Still planning on the black bear hunt, looking for a monster bear. With this in mind, plus hunting in S.E. Alaska, what do you guys consider a 'proper" rifle caliber? What bullet?

30 cal. +
165 gr premium bullet +
2800 fps +

Ross
www.prairiegunworks.com

Ross is almost right. He's a bit of a speed freak.

2750 is fine...LOL

Actually for every caliber you go up you can probably drop about 75 fps.

In other words a 35 cal 225 at 2500+ is fine.

Another way to look at this is for any "tough" animal

30 cal +
S.D 2.5+
premium Bullet
2500-2750 fps

Will a 280,7 mag. 7mm-08 and 270 do the trick sure but last I checked tracking black bears in the bush was not a lot of fun.

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MED

The sole purpose of a rifle is to please its owner

[This message has been edited by Mike Dettorre (edited 01-01-2002).]

I have been thinking of a spring black bear hunt in Canada this year. I'm considering my 30-06 with Nosler 180 partitions. I'll probably take along some Hornady 220 gr RN too. The rifle is a 1953 model 70 Winchester with a 21/2-8 Leopold. It does 1 1/4"-1 1/2" groups with the Noslers. I've only shot 4 or 5 rounds with the 220,s but the old rifle seemed to like them. Anyone have any recommendations for say British Columbia?
Terry

jim shockey is the big name on vancouver island. i would also check with keith atcheson in butte mt for a recommendation

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MED

The sole purpose of a rifle is to please its owner

I recall a magazine article about a black bear hunt in Alaska. The area was very open and the author had selected a .35 Whelan as it was the topic of the day. He felt very restricted by the somewhat short range of the factory loads he carried.

I've killed a few black bears, big(600+) and small(300+). Have been in on a few other bear kills. I would choose 270 bore as a minimum, always use at least 150gr premium bullets(140gr Barnes X OK) and shoot to break both shoulders if possible. Keep shooting until the animal is down! I can't emphasize that enough. YOU DO NOT WANT TO WOUND A BLACK BEAR! Do not fall into the notion that Mr. Blackie is a pushover especially in the fall before hibernation. He's no grizzly but a big black bear is very capable of putting the hurt to you. I came real close to being mauled this past season because rookie hunting partner failed to heed my advice on bullet selection(he felt 165gr Ballistic tips were fine, they were not!) sure-shot

John S.,
I just flew over to this site from another room. Thought an Alaskan's opinion (for what it's worth!)might fit in.
I was fortunate to have taken a spring and a fall bear this year. Reason I carry the trusty .338 Win. Mag. is for what else might be lurking close by. That said, I used the same load for both bruins...IMR 4350 pushing a 250 grain Hornady spire point @ 2640 f.p.s. First was taken at 65 yards; the second at a piece over 200. Had full side way penetration on both animals.
Any .30 with 180 grain and up capable of 2600 f.p.s.will work fine. The 35 Whelen is a good choice as well. You will be hunting areas that should easily allow for stocking within 200 yds.; probably much less.
Best to you on your hunt. I can tell you ahead of time that it will be fun.
best,
bhtr

p.s. I'm jealous as h*##!

My brother and I hunted black bear in SE AK a few years ago. Ours dropped in their tracks from a .257 Roberts and a .270. Mine was above average size for the year and his was half again bigger then mine in body size.

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Howard
Moses Lake WA
hhomes@homesley.com

Welcome to the forum, Bear Hunt'r, hope to see you posting here more often as we always welcome posts like this from the major hunting areas of the world.
Thanks to all who have responded, I was in a bit of a dilemna here! While I have hunted brown bears the black edition has yet to be confronted and I wanted some ideas, thanks again!

Shot several black bears with and 06 and 308 165gr 180gr and 220 gr bullets don't think the bears could tell the differant. But If I was in AK I would carry my 300 win mag or my 338 win mag. Just becuse I could. But then If I had too I wouldn't be afraid of shooting them with any rifle 6mm and bigger with a good bullet if that is what I had.

In 2000 I took a 300 pound boar in Manitoba with a borrowed .270. I don't know what grain bullet I was shooting but the bear was about 70 yards out. I took his heart out so he did not go far. I'm looking to go to NB this fall if I get drawn for moose (combine it with a BB combo) and will take my .06 with 180 gr Noslers.

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~Ann

Every day spent outdoors is the best day of my life.

I would think a .45-70 in a good 350 grain or larger would work well on black bears 100 yards or under. I have no idea what the terrain is like there.

I have had good luck with a Sako Finnwolf chambered in .358 Win.when hunting in heavy cover, and a Sako.338 Win mag for more open terrain.

I have never shot any bears but have shot plenty of game with 45/70 405 gr woodleigh's (they give excellent penetration). I reckon pigmans on the money for a good bear rifle out to 100 yards. From what I have read on these forum many bears are shot at short ranges is this correct???.

