Author Topic: Caliber (Read 12796 times)

adam.WI · « **on:** July 03, 2009, 08:28:00 PM »

So I seen this on the elk forum (where it was seen on the deer forum) and was curious what ya'll used, and or preferred for bears...

The only thing I've used was my bow back in WI, and the primary weapon there is a 12ga. (fat plugging up the whole really isn't an issue with a 395 gr sabot)
This aug 1st I will be hauling my TC encore with the 300 win barrel.

Jake T · « **Reply #1 on:** July 03, 2009, 08:52:45 PM »

i used a 7mm mag for my spring bear. for the next one i am going to switch to a 125 grain zwickey.

catwithboost · « **Reply #2 on:** July 03, 2009, 08:56:06 PM »

I pack a 7mm mag for deer/elk/bear soon I will be using it for a Bison.

Jason · « **Reply #3 on:** July 03, 2009, 09:43:29 PM »

300win mag for deer, bear and elk

actionshooter · « **Reply #4 on:** July 03, 2009, 10:47:42 PM »

To me, any caliber you would use for deer is enough for bear. Its all placement.

littlebuf · « **Reply #5 on:** July 03, 2009, 10:48:25 PM »

Quote from: Jason on July 03, 2009, 09:43:29 PM

300win mag for deer, bear and elk

a man after my own heart

cascademountainhunter · « **Reply #6 on:** July 03, 2009, 11:15:14 PM »

last year i got one with a .243 win, and a .44 mag

Pat/Rick · « **Reply #7 on:** July 04, 2009, 12:03:03 AM »

Mosin Nagants! 7.62x54R, Yeah Baby!

Machias · « **Reply #8 on:** July 04, 2009, 08:25:42 AM »

XX78 with a muzzy 4 blade, out of a 72 pound bow.

coriantonk · « **Reply #9 on:** July 04, 2009, 09:01:22 AM »

7x57 Use it for everything

I hope.

littletoes · « **Reply #10 on:** July 04, 2009, 09:53:24 AM »

A neck shot with the 300 Weatherby dropped one in its tracks last year.

fishcrazy · « **Reply #11 on:** July 05, 2009, 07:59:33 AM »

My goal this year is to kill a bear with my 1895 Cowboy 45-70 with some HOT hand loads. I figure if I can't get close enough to one then I'll bust him with the custom biult 30 newton with a 200 grn accubond.

Kris

BLKBEARKLR · « **Reply #12 on:** July 05, 2009, 08:01:40 AM »

wife shoots a 300 win mag

I shoot a 338.

Although we have not used rifles in about 6 years, we are pretty much bow hunters now.

Jerry · « **Reply #13 on:** July 06, 2009, 09:22:40 AM »

I like a Marlin 336 in .35 Remington with 200 gr Core-Lokts....dead bear.

alecvg · « **Reply #14 on:** July 06, 2009, 09:30:20 AM »

In my opinion, I think 7mm Rem Mag is the perfect black bear round, but I personally use .30/06 for everything, including bear.

saylean · « **Reply #15 on:** July 06, 2009, 02:13:19 PM »

I've used a .280 and a .300 WSM for bears. All have dropped in one shot (although, the last one took a bit to fall down for good, poor placement on the last).

This Aug...using my bow for one.

Good luck. In my opinion, as previously stated, if its good enough for deer, its good enough for our blackies here. Just get a good shot on them.

Machias · « **Reply #16 on:** July 06, 2009, 03:17:32 PM »

I have shot 6 with my bow and none ran more then 40 yards. Two with a 30.06 at bow range, one ran 15 yards and one dropped on the spot as I shot him between the eyes at about 15 yards.

machine · « **Reply #17 on:** July 06, 2009, 03:53:38 PM »

Shot my first bear last year with a 308 165 grain vital shock.dropped dead mid step without a sound.

billythekidrock · « **Reply #18 on:** July 06, 2009, 04:02:51 PM »

All of mine have been with a .270. My wife killed a couple with the .270 and a couple with her 30-30.

halflife65 · « **Reply #19 on:** July 06, 2009, 04:16:17 PM »

Killed bears with a .270 (150 gr. Nosler Partition) and a .300 WSM (but not at the same time

). Both worked great...

The next one I shoot will be with a G5 Striker on an Easton Axis shot out of a Mathews.

dawei · « **Reply #20 on:** July 07, 2009, 07:51:25 AM »

444 Marlin® w/Beartooth Bullets® 290gr LFNGC.

Abolt338 · « **Reply #21 on:** July 07, 2009, 02:27:56 PM »

I shoot a .338WM primarily, but I have a 7mm Rem., 30.06, and 25.06 that get use on occasion. My wife shoots a .308 and drops them dead.

