collapse

Advertisement


Author Topic: WICH GUN TO USE FOR BEAR?  (Read 4961 times)

Offline BIGINNER

  • Washington For Wildlife
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Frontiersman
  • *****
  • Join Date: Aug 2009
  • Posts: 3836
WICH GUN TO USE FOR BEAR?
« on: July 16, 2010, 08:01:43 AM »
OK,  I GOT ANOTHER QUESTION ABOUT BEAR HUNTING,....  WICH GUN SHOULD I USE? I GOT A COUPLE OF RIFLES,  AND BUYING ANOTHER ONE IS DEFINATELY OUT OF THE QUESTION THIS YEAR,  SO WICH ONE TO USE?  I HAVE A .270 WIN.,  AND A 7.62x54R, (THESE ARE THE TWO I WOULD FEEL CONFORTABLE TO SHOOT OVER 200 YARDS.)  I ALSO GOT A 12GA, BUT THAT IS OUT OF THE QUESTION ALSO.  AND MY .357 IS ALWAYS ON MY HIP.    SO BASICALY ITS DOWN TO THESE TWO RIFLES,  I FEEL MORE CONFORTABLE SHOOTING WITH THE .270 WIN.  BUT NOT SURE IF IT GOT ENOUGH KNOCKDOWN POWER FOR A BEAR,    ENLIGHTEN ME PLEASE   :) 

Offline Woodchuck

  • GO TEAM!!!
  • Global Moderator
  • Trade Count: (+13)
  • Explorer
  • *****
  • Join Date: Mar 2009
  • Posts: 12142
  • Location: Walla Walla
  • HuntWA Woodblock
Re: WICH GUN TO USE FOR BEAR?
« Reply #1 on: July 16, 2010, 08:08:07 AM »
.270 is plenty in this state, shot placement is king
Antlered rabbit tastes like chicken


Inuendo, wasn't he an Italian proctoligist?

Offline Timberstalker

  • Non-Hunting Topics
  • Trade Count: (+3)
  • Old Salt
  • ******
  • Join Date: Apr 2008
  • Posts: 9260
  • Location: Tri-Cities
  • Just one more ridge
Re: WICH GUN TO USE FOR BEAR?
« Reply #2 on: July 16, 2010, 08:08:59 AM »
270 will work.  It may be a little light but put it where it is supposed to be and you will be fine. :twocents:
If you aint hunting, you aint livin'

Offline JackOfAllTrades

  • Rasbo said I Ain't Right.
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Old Salt
  • ******
  • Join Date: Feb 2009
  • Posts: 6509
  • Location: Lynden, WA.
  • Μολὼν λαβέ
Re: WICH GUN TO USE FOR BEAR?
« Reply #3 on: July 16, 2010, 08:55:05 AM »
Use the one you feel the most comfortable with that will shoot the most accurate heavy bullet you can.  Like others have said... .Lot's of Bears have been taken with 270win.

-Steve
The NRA says I'm a Master!
Colt's, Ruger's, Dan Wesson, & Kimber are my friends!
Proud to be a U.S. Navy Veteran.

If you never follow your dreams, you'll never go anywhere.

Critical thinking keeps people from freaking the hell out every time some half baked blogger forgets his meds. Unlike some of you, I do not have TawkethOutOfAnus© syndrome.

Offline grundy53

  • Global Moderator
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Explorer
  • *****
  • Join Date: Mar 2010
  • Posts: 12854
  • Location: Lake Stevens
  • Learn something new everyday.
    • facebook
Re: WICH GUN TO USE FOR BEAR?
« Reply #4 on: July 16, 2010, 09:03:50 AM »
.270
Molôn Labé
Can you skin Grizz?

The opinions expressed in my posts do not represent those of the forum.