I would love the chance to hunt bears one day I reckon it would be great. Those of you who do hunt bears are very fortunate to have such an exotic animal to hunt. Here in Australia we have lots to shoot but not nearly as exotic as other countries.

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While it may be true the largest Black Bears live on Vancouver and Queen Charlotte Island one should not overlook north Central British Columbia where there is an overabundance of very large Black Bears in fact so much the Conservation Officer have to kill every year arround 1000 just to keep them of the people. A List of all 280 or so licenced Guide Outfitters can be had for free by contacting the BC Government. Very good Black Bear hunt can be had at very competitive prices so check several Outfitters before you book. Nearly any Caliber will do but many Guides in the Rocky Mountains prefer something heavier like a 338 Win. mag. with a 250 grain bullet just in case one runs into one of the ever present Grizzly Bears which can be a handfull once they decide you lock like Lunch. Happy new Year, Carl

When I went last Fall, down near Petersburg, I took a Marlin 444SS rifle. Loaded up some Hornady 300gr XTP's over a moderate load of H335. Iron sights only.

My partner, was the complete opposite! He had a Weatherby 338/378 topped with a high power Swarski (spl?) scope.

We had'em covered, close or far! Just couldn't seem to find any due to weather and a poor salmon run.

This Spring, now that my rifle is ready, I'll be taking my Winchester M70 in 416 Taylor. I want to hunt that rifle hard, getting ready for Africa some day.

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Brian
The 416 Taylor WebPage!

I agree with Doctor Lou but I think the .358 is THE cartridge at ANY proper black bear hunting ranges.

Its always better to take the largest you can handle well. Better to take a 30-06 that you can shoot well, then a 338 mag you can't. A bullet can't do the job if its sent in the wrong direction! ~~~Suluuq

Nickadu,

I have 3 .358 Winchesters. It may be my favorite, OK?

This article showed tundra like conditions near the coast I think. There were NO trees, little cover.

Still a .35 Whelan with a good load will shoot quite far. It's just that a .300 Mag will shoot further. I suppose one could bring more than one rifle and use the one that is best for conditions.

I never have less than two in my boat,at all times. Typically a "hammer" and a "driver".

The hammer is most often a 375H&H or 375H&H Ackley. For a driver,I tote a wide spectrum,depending upon mood. Anything from a fast 25cal to a fast 30cal.

If forced to choose a single rifle out of my closet,to do it all,it would be the 338Ultra with 210XLC's.

I'm a firm believer in bullet selection,being farrrrr more critical than cartridge selection and placement being paramount...........

I agree with the premium bullet issue, a friend of mine hunted with Jim Shockey in BC last spring. He shot one of the soon to be obsolete Lazzeroni Tomohawks, 7mm@toofast.com. He insisted on using a cheap bullet that blew up on the bear leading to many follow up shots and some chastising by the guides. Premium bullets are only a few bucks more than cheapy practice bullets but if it takes 4 rounds to stop your bear instead of one good bullet you actually lost 50 cents instead of saving 22 cents. LOL Hunt with the best!

Killed a nice one (300 pounds) in Washington State in 1986 with a 165 grain Speer flatbase pushed to 2500 fps in my Ruger International 308. This was at a place people were used to dumping deer leftovers during deer season and the place was crawling with bears. Hit in the chest this bear ran 50 yards and laid down. I waited an hour and my great stinking bear was mine.

John S,

I can assure you that this prescription is excellent black bear medicine. A 12 gauge slug gun with a rifled barrel shooting 1 oz slugs and 3 inch magnums shells. This load should not leave exit wounds and therefore will not tear up your rug!

Todd E

Don Martin 29,
I just happen to feel something is lost in the shooting of bear over 100 yards. In fact, even that's too far. I much prefer to be as close to bear as possible, strictly for reasons of personal satisfaction ...

John,
I'm not sure where in SE Alaska you are planning on hunting but the terrain will make an important difference in the choice of cartridge. If you are hunting very thick stuff than LARGE calibers are better, not so much for killing power but stopping power.

I've hunted POW Island twice and have taken 2 bears. Both shot with 300 wby, 180 Partitions, both shot twice, neither went more than 20 yards.

The key to hunting them in the thick areas like POW is that if you don't anchor them on the spot, chances are you may not find them.

I have some video footage that we took on several bears and although we were all very successful, there were quite a few bears lost because the hunter didn't use a "Mandatory" follow up shot.

I can show you a video we took of my buddy nailing a nice bear on the shore line with a 338. The bear hit the ground immediately. As my friend turns back to the camera to give a thumbs up, the bear gets up and runs for cover. He through several more rounds at him. We spent several hours looking for that bear with no luck. There were many bears that this same thing happened to.

I can guarantee that if you hunt the thick stuff of SE Ak and your bear runs more than 30 yards into it, you most likely will not find it.

Point of story...Anchor the SOB or risk loosing him.

