I just read a thread from Alaskacajun saying he was going to call bears in. I'm guessing it to be like calling varmints in with a distress call??? With what double rifle and projectile would you use to call bears in Alaskan hunting? I have the trouble starting 45-70 in rolling block and Marlin 1895, 99 Savage 358Win., and others but my choice would be a 286 gr cup point followed by a soft in my 9.3X74 double. Packy

This is theoretical, of course, but....

If I'm going to call any BIG bear within a stone's throw of my location, I want the biggest, hardest hitting SOB I have to be at my shoulder.

For that, it would be my .577 NE.

BUT, I would be comfortable with anything in the .400 class and above. I say "COMFORTABLE", and not the minimum of what I would go hunting with.

Take it for what it is worth...

Didn't think calling in a bear was exactly legal in Alaska, but I could be wrong.

Well you hear of something new all the time. I had never heard of "calling in bears" I think I am going to have to Google that one when I get time.
Bill

For calling alaskan bears, I would have be be sitting with a 700 nitro express and the biggest bullet (1000grains?) made for it. My experience calling bears is, they think they are getting a free meal, they are hungry and only the boss bears come running.

quote:

Originally posted by packrattusnongratus:
I just read a thread from Alaskacajun saying he was going to call bears in. I'm guessing it to be like calling varmints in with a distress call??? With what double rifle and projectile would you call bears in Alaskan hunting? I have the trouble starting 45-70 in rolling block and Marlin 1895, 99 Savage 358Win., and others but my choice would be a 286 gr cup point followed by a soft in my 9.3X74 double. Packy

Get a "rabbit squealer". I've one that looks like a tubed accordian. The louder and more frantic the better. Always hunt this way in pairs. You never know which direction they'll come from, or how many. They tend to lose fear of man, I think the excitement gets their adrenalin going.
Because it'll be close shooting, don't worry about velocity. The 9.3x74 double with good heavy bullets should be more than enough.

AKshooter looked in the regulations and could not find anything saying you could not call bears, but I would call Alaska Fish and Game to be sure.

I have called in a black bear with a call made for bear calling.

As for a rifle, since the shot will be close I would prefer a fairly large bore and a heavy bullet.
Either my 9,3x74R double or my 450/400 3 1/4" double would be about perfect IMHO.

I would not hesitate to use AKshooters 338 double either.

....366 has got the idea pretty right .......But you can do it alone just fine ,, I do ...often .....It,s alot to do with my genral disdane for man wounders involved in brown bear hunting........IMHO a 500 nitro double regulated for a 400 gr bonded core bullet @ over 2400 fps would be about the perfact bear rifle .....single trigger with a pretty good pistol grip...not more than 24 " barrels....Those little mouse squeekers work well......A fawn bleat works well also...458.s and 416,s work well ... The 375 is a little small really for that kind of work ... If you don,t believe me read the account of Max Schwab and the guy with the 7 mag ...My 500 A-Sq. was very comforting ....It will really get your blood pumping It is just this kind of hunting that lead me to my own conclusions that brown bears wern,t elephants......The ability to nearly blow a bears head off is pretty useful at 15 feet or less .....High velocity,,light for caliber,, mono metal or bonded core construction works the best in my experience for this .....

from my experiences with the big bears in ak I think something in the line of quad 40mm's would be just right

We do calling for bears in Alberta, especially in the zones where there is NO Baiting allowed. Works good. Just like predator calling. In the western WMU zones we find a high area or ridge in the cutblocks and start calling. Gets the bears if in any in the area to start acting on therir predatorial instincts. Quite the rush!

Should work in Alaska-cant see why it would be illegal unless they have a clause saying "No electronic calls to be used" for predator calling as it is in Alberta.

As for the caliber for to use as a double rifle, I have no idea. I personally like my Sako m75 SS 300WM with 180gr Accubonds-could try 200. I use it for all my big game. My next choice up in Alaksa would be 338WM or RUM.

Learn something new every day.

quote:

Originally posted by Jim Manion:
Learn something new every day.

Something fun to boot!

It's most certainly legal and it's most certainly exciting. Been there, done that...will do it again.

It all sounds quite exciting. I haven't even decided if I have the round things to hunt a big brown from the cold regions with a mouth call. I wouldn't bother with the electronic. I found it a pain to carry varmint hunting in the state of Misery, USA. Thanks for your thoughts. Packrattusnongratus