Offline D-Rock425

  • Washington For Wildlife
  • Trade Count: (+12)
  • Explorer
  • ******
  • Join Date: Jun 2009
  • Posts: 13254
  • Location: Lake stevens
Re: WICH GUN TO USE FOR BEAR?
« Reply #5 on: July 16, 2010, 09:42:12 AM »
270 will work just fine.  I've shot 3 bears with my 7mm-08 and none have left my sight.

Offline rasbo

  • Trade Count: (+1)
  • Legend
  • ******
  • Join Date: Aug 2008
  • Posts: 20144
  • Location: Grant county
  • In God I trust...Try taking that away from me!
Re: WICH GUN TO USE FOR BEAR?
« Reply #6 on: July 16, 2010, 09:48:11 AM »
remember the lungs on a bear are further up in side the chest.you run that bullet home, bear dead foresure..then have another round in him asap same place.try to nail him with the front leg foward

Offline Pathfinder101

  • The Chosen YAR
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Explorer
  • ******
  • Join Date: Jan 2009
  • Posts: 11918
  • Location: Southeast WA
  • Semper Primus
Re: WICH GUN TO USE FOR BEAR?
« Reply #7 on: July 16, 2010, 09:50:02 AM »
.270 will work just fine.  I took this bear with my .270 several years ago.  Sorry for the crappy pic, it is scanned...
Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes.  That way, when you criticize them, you're a mile away and you have their shoes.

Offline klickitat

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Tracker
  • **
  • Join Date: Sep 2008
  • Posts: 66
Re: WICH GUN TO USE FOR BEAR?
« Reply #8 on: July 16, 2010, 09:55:41 AM »
Both rounds are completely acceptable for black bear. Use the one that you shoot most accurately.


Offline NWBREW

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Frontiersman
  • *****
  • Join Date: Aug 2009
  • Posts: 4196
  • Location: Stevens County
Re: WICH GUN TO USE FOR BEAR?
« Reply #9 on: July 16, 2010, 10:14:28 AM »
.270 is plenty in this state, shot placement is king




That's the name of the game right there. Good caliber and SHOT PLACEMENT.
Just one more day

Offline high country

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Old Salt
  • ******
  • Join Date: May 2007
  • Posts: 5133
Re: WICH GUN TO USE FOR BEAR?
« Reply #10 on: July 16, 2010, 10:28:12 AM »
my 270win spittin speer hot cors has killed 3 good bears with 3 good shots from 50 to 250 yds. I have no problem at all saying the 270 is a good choice.

Offline whacker1

  • Trade Count: (+3)
  • Old Salt
  • ******
  • Join Date: Dec 2008
  • Posts: 5816
  • Location: Spokane
Re: WICH GUN TO USE FOR BEAR?
« Reply #11 on: July 16, 2010, 02:32:41 PM »
270 for me helped me with my only bear - 3 shots from 30 yards.  I wanted to make sure that she didn't go anywhere.. :chuckle:  It was Prince of Wales Island Alaska and you couldn't even walk down there trails, so the last shot broke his back 10 feet from a brushy trail. 

Offline machine

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Scout
  • ****
  • Join Date: Jun 2009
  • Posts: 458
  • Location: Bothell
Re: WICH GUN TO USE FOR BEAR?
« Reply #12 on: July 16, 2010, 06:08:12 PM »
More ammo choices with the 270 most the 7.62x54 I see is surplus.

Offline klickitat

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Tracker
  • **
  • Join Date: Sep 2008
  • Posts: 66
Re: WICH GUN TO USE FOR BEAR?
« Reply #13 on: July 16, 2010, 08:08:08 PM »
More ammo choices with the 270 most the 7.62x54 I see is surplus.

One of the guns I will be hunting with this year is my PSL in 7.62x54r I purchased 180 g. soft point from Winchester.

Sellier Bellot makes soft point ammo for it as well. Some others also come out of Europe, but with Winchester making it, I just bought 4 boxes and figured that was good enough for hunting rounds.

BTW: the 7.62x54r can basically be interchanged with .308 for ballistics.

