Grizzly & brownies
 

So what would you use to go after the big bears? As kid growing up in Eastern Iowa, the rifles going up North for that purpose were 375 Holland and Hollands.

Just curious.

RE: Grizzly & brownies
 

I'd use my 338.

RE: Grizzly & brownies
 

338Win.Mag., 35Whelen, or 375H&H. The 9.3x62 would also do, of course, but not too commonly found.

RE: Grizzly & brownies
 

i'ld use my trusty 30-06 with a good quality bonded bullet.

RE: Grizzly & brownies
 

If I were going again it would be with the 30-06 7600 Pump and/or the 45-70 with Garret or equivalent loads.

RE: Grizzly & brownies
 

For Kodiaks I personally would consider the 338 as my minimum and would prefer to carry that grand ol dame the 375 H&H also. I have several highsteppin rifles that would kill a grizz and do so at considerable distance. BUT for safeties sake and alot of guides requirements, I would keep my shots at dangerous game less than 200yds and preferably less than 100yds. Game that has a tendacy of getting pissed off and coming for you is of utmost importance to stop and BREAKDOWN right there on the first shot. Wading through brush after a wounded buff or Kodiak aint my idea of fun and I would rather not tempt my Creator with my own mortalitly with such a hobby.

Would also have a 500 Smith or 454 Casull under my arm for backup!
RA

RE: Grizzly & brownies
 

For me the gun that is built for bears is the .416 Rem Mag,thats whatI would use.A close second would be my .338 Win Mag of the good ol'e stand by .375 Hamer and Mangleum.
BBJ

RE: Grizzly & brownies
 

Bisquit Jake,

Brownies? And I get to plan in advance what to take rather than just make do with what I've got when bear and man's paths cross?[The Eskimo Plan]Well, then.....

** 416 Rigby with 400 grain Partitions, anda
** 375H&Hback in camp (or on board)as the back up rifle in case anything got damaged.

** If I was takingmy hunting partneralong to handle the "stopper" job (probably not allowed except in Russia), then he'dhavethe 458 Lott, but that job would likely fall to the guide and the guide would have to have something salty before I'd go out with him. Shoemaker likes 458WinMags for both stopping and hunting, I'd be okay going with something along those lines as well. (I guess I could always just download the Lott ).

Though I own them, use them,and love them, I'd leave the 338's and 30-06's at home.
Why? First, because I have a STRONG tendancy toopt for "more" when my hide is on the line and second, because I can.

The exception to the 338's would be ifthe hunt was going to involve severe and strenuous elevation gains in the course of a day which would favor a light weightrifle, in which case I have a waspy little 6.5 pound Sako in 338WinMag that I would reluctantly consider. Personally, I just as soon hunt the coast on a live aboard boat and do the sea-going spot and stalk and "go in" heavy when the time came, but that is just me.

Just my $.02, but a serious non-flippantanswer.
God bless ya forafun, think-outside-the-box, non-deer/non-elk question!

RE: Grizzly & brownies
 

I've hunted, shot and went onto the brush for big bears in some of the best bear hunting spots in Alaska.

A 7 Rem. Mag. with 175 NP's works very well!!! 30-06 with 200 NP's also works pretty good and that's my min. cartridge i'd use.

If i was going tomorrow i'd once again use my custom .338-06 or maybe my 9.3x74R double rifle??

There are many cal's that work very well, but i feel it's waaaaaay more important to use the proper bullets than a cannon thatyou don't shoot all that well under pressure!

BTW, i just won't take a shot at a big bear much over 100 yards and no one else should either. (unless it's already wounded)

Drilling Man

RE: Grizzly & brownies
 

If I was the guide I'd ask that the gun you bought along carried about 4,000 Ft-lb energy and I'd be carrying something like a .416 Rem Mag.

RE: Grizzly & brownies
 

I had a 416 Rem Mag and I am suprised that it is not more popular than it is. I noticed that in an artical last month in Outdoor life that they list it as an endangered cartridge. I hope not. When I needed that kind of power, I really liked the caliber and the Ruger rifle it came in.

RE: Grizzly & brownies
 

I would use my .340 Wby. Mag. with a 250 gr. Barnes XFB. Good luck.

RE: Grizzly & brownies
 

James,
The market for any kind of 416 is not that big, so I'm not sure what that articles criteria was for coming up with that list. It didnot specifically address the 416RemMag in the content of the articlelike they did other cartridges on the list.

At the time I bought my 416 Rigby (2 years ago), the 416RemMag was generally considered the front runner of the 416 pack regarding popularity (NOT performance); however, both Ruger (in the 77)and CZ (in the 550)went with the 416 Rigby which gave the market some choices it didn't have before.

With the 416 Rigby,if you hand load, then itcan be pushed right up to near 416 Weatherby levels. Even with full house loadsone can hear some unfilled powder space inside that huge case when you shake it.Itis kindanice to have that kind of case volume and the lower pressures that tend to go with it.

Any how, hard for me to believethat the 416RemMag's popularityfrom two years ago could be THAT much different today. I find that listing suspect personally. However, knowing Remington if the 416RemMag dies off, then you can bet the 416 RUM will be right around the corner (more case capacity -- more performance).

RE: Grizzly & brownies
 

I have used 300 WIN MAG for guiding dutiesWITH 165 GRAINWIN FAILSAFE but more recent with a 7STW and a handload with a 150 GRAIN NOSLER PARTITION.With proper shot placementI could not tell the difference between them.

RE: Grizzly & brownies
 

My 416 Rem was a fluke purchase for me. I was in Scheels one day and they had it laying on the counter. I talked to the sales guy and he said another customer had ordered a 416 Rigby. When it came in it was a 416 Remington instead. I bought it for about half price as they figured they would never sell it. Mine was a Ruger No. l. Since I have to shoot left handed because of the loss of my good eye, I could load the No.l as fast as I could work a lefty bolt because I am not left handed. Now the left shoulder is shot and still no right eye so things are getting tougher. They want to put in a new shoulder joint this winter as they say there is no hope for the old joint. Its totally shot. All the stuff that is supposed to be between the bones on the joint is just gone. I asked a carpenter friend of mine if he wanted to put in a bid on the job. All he would need is a steel ball, a plastic socket, some glue and one long screw to fasten the ball to the long arm bone.:D. Anyway I liked the 416 and it would be as good as it gets for grizzlys and other big critters. I loaded the Barnes X spitzers as well as the Hornady round nose. The Barnes were 400 grain as were they Hornadys. I think I still have two boxes of the Barnes bullets left over. I don't think they would be effective in the 45-70 but I don't know for sure what the recommeded velocity level for them is.

RE: Grizzly & brownies
 

Never hunted grizzly never will, but a 338 win mag with a 250 grain nosler partition and Federal High energy ammo would be a good choice. I have seen some postings with overkill cartridges but I cannot think a better animal to have too much gun for. That being said my cousin has taken 3 large bears with his 30-06, 180 grain nosler partion without event.None ofthe bearsmoved more than 40 yds.

RE: Grizzly & brownies
 

338 Winchester Magnum as a minimum. In close cover I would use a 45-70 with stout reloads or Garret ammo.