Hello,
Although plans have not yet been finalized, there is a high probability that I will get to go hunt Black Bear this fall.

I will be taking along my 30-06, there is not time to get a new rifle, plus fund the rest of the trip, besides, I am comfortable and familiar with this rifle.

I have a working load using a Nosler 200 grain Partition. If I do my part, It will group about an inch at 100 yards, give or take. It is a proven load, meaning I have used this recipe to stop a Russian Boar.

To the guys on this board that have hunted a lot of large critters, would it be worth my time to develop a load based on a 220 grain bullet? My gut instict is to stay away from roundnose bullets, but I found a few spitzer style 220 grainers. Also I did find one 240 grain bullet, but it is a match bullet and I am not sure the jacket material would be thick enough, also there might be a twist rate thing coming into play with this one, not sure.

So stay with the 200 or move to one of the heavier weights?

My hunting partner says the cover will be "thick" at least in places.

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Safety & Ethics,Accuracy, Velocity, Energy
Joe M

Where and how will you be hunting, ie, how big are the bears expected to be, and will you be hunting over bait, or spot and stalk, what are the expected ranges for shots?

The typical black bear isn't that big or tough, and whatever load you use for dear will be fine. Unless you expected a real monster black bear, I'd say a 180 gr is fine, though no reason not to use a 200. If you are hunting in close, no reason not to use a 220 gr rn, they are great bullets, and typically shoot quite accurately.

I have gotten four black bears with a 30/06 using 150, 180 and 220 grain bullets. They all died pretty much the same (quickly). I decided to stay with the 220's because those heavy round noses do give you a much better blood trail if you end up having to track beyond 10-15 yards. I would think that if you already have something you like with your 200 grainers....you will do fine.

JoeM

If you have a working load for the Nosler 200 gr. Partition go with it. It is probably overkill and the 180 Nosler would probably be a better choice but there is nothing wrong with the 200. Black bears are fairly easy to kill. Make a good accurate shot through both lungs and you will have a fine trophy.

Pat

If you already have a working load for this rifle, and it works well... dont change it. The 200gr Nosler is MORE then enough black bear and going to a heavier weight will prove nothing. Even very large black bears are not so large.

The 200 gr Nosler will work just fine. If you still feel that you want to change something, try a box of the Federal Hi-Energy 180 gr Bear Claws. They are very close to what you would get from a standard .300 Win mag load.

Since most blacks are taken at medium to close range, the 200 Noslers are okay, though heavier and tougher than perfect for the typical 175 lb black bear.

If you're in an area with really big bears and hunting in fall when they're carrying their summer fat, then you might want something as heavy as a 180, which would give you better long range trajectory than the 200 and better expansion. In most cases, I wouldn't be shy of using a quick expanding 150; you would get quicker results.

I last hunted in '98 and the guide insisted on the "biggest gun you got". I didn't go that far, but did use a .338. Found I would have been just as happy with a .270.

I shot a really nice bear with 165gr out of my 308 Then I shot one with 180s then another with 220s just because I had a couple of boxs of them. You really don't need the heavy stuff but if that is what you want to use. Next bear hunt Iam going to use my 300 sav with 165s. You make a good shot the bear will die.

Hello,
I guess I overestimated the size of the bears. Another working load I have is a 165 grain Nosler Ballistic Tip. It gives higher vels, and better groups on paper than the 200's. So would that neccessarily be better than the 200? Or would I be better off to even "stagger load" with the 165 in the chamber, and a mag full of 200 grainers? I used to do stuff like this when I hunted pheasants, start with a "field load" than proceed to a short mag, then a 3 incher, and it worked marvelously.

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Safety & Ethics,Accuracy, Velocity, Energy
Joe M

Joe:

Whatever you do, don't mix loads in your magazine. Each load is sure to shoot to a different point of impact, so your gun can't be properly sighted for both.

As for me, I'd go with the 165 Ballistic Tips and will bet that you'll never come across a black bear that they won't shoot completely through. I'm sure there are those out there who will disagree, but chances are that you'll find your bear dead closer to where you shot it than with the 200 grain Partitions.

Also, you just might come across a 250 or 300 yard shooting opportunity in which no practical stalk for a closer shot can be made. In that case you're much better off with the faster bullets and flatter trajectory.

Good luck, and by the way, where are you going?

I too am a big fan of the bullistic tip for if the animal to be hunted is not overly sized. I would put the black bear in that catagory. I shot a dall sheep and countless Sitka blacktails with a 130 gr Nosler Bullistic tip in a .270. None of the above animals required more than one.

If you have the time try some of the 165 gr. a try. I am quite sure the will shoot better than the 200gr.

Good luck

Pat

Joe,

I would probably take the 200's. More versatile in diverse hunting situations, you say heavy cover is possible. You can't always predict how the shot will present itself to you.
FWF never use the match grade bullets for big game. Unless bullet makers have changed dramatically in the last 10 years, match bullets are made with very thin jackets with no regards for expansion/weight retention at all. Think of them more as varmit type jackets than hunting jackets.