Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Bear Hunting => Topic started by: carpsniperg2 on July 30, 2010, 10:09:02 AM

Title: What gun to use?
Post by: carpsniperg2 on July 30, 2010, 10:09:02 AM: I am havin a hard time picking which gun to use for bear hunting this year. I got up early this am, and went and shot the 2 side by side. The first is my time tested sako handed down to me by my father. It is a gun i trust my life to and has never let me down. the other is my new 338 win mag today was the first time i shot it. It shot very well and i am very happy with it. i will list what i feel the pro's and cons are in my mind with these 2 particular guns in my case. let me know what you think. also yes both will kill any bear that walk's and both are more then good to get the job done. The 338 has factory ammo because i did not have time to make up some handloads for it.
Just want everyones 2cents

sako 300 win mag
vx-3 4.5-14
180g nosler partitions handloads
pros: i trust this gun, i can shoot 200+ yards if needed "most time shots are less then 100 when calling" very solid bullet i trust. little less zoom for the close shots.
cons: on closer shots it does shoot higher because of my zero only about 1.5 at 50, very decorative gun and hunting in thicker crap and don't want to bang it up much because it means a ton to me.

Ruger M77 338 win mag
vx-2 6-18
225 corelock remingtons "factory" the only factory ammo i am shooting on any of my guns as of now.
pros: bigger bullet, a little more knock down. zeroed at about 100 yards so shooting about right dead on to 100 yards.
cons: new rifle "shoots well" not good for longer shots because of my zero incase a rare shot at 200+ yards presents itself. a bullet that is good but not perfect in my mind. but we have never had a problem with them not working over the years when we have used them.

let me know what what you all think.
Title: Re: What gun to use?
Post by: addicted on July 30, 2010, 10:14:54 AM: take the sako for a few reasons

1. it's a sako
2. your other option is a ruger
3. your more comfortable/confident with the sako
4. the variable is lower. so you will be quicker to get him in the scope.
5. nosler partitions rock
Title: Re: What gun to use?
Post by: 1bugman on July 30, 2010, 10:17:50 AM: Some one doesn't like Ruger. Either one is more than enough gun but always go with the one your more comfortable shooting.
Title: Re: What gun to use?
Post by: carpsniperg2 on July 30, 2010, 10:27:25 AM: yeah i am very commfy with my sako, but i am also commfy with the new ruger it shot very well.

addicted pretty well summed it up :chuckle: and that is how i feel also but like the new gun also :IBCOOL:
Title: Re: What gun to use?
Post by: saylean on July 30, 2010, 10:38:29 AM: Quote from: addicted on July 30, 2010, 10:14:54 AM
take the sako for a few reasons

1. it's a sako
2. your other option is a ruger
3. your more comfortable/confident with the sako
4. the variable is lower. so you will be quicker to get him in the scope.
5. nosler partitions rock

X2

Good luck!
Title: Re: What gun to use?
Post by: 7mmfan on July 30, 2010, 11:24:58 AM: I am a biased Ruger enthusiast so my choice is clear. Plus the 338 has a little more knockdown, not that the 300 is a plinker. Also, you have a new gun, you need to take it out and get a little blood on it. Theres nothing worse than having a worthy hunting rifle in your safe that has never seen the field. As long as your confident with it and how it shoots, then take that Ruger out and put a notch on it. Thats just my :twocents:
Title: Re: What gun to use?
Post by: GoldTip on July 30, 2010, 11:29:31 AM: I agree, go get that new Ruger bloody, then you will become more comfy with it as well. I too am a Ruger fan, and I know the Partition is a very good bullet out of your 300 win, that 225gr core lokt out of 338 will not disappoint you on a black bear.
Title: Re: What gun to use?
Post by: Woodchuck on July 30, 2010, 11:44:08 AM: i shot core-lokts 225gr's for a long time. ol .338 never let me down
Title: Re: What gun to use?
Post by: h20hunter on July 30, 2010, 11:52:50 AM: Bloody the new gun for sure. Both are fine rifles and more than up for the job. Good luck to all.
Title: Re: What gun to use?
Post by: Skyvalhunter on July 30, 2010, 11:56:58 AM: The one you are most comfortable with!!
Title: Re: What gun to use?
Post by: Caseyd on July 30, 2010, 11:57:07 AM: I also vote to bloody the new gun :IBCOOL:
Title: Re: What gun to use?
Post by: Rufous on July 30, 2010, 12:25:54 PM: Why on earth would you put a 6-18x scope on a 338 to hunt big game with, especially at the modest ranges you indicate?
Title: Re: What gun to use?
Post by: jackelope on July 30, 2010, 12:30:18 PM: I would take the one that will make the bears more deader.

I agree with some of the other posts. Take whichever one you want to take, whats the difference?
I personally think you run the risk of kinda being screwed if you're calling and a bear appears at 15 yards with a 6-18x scope....you're gonna have a hard time seeing your shot.
Title: Re: What gun to use?
Post by: Woodchuck on July 30, 2010, 12:40:44 PM: good point
Title: Re: What gun to use?
Post by: BigD on July 30, 2010, 01:04:46 PM: I agree with the 6X , but I would take it any way. Spen some quality time with it and see how you really like it.
Title: Re: What gun to use?
Post by: D-Rock425 on July 30, 2010, 01:36:10 PM: I vote for the sako. Or maybe one of your PSE
Title: Re: What gun to use?
Post by: Big10gauge on July 30, 2010, 01:59:34 PM: IMHO you're overgunned with either caliber so I'd put some blood on the new gun, got to break it in sometime.
Title: Re: What gun to use?
Post by: carpsniperg2 on July 30, 2010, 05:55:28 PM: Quote from: Rufous on July 30, 2010, 12:25:54 PM
Why on earth would you put a 6-18x scope on a 338 to hunt big game with, especially at the modest ranges you indicate?

