The Accurate Reloading Forums
Black Bear Rifle for Wife
26 November 2011, 19:55
huntnjimBlack Bear Rifle for Wife
I am trying to decide a good rifle choice for a spring black bear hunt in Alaska this coming year for my wife. I have a 280? 30-06? 300wsm? 7mm mag? she does not like a lot of thump on her shoulder.
26 November 2011, 20:02
cobraquote:
Originally posted by huntnjim:
I am trying to decide a good rifle choice for a spring black bear hunt in Alaska this coming year for my wife. I have a 280? 30-06? 300wsm? 7mm mag? she does not like a lot of thump on her shoulder.
Go with the .280.
26 November 2011, 20:05
ZephyrFederal 338
26 November 2011, 20:06
TerrenceEason7-08 w/154gr Horn RN bullet
I concluded my speech by telling them that I was done with politics for the present, and they might all go to hell, and I would go to Texas. -- Davy Crockett 11AUG1935
26 November 2011, 20:08
bartsche
6.5X55. With 156 or 160 grain bullets. For that matter a 140 may work just fine.
roger
Old age is a high price to pay for maturity!!! Some never pay and some pay and never reap the reward. Wisdom comes with age! Sometimes age comes alone..
26 November 2011, 20:09
ZephyrSorry reread your post how about one of hornady's reduced loads for your various rifles or if you reload come up with a slow 200gr for you 06'
Hot stuff your wife is joining, you good luck in your spring hunt....
26 November 2011, 20:28
D Humbarger280 with triple shocks.
Doug Humbarger
NRA Life member
Tonkin Gulf Yacht Club 72'73.
Yankee Station
Try to look unimportant. Your enemy might be low on ammo.
26 November 2011, 20:32
BoxheadThe 280 loaded with the 160 gr Nosler Partition at 2600 fps or so. A killing machine and easy to shoot as well.
26 November 2011, 20:35
Dr. LouNot sure if you're looking to use one of your rifles or buying a new one. I like my 358 Win for black bear.
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26 November 2011, 20:41
7MMNutFWIW, I spoke to a Canadian outfitter a few months ago about a black bear hunt that I want to take my son on. I asked him if the .308 that my son shoots proficiently would be okay. Without hesitation he said that would be a great caliber. His only caveat was to stay away from the shoulder.
26 November 2011, 21:13
huntnjimThe 280 was my pick as well, so with the majority of replies being 280 out of my choices I will start loading up some 160 grain barnes. Any pet loads for the 160?
26 November 2011, 21:16
Docquote:
Originally posted by 7MMNut:
FWIW, I spoke to a Canadian outfitter a few months ago about a black bear hunt that I want to take my son on. I asked him if the .308 that my son shoots proficiently would be okay. Without hesitation he said that would be a great caliber. His only caveat was to stay away from the shoulder.
I put a 180 Scirocco from an .06 through the shoulders of 5 black bears from 6 yards to 66 yards. Smallest bear: 200 lb., largest, 350. FYI.
To the OP: my friend took his wife BB hunting in New Brunswick with a 243. She killed a nice 300# bear with a 95 gr Btip at Bait range. Let your wife shoot the 280 with a 140 grain bullet. Black bears are thin skinned and easy to kill. Much easier than a deer in my experience.
Ted Kennedy's car has killed more people than my guns
26 November 2011, 21:20
Buglemintoday.280 or .30-06
"Let me start off with two words: Made in America"
26 November 2011, 21:29
Antelope SniperJim, I think Doc has about the right idea.
Moving down from a 160gr to a 140gr bullet will make a big difference on your wifes shoulder, but not much of a difference on the bear.
Fit the stock to her, put a good recoil pad on it, and I would expect she would do just fine.
26 November 2011, 21:34
huntnjimOk, I can agree about a 140 for the 280 for recoil reduction, any load suggestions?