RW

brent123 · « **Reply #22 on:** July 10, 2009, 07:39:54 AM »

If hunting black bear with a .270, what would be a good ammunition and grain? I know a .270 is not an ideal caliber for hunting bears, but its all i have.

Abolt338 · « **Reply #23 on:** July 10, 2009, 09:41:01 AM »

Nosler Partition in as heavy a grain as you can find.

RW

brent123 · « **Reply #24 on:** July 10, 2009, 09:46:37 AM »

At 275 to 300yds how much drop you think. Or is 300yds pushing it?

Abolt338 · « **Reply #25 on:** July 10, 2009, 10:05:03 AM »

Quote from: brent123 on July 10, 2009, 09:46:37 AM

At 275 to 300yds how much drop you think. Or is 300yds pushing it?

In WA, that's a pretty rare shot. Most of the bears I've killed in this state were less than 75 yards away.

RW

addicted · « **Reply #26 on:** July 10, 2009, 10:13:06 AM »

its all about what your comforable shooting as far as range. .270 is a flat shooting cartridge. once you get your ammo just take it out to a canyon and take a couple shots to see exactly how your rifle likes it and what kind of drop you can expect. 300 is a ways out there but not crazy far. If you find a place to shoot 300 yards for practice check it out.

alanger · « **Reply #27 on:** July 10, 2009, 10:39:33 AM »

This year i am using a 7mm-08...

Bofire · « **Reply #28 on:** July 10, 2009, 10:56:21 AM »

A repeat of whats been said, any good deer gun bullet, will work fine for bear at what ever range you can put every EVERY round into a 6 inch circle.
Carl

Machias · « **Reply #29 on:** July 10, 2009, 11:19:46 AM »

This is NOT a slam on long range shooting, I don't even want to go near that contentious subject, but how much enjoyment/excitment can you get out of shooting a black furry dot out at 200+ yards? You guys needs to experience those 15 to 50 yard shots, way way more fun guys. Try it this fall, you'll be hooked!!

bearpaw · « **Reply #30 on:** July 10, 2009, 11:43:59 AM »

Nothing like asking a group of hunters what the best caliber is.....

I can speak from personal involvement in hundreds of bear kills with about every rifle caliber sold, blackpowder, pistol, and archery. Probably the best answer is like the other guys said, "bullet placement". I always say "try to get the vitals and break a shoulder with one shot".

The caliber question really depends where you'll be hunting and how. When we could still hunt with dogs and bait, close shots were the norm. Some guys hunting in heavy cover today will also get close shots. If you are sure to be shooting at close range there is nothing better than big bullets. 444, 45/70, 458, 375, etc., and a 12 GA with slugs is as deadly as it gets at real close range.

If you are hunting open country, logging areas, etc where long shots are likely in my opinion it's hard to beat 7mm, 300, or 338/340 magnums. This group of guns are my favorites for modern bear hunting where long shots are likely.

From prior experience I can tell you a centerfire .22/6MM/243/25:06 will kill bear but it's risky, if you don't make the perfect hit you will realize after a few hours of searching that you and the bear would have been far better off with a bigger gun and you will be shopping for a new gun like quite a few other guys I know that have had that experience.

But don't get me wrong, bullet placement is critical, I have watched wounded bear escape form the big magnums too, because of a poor hit. Muzzleloaders are deadly at close range with a big projectile, leave the round balls home, they don't penetrate. Archery equipment is the real surprise, hit a bear good with a quality broadhead and he isn't going far at all.

PWN Kurt · « **Reply #31 on:** July 13, 2009, 05:50:47 PM »

I'm using my Ruger Hawkeye in 358 winchester, 225 Nosler partition with 38.5 grains of Varget. My girlfriend is using a 35 whelen Remington 700 CDL, 200 grain HDY interlock over (??) grains of IMR 4198.

I'll probably bring an extra gun on the trips...probably a 444 marlin or 45/70 guide gun.

Kurt

Kain · « **Reply #32 on:** July 13, 2009, 06:15:06 PM »

Is buckshot a total no-no? 00 or 000. 2.75, 3, or 3.5".

saylean · « **Reply #33 on:** July 13, 2009, 06:31:10 PM »

I'd use 00 buck shot on a bear no problem...i'd rather use a slug, but I would stagger it with buckshot. Of course, this is for close combat.

