For those who have hunted bear....

Arizona Hunter · Member Joined: Jul 22, 2006 Posts: 275

I use my 30.06 with 180 Barnes XLC at 2770 fps. They expand well and even at 250 yds penetrate fully.

One of my friends always uses his .270 Win and believe it or not 130 gr. Power Points. It seems to work well for him, but it seems wiser to go with a better constructed bullet just in case you hit some heavy bone.

bhod1

A 338 Win mag to hunt Black bear? A 308 Win with 180 grainers is plenty.

A 270WSM is actually a poor choice also, heavy and slow is better than hyper-fast. If that is all he has, use 150's.

Many people up here in Maine use cartridges like the 308, 3006, 358, 35 whelen, 444 Marlin, 45-70.

I shot a 335 pounder with my bow this spring in NB, my wife wants to go with me next spring. More than likely she will be shooting a 7mm-08.

Shot placement, bullet construction, and a heavy for caliber bullet is more important than the cartridge you are shooting.

Barry

shrpshtrjoe

Welcome to the HuntingNut bhod1. Sit and stay awhile.
Joe

rb41rb

I shot a 225 # bear while dear hunting last year here in washington at about 250 yards with a remington 7400 6mm with 95 gr nosler handloads, the bear went about 80 yards and dropped. At closer look the bullet went clear through the chest cavity and broke the front shoulder on the far side. I have been very impressed with this little bullet.

Crackshot

You could try the new .338 Federal. It sounds like a nice little round to me.

Pumpkinslinger

I haven't hunted bear, or boar, yet but when I started thinking about doing it I got a Marlin 1895 in .45-70. I plan on using handloads with the Hornady 350 grain bullets. Not too long ago I picked up a Rem 70 in .35 Whelen that would also be a good choice. For the .35 I'd use handloads with a 225-250 grain premium bullet. Might be a bit overkill but why take a chance since you don't get to hunt bear every day.

Weinbender

I havent heard anyone mention the .300 win mag! Sad

now that is a bullet that will do its job! atleast thats what i m using on my first bear hunt! hope i dont get chewed up!

Dan

codybrown

As long as you can outrun the guy you're with, you will be fine.

Bukmastr

I used a 30-06 on my very 1st bear, and although I was happy I go him. I was dissapointed in my self for not useing my bow. I have shot 3 more since and they have all been with my bow. I think any good deer rifle will work good if the bullet is well placed.

Here is my 1st bear (30-06) Two shots thru the heart dropped him. 1st shot recieved no reaction.

Here is my second bear, a 500 pounder. The arrow passed right thru and stuck into the ground. the bear got about 20 yards after the shot.

3rd bear. One arrow thru the heart. got about 20 yards.

All the bear above were taken in Wisconsin. I got this one a few months ago in Minnasotas north woods. I am due to draw another tag in Wisconsin any year now. So far the 3 bears above represent the 3 tags I have drawn in over 20 years of applieing....