new hunter

[.44 Cooter]

I"™m a new hunter. Only been twice and didn"™t even see a deer. What Id really like to hunt is black bear because I live in NC. I"™m thinking about buying my first gun but the more I read and get all the difrrent opinions the tougher it is to figure out what type of gun to get. I like the bolt action rifle i was using the other day and Ive been reading on here about all many guns.

I know I want something with enough stoping power for a black bear. I don"™t want something so big thought that when I deer hunt, I lose a lot of meat. Maybe the ideal situation would be to have to separate guns, but I thought Id get some opinions on here.

Thanks.

[Bloodstayn]

I live in eastern NC and I hunt both with the same gun and same ammo. Savage 111 30.06 bolt action with Remington PSP 180 grain. The sucker holds <.5 in groups at 100 yds. I havent seen a bear big enough in NC to need anything bigger than that. Where in NC are you hunting??

[mossy33oak]

ORIGINAL: Bloodstayn

I live in eastern NC and I hunt both with the same gun and same ammo. Savage 111 30.06 bolt action with Remington PSP 180 grain. The sucker holds <.5 in groups at 100 yds.

I couldnt agree more.......even said the gun I was gonna suggest! Maybe drop down to 150 or 165 grain bullets for deer.

[DannyD]

These guys suggestion of a 30-06 is right on. that in a gun that fits you well

[IL Hunter]

I agree with the .30-06 as well

[.44 Cooter]

Thanks guys. I'm scheduled to take the hunters safety course in Dec and will be getting a gun pretty soon. Yall are telling my exactly what my step dad is telling me. He uses a 30 06 and said its of the best all around guns out there. I was just wanting someone else's opinion.

I live just North of Charlotte so I hope to find some people to hunt with over in the NC mountains. That"™s only a few hours from me. Even better would be over on the NC coast. That"™s a few hours as well. My step dad is a member of a hunting club over near the Uwharrie National Park so I guess Ill hunt with him til I learn the ropes.
Anyway. I sure do appreciate the info.

[handloader1]

I would go with a 7mm Rem. Mag. Good luck.

[Bloodstayn]

Even better would be over on the NC coast. That"™s a few hours as well.

Im on the coast, and I havnt had any luck with bear hunting. If you are interested in a tag along, I'd be more than happy. The Holly Shelter Game Land is minutes from my house, and Camp Lejeune is minutes in the other direction. nathan.akerman@usmc.mil

[tykempster]

Lots of people say 7mm Mag recoil is alot worse than a 30-06 but I don't think its much more at all. 7mm is better for longer ranges, but shell price is higher as is barrel length, weight of gun, etc. When I had a choice between the 2 calibers mentioned so far I chose 7mm, and I haven't regretted it yet.

[Rebel Hog]

ORIGINAL: mossy33oak

I couldnt agree more.......even said the gun I was gonna suggest! Maybe drop down to 150 or 165 grain bullets for deer.

Same thoughts here!