257. roberts for bear?

[bankwalker]

so this year, august to be exact while im scouting for archery deer and elk im thinking about bringing along my rifle incase i run into a bear. only problem is i only have two rifles. an old very rusty loves to jam winchester 30-30 and a remington 722 in 257 roberts. personaly i would much rather carry the remington, just a much more comfortable rifle to shoot.

so is 120gr out of a 257 robert to light for bear? take in to count shots will definately be under 100yds.

im about 100x more accurate with this rifle then the 30-30 if that makes it any better.

[DOUBLELUNG]

Go with the .257, should be fine under 100 yds as long as you hold out for shots behind the shoulder into the heart/lung area.  I wouldn't recommend any angled shots or through the shoulders, bears are dense and heavy boned, and can be packing a ton of fat besides in the fall.  Any shot angle/placement you would confidently and ethically take on a bear archery hunting, would be fine with that rifle under 100yds.  I wouldn't push things, though, you need a quick kill as there may be no blood trail at all with a fat bear and if the bullet doesn't exit.  If the bear doesn't drop dead in sight, make sure you find and mark the exact spot it was standing before heading off on the trail.

[GoldTip]

The 257 should be fine, I've seen a couple bears killed with a 243 80gr bullets with well placed shots.  Follow doublelungs advice and wait for a behind the shoulder shot into the vitals.  Shoot the bear as long as you can see him and if he continues to breath.  I've also seen a couple of bears that appeared to be hit hard suddenly get up and GO, and not leave a very good blood trail to follow.  Is the 257 optimal, no, but you already know that or you wouldn't have posed the question.  But it will work fine.

[DeKuma]

Just take me with you and I will bring my .300WSM or my .308. That will sove any problems you may have.

[Skyvalhunter]

yea a good backup with more fire power!!

[CP]

I'd go with the 30-30, if you can fix the jamming and accuracy issues. 

[Intruder]

257 w/ a good bullet will kill a bear.  Not ideal but as folks have pointed out..... a good heart/lung shot.

[Houndhunter]

guys over exagerate, that .257 is plenty

[bankwalker]

thanks guys.

dekuma you can come along...but you have to bring your bow with an extremely under wieghted arrows. lol i cant be shown up by someone with a bow...when i cant kill that 100lb bear cub with a 257. 

lmfao

[Machias]

IMO, .257, is adaquate for perfect, standing still, broadside shots on medium to small bears.  Anything less then perfect and your just asking for a wounded bear that won't leave much, if any, blood trail.  Just my 

[Machias]

  I rest my case!   

http://www.krem.com/news/northwest/stories/krem2_061208__animal_bear_hunt.28455bf1.html

[Alchase]

Man, I could not imagine feeling like a chew toy like that. That would be a horrible way to die?

[Intruder]

IMO, .257, is adaquate for perfect, standing still, broadside shots on medium to small bears.  Anything less then perfect and your just asking for a wounded bear that won't leave much, if any, blood trail.  Just my 

I can attest to the blood trail aspect of this.  I've seen several bears barely bleed at all when hit well.  Bullet quality and shot placement are always critical but even more so when dealing with smaller than ideal calibers.

The flip side... a big bullet placed poorly isn't gonna do ya any good.    

[Intruder]

  I rest my case!   

http://www.krem.com/news/northwest/stories/krem2_061208__animal_bear_hunt.28455bf1.html

In the story it says that the kid hit it in the shoulder w/ a 338.  I have a hard time believing that the bear was hit that well.  My quess is that it may have been quite a ways back from the shoulder if ya know what I mean.  I just can't believe a bear would have that much steam if you break him down w/ a good quartering shot through the shoulder into the vitals.   

[Machias]

Completly agree, I haven't seen too many 15 year olds that could "effectively" shoot a .338.  Should have anchored him on the spot!!