Shooting distances in the Sherman unit

[Rob]

I drew a spring Sherman tag and I am thinking about what rifle to bring.

I normally shoot a 7mm Rem Mag and I am comfortable to 200-300 yards with that gun (the gun can shoot much better than I do...)

I would really like to use my Marlin 1895 45/70 Gvt. Lever gun - for me that is a 100 yard gun. 

I don't know too much about the unit, but will being limited to 100 yards be a severe handicap?  I feel like that should be plenty based on the research I have done so far.

[Ghost Hunter]

Just stay in the brush   

[MtnMuley]

I'd bring them both.

[Southpole]

I'd bring them both.

There's a variety of terrain and brush/trees. I've been where I can see hundreds of yards to 20 feet in front of me.

[buckfvr]

I would bone up on my shooting skills and get comfortable with that 7 out to twice what youre thinking........that way 4-500 would be good.  If you glass a bunch, you can see them at a mile or more, so best be prepared for everything and then some.  Not suggesting youll need anymore than 4-500, or even that much, but it could work out that way.

[mallardaddict]

Lots of timber with close shots and lots of clearcuts and meadows with shots over a mile of a guy chose to try them.  A guy can find any kind of hunt he wants in that unit.  I will be taking my 300 wsm Kimber Montana with a 2.5-8x scope and my 29” barreled 339 edge with a 5.5-22x56 NXS on top.  Doubt my Montana will see the light of day for how we hunt it.

[Rob]

I would bone up on my shooting skills and get comfortable with that 7 out to twice what youre thinking........that way 4-500 would be good.  If you glass a bunch, you can see them at a mile or more, so best be prepared for everything and then some.  Not suggesting youll need anymore than 4-500, or even that much, but it could work out that way.

I spend quite a bit of time on the trigger with my 7mm.  I pretty much half my range/bench distances when hunting so I can assure an ethical shot.  Just a personal thing!  But yes, more trigger time and comfort will increase that range considerably!  To get to 500 I'd need to feel good at 1,000.  I am pretty confident at 500 to 600 on a bench right now.  I'm at about 12 inches once I hit 700 yards.  I'm at best a mediocre shooter.

[Rob]

Hate to bring both and end up leaving one in the truck while hunting, but that may need to be the case.  I like the weight and fast swing on the lever gun.

Good to know about the terrain and it will make sense to me once I get more time in the field come mid to late April when I start scouting.

In the mean time I will need to spend more time at the range (oh dang!)

Has anyone mounted a scout scope on a Marlin 1895?  I am thinking that would be a pretty cool set up.

[Mudman]

7 will do all.  Marlin wont.  Plenty of areas where I have seen bears out 100-200 yards while archery hunting.  Also seen plenty bear much closer.  I am talking in timber as it can be quite open in many spots.  I would pack the big boy unless ya want the fun and challenge.  The marlin is a fun gun.  Plenty of bears that's a given.

[Gutpile]

It's really not super hard to stalk spring bears. They are out grazing on the grass and just gorging themselves. Over the years I've gotten very close many times in the spring. Last time I had a spring tag I packed a rifle in my eberlestock pack and carried my muzzleloader on a sling in hopes of dropping one with the muzzleloader. That's what I'll be doing this year also up in Aladdin

[Tracker0721]

I made a post about it but I’d gladly get you on some bears if I’m not out on a early fire or something. I’d bring the 45-70. My good buddy uses a 30-30 every year and his dad uses his recurve. I’ve used recurves or longbows for a while but am using a 30-30 for this fall or my bow. Long range stuff is fun but I think my favorite bear moments were when I could hear them breathing and shaking leaves. Not so favorite was calling in a mom with 3 cubs. Cubs didn’t pop up until I was calling and then I had 3 cubs running through the brush at me with a recurve and their mom hot on their tails. Had to stand up, yell, wave my arms, then realize momma was gonna eat me and fire my 357 in the air to stop em. Girlfriend got cool pictures at 40 yards though hahaha. But if you’re just going for meat and fur bring the 7mm.

[Rob]

What a great offer!  I will shoot you a PM later this morning!

[polishstunner]

Last year, every bear we saw was at 600 yds plus. We were hunting big canyons, and they were always moving.

[snake]

Great unit for the Marlin.

[mallardaddict]

Last year, every bear we saw was at 600 yds plus. We were hunting big canyons, and they were always moving.

My experience as well hence my preference to my .338 Edge and a 300gr Berger at 3025fps for that area and spring bears.