What to use to shoot?

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - What to use to shoot?

Posted: 9/4/2007 12:49:13 PM EDT

I was asked today if I thought that a .223 would be a good round for hunting black bear.

I said no. What would be your opinion?

Pat

Posted: 9/6/2007 3:11:44 PM EDT

[#1]

IIRC, the guy that killed the black bear that ate the boy here a few months ago used a .223. Still, I'd go .308 etc.

Posted: 9/8/2007 7:22:59 AM EDT

[#2]

Never hunted bear, but I sure wouldn't use either a .223 or a handgun caliber. Even a .308 would be on the lower end in my mind. Out of the guns I own, the .45-70 definitely would be the 1st choice.

Posted: 9/8/2007 7:52:45 AM EDT

[#3]

I use a 338 WinMag.

Posted: 9/8/2007 3:20:09 PM EDT

[#4]

+1 on .338. Was hunting in Cordova for a week and not any good chances for me. 2 other guys connected though.

Posted: 9/9/2007 1:14:39 AM EDT

[#5]

What about a 12ga with slugs?

Range would be some what limited, but a lot of bears are taken at less than 100 yds

1oz moving at 1600fps hits hard.

Invisiblesoul

Posted: 9/9/2007 1:30:30 AM EDT

[#6]

FAL + mag dump, then reload

Posted: 9/10/2007 6:55:31 AM EDT

[#7]

Quoted:
+1 on .338. Was hunting in Cordova for a week and not any good chances for me. 2 other guys connected though.

Cordova??? I used to get deployed there when I was in Sitka. We had a brownie tear into our little barracks where we had our quasi hanger for our helo's. Some beautiful country around there, made Sitka look like a big city.

Posted: 9/10/2007 7:24:30 AM EDT

[#8]

The old guys around here used to use .45 auto for black bear back when you could hunt them. I wouldn't use that round on a grizzly or brown bear, but then again they are about three times the size of a black bear. With bad attitudes to boot.

Here's a pic of someone's house cat treeing a fearsome black bear:

Posted: 9/10/2007 10:36:05 AM EDT

[#9]

Cordova??? I used to get deployed there when I was in Sitka. We had a brownie tear into our little barracks where we had our quasi hanger for our helo's. Some beautiful country around there, made Sitka look like a big city.

Now there is a little fence around the barracks to keep the bears out. Just recently one wandered into the hangar! Cordova makes any town look big. But it sure is nice! Man-camp! All we do is fish and hunt and then drink beer if we can.

Posted: 9/10/2007 10:47:01 AM EDT

[#10]

I'd say anything over .270 that used a well constructed bullet, for black bears that is.

Posted: 9/10/2007 11:00:05 AM EDT

[#11]

.308 from the list. I'm not a shotgun guy, but I'd say 12ga. slug

Posted: 9/11/2007 6:46:15 AM EDT

[#12]

I use either a bow, or .500 S&W.

Posted: 9/11/2007 7:16:32 AM EDT

[#13]

I think that you are correct. .223 is NOT good for black bear. For me, black bear rounds start at the .260 Remington.

Are you hunting bear over bait, using dogs, calling bear, spot and stalk?

I do not black bear in PA very often, but the last time (2005) I did, I used my .308 Howa with 168gr. Barnes TSX's. A bit overkill, but better to have and not need...right?

Posted: 9/11/2007 8:01:47 PM EDT

[#14]

I use a Marlin 1894 w/ 300gr. cast cores, never an issue.

Posted: 9/13/2007 6:03:03 AM EDT

[#15]

30/30...max loads

Posted: 9/19/2007 5:01:14 PM EDT

[#16]

.223 with a beta mag? could work well.

I would use a .308 at minimum and definitely have a sidearm of .44mag calibur within quick reach.

Posted: 10/1/2007 9:56:11 PM EDT

[#17]

Quoted:
What about a 12ga with slugs?

Range would be some what limited, but a lot of bears are taken at less than 100 yds

1oz moving at 1600fps hits hard.

Invisiblesoul

Don't use the soft hollow lead slugs. Use a "Sabot" slug. They are not made of soft lead and will work better.

A 100 yard for a 12gage is still a long distance but for self defence the Shotty loaded with Sabots are KING up here.

