Chantecler111

Chuck Hawks is also very biased against the .30 Cal magnums, he hates them for some reason. And yeah, when I'm in bear country I'll be toting my 45-70 or 500 S&W Handi Rifle.

HEAD0001

Was the article discussing killing power, or stopping power. I have read alot about dangerous game rifles, Few have mentioned 30 cal. or even 338 caliber. Most writers and PH's recommend 375 cal. and up. The question is do you consider grizzly as dangerous game? Tom.

Chantecler111

The article was discussing adequate grizzly cartridges.

Rootsy

3 1/2 inch 12 gauge will take care of a grizzly just as quick as most centerfire bottlenecks... least at close self defense range....

But then again there's nothing like watching Fred Bear peak out from behind that boulder and stick that Kodiak with an arrow from the ole recurve...

as far as gun magazines.. especially G&A... take most of what you read with a grain of salt...

HEAD0001

Rootsy, you are right about Fred Bear. However did you know that there was a guide with a 375 H&H standing behind Fred.

James B

Well, the 30-06 kills them fine so the 300 WM should too.

Josh Sorensen

I can see why they say the 300 win mag is a little light for big bears. I passed up a shot I probably would have taken if carrying a bigger rifle. I was carrying my 300 win mag shooting 180gr partitions, griz at just about 200 yards quartering towards me. THe bullet would have had to break that front shoulder and still penetrate into the lungs. There was a heavy draw about 30 yards from the bear. I have a lot of faith in the 180gr partition, but at the same time have seen it stopped dead in its tracks in a moose's shoulder and spine. I didn't want to take the chance of it making it into the heavy brushy draw with only a busted shoulder. Even with a flat tire a bear can cause a lot of damage as long as the engine is still running.

Had I been carrying my 338 RUM with 225gr TSX or 250gr Partition gold, or even my 375 H&H, I would have been more comfortable taking that shot. Two years ago my buddy hit one 3 times with his 300 win and the 180gr partition, nocked it down twice, and it made it into some really thick tag alders. We gave it a couple of hours and followed him in. We looked the rest of the day but never found him. I'm sure it was dead somewhere in those alders, but with hardly any blood trail to follow we couldn't find him. He was dripping wet just having gotten out of the river. Would things have been different if he was usuing a bigger gun. Maybe, maybe not......but I would like a little more insurance in those kind of situations, especially without any backup. Before next hunting season I will be carrying a 338 RUM again.

If I was set on using the 300 win it would be with 200gr TSX, 200-220gr partition, or 200gr Northfork.

Joshsrugershooter

Guns&AMMO

okcmco

If you are talking about Brown or Kodiak bear, they get pretty big. It wouldn't make sense to go undergunned. If you are planning to go hunting in Alaska, your guide will tell you what to use. If I were going after bears on Kodiak Island, I would use a 375 H and H mag. Jeff Cooper says the 35 wheelen is a perfect brown bear cartridge. And for brush hunting the 45-70 is a good choice as well as the 444 marlin.
However, Teddy Roosevelt shot Grizzlies with a 30 06 and he used the 150 grain army bullets

bearhuntr

I have a few hunting buddies that hunt bears with their 300 Winnie's and I seem to recall they do just fine. It's amazing what premium bullets placed in the right spot can do. I've hunted them with less . . .