:bash: most counrty i hunt the shots are 150-500 yards so i got a 6-18. i also have 6-24 and 8.5-25 on rifles try making a 500+ yard shot with a 9 power not as easy as with a 18+ power scope.

thanks "most" for the good posts and the ones who kept it on track. i am considering my x force for my 2nd tag but don't know how much time i will have and want to get one if the chance presents itself.

big10gauge my new calling gun is a r-25 in 7mm-08 which i use for all my calling now but the bullets i am shooting are lighter btips and i don't want to shoot a bear with them. but i have always fallen under the more power is better as long as you shoot it good. :IBCOOL:
Title: Re: What gun to use?
Post by: carpsniperg2 on July 30, 2010, 05:59:17 PM: Quote from: jackelope on July 30, 2010, 12:30:18 PM
I would take the one that will make the bears more deader.

I agree with some of the other posts. Take whichever one you want to take, whats the difference?
I personally think you run the risk of kinda being screwed if you're calling and a bear appears at 15 yards with a 6-18x scope....you're gonna have a hard time seeing your shot.

:chuckle: if he is that close jackelope he will get a 357 or 454 casull slug to the head it would not be the first time it has happened to me calling :chuckle: if they are under about 35 yards the handguns i carry will do the job. it is a huge rush to take any big game animal with a hangun but a bear on the ground less then 35 yards :drool:
Title: Re: What gun to use?
Post by: bowhunt03 on July 30, 2010, 06:30:47 PM: I would say get some blood on the new one if you are comfortable with the way it shoots.
Title: Re: What gun to use?
Post by: bowhunterforever on July 31, 2010, 01:29:01 AM: Bloody the new ruger 8)
Title: Re: What gun to use?
Post by: ICEMAN on July 31, 2010, 06:39:19 AM: I suggest buying a third option. You never want to be conrered into just two choices.
Title: Re: What gun to use?
Post by: one-eyed Ross on July 31, 2010, 08:42:11 AM: Oh, oh, buy a new gun, buy a new gun. I like that idea best. It's what I'm trying to talk herself into, letting me get a new bullet launcher this year.... :chuckle:
Title: Re: What gun to use?
Post by: carpsniperg2 on July 31, 2010, 09:08:43 AM: Quote from: ICEMAN on July 31, 2010, 06:39:19 AM
I suggest buying a third option. You never want to be conrered into just two choices.

:chuckle: i have about 28 options i could use :chuckle: :bash: that is part of the problem :chuckle: i don't think one more will help me much :chuckle: but i am working on a custom rifle "in the early stages but option 29 is coming down the road :chuckle: :IBCOOL:
Title: Re: What gun to use?
Post by: addicted on July 31, 2010, 01:36:13 PM: hell, put some heavier bullets in the r25. whats the rate of twist on that sucker.
Title: Re: What gun to use?
Post by: carpsniperg2 on July 31, 2010, 05:16:54 PM: all three the 243-7mm-08-308 all have a 20" ChroMoly barrel with a twit rate of 10" it really loves the 140s i am running now and they work great on yotes :chuckle: i am going to get some higer grain bullets and try them out as well. if they work out nice i might be using it for bear as well. :IBCOOL:
Title: Re: What gun to use?
Post by: jdb on July 31, 2010, 05:27:07 PM: Quote from: carpsniperg2 link=topic=54 149.msg663302#msg663302 date=1280537728
[
:bash: most counrty i hunt the shots are 150-500 yards so i got a 6-18. i also have 6-24 and 8.5-25 on rifles try making a 500+ yard shot with a 9 power not as easy as with a 18+ power scope. rather than try makeing a 500+ yard shot w/ a 9x power scope why not try getting closer :dunno:
Title: Re: What gun to use?
Post by: carpsniperg2 on July 31, 2010, 05:32:04 PM: o.k. boys let get this strait. this is getting a little off topic. the point of this post is about what bear gun to use not why i put what scope on what gun. i was nice and said why i bought the 6-18 scope because most country i hunt in i would rather have a higer powered scope. yes i do have some guns that i shoot long range with. but i have not hunted mod firearm since i was 15 :bash: and somtimes you can get close and yes i like my shots under 200 just like most guys. but if i can;t get closer and i have a gun that i can shoot that far and i trust then yes the hammer would be droped. now how about back to topic please.
Title: Re: What gun to use?
Post by: 1bugman on July 31, 2010, 05:39:23 PM: I think what they're saying is you need to buy a new gun and a fixed scope. :rolleyes: :P
Title: Re: What gun to use?
Post by: carpsniperg2 on July 31, 2010, 05:43:23 PM: i guess :bash:
Title: Re: What gun to use?
Post by: 1bugman on July 31, 2010, 05:45:12 PM: So have you decided?
Title: Re: What gun to use?
Post by: carpsniperg2 on July 31, 2010, 05:49:19 PM: yeah i think i am going to take the new ruger out and get her broke in :IBCOOL: or at least i hope the last 3d shoot in my area is tomarrow as well :bash: the next one is not tell nov :bash: so i am thinking of what i want to do.

hunt for blood or for foam :chuckle: :drool:
Title: Re: What gun to use?
Post by: 1bugman on July 31, 2010, 07:14:59 PM: well good luck and either one would have been a good choice. but I agree take the new gun out :)
Title: Re: What gun to use?
Post by: carpsniperg2 on July 31, 2010, 08:51:25 PM: thanks! i talked to my hunting buddys and we decided no matter what we are all going to shoot a bear! maybe 2-3-4 or 4 :drool: foam that is :IBCOOL: its going to be hot tomarrow and since it is the last shoot for a few months we are going foam hunting :chuckle: