Black bear hunt
 

If you were leaving next week to go on a black bear hunt what would be your gun of choice?

The reason I ask...I'm planning my first bear hunt ever for the upcoming fall here in Tennessee. :D Will be hunting in east TN where the average weight is 250-300 lbs. I'm guessing???

Your thoughts?

RE: Black bear hunt
 

I would say 30-06 or bigger.

RE: Black bear hunt
 

BB, most of my guys show up with just about everything. Most common would be the 308, the 30-06, variations of the new mag 30 cals. the odd 45-70 and the occasional 12 ga with slugs. By far, the most damaging to a bear was the slug gun but any 30 cal worked just fine. The bottom line was always a good solid broadside hit that resulted in few bears travelling very far. The bears that travelled the farthest and are most often lost are those taken by archery hunters but weird as it is, many bears taken by archery don't travel as far as those hit by a rifle. You figger that one out[:-]

RE: Black bear hunt
 

Black bear are not tough to kill. Use anything down to .308 or 7mm.08 - whatever you're comfortable and accurate with. gg

RE: Black bear hunt
 

30-30 and up 308 270 30/06 are good

RE: Black bear hunt
 

Any medium caliber 270 and up. But being your hunting tennessee and probaly most shots under 50yds. my 444 marlin I would take.

RE: Black bear hunt
 

Thanks for the input! I was on the fence about my .270 wsm or the 30.06. Probably not enough difference to worry about but everyone I've talked to always reccomends the .30 caliber. Probably going to take the 'ol .06! :D

RE: Black bear hunt
 

bentbarrel,
I would say you have no problem with a .270. I took my bear with one and he was dead before he hit the ground. He weighed 415lbs and measured 20 11/16". I use Winchester cxp2's, which are ballistic tip bullets with a nosler partition and have yet to have an animal run on me. So I would say take the .270 and have a blast.

RE: Black bear hunt
 

.50 caliber CVA Hunterbolt with 348 gr. Powerbelt Aero Tips!;)

RE: Black bear hunt
 

bentbarrel, the only black bear I have taken with a rifle was with a 270 win, the rest have been with an arrow. The shot was 75 yards and he was over 300lbs, dropped with one shot. As mentioned they are not very tough to kill, especially with a rifle. My hunting partner has killed several bears being raised in bear country and a sheep/cattle farming operation, with his trusty 3030.

My suggestion is take the rifle that gives you the most confidence and shoots the best. I would run solid constructed bullets such as: failsafe, aframes, trophy bonded, nolser parts, etc just due to the large/heavy shoulder blades they have.

Best of luck on getting a nice blackie!

RE: Black bear hunt
 

I'd go with a .30-06 or possibly a 12 gauge 3" slug gun.

RE: Black bear hunt
 

If I am hunting from a tree stand and shots will not be long range, The 45-70 Marlin is always my first choice. Its just made for Bears.

RE: Black bear hunt
 

I think anything between a .270 and a .308 should be plenty.

RE: Black bear hunt
 

30-06 would be my choice! Great caliber for any big game in my book using Federal Premium Trophy Bonded 165 Grain.

RE: Black bear hunt
 

I use either the 30-06 or my fav. 7mm mag.

RE: Black bear hunt
 

SchuylkillOutdoorsman,

I must agree. I shot my first with my Savage 7mm mag and my second with my Remington 30'06. This year I will use my bow.

RE: Black bear hunt
 

I have several big bore guns but I would take my 30-30.

RE: Black bear hunt
 

I took mine this year with my 30-06. It was about a 125 yard shot and it died within seconds. It was in the weight range you mentioned too. I'm taking my 30-06 moose hunting this year and feel real comfortable with its knock down power.

RE: Black bear hunt
 

In September of 2003 I used a .54cal muzzle loader, and got My First Black Bear.