Great Bears and small game can't be covered optimally with one gun (except a 30-30 of course); therefore, your cartridge choice needs to be the one to insure your personal safety, I'd recommend 375HH (338Mag min) for the great bears. Cougar are usually shot in a tree after being "treed" by dogs. Its a long fast run to keep up. Most are shot with a fairly light pistol, the chase is the sport, the shooting of the treed cat from 15 feet is much less so.

You are in perfect position to build a three gun rack that will cover the North American continent and everything in it (well).
1. you've already got the varmit end covered - 223/220 Swift excellent
2. .308/.30-06 for the midrange - excellent (not sexy, but real good)
3. For the big boys, 375HH if your tough enough, 338 mag if you're tender.

Never Undergunned,

EKM

Good judgment comes from bad experience! Half of elk hunting is knowing what NOT to do!

Edited by - ELKampMaster on 01/25/2003 00:38:57

Edited by - ELKampMaster on 01/25/2003 00:41:40