Which gun should I use...Please Help

[MichiganWhitetails74]

This is my 3rd bear hunt and the first 2 kills were with my bow...My Hoyt

I want to take a bear with a gun.... now that I have done the bow ...

Tell me what to use....helpful hint...max shot range is 50 yards...

My H&R 12 Gauge with 300 gr. Hornady SST's 2000fps.

My H&R 30-06 with 180 SST's 2800 fps.

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I realize both will do serious damage...what would you use...its 50 yards[8D]

[bigbulls]

I'd probably use the 12 ga.

[MichiganWhitetails74]

Thats what I'm thinking...thanks

[salukipv1]

Depends where you're going, we talking avg black bear? or monsters on the pacific? 50yds is close, personally i'd use a rifle any chance I can, here in IL we have to use slugs for deer, i just so prefer the accuracy of a rifle to that of a slug, but I know we're only talking 50yds, at that distance id be leaning towards a .308 vs a .30-06, less we're talking large black bears, but even so I think I'd go .30-06 with 180, or maybe even 220, to slow that bullet down even more for such close range. I'm not sure how the diff in penetration would be, but with a larger bore of the slug, I'd suspect it would be less, though with the slower velocity and heavier bullet it might be more.

[hunter5325]

That last post made my head hurt. Bear are pretty easy to kill so I'd just use what shoots better at 50yds which is probably the 06. The 06 and 165 IB's have worked perfectly for me on many a blackie. Brett

[Pygmy]

As far as getting the job done at 50 yards or less, one choice is as good as the other...If I were you I'd use whichever firearm it PLEASES me most to use...

Personally, having been required by law to use a shotgun/slug for big game for many years in my home state, I'd use the rifle...Nothing against shotgun slugs...It's just that I'm a handloader and prefer to take game with ammunition that I have assembled myself..

[RugerM77.270]

Use which ever you feel more comfortable with. They will both do the job as good as the other.

[MinnFinn]

Either would certainly do the job at that range. If it ends up longer than that, definitely I'd go with the .30-06 with a 200 or 220 grain bonded or partitioned core. The later would give you the accuracy at an extended distance and could still break bones and do the internal damage necessary. You don't want to be tracking a wounded bear from a lighter bullet and/or one designed for a thinner skinned animal that doesn't give the necessary penetration.

[game4lunch]

At 50 yards, I'm not sure the 06 would expand enough to do sufficient damage. A great chance of a pass through without causing lethal damage.
The slug on the other hand, should drop him like a wet card table. Something to consider.
But mainly go with the one you have the most confidence in.
You know, Federal makes a slug with a balistic tip that looks pretty efective, even out past 50 yards! Check it out:
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/item-link.jsp_A&_DAV=MainCatcat20712-cat20841&id=0050481216450a&navCount=1& podId=0050481&parentId=cat20841&masterpath id=&navAction=push&catalogCode=XH&rid= &parentType=index&indexId=cat20841&has JS=true

[MichiganWhitetails74]

I own that federal and have killed many deer with it....she's a beauty...I will dump my bear with a sabot slug out of my shotgun.....although the bow kill rocked my world...I will log the gun hunt under my belt...take my 3 bears...and head off west for an elk. Thanks dude!