because if she doesn't like shooting it she won't be comfortable and it doesn't matter which caliber it is.

Take her out let her try a few of your buddies rifles or do what I did let her do the research then buy one and see how it goes.

7mm 08 best caliber any day of the week.  25 06 LOVE, 257 Roberts ai sure, 308 if it's big and heavy it's nice. 243wssm in AR platform so much fun. Those are all hunting calibers.

Guns I hated shooting 30 06, 45acp, 20 gauge shot gun.

I like my guns small and fast kinda like my. ..

Well you get the idea.

[quadrafire]

Well when I first read the title to this thread I thought you were looking for a caliber to off a bear and another for your wife  Carry on..........

[n_mathews13]

Got her a 450 bushmaster
Now I need to settle on a scope

[n_mathews13]

.

[Biggerhammer]

Select a bullet that fits your needs, then select the appropriate cartridge to push it at a velocity that suits you. Northwest black bears are over rated! They are fairly easy to kill, actually boringly easy.

[slavenoid]

Got her a 450 bushmaster
Now I need to settle on a scope

Curious to know what reason you chose a 450 bushmaster? I like the round but kinda thought you were joking at first. I was thinking of running 450 bushmaster through an AR platform next year.

[n_mathews13]

I think it will make a good "in blind gun". I think the round will do well. Plus it came with the 16" barrel, out a vortex 1-4x.

[runamuk]

So has the wife shot it? What does she think?

I would love to hear her write up on this caliber.

[2labs]

Questions like this? How bout a .204 in the ear hole, ..keep yer wife comfy?

[n_mathews13]

Took her shooting today.
She loves it
She didn't like using the shoulder pad, and shot a box just fine.
We practiced mostly at 50yd since that is about ground blind to bait.
She made a group of 5 within 2 blocks.
Likes trigger pull.
We liked how the safety is right next to thumb, for easy safety switch.
Gun was loud, but expected .
It isn't a heavy gun, so that's nice. Thought kick would be worse due to that.

35$ a box at sportsmens, and a box went fast. I hope to have someone reload for me. Id like to get a round with a Barns bullet.
 
Scope worked well
We really like the 1-4x. I've never had one.

We will go out again when not on a time limit. I will build a shooting bench I think, the fold up table pissed me off today (probably more user error then table fault )

She did well and was happy. So can't complain. Now for a sling and its own gun case

[Timberstalker]

Good stuff!

[Biggerhammer]

Those .450's have a great muzzle brake.