Offline Bscman

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Longhunter
  • *****
  • Join Date: Jan 2008
  • Posts: 620
  • Location: Sedro Woolley
Re: WICH GUN TO USE FOR BEAR?
« Reply #14 on: July 16, 2010, 10:29:51 PM »
More than likely your .270 will have greater accuracy potential, given the choices of factory ammunition (assuming you don't reload, and you mention being on a tight budget). You'll also have a much broader spectrum of bullet weights and bullet types. Bullet construction should be a large factor...

A good quality modern bonded bullet or solid such as the Barnes will do a lot more damage to a bear coming from a .270 than many would expect--more than enough gun for the blackies you'll run into around here. On a side note, it always amazes me that so many people jump on the 30-06 bandwagon, yet throw the .270 under the bus. Stop and look at the ballistics between the two for a 150gr bullet...very similar. Sure the '06 can shoot a 180 or 200, but with modern bullet technology and most bears being shot around here being sub 230lbs...150 is plenty.  ;)

Just about the only hunting rounds for the 7.62x54R that are regularly seen in my are are the Winchester Metrics and S&B. Not at all "bad" ammunition, but it's a very basic/non-bonded bullet that may not fare too well when it comes to expansion and weight retention...especially against, say, a direct shot to the leg/shoulder bones.The 200-210gr russian "junk" is not very accurate, and definitely below the S&B/WIN in terms of quality.

You also haven't  mentioned either of the rifles in you have to choose from. If you're using an M44 or M38 Mosin Nagant, don't forget to factor in the large amount of energy loss due to the short barrel. Recoil and blast is impressive, but theres a lot of wasted energy from that short barrel. The longer variants, say a 91/30 will be quite long and heavy to be packing through the woods...


FWIW, I'll likely be found on the mountain with my .270 most days this bear season. If I find my way into some more open country with opportunities  for longer shots I may choose something larger, but I have more than enough confidence in my .270 to at least 200-250yds...shooting a 150gr Barnes TSX handloads just under 1MOA.
« Last Edit: July 16, 2010, 10:35:52 PM by Bscman »
I left it better than I found it...did you?
I hunt animals because veggies are too easy to stalk.

Offline carpsniperg2

  • Site Sponsor
  • Global Moderator
  • Trade Count: (+126)
  • Legend
  • *****
  • Join Date: Sep 2009
  • Posts: 31527
  • Location: Goldendale,WA
Re: WICH GUN TO USE FOR BEAR?
« Reply #15 on: July 16, 2010, 11:22:50 PM »
i think you got your answer lol 270 all the way :IBCOOL:
Owner: SPLIT DIAMOND TACTICAL
Firearms/Transfers/Parts/Optics
2011 HW Head Competition Winner

Offline brew

  • Non-Hunting Topics
  • Trade Count: (+17)
  • Sourdough
  • *****
  • Join Date: May 2010
  • Posts: 1830
  • Location: yelm
Re: WICH GUN TO USE FOR BEAR?
« Reply #16 on: July 16, 2010, 11:26:00 PM »
you shoot an accurate 270 load with quality performing bullets and you'd better have your taxidermist's number on speed dial  ;)
beer---it's whats for dinner

Offline Earshot

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Hunter
  • ***
  • Join Date: Dec 2008
  • Posts: 107
Re: WICH GUN TO USE FOR BEAR?
« Reply #17 on: July 20, 2010, 07:10:43 PM »
This one was shot with 270 in 2006 was a 6 ft bear about 300lbs. my hunting buddy got his bother four days later on the gut pile.

Offline Whitenuckles

  • Transplanted Cajun
  • Political & Covid-19 Topics
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Sourdough
  • *****
  • Join Date: Jun 2009
  • Posts: 1228
  • Location: Sno valley
Re: WICH GUN TO USE FOR BEAR?
« Reply #18 on: July 20, 2010, 07:38:46 PM »
 I've got 5 down with my .270 and 1 with a 30-06.
GEAUX TIGERS

Offline NataSS

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Hunter
  • ***
  • Join Date: Oct 2009
  • Posts: 142
  • Location: Lynnwood
Re: WICH GUN TO USE FOR BEAR?
« Reply #19 on: July 22, 2010, 02:33:04 PM »
I use my trusty .30-30 lever.  Its not the best long range runner but the Hornaday lever evolution gives me a little more reach.
Worst hunter in Western Wa.

