I usually go black bear hunting with my father in the spring and i was wondering what you guys think is the best rifle i should use, The one that will knock the bear down the quickest so less tracking is involved. we have a 7mm rem mag with federal 175 grain bullets and A 30-06 with winchester 180 grain soft points?.
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Hoton XL 175
20" carbon bolts
4x32 multirange scope
100 grain 4 blade steel force sabertooth broadheads
Ruger m77 all weather 338 win mag
Ithica model 37 special 12 guage
which one have you shot the most? How are you hunting them (spot/stalk, dogs)? Where are you hunting? Are you anticipating long shots? Medium shots? Etc... Fill us in there cowboy.
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Never trust anyone that wears velcro shoes.
Remington 700p LTR .308, Leupold Mark 4 Tactical PR, DPMS Tactical AR-15 sling, Federal Gold Medal Match 168 gr., Federal High Energy 180 gr.
I use a 30-06 along with many others,I always use 180's for everything from grouse to Elk,that way I don't have to keep messing with the scope once it is sighted in.
Black Bear are not realy tough to get a bullet in to,I would probaly use 180 core-loks or Federal classic 180 speer-hot core SP.
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"When the moment of truth comes,and it's time to dance.You better get jiggy with it or find a new partner."
yeah use a 30-06 and 180 gr trophy bonded bear claw.
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(='.'=) <------------------ Bunnny!!!
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"If you ever go into the bush, there are grizzly bears lurking behind just about every bush, waiting to pounce, so you need a powerful gun with huge bullets" - Gatehouse ~ 2004
Both calibers almost have the same ballistics; pick the rifle which you shoot the best.
They may have close to the same balistics, but you have to match the bullet to the game!!!! That's even more important than the balistics, and is over looked all to often!!
175 grain in a 7mm is a tough bullet, and won't expand as fast in a small animial, as it shouldn't, because that weight of bullet is designed for bigger game. Doesn't mean it won't kill an smaller animial, but it does mean that it will expend most of it's energy in the ground after it goes through the animial. In 7mm, 150 grain would be better matched for blk. bear.
Look at all the elephants and cape buffalo that's been killed with a 7x57 mauser, 30-06 ect.. and other smaller cals... How did those guys do that???? Well, they were excelent marksmen AND they "matched the bullet to the animial" they were hunting!!!
THese guys are getting a little to hitech on you here, both those guns will do perfect for black bear, the 7mm load is good for black bear. I shoot them with my 30-30 with 170 grain federal classic out of the box rounds. the bears don't go anywhere. the last bear I shot, was a big ol brute, took him with the 300 win mag 150 grain round, took one with my 30-06 150gr round
any of those guns will do just fine, know you ranges, know your gun, place your shot good
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Randy Haakonson
Brown Dog Outfitters
780-719-2176
www.browndogoutfitters.com
what gun should i use?