Kain · « **Reply #34 on:** July 13, 2009, 06:39:55 PM »

The reason I was asking was I hunt a firearm restricted GMU. I was going to use slugs but was thinking about the second round being buckshot for follow up if needed. Possible running, flopping, bad hit.

Huntbear · « **Reply #35 on:** July 13, 2009, 08:26:20 PM »

I will carry the .338 WM, but will have my 44 mag on my hip. I want my first bear to be up close and taken with the pistol and my "bear loads". That said, if he is out at 200 yards, the .338 will bark.

bearpaw · « **Reply #36 on:** July 13, 2009, 09:29:16 PM »

30 yards with 00 buckshot = really dead bear.

I have never seen a really big bear shot with buckshot, but an average bear is not skipping away from you.

shag · « **Reply #37 on:** July 13, 2009, 10:41:12 PM »

Bearpaw, Last guide I talked with that had and or been in on several hundred bear kills swore up and down the min cal for bear in his eyes is 30 cal. Bigger hole on a hairy critter full of fat late in the year was just some of his reasons.

I gotta ask ya if you what caliber you would use and what caliber do you personally like to see cliants show up with?

Thanks alot

alecvg · « **Reply #38 on:** July 13, 2009, 11:49:56 PM »

Quote from: brent123 on July 10, 2009, 09:46:37 AM

At 275 to 300yds how much drop you think. Or is 300yds pushing it?

If you use 150 gr. nosler Partions, you will have no problewm shooting 300+ yards, And i disagree with Abolt338, I find 300+ yard shots common, at least where I hunt. But anyways, the !50 Gr. Nosler Partions, is the best load for .270 in my opinion.

shanevg · « **Reply #39 on:** July 13, 2009, 11:58:56 PM »

Quote from: brent123 on July 10, 2009, 09:46:37 AM

At 275 to 300yds how much drop you think. Or is 300yds pushing it?

I have hand loaded 150 grain Nosler partition SST bullets for my .270 Win. At 100 yards I am sighted in at 1.5" high, at 200 yards I am 2.5" high, at 300 yards I am 3" low.

alanger · « **Reply #40 on:** July 14, 2009, 01:08:10 PM »

Quote from: bearpaw on July 10, 2009, 11:43:59 AM

Nothing like asking a group of hunters what the best caliber is.....

NO kidding

addicted · « **Reply #41 on:** July 15, 2009, 11:09:39 AM »

i want to shoot one with my new 8x57 with hand loads or the model 94 30-30 my great grandfather gave me.

adam.WI · « **Reply #42 on:** July 15, 2009, 12:00:38 PM »

Quote from: alanger on July 14, 2009, 01:08:10 PM

Quote from: bearpaw on July 10, 2009, 11:43:59 AM
Nothing like asking a group of hunters what the best caliber is.....

NO kidding

who said anything about best, just interesting to see what everyone uses

bearpaw · « **Reply #43 on:** July 15, 2009, 09:24:28 PM »

Shag....it depends where you hunt. Because I live and hunt where long shots are common, I prefer a 300 magnum above anything else with 180 grain quality bullet. TSX is hard to beat, they hold together excellent and make a hole clear through a bear. 300 yards and a solid rest = dead bear. 338 and 7mm Mags are also real good choices.

If you are hunting where close shots are the norm, something like a 35 whelen, .375 or 45/70 is hard to beat. A !2 gauge with slugs or 00 buck is excellent when hunting bait or dogs where shots are real close.

Although I have killed bear with .257 WBY and 6mm, I generally prefer seeing .280 caliber or larger bullets for bear hunting. A big bear can take more punishment than any elk or deer.

JackOfAllTrades · « **Reply #44 on:** July 16, 2009, 11:50:54 AM »

Quote

who said anything about best, just interesting to see what everyone uses

30-338 Wildcat. Very similar to a .308 Norma. It's a .338winmag necked down to .30cal. Pushes a 190gn Hornady BTSP at 3100fps.

-Steve

demontang · « **Reply #45 on:** July 17, 2009, 07:53:14 AM »

Im going out of the first time but Im taken my .338wm loaded with 225gr accubonds. Im sure they will do the trick, an its my all around gun too.

Woodchuck · « **Reply #46 on:** July 17, 2009, 08:08:40 AM »

it will i promise, what i shoot for everything, my buddies say its overkill on rabbits though

demontang · « **Reply #47 on:** July 20, 2009, 08:01:39 AM »

Yeah its not fur friendly on coyotes

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Author Topic: Caliber (Read 12796 times)

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