I shoot a 30-06 with 165 gr. Rem. Core-Lokts. I will be going to Montana in May for black bear and was wondering if this will be big enough. Or should I go with a 180 gr. Core-Lokt, or maybe a 165-180 NP? Any help would be great!

Black bears are not as big or heavily boned as most people think so heavier bullets are not necessary.I do however prefer to use partitions for bear hunting.

I hunt them with a muzzleloader and I'm also a staff member of Black Belt Bullets so for bear I go with a 444 grain .50 cal bullet, sure I could do the job with a lighter bullet, but I want a quick, sufficient kill with 1 shot.

Chris

I know an old guy here in PA that has taken 4 black bear. The biggest going 480 lb. He used 100gr. btsp out of a .243 for all 4 of them. One shot each. So, I would think your 165gr. core-lokts. would be fine.

Since your question was regarding a 30-06 on black bears and not a .50cal muzzle loader.....I'll stick to the topic for yas...

Your 165gr core lokt is plenty medicine for black bears, no matter how big. As Big country said, his buddy used a .243. Now, I wouldn't because I'm not that good with shot placement. However, i've taken in excess of half a dozen black bears with a 150grain 30-06 bullet. The furthest range I shot one was about 350yards. Hit him in the spine and blew out the bears "rear wheel drive" (rear legs, couldn't move them). A second shot was higher up and took him out in the lung area where he died seconds later. Im confident that had my 1st shot been placed higher, I would have got him without having to use a follow up shot. I was shooting down a steep mountain and forgot about bullet trajectory and aiming low etc...

To illustrate that your '06 with the 165's are perfect, I've killed a few bears in my life time with wimpy old 30-30 loads and 150grainers and 170 grainers. Not nearly the amount of energy of a 30-06.

Have fun with yer '06 and hope you get a bear.

Point being, you owe it to the animal to get as quick and sufficient kill as possible, go with the heavier bullet and remember even though its a bigger bullet, shot placement is the key.

Chris

I agree with stumpjumper. Bears are big boned but not as big as most people think. .243 is a sufficient caliber for up close bears but at longer ranges .25-06 and up will do the job nicely.

that sounds like a good load.

I use the 165gr in my 30-06 and wouldn't have any problem with shooting a bear with it . I have used a 30-30 and its not even close to a 30-06 .

NOT TO BE THE ODD MAN OUT BUT I SHOT A BEAR A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO WITH A 257 WEATHERBY AND I WAS SHOOTING 117 GRAINS AND IT DROPPED IN ONE SHOT, SO YOU BULETS CHOICE WILL DO IF YOU WANT TO GO HIGHER GO FOR IT, EITHER WAY SHOT PLACEMENT IS THE KEY AND GOOD LUCK ON YOUR HUNT