I would not HUNT Bears with a shotgun but for Bear DEFENCE, you are packing the best thing going.

Posted: 10/2/2007 6:40:12 AM EDT

[#18]

When I lived in Sitka, we had a guy come into the shop wanting us to custom load some .223 rounds for his Mini14. He was wanting a "bear" round in case he ran into a brownie while hunting Kruzof Island.

Ol man Kline actually had me call Sierra bullets to see what they would recommend

It took about 10 minutes for the Sierra bullet CSR to quit laughing.

Posted: 10/7/2007 9:22:32 PM EDT

[#19]

Going bear hunting on Oct 15 and I will be using a Marlin-Glenfield 30-30. The last scouting I did showed that ranges will be less than 60 yards where I am going. If it was open country, I would take the 30-06 bolt action.

RS

Posted: 10/9/2007 10:39:11 AM EDT

[#20]

I normaly use a 270

Posted: 10/9/2007 4:35:26 PM EDT

[#21]

is .308 with 180 gr. HP's practical for bear defense? What abour .44 Mag with 300gr. HP's?
Are FMJ's the way to go or will the HP's be more effective? I'm clueless here.

Posted: 10/16/2007 7:06:16 PM EDT

[#22]

What caliber for hunting bears is one topic. The best caliber for bear "defense" assuming you mean stopping a charge is another. Your 308 is about twice as powerful as the 44 mag pistol. Makes for a no brainer, use the rife. If you are trying to stop a charging bear, then the most powerful rifle you can use is best. A .338 mag is the minimum for backing up hunters, with the .375 mag much better.

RS

Posted: 10/18/2007 10:42:28 PM EDT

[#23]

Quoted:
What caliber for hunting bears is one topic. The best caliber for bear "defense" assuming you mean stopping a charge is another. Your 308 is about twice as powerful as the 44 mag pistol. Makes for a no brainer, use the rife. If you are trying to stop a charging bear, then the most powerful rifle you can use is best. A .338 mag is the minimum for backing up hunters, with the .375 mag much better.

RS

How do 3" 12 gauge slugs compare to .375 mag?

Posted: 10/20/2007 7:13:05 AM EDT

[#24]

I shot mine in Ontario with a 7MM. Went 20 yards and did it's death moan, which is actually air escaping the lungs. Indicates the shot placement was correct. I'd guess most people don't think 223, but there are plenty of people who kill deer with it so I'd hazard it would be fine for black bear with the proper shot placement. Not a choice I'd make to shoot one with though.

Posted: 6/10/2008 5:04:11 AM EDT

[#25]

Last year I saw what a guy did with a 30-06 shooting 220gr remington corelokt ammo. It was just devistating. This year I was planning on taking a 45/70 that I bought especially for bear hunting, but the gun itself is having some issues. If I don't get the 45/70 figured out, I'll be taking my 30-06 with 220gr handloads.

Posted: 6/10/2008 8:54:43 AM EDT

[#26]

Like the other are saying for defense or hunting? I use anything from a 44 mag,223 to my 45/70 for both. But i have been taught by my grandma and cousin how to be around and get close to bears. The have hunted black and braown bears. The cousin has used 223,243 on brown bear from 50 ft. For someone not used to bears use at least a 308.

Posted: 7/20/2008 7:14:51 PM EDT

[#27]

I'm not one for high caliber rifles. But would use any on black bear. Even the 223. Here on are game lands in N.C. we have to use shotguns. So I use slugs when running dog for them on the public lands. Unless were hunting National forest here, then we can use other calibers, private lands is any type too. But this year I'll be toten my SKS for them. And the good ole shotgun again. Jeffro

Posted: 7/20/2008 7:28:31 PM EDT

[#28]

LOL are you serious... it depends on location... here in florida the black bears are small and sissy... I know a guy who killed a black bear with a 9mm... he had to go to court after a FWC investigation to prove uit was in self defense and he was not hunting illegally...

but it depends on the location... here in Florida the black bears dont get any taller then 4 feet... 5 feet if your lucky...

Now give or take I would not go into thw woods to hunt one with a 9mm... but it's been done... a shotgun would be fine.... .223 would be more then fine...

Now elsewhere i heard black bears are way larger... but here in florida they are small...