26 November 2011, 23:10
wasillaShe is going to be in Alaska --there is almost always the risk of running in to a Grizz / Brownie. If there is a chance she will be alone for even a bit I consider the 30-06 as a good minimum. A 180 partition or premium bullet for a hunt is money well spent. A spring hunt up here can be brutal weather wise so the rifle must fit HER with heavy clothing and even a pack strap over the shooting shoulder. This means the rifle that was perfect at home on the range is now to long for her to even get an image in the scope. She will not be shooting bunches of heavy recoil rounds --only a few killing shots she wont even make note of at the time. Get or reload some easy recoil stuff to get her all knowed up with the rifle. This is one of the very most important things that the gun function and fireing is reflex at the time of battle. I built my wife a 1918 vintage 1903 Springfield that fits HER with hunt clothes on. She shoots medium loads for funzies and only a couple proving rounds of the heavy stuff before a hunt. The 06 has fed our family since the 50's and it is my go to gun for the hunt. I have 4 of them. A carry a 45-70 lever gun shortie most of the time when I am crashing about and not hunting. Remember -- she is hunting Alaska, don't send her out with a pop gun that some one else has to track a wounded bear after the small gun wounds.
Rod in Wasilla
26 November 2011, 23:22
graybirdI'd go with a 7mm-08 with either a 140 grain Nosler Partition or Barnes TTSX.
Graybird
"Make no mistake, it's not revenge he's after ... it's the reckoning."
26 November 2011, 23:32
N E 450 No2quote:
Originally posted by wasilla:
She is going to be in Alaska --there is almost always the risk of running in to a Grizz / Brownie. If there is a chance she will be alone for even a bit I consider the 30-06 as a good minimum. A 180 partition or premium bullet for a hunt is money well spent. A spring hunt up here can be brutal weather wise so the rifle must fit HER with heavy clothing and even a pack strap over the shooting shoulder. This means the rifle that was perfect at home on the range is now to long for her to even get an image in the scope. She will not be shooting bunches of heavy recoil rounds --only a few killing shots she wont even make note of at the time. Get or reload some easy recoil stuff to get her all knowed up with the rifle. This is one of the very most important things that the gun function and fireing is reflex at the time of battle. I built my wife a 1918 vintage 1903 Springfield that fits HER with hunt clothes on. She shoots medium loads for funzies and only a couple proving rounds of the heavy stuff before a hunt. The 06 has fed our family since the 50's and it is my go to gun for the hunt. I have 4 of them. A carry a 45-70 lever gun shortie most of the time when I am crashing about and not hunting. Remember -- she is hunting Alaska, don't send her out with a pop gun that some one else has to track a wounded bear after the small gun wounds.
Rod in Wasilla
Excellent advise. The gun must fit her. I would even consider shortening the barrel to 20" or so. Also a 308 with a 180gr Nolser Partition would be a good choice aned the gun could be a little lighter and shorter still.
DOUBLE RIFLE SHOOTERS SOCIETY
27 November 2011, 00:39
sbhooperMy bil had a .280 that was a brutal kicker. I would hands-down take a 7mm-08 or a .260. Both are more than adequate with reasonable recoil. No bear is going to walk away with a 140 partition from either.
27 November 2011, 02:26
AtkinsonI would suggest a 7x57 with 175 gr. bullets, preferably Nosler partitions at about 2300 to 2400 FPS..That will lay low the largest of black bear or even an Alaskan Brown, and do it without a lot of muzzle blast and recoil..
If that does not work the get her a 250-3000, It will kill the largest black bear with a 117 gr. Factory Rem. Corelokt. and recoil is less than a 30-30...
Make her shoot more often and get over that recoil aprehension..Some folks just shouldn't be hunting big game so keep that in mind..Not everyone is so inclined.
Ray Atkinson
Atkinson Hunting Adventures
10 Ward Lane,
Filer, Idaho, 83328
208-731-4120
rayatkinsonhunting@gmail.com
28 November 2011, 18:09
coyote wackerMy wife uses a Browning BAR 7mm Rem Mag alloy receiver, 20" barrel, stock cut down to 12 1/2" pull. I load Barnes 150 gr. TSX to 2600 fps, she can shoot 1" groups, and the gun functions 100% even at -10 below. She has shot several black bears and a truck load of whitetails with it.
By the way she is 5'-0" and weights 110 lbs. I have tried over the years to get her to try other caliber guns, her BAR is her only rifle . And the saying "Beware of the man that owns one gun", is so true with her, one shot one kill track them 50 yrds.
28 November 2011, 20:23
boom stick358 Win with 35 Rem velocities for practice or just go 35 Rem
29 November 2011, 05:39
bartschequote:
Originally posted by boom stick:
358 Win with 35 Rem velocities for practice or just go 35 Rem
Still a pretty hefty shoulder biter.
roger
Old age is a high price to pay for maturity!!! Some never pay and some pay and never reap the reward. Wisdom comes with age! Sometimes age comes alone..
