I will be hunting the Big Blocky Vancouver Island Black Bear next spring, and am trying to pick a round for my Remington 30-06 ADL.
I am a bigger is better kind of guy when it comes to ammo.
I was thinking of using the Remington Core-Lok 220 grain softpoint.
Is that a good round.
Am I better off using a expensive (I have no problem with that) premium round, like a Nosler Partition. Problem with the Fancier ammo is it dosnt go above 180 grain ammo. (I dont reload, even thought this is the relaodign forum)
I was hoping to keep the ammo 200-220 grain.
The shots arent very long, not normally over 100 yards, but you could occasionaly have a longer one.
Any advice is much appreciated.
Thanks,
W.

I would recommend which ever premium 180gr bullet shoots best in hyour rifle.

A pointed 180 will give you better ballistics if you have to make a longish, say @ 300 yards, shot.

If you have to shoot up real close, and have a raking shot, the premium bullet will give you the penetratikon you need.

I am a heavy bullet kind of guy too, I have shot bears with a 300 WBY Mag, a 450/400 double rifle, a 9,3x74R double rifle, a 475 Freedom Arms revolver and a single shot 308.

I used Fededral factory 180 Woodleigh softs in the 308 and it worked just fine.

I have shot black bear from 350 yards to as close as 12 yards.

With a premium 180 and some shooting practice you will be ready for what ever shot you get.

I would look for a Nosler partition load in 200 grains -- if one exitsts. If not, I would use the 180's. I load my own--- so I am not hampered by what the factory offers. I've got a supply of the Barnes originals in .308 caliber and 250 grains weight. Those would be the ultimate colse range thumper.

I'd go with the 180 grain bullet, no doubt about it. I would gladly shoot anything from whitetails to elk / moose / bear (black) with a good, PREMIUM 180 grain 30-06 load. Not that I would want to limit myself to one caliber / bullet weight, but if I had to get the job done, and I didn't think that would do it, I think I'd be reaching for something significantly larger than just a 20-40 grain bullet weight increase in the same gun!!
If you're using factory stuff, I'd just get some Federal Premium 180 grain loads and don't look back. Assuming your gun shoots them well (That's the #1 criteria!!) they'll kill any black bear that walks, and most anything significantly bigger on this continent!
Jeremy

Remington loads the 180 gr Swift A Frame

My preference would also be for the 200 gr. Partition, but will defer to a 180 gr. Barnes TSX since Federal loads it for you. This bullet has a higher SD and will perform like a 200 gr.

Any bear is dangerous game, requiring reliable ammo, which a cup and core bullet is not.

I like the Barnes as well...

I'm going to mainland BC in May for Black bear. Will be taking two loads. 30-06 with 180 grain SAF and 300 HH with 180 grain NP. Feel fine with both of them. They both just like different bullets.

The first thing to consider is that extra weight will never compensate for poor bullet performance so I think premium bullets are always worth the extra cost. I have a real affinity for the Trophy Bonded Bearclaw in the .30 cal but there are loads of good bullets out there.

Second, extra bullet weight will never compensate for poor accuracy. Who knows if your gun will even shoot heavier bullets with any accuracy.

Third, heavier bullets equal heavier recoil.

Fourth, bears aren't that big or that tough. I wouldn't hesitate to use a 180 grain or even a 165 grain on the Island provided it shoots well from your rifle.

Whatever bullet 165gr or heavier that is most accurate in your rifle will be pleanty.

Well ..... living in the Great North Wett (also on an island) within 20 - 30 miles of Vancouver Island and all their rain, you need to selelct a bullet that won't melt when it getsa wet or collides with rain drops. Us northwest hunters typically use all plastic bullets, or if we're too cheap, our favorite ammo sprayed with teflon paint ......



Seriously, hunting black bear from Florida (I once saw a black bear in N.W. Florida killed with buck shot), all the way up to southern Alaska, I'd use a similar bullet you'd use to kill a moose or elk, like a 180 grain Nosler Partition or similar deep-penetrating big game pill. No doubt a bonded-core or TSX bullet could work just fine, altho I've never used those. I have used Nosler's and am happy with them.

i would go 180 and up.
If that 220 grain shoots well in your rifle, Its probably a decent choice.
NE 450 is concerned about a 300 yard shot,
If you were hunting deer or elk ,I would be too.
But 300 yards is in my opinion to far to to shoot at any large meat eater.
A wounded deer or elk is a bad thing. A wounded bear can be a dabger to all .
Now if you were to be in alaska where there are not likly to be any people around for miles,
I guess its uo to you.
...tj3006

Thanks Guys,
I'll definatly stick with a premium bullet, and not worry about the heavier bullet.
Thanks again.
W.

I would be comfortable using any of these factory loads for black bear. I just looked at the Midway USA site, and all of these are in stock. Place your order, and the little brown truck will bring them to your door in a few days.

Federal Premium Vital Shok 180g Barnes Triple Shock........$40.99 per box

Federal Premium Vital Shok 180g Nosler Partition $42.99 per box

http://www.midwayusa.com/

Good folks to do business with.

165/168-grain TSX is all you need. It'll probably retain more weight than a 200-grain Partition would as well.

Lots of good advise here. 180gr is plenty for the biggest black bears and will still shoot flat enough for long shots. My preference is the Partition due to familiarity, but any premium bullet should do just fine.