whats your favorite black bear caliber.

[WuzYoungOnceToo]

Recall that we're talking about black bears here, not grizzlies, Kodiaks or prehistoric cave bears. Is anyone seriously saying they think that black bears are so tough that something like a 200 gr .30-06 (or any other potent .30 cal round) isn't a reliable stopper for them?

[bill2260]

That hornady 154 grain spire pt is a interlock bullet. Will retain most of its weight as it exits length ways thru the bear. 300 winchester magnum, little bit better. Slightly bigger hole. I have shot at least 50 deer with 7mm mag and nothing kills as violently shocking as this caliber in my experience. Bill

[gunjunkie]

Where we hunt in Ontario for the last 12 yrs, guys in our group shoot caliber's from 30-06 to 45-70. The 30 cal bears have gone farther once shot than the 45 cal bears. Not saying 30 cal won't work. I think it boils down to shot placement AND wound channel/exit hole. You all know the fat in the fall bruins plugs the entrance/exit wound yielding a meager blood trail to almost no blood trail at all. Heck, I shot one up there 375 lbs with 12 gauge slug taking out both lungs and you could see the spray of blood on the exit side. He still ran 70 yards after that. Maybe a .22 through the ears would work too. LOL Guess it's what you think will work for you taking into consideration sectional density of your bullet.
Recall that we're talking about black bears here, not grizzlies, Kodiaks or prehistoric cave bears. Is anyone seriously saying they think that black bears are so tough that something like a 200 gr .30-06 (or any other potent .30 cal round) isn't a reliable stopper for them?

[efm77]

I never said a 7mm or 30 cal wouldn't work. And yes we're talking about black bears and they're not the same as grizzlies but they are still tough animals. As I said before, I personally feel better using something bigger and if I were to use a 7mm I would use a 162-175 grain bullet instead.

[Coyoteslayer223]

Thanks gunjunkie. And I'll let you guys know how it all pans out.

[Geo_Erudite]

I'm going to go with a 20 guage shotgun, using slugs.

[kevin_stevens]

coyoteslayer: I mis-spoke. Looked up sectional density of 270 with 150 grain bullet. That WILL give you enough sectional density to bring down CXP3 size game like black bear. Your corelokt should work. Let us know what happens.

Except that black bear are classed as CXP2 animals.

KeS

[gunjunkie]

Stand corrected. Sorry.

Except that black bear are classed as CXP2 animals.

KeS

[kevin_stevens]

Stand corrected. Sorry.

(shrug) I'm not saying your point is wrong, just the definition. I know jack all about shooting black bears, and you seem to know quite a bit. From what I've seen of them I would feel perfectly comfortable shooting them with my .30-06 and Barnes TSX 180 grain, but that's not based on anything other than my experience with similar-sized critters.

KeS

[wch]

38-55

[M.O.A.]

i would say the old dirty-30 would do just fine or maybe a 35 rem sence black bear arnt that big compared to there big brothers

[efm77]

How's that relevant to the topic of this thread?

[flyinsquirel]

30-30 works just fine for me. My shots may tend to be a little shorter than you are planning though.

[03mossy]

I am planning my first bear hunt next fall and am already debating which gun for the job. This thread has been helpful. I'm torn between either my old heavy Weatherby in 300 weatherby mag, my Savage in 270wsm, or my TC Omega .50 throwing .290 grain Barnes TMZ's (my favorite deer gun!) or find a 325wsm barrel for my Savage...decisions decisions...

[M.O.A.]

well if you have the money and dont mind doing it there is allways room in the safe for another barrel ;-} the 325 route sounds like a winner to me not that any ofyour wouldnt do the job just to have another option

[efm77]

I think the 338 RCM would work in your WSM action too. Yet another option for another barrel.

[jtkratzer]

Where does this mindset come from other than obviously effective marketing that we need magnum this and WSM that to effectively, efficiently, and humanely kill deer and black bears?

What did folks kill bears with prior to all the magnum mania?

A post earlier said the last two bears were with a bow...and there's talk about the 7mm Rem Mag being too light? Really?

I wouldn't hesitate to shoot a bear with my .260 Rem or even .30-30. A buddy of mine put one down, DRT with a .30-06 last year. Stood 6'4" and over 500 lbs. DRT. No need for anti aircraft guns for black bears.

I wouldn't shoot a black bear beyond 150 yards with a .30-30, but the .260 is more than capable. 6.5x55 is one of the most popular calibers in Europe for game up to and including elk and moose. I'm sure those high BC/SD, long, heavy or caliber bullets will do the trick.

I'm a meat hunter and have no desire to blow my game in half or have the internal organs blended into a smoothie.

[davemuzz]

I'm a meat hunter and have no desire to blow my game in half or have the internal organs blended into a smoothie.


That's a new "line" that I'm gonna steal!!! :)

[efm77]

I don't care if it's a magnum or not, I still prefer a larger caliber. No they're not grizzlies, but black bears are still tuff and I want something that I feel more confident in penetrating their hide and muscle. If you feel fine with a 260 then go for it. You're entitled to your opinion and preferences the same as anybody else. A larger caliber with a heavily constructed bullet isn't going to blow the game in half, but it will penetrate deeply to get to the vitals. And the effectiveness of the 7mm wasn't questioned because of its speed or the size of the cartridge it was the size of the bullet being questioned. If you're comfortable with a 260, to each their own, but some feel more comfortable with a larger caliber. That doesn't mean that something smaller won't work too.

[davemuzz]

I don't hunt black bear but I live in Pennsylvania and know many who do. Any 30 caliber with a 150gr or heavier bullet will do the job just fine on a black bear. The 30-06 or the .308 are two good ones. Heavier ones will also work, along with a bow or cross bow.

Dave

( I don't hunt em as I don't like the taste of em)