I've been wondering if anyone has ever actually taken a brown/grizzly with one of these calibers. The question does get asked if they are capable of doing so and we usually get varied answers, but has anyone actually been there done that. The idea of hunting one has crossed my mind several times. Bullet that they were using and such would be good to know too.

Read HELL, I WAS THERE by Elmer keith. he took a few big bears with the .35 Whelen including one in very tight quarters. IIRC, he use a 275 gr. bullet.
Paul B.

I remember a post by Phil Shoemaker stating that he has had 338-06's in camp and they worked, but he personally carried bigger.

I've never read anything by Elmer or Jack that I can remember, but I do plan on it. I do think bearhunter(on here) killed a grizz or brown with a 35 Whelen and said it worked well. Thanks fellas.

A 30-06 will make quick work of a grizz so i'm sure the .338-06 or the whelen would be fine as well.

Well maybe someday I can go after one with my Whelen and give you fellas a first hand account. Thanks

quote:

Originally posted by raybass:
Well maybe someday I can go after one with my Whelen and give you fellas a first hand account. Thanks

One of the guys that works for Nosler, writes about taking a grizz in thick cover, point blank w/ his 338-06 & 210grNPs. Not my first choice for a close cover big bear, but it would certainly be better than a lighter rifle. The 35WH w/ good 250gr bullets would be just as good. Biggest animal I have taken w/ my 338-06 is a 6pt bull elk.

quote:

Originally posted by raybass:
Well maybe someday I can go after one with my Whelen and give you fellas a first hand account. Thanks

Let us know before ya go so if you don't give us a first hand account we'll know it wasn't good enough!

My brown bear went 9'3" after taking a hit with 250 gr A Frame from my 338-06 at 100 yards. Load was 58.5 gr H4350.

Caveat: guide follow up shot with his 375 H&H as they do not want them getting into the canopy at dark thirty. The 250 A Frame entered low in left shoulder, thru lungs and broke right shoulder. I would not have taken any shot past 200 yards, however.

Not speaking from 1st hand knowlage here , but
But using a little historical information.
Back in the late 1800s and early 1900s , there were no magnums. I mean there were big african rounds , but the gold miners were using Krags & model 86 winchesters.
When it comes to close range I bet my 1895 30/40 Krag with 220 grain RNs would do the job.
But that does not mean it is the best tool for the job.
My marlin 1895 is certainly a good bear rifle when used for defence but , not in my opinion as good for actually seeking a bear.
The Whelen with a 250 grain bullet should be good to a greater range than a 45/70 , but that new Alaskan Ruger in .375 Ruger or the Rumerd .416, would be in my opinion about Ideal.
I been reading john taylor and he stopped some big mean critters in there tracks with a 375 H&H.
So, I think if I am going to spend the money on an Alaskan trip , I think an extra 850.00 on the Ruger would be worth while.
...tj3006

When the 35 Whelen was first introduced back in the 1920s, it was "the" American big game rifle. If I remember my history, it was the favorite of Alaskan bear hunters who either didn't want or couldn't afford an "African" rifle. So, yes I think it will still work very well today. But I agree with the poster above, if you have a 375 HH or Ruger (and I do), that would be my first choice.

Thanks fellas, LOL vapo, fredj338 thats the biggest I've shot so far too. The reason I asked the question was on here and other forums there is alot of speculation about whether these cartridges have what it takes or not. The thing I have noticed is it seems not many have actually used the cartridges.
I certainly can't argue whether they can or not because, like many, I haven't either. I think so but then again I haven't been standing there holding a rifle while an 800 or so pound bear was coming my way fast looking at me like a subway sandwich. Its fun to talk about and hear both sides of the debate.

If I ever get drawn for a grizz, the dance is promised to my 9.3x64. Given that, I'm positive the 338-06 would work very well, with good bullets.

quote:

Originally posted by raybass:
Thanks fellas, LOL vapo, fredj338 thats the biggest I've shot so far too. The reason I asked the question was on here and other forums there is alot of speculation about whether these cartridges have what it takes or not. The thing I have noticed is it seems not many have actually used the cartridges.
I certainly can't argue whether they can or not because, like many, I haven't either. I think so but then again I haven't been standing there holding a rifle while an 800 or so pound bear was coming my way fast looking at me like a subway sandwich. Its fun to talk about and hear both sides of the debate.

I have a lot of confidence in the 338-06, it's taken many good sized animals for me, but if I were to go for big coastal browns, I would take my 404jeffery w/ 380gr softs! It would have to be fitted w/ a good composite stock though.