A question about black bear hunting, hopefully some guides can chime in

Boomer said:
I use a .375 for polar bear protection, but if you could hunt these guys here, a .270 with a 160 gr Partition would get it done. The black bear ain't no polar bear, and the black bear hasn't lived that can survive a solid hit from a .270/130. Either the guide was exasperated by a deluge of questions, or he's doesn't know much. Then again, if you wanted to use a .375 on a black bear hunt, there's no reason not to.
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But polar bear do have a hard time hiding in heavy brush like black bear with no blood trail to follow, same goes for any other game in the Arctic, that's how Inuit get away with using small calibers.
My thought has always been that using the largest caliber and heaviest bullet you can shoot well is never a mistake. That doesn't mean the 375 is the bare minimum by any stretch, but a 270 with 130's would be a poor choice IMO, especially at close range. 160's would be much better.
 
I was just voicing my irrational and unfounded hatred for the 270...........;);):D

Besides 375 H&H is never a bad choice for any animal short of several tons............I happen to like shooting black bears with 35 cal magnums and up, it's just fun!!!
 
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If nothing else, the .375 would help tracking. I'm having a little trouble believing the guide is requiring one, and suspect that someone is just trying to get a reaction on the forum.

We got a couple this fall; one with a cough cough .270 cough Weatherby, and the other with a .300 Win Mag. There was no tracking necessary in either case.
 
bearkilr said:
But polar bear do have a hard time hiding in heavy brush like black bear with no blood trail to follow, same goes for any other game in the Arctic, that's how Inuit get away with using small calibers.
My thought has always been that using the largest caliber and heaviest bullet you can shoot well is never a mistake. That doesn't mean the 375 is the bare minimum by any stretch, but a 270 with 130's would be a poor choice IMO, especially at close range. 160's would be much better.
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I keep hearing that but . . .














 
I've killed 'em with a 243 and lost one with a 300 Winchester magnum. Shot placement is what counts. You hit a black bear in the right place and you can kill it with just about any centre fire calibre over .22.
 
brybenn said:
I've moved up to using a 458 wm for bear. Not for any need. I just love the gun. It works but so has my 45/70...
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I used to love it when a sport pulled a .45/70 out of his guncase... it is an ideal cartridge for Ontario bears.
 
hoytcanon said:
I used to love it when a sport pulled a .45/70 out of his guncase... it is an ideal cartridge for Ontario bears.
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Can't agree more. However mine is a double rifle with a 2.5x20 scope I use it for baiting and hunting in the thick. If i hunt an area that's a little more open I bring my 458 wm. Those big heavy bullets let a lot of light deep into bears
 
xdmer said:
So I should put my bow away? ... All joking aside, thats more than enough reason for a stand.
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No... comments like above show how ignorant many firearms shooters are of the mechanics and lethality of archery equipment on game... it is totally different in how it kills but is most certainly just as effective as ANY cartridge that you might choose...
 
hoytcanon said:
No... comments like above show how ignorant many firearms shooters are of the mechanics and lethality of archery equipment on game... it is totally different in how it kills but is most certainly just as effective as ANY cartridge that you might choose...
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Oh glad to hear it, I thought I'd be ostracized for even asking, why not? Not to derail the thread, 375 H&H min sounds bat .... crazy to me. *shrugs* I've also had no close encounters with a *large* bear in the bush either.
 
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