22 February 2002, 09:09
Seamus O'Grady.25-06 Enough for Black Bear?
I have a .25-06 that I use for deer hunting. However, this year I am hunting in a region where black bear also live. With a 115 grain Barnes X bullet, can I shoot a bear if I see one?
22 February 2002, 09:41
<Boyd Heaton>Yes.It will work just fine,,,,
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I HUNT LONG RANGE.AND YES I USE MATCHKING'S.
22 February 2002, 09:50
<Big Stick>Biggest one I ever killed,was with a 25-06. He never knew what hit him..............
22 February 2002, 14:19
<Caveman>I can already tell you that you are going to get 100's of replys on this forum that you should use a 338 Win Mag at the least to take a Black Bear efficiently.
BUT,
The only black bear I have ever taken was with a 25-06 shooting my handloaded 117 gr. Sierra BTSP bullets. He was about 200 yards away, broadside walking to the right. You could hear the pop and he hit the ground to never move again!! Go for it!
Corey
22 February 2002, 16:49
8MM OR MOREPlease don't take this as a flame, it is not. If you can answer the second question with a yes, you can answer the topic question with a yes.
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Good Shooting!
22 February 2002, 19:53
<Salt>The .25-06 is a great rifle for open country.
If hunting bear in the brush then I would opt for a 12 gauge shotgun loaded with Brenneke slugs.
22 February 2002, 20:02
<ovis>No problem. Do it & best of luck to you.
23 February 2002, 11:48
<T/Jazz>I always thought that it was according to the size or weight of the animal that one should consider before choosing and using a particular caliber rifle. If so the normal size black bear say is 250 pounds, would you still use the same caliber and load for one that happened to be say 600 pounds?
Please don't sneer at this post. I have a 25-06 but use my 30-06 (180 Noslers) for a black bear Ok. I have heard of some blackies being as much as 800 pounds........So do you still shoot that big boy or pass with the 1/4 bore?
23 February 2002, 11:57
<Big Stick>Mine according to girth charts,exceeded 600lbs(62" chest circumference),squared over 7-1/2' and netted 21-12/16. He was no match for the 25-06/X combo.
Bullet selection,is much more important than cartridge selection,in my opinion.
Your mileage may vary.........