ORIGINAL: James B
I However the 30-06 or any of the other bigger 30 calibers including the 30-40 Krag with 200 GR or heavier bullets perform well on the big bears. You don't need a cannon but you need a well constructed heavy bullet that will Penetrate and break bones. In its day the 30-40 Krag with 180-220 grain bullets was a top choice for big bears, Bears are no tougher now that they were then Nor are the bear hunters.
I just finished a book called "Alaska Bear Tales" by Larry Kaniut. Seems a lot of the brown / grizzley / polar bears being killed in the '20's, '30's and '40's were shot with 30-40 Krags. I figured this was because there were a lot of surplus miitary rifles and ammo around at the time. But I've got to wonder if there were just as many 338's or 375's around, how many of the sourdoughs would have picked a 30-40 for a primary gun in bear country?
Speaking of the 30-40 Krag, I've got some questions about them but I'll post in a separate thread.