Posted: 7/28/2008 7:43:07 AM EDT

[#29]

Model 70
300 Win mag

Posted: 7/28/2008 4:51:24 PM EDT

[#30]

Hey All,
I haven't hunted any bear " YET " !!

But, I plan to do some in the future & have all of my equipment ready to go .. !

1. 45/70 : Using my own extra Hot handloads ; " HARD CAST LEAD BULLETS ".
Or
http://www.garrettcartridges.com/products.asp

2. Remington 870 12 Gauge Shotgun, with a Hastings Slug Barrel / Leupold 1-4x20mm Shotgun Scope.
http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j161/A-PAPI/IMG_1136_edited.jpg
One of my Shooting Club members shot a " Bowling Pin @ 100 yards " using this set-up (7/26/08). Off the bench, without the use of the above mechanical rest !!

Dixie Tuskers : Hard Cast Lead ; 600 grains Slugs
http://www.dixieslugs.com/products.html

PAPI

Posted: 9/27/2008 8:40:22 PM EDT

[#31]

300 WBY mag, here is what it did to the pronghorn I shot at 300 yards

Posted: 10/11/2008 3:59:52 PM EDT

[#32]

In the SC mountains, huntable black bears range from 100lbs to over 600lbs. Personally, I would not shoot a "little" bear, but the DNR regulations have 100lbs as a minimum and no sows with cubs.

RS

Posted: 10/13/2008 1:34:02 PM EDT

[#33]

height=8

Quoted:
LOL are you serious... it depends on location... here in florida the black bears are small and sissy... I know a guy who killed a black bear with a 9mm... he had to go to court after a FWC investigation to prove uit was in self defense and he was not hunting illegally...

but it depends on the location... here in Florida the black bears dont get any taller then 4 feet... 5 feet if your lucky...

Now give or take I would not go into thw woods to hunt one with a 9mm... but it's been done... a shotgun would be fine.... .223 would be more then fine...

Now elsewhere i heard black bears are way larger... but here in florida they are small...

HUH?????? You really need to drive through Ocala sometime. My son and I seen one 2 weeks ago that was at least a 7 footer and weighted well over 500lbs. The forest is crawling with bear and there are some really big ones in the hog valley area. I would not even consider anything smaller than a .308 for these "sissy" bears.

Posted: 10/20/2008 8:15:10 AM EDT

[#34]

I would not go at a bear with any less than a 300 mag really would prefer a 338 on the small end I would go with a 375hh mag and not worry so much you guy's are crazy with the 308's and smaller bears can climb trees you know!!!!

last year I was watching you tube vid's and this cabela's hunt for antelope a bear came out with her cubs the hunting crew shot that bear 5 times before she went down 2 ft from the camera man.

there is another one where a guy shot one with a bow and the bear climbed the tree he was in

tell me that you wouldn't SHIT YOURSELF.

Posted: 10/20/2008 8:22:15 AM EDT

[#35]

45-70 or 12ga slugs

Posted: 10/21/2008 8:48:18 AM EDT

[#36]

Quoted:
I would not go at a bear with any less than a 300 mag really would prefer a 338 on the small end I would go with a 375hh mag and not worry so much you guy's are crazy with the 308's and smaller bears can climb trees you know!!!!

last year I was watching you tube vid's and this cabela's hunt for antelope a bear came out with her cubs the hunting crew shot that bear 5 times before she went down 2 ft from the camera man.

there is another one where a guy shot one with a bow and the bear climbed the tree he was in

tell me that you wouldn't SHIT YOURSELF.

I can only hope that entire thing was tongue in cheek...

Posted: 12/26/2008 8:43:05 PM EDT

[#37]

.375 H&H Mag!

Posted: 1/10/2009 7:55:38 AM EDT

[#38]

I would go with a .30-06 class rifle, with at least 150 grains of bullet, although I have to admit, I wouldn't feel undergunned at all with my .257 Weatherby and a good bullet.

Posted: 1/27/2009 8:27:27 PM EDT

[#39]

9.3 X 62

Posted: 1/27/2009 8:35:49 PM EDT

[#40]

For tackling a bear, my choice would be a .45-70 with a .44 magnum handgun as a backup:

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - What to use to shoot?

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