29 November 2011, 05:44
SnowwolfeRemember, it will be HER rifle. Take her to a local shop to see if she likes the Ruger 77 in 338 RCM.
If she does, buy it for her or go to CDNN and order one for $399, page 46 of their current catalog.
My biggest fear is when I die my wife will sell my guns for what I told her they cost.
29 November 2011, 05:51
boom stick180 grain hornady at 2,300 8lb gun 11 ft lbs recoil 10 fps recoil velocity.
308 Win about 14 ft lbs
Practice with 35 pistol bullets.
Remington has a 150 grain 35 rem at 2,300 for 8lbs recoil. About the same as a 243
29 November 2011, 05:55
Antelope Sniperquote:
358 Win with 35 Rem velocities for practice or just go 35 Rem
Boomie,
He's in Colorado. We have alot of open country out here. Need to keep the velocity up, so a .358 probably isn't the best option for this state.
29 November 2011, 06:02
boom stickMaybe the 7-08 with 140 grainers.
29 November 2011, 06:05
cobraquote:
Originally posted by boom stick:
Maybe the 7-08 with 140 grainers.
Nothing wrong with that combination.
29 November 2011, 06:17
Antelope Sniperquote:
Maybe the 7-08 with 140 grainers.
29 November 2011, 07:33
DocI didn't see 7-08 on his list. I thought it was a choice from the rifles he has on hand.
Take the 280 and stuff it with a good bullet that penetrates well. My recommendation is either a 140 Barnes TSX or TTSX as first choice. Aframe second, partition 3rd. Between now and the time of the hunt, have her shoot 100-200 rounds of cheap factory ammo for practice. You can always modify the rifle and go with a good recoil pad.
I'd rather my wife have a 280 with a 140 bullet she can shoot over a 30.06 she cannot. Regardless, if my wife came across a big bear like a grizz, she'd shit her pants, throw the rifle at the bear and run.
Ted Kennedy's car has killed more people than my guns
29 November 2011, 08:15
MileHighShootersniper we DO have a lot of open land here, but the OP is talking about a spring bear hunt in AK with whatever rifle is chosen.
From what you have, I think its a toss up between the 280 and 30-06. With the 30-06 I'd try out some 165gr Accubonds first, see if that doesn't thump her too much. If that is fine, maybe step up to a 180gr of some sort and just see how she takes em. You could always bring one of the magnums along, have her shoot THAT at the range, then the 30-06 or 280 will feel like a 243 lol
If you think every possible niche has been filled already, thank a wildcatter!
29 November 2011, 18:06
huntnjimI will be at her side during the hunt and will have a 340wtb backing her. I have decided on the 280 and will load the barnes 140tsx. Not sure what load yet so if any of you have a tried and true load I'm all ears.
29 November 2011, 21:30
DWrightOnce again a 7-08 with a 140 gr. TSX.
29 November 2011, 22:45
Antelope SniperThe .280 with a 140 Barnes is a fine choice for your wife. It should kill the bear just fine. Back in Colorado it will serve her well for Deer, Antelope, and Elk. Hopefully she will get many years of enjoyment out of the rifle.
29 November 2011, 23:56
vapodogquote:
Black Bear Rifle for Wife
I'd say it was a pretty good trade.....
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30 November 2011, 00:21
boom stickquote:
Originally posted by vapodog:
quote:
Black Bear Rifle for Wife
I'd say it was a pretty good trade.....
Ba dum tissshhhh!
30 November 2011, 00:35
meteThe 280 will work fine , just make sure the stock fits her !! Poorly fitted stocks accentuate the recoil !
30 November 2011, 01:52
sambar02338 federal in a gun that fits her
30 November 2011, 05:47
reelhookI agree with the 338 federal-use 160 or 185 barnes-great round and a great bullet that will hold together
30 November 2011, 15:07
ldkierI really wish the 9.3x57 was chambered in some of our more popular rifles. This cartridge would be perfect for your woman. I, myself think this is a good ctg. for close range hunting of "bad" stuff and "beast-like" stuff.
The recoil of this ctg. is more of a "push" than a "kick". I dream of the day that somebody like Ruger thinks of this ctg. for their #1 or 77. I just wish we had a ctg. like the 9.3x57.
"The lady doth protest too much, methinks"
Hamlet III/ii