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Good Hunting & Hunt Safe,
David

DavidP-
I will most likely be hunting the beaches, etc of Kuiu Island, or POW island. Depends upon the outfitter I end up booking with.
After reading all of the replies here I will likely take my 338/404 wildcat like I did when I was up that way brown bear hunting. If my 375Wby gets done in time it might get the nod, but either way I doubt there will be a problem!

John,
Good choice!

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Good Hunting & Hunt Safe,
David

Dave P,
You made a good point on anchoring black bears. Same situation here in the Sierras if you go with spot and stalk. We had a bowhunter mauled pretty badly about 8yrs ago up here. As he followed up on the shot after waiting 30 min the bear came to life and charged him and his partner, he let loose an arrow at 30yds to no effect, the bear was on him in a flash. His partner, a young guy ran away and came back using his bow as a club eventually driving the wounded bear away. The mauled hunter went into shock on the hike out but was rescued.(medi-vac) It took a long time for his wounds to heal and lots of stitches. This happened above Sonora, CA. Black bear charges can occur, almost in every case it happens when a black bear is wounded first. We had a similar experience this past fall only we had firesticks so the outcome was different. sure-shot

I have shot several with a 44 Mag. pistol. They don't always die as soon as you might like. These were all shot a very close range out of a tree.

Saw a ol' boy try with a .357. Almost became bear poop.

Take some thing bigger!!

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wyo roper

John S,

Kuiu is on quotas,for limited harvest. That may be something to keep in mind.

I'd advise you to buck conventional thought and go in the early Spring. Less pressure,more BIG Boars and few Sows to contend with..........

Nickadu,

Of course it depends upon how "hungry" the hunter is. If I went all that way I would want to shoot at a bear. If we saw no bears then fine. That's hunting. But if I saw one at 300 yards I might want too shoot if it were my last chance. Now if I lived right near there I might take the .358W and hunt them down.

Don,

Here's a pretty good 358Win Bear for ya........

Nice bear lots of space between the ears and the eyes good body mass. Good shot also. A 358 win just might be big enough.

Big Stick-
I'm not disagreeing with you here, but wouldn't early June provide a hunter with a better chance at a really big bear? They are in rut then, and I'd have to think that would give the hunter a distinct advantage. It sure does when elk or moose hunting!
I know you'd have to watch for rubbing more closely, but more bears out equals more sightings equals better opp's for a bruiser. Or does it?

This is just my opinion, as I have no where near the experience many of you guys do, but I'm personally not waiting till June.

I'm starting to think early April, maybe late March? That would depend on the weather, starting now, and going until the time I decide to leave. If it's still blowing storm or gale, I'll be waiting out the weather. I've had my 24' boat out in those waters when it was blowing storm, and it was a bit too much for my comfort level.

It may be true, that a hunter will see more bears in June, but does that make it better hunting, or just better chances of success? It's my understanding that the bears seen early are usually boars, and naturally the hide will be much better.

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Brian
The 416 Taylor WebPage!

John S,

There are many opinions,on the matter. I like EARLY,for several reasons.

The Big Boys emerge the den first. You will be Hunting(and seeing)only them. I had a certain handsome Poster(grin)Hunt with me this year. I had to BEG him to come as early as he did. He did NOT like the notion. But as a local,I'm convinced it is a man's best odds in harvesting a big and beautiful animal. He saw 28 Boars,in 3 days and tagged out. I killed mine,the very next day.

They are in better shape,right after emerging the den. Though some may emerge rubbed,the odds are with you,to Hunt earlier,in my opinion.

They are more concentrated,earlier in the Spring,due to limited food sources. Early in the Spring,you KNOW where they are going to be. By May,it isn't that way. The grass is green and they've numerous food options,so they become less concentrated.

The Rut is fun,but I'd rather lean on an early Hunt,to whack a monster. Early June would be the last time frame I'd suggest to you. I'm Hunting hard,by late March. Seeing LOTS of them by early April.

However,you will hear much conflicting opinion. That is why I have the early Hunt to myself. That suits me fine.............

Big Stick-
I truly appreciate all of the valuable info you have provided here. Since I am a novice at this I am trying to gather all of the info and opinions I can before making a decision about the "best" time and place to do the hunt. It seems early and late both have some advantages, just depends upon which ones the hunter considers the most important! Again, much appreciated!

Gentlemen,

Having worked quite a bit in SE Alaska, and having first-hand experience with many bears in that area, I hope my advice would be valid.

1.) Much bear hunting in SE AK is done on the beach, where shots can be long. Here I have used my 7mm Rem Mag with 175 gr. partitions effectively, but wouldn't feel the least bit overgunned with a .338 or .375

2.) If you are hunting in the devil's club and alder along the creeks, I think a .45-70 with proper handloads, 350+ gr., is ideal.

I hope this helps a little.

Joel Slate
Slate & Associates, LLC
The Safari Specialists
www.slatesafaris.com

7mm Rem Mag Page www.slatesafaris.com/7mm.htm

John S,

Will be anxiously awaiting to see photos of your Bear! As long as he's not bigger,than the one I'm going to get(grin)............