270, 280, 7x57 or 300 for black bears?

[MD]

I have five different choices what to hunt black bear with:

270 shooting Federal Blue box ammo with 130 grain Speer Grand slams

270 with 150 grain Hornady Interlocks

7x57 shooting 139 grain Hornady Interlocks

280 shooting 140 grain Federal Fusion bullets

300 Winchester with Winchester Super X factory 180 grain bullets

Is one better than the other?

I'm partial to carrying my 270 rifle that shoots the 130 grain bullets best, but I like my 280 a lot too.

 

[kbont]

No they will all do the job..if you do your part.

 

[Superbrad]

Pick the rifle you like the best...... They will all work..... Aren't options awesome?

 

[Dogleg]

It may not make any difference. Through some quirk of fate I usually seem to have something in .270(WSM or Weatherby) or 7mm with me, but there is nothing wrong with using the biggest thing you have that you can shoot well. The .300 will do everything your smaller options will do and more. I have never found black bears to be hard to kill, but they can be awful hard to follow. Anything that ups the chances of the bear going down in sight, or makes it bleed more might help.

 

[sgt.rock]

My .270 always goes in one side, out the other, with a big ol' exit wound. No matter the animal......moose, bear, etc. If you like that rifle in .270 best, then that's the rifle you will shoot best, therefore, since each round you list will be more than enough gun for a blackie, I'd be rooting for the ergonomic choice. Your .270

 

[H4831]

A 30-30, with the standard 170 grain soft point bullet, is an excellent combination for shooting black bears.

 

[Longwalker]

Choose the rifle that you like the best, shoot the best, fits you best and you don't have to fiddle with. The one with the clearest an most reliable scope is another factor. Any of those are more important than the choice of cartridge/bullet that you are comparing.

 

[ironshooter]

I see that you have a few great options here but can we know a bit more on what rifles you are gonna use ?

 

[xdmer]

I'll most likely be using this for the spring hunt, unless I scout someplace with a little more distance, then it's .270 for me.

A 30-30, with the standard 170 grain soft point bullet, is an excellent combination for shooting black bears.

 

[Royzo]

Take your pick....... they are all quite capable calibers with proper shot placement.

 

[hoytcanon]

Choose the platform you have the most confidence in... of those cartridges, there is little difference in the practical field effectiveness.

 

[MD]

I see that you have a few great options here but can we know a bit more on what rifles you are gonna use ?

270 shooting Federal Blue box ammo with 130 grain Speer Grand slams (1953 Husqvarna)

270 with 150 grain Hornady Interlocks (1955 Husqvarna 4100 lightweight )

7x57 shooting 139 grain Hornady Interlocks(1957 Husqvarna 4100 lightweight)

280 shooting 140 grain Federal Fusion bullets (Custom on Brno Mauser action)

300 Winchester with Winchester Super X factory 180 grain bullets (Century Arms Centurion on US M17 action)

 

[brybenn]

Depends on terrain and how you hunt. If longer than 150 yards the 300 if 20 yards I'd use a slower heavier bullet. Personally I use a 458 wm and 45/70

 

[BigUglyMan]

There is no wrong answer there.

 

[carverk]

you already put a lot of thout in to this bast on your choices of caliber so just pick the rifle you like best

 

[Grizzly Adams]

None of the Above. You need to buy a .375 H& H.

Grizz

 

[Ltbull01]

I think they're all good. I'd lean towards the 280 combo myself.

 

[nowarningshot]

no reason to not kick a little harder. 300wm

 

[triton]

All good. Unless you are shooting long distance. I'd leave the .300 at home. That's just me though. I would pick the 7x57, or .280 myself. If you are hunting over bait. Pretty tough to beat a 30/30 with open sights. Just my 2 cents.

triton.

 

[MD]

All good. Unless you are shooting long distance. I'd leave the .300 at home. That's just me though. I would pick the 7x57, or .280 myself. If you are hunting over bait. Pretty tough to beat a 30/30 with open sights. Just my 2 cents.

triton.

No baiting in BC. I've shot plenty of bears with the 300 but it is feeling very heavy to pack around (it is built on an Enfield action) since I got those light Husqvarna rifles.