My boss and I are going on a Brown Bear hunt in Alaska in about six weeks. I was planning on using my Remington 700 XCR 300 Ultra Mag on the hunt. However, I talked with our guide this past weekend and he says it is not enough gun for Brown Bear. I have always believed in listening to your guide, but I really thought I had enough horsepower. What does everyone else think?

200gr TSX with a 300ultra would rip thru any bear in my opinion. or 200gr partition.

I would rather have a 338 win mag with 220gr.

Shocked he said 300ultra not enough.

I have never killed a brown bear, but kinda shocked.

He actually said that the minimum he would suggest was a 338 Win Mag. I told him that the 300 Ultra Mag has more kinetic energy that a 338 Win Mag and he said he knew that. However, he said the lighter bullet out of the Ultra Mag worried him. He prefers a heavier bullet to break down the shoulder bone.

I would prefer a 338 too. But with the right bullet like a TBBC, or barnes, I bet a bear won't know the difference. And a barnes would rip thru a shoulder too I suspect. Did he say he has seen the 300RUM fail on bear. I understand his concern as he is the one in the front doing the tracking after the shot.

Time to step up to the 338 Ultra Mag then

I'm also surprised the guide said that. Just load heavy and premium, 200gr or 220grNosler Partitions or Barnes, and the job will be done. Both of the bullets are known for their toughness, and penetration. The 200gr bulletshave a SD that's similar to 250gr bullets out of a 338.

Its been done countless times with the 30-06 so the guide seems sort of out in left field on this one. However If I can't do it with the 30-06 then I am going to the 375 H&H or 375 Ruger. The 416 Rem Mag would do the job as will the 45-70. With the 30-06 to 300 RUM the 200 grain Partition or TSX would be my choice. The old 30-40 Krag with 220 grain bullets worked well for me and its quite a bit shy of the 300 Mags. Real close shots with very high velocity rounds can be a problem if large bones get in the way.

I appreciate the feedback. I agree with most of your comments. I have a 375 H & H Mag but it is in a Thompson Encore single shot. He didn't like that idea either due to it being a single shot. I also agree that a 30-06 will do the job with proper bullet placement as well as several other calibers that the guide seems to question. However, as someone said, he is the one in front if you have to track a wounded bear. Therefore, I willretrieve my Ruger 338 Win Mag from my son and use 250 Gr Nosler Partitions. I still believe the 300 Ultra Mag would do the job. As for the 338 Ultra Mag, I have wanted one for quite awhile, but until now didn't think there was anything I could use it on that couldn't be taken with the 300 Ultra Mag. Thanks again for the comments.

I would not hesitate to use my 300ultramag shooting the 180gr tsx.

Now, don't get me wrong, I would always take advice from my guide. But, I have read hunting stories where the hunter has harvested brown bear with a .300 ultra mag. I have also read stories where it takes multiple shots to take down a brown bear with a .375 H&H. If I were you, I think I would upgrade...