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Old 10-26-2005 | 09:22 PM
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skeeter 7MM
Giant Nontypical
 
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 6,921
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From: Saskatchewan Canada
Default RE: Is my load good enough for bears

Oh yeah your good to go. I have only taken 1 bear with my Ml I was using 100 loose pyrodex behind a 240 Hornady XTP. I shota 400lbs boar at 50 yards though the lungs and out the opposite shoulder, he never made it out of sight maybe 20 yards if that. The one thing I will caution you about is the shoulder blade size and toughness, while I am pretty sure your load will bust through I wouldn't chance it if at all possible. I have mostly hunted bears with archery and when I took my smokepole just to see what it would do I kept to the same shot selection or placement. With a bow I am most comfortable taking a 1/4 away using the opposite leg as the sight line or a broadside. Now what I prefer on the broadside is for the near leg to clear foward then I drive it to the opposite shoulder, this completely exposes the vitals on a bear and you are assured of hitting pay dirt with this shot. I guess being I guided bear hunters for a number of years the thought of having to track a wounded bear isn't high on my priority list. Many guys thing I'll shoot him like a whitetail and with a CF that is fine but with other weapons it leaves a question mark..their shoulders come back further than a deer and this area is extremely dense/powerful so try to avoid it is possible. My bear was a broadside front leg clearing out shot and yes I busted his one shoulder but really wouldn't consider that a guarantee everytime..the fact is his lungs were hit first and that will kill them 100% of the time. If you have hunted bears then I am sure your aware of their anatomy, if not I suggest doing a little search just so you can see how they are built.

Best of luck!
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