Offline shedcrazy

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Longhunter
  • *****
  • Join Date: Jul 2010
  • Posts: 732
Re: WICH GUN TO USE FOR BEAR?
« Reply #20 on: July 22, 2010, 07:09:15 PM »
I have the 270, and also use a 338. The 270 knocks em just as dead, just use the right bullet, I shoot Barnes x's through both of them, and be sure of your shot placement. Good luck this season.

Online boneaddict

  • Site Sponsor
  • Administrator
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Legend
  • *****
  • Join Date: Mar 2007
  • Posts: 50473
  • Location: Selah, Washington
Re: WICH GUN TO USE FOR BEAR?
« Reply #21 on: July 22, 2010, 07:33:15 PM »
Gamo .177cal, just make sure you have a good tree to climb and good thick boots. :)

Offline h2ofowlr

  • CHOKED UP TIGHT
  • Political & Covid-19 Topics
  • Trade Count: (+5)
  • Old Salt
  • ******
  • Join Date: Dec 2008
  • Posts: 9119
  • Location: In the "Blind"! Go Cougs!
Re: WICH GUN TO USE FOR BEAR?
« Reply #22 on: July 22, 2010, 09:37:49 PM »
.270 will work just fine.  That is also the caliber my buddy uses for elk.  He always downs them with the first shot.  Make a good shot and it will drop or won't travel to far.
Cut em!
It's not the shells!  It's the shooter!

Offline rasbo

  • Trade Count: (+1)
  • Legend
  • ******
  • Join Date: Aug 2008
  • Posts: 20144
  • Location: Grant county
  • In God I trust...Try taking that away from me!
Re: WICH GUN TO USE FOR BEAR?
« Reply #23 on: July 22, 2010, 09:42:50 PM »
Gamo .177cal, just make sure you have a good tree to climb and good thick boots. :)
I was going to suggest the.22 air gun, :chuckle:,,with a bad leg I carry my a hand gun to slow my partner down... :yike:

 


* Advertisement

* Recent Topics

2025 Coyotes by TitusFord
[Today at 08:55:51 AM]


Heard of the blacktail coach? by Longfield1
[Today at 08:05:23 AM]


Anybody breeding meat rabbit? by HighlandLofts
[Today at 07:35:02 AM]


Resetting dash warning lights by jackelope
[Today at 07:18:27 AM]


Fawn dropped by Rainier10
[Today at 07:11:37 AM]


Please Report Problems & Bugs Here by Rainier10
[Today at 07:10:37 AM]


Back up camera by andersonjk4
[Today at 07:08:42 AM]


WDFW's new ship by Tbar
[Yesterday at 07:07:35 AM]


Cougar Problems Toroda Creek Road Near Bodie by Elkaholic daWg
[Yesterday at 06:10:59 AM]


Wolf documentary PBS by Roslyn Rambler
[May 30, 2025, 07:56:34 PM]


New York deer by MADMAX
[May 30, 2025, 07:38:44 PM]


Halibut fishing by hiway_99
[May 30, 2025, 05:48:13 PM]


Unknown Suppressors - Whisper Pickle by Sneaky
[May 30, 2025, 04:41:08 PM]


KIFARU packs on sale by BigJs Outdoor Store
[May 30, 2025, 02:30:41 PM]


DIY Ucluelet trip by Happy Gilmore
[May 30, 2025, 08:48:54 AM]


Alaska Fishing Guide and Lodge Recommendations by CaNINE
[May 30, 2025, 04:14:32 AM]

SimplePortal 2.3.7 © 2008-2025, SimplePortal