Bear

greatwhitehunter101 · 02-11-2005, 07:05 AM

what is the best gun ammo combo for big black bear at 200+lbs? thanks all replaise are welocm

JeffS · 02-12-2005, 08:38 AM

There is no one best gun for all situations, but any good deer rifle from about .270 on up should work fine. Personnally I shoot a .450 Marlin which should make an excellent bear gun. The only problem with the larger calibers is alot of people can't shoot them well because they flinch so bad. I may have to go to a smaller caliber myself because I broke my right arm the other day and messed up both shoulders in a ATV accident. I need to see how it all heals up.

Virginia7 · 02-12-2005, 09:44 AM

As noted, a 270Win. on up should work okay. This would include such as 280Rem., 7x57, 7mm-08, 308Win., 30-06, etc. Use the heavier bullet weights. The 450Marlin or
a 45/70 would be good bear medicine, no doubt.
However, if I were buying a new rifle today for bear I would look at the 35Whelen. The Whelen can be hard to find, but looks like Remington is making some again, the 700 CDL model. Also available in a pump action from Remington.

Alsatian · 02-12-2005, 09:49 AM

I have read that the .30-30 is used pretty commonly for black bear in some parts. On the heavier bullet weight advice, use 170 grain bullets.

rick_reno · 02-12-2005, 09:56 AM

Shot placement is important - any of the already mentioned combinations will work well. I use a 30-06, but only because that's what I use on everything I hunt.

Slamfire · 02-12-2005, 12:14 PM

I've got a Marlin in .35 Remington that works pretty good with the 200 grain Remington factory stuff.

silverbackpete · 02-24-2005, 07:09 PM

Lever action in 375 win. 444, 450, 45-70 take your pick big bullets big holes

Rebel Hog · 02-24-2005, 09:59 PM

Hi greatwhitehunter101,

I agree with Alastian,but placement is also critical.You don't want to hurt him and make him mad....

KEEP ON ROOTING!!!

Maine Shooter · 02-26-2005, 01:13 PM

No set "best". What's best for you will be the one combination you feel confident in.

popeye · 02-26-2005, 03:11 PM

Remember to use a good bullet, a Nosler Partition in a heavy for caliber weight will work great.

IMO BT type bullets, which is all I use for deer hunting, are not a good choice for bears. Bears aren't bullet proof but they are harder to kill than deer.