Caliber

[bearpaw]

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]

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]

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

[saylean]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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

NO kidding   

[addicted]

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]

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]

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]

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