Bear defense question...

T

troutseeker

CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Rating - 99.8%
409   1   0
Location
Prince George, BC
Hello fellow CGN members. I have a legitimate question about bear defense.

As we all know, bigger is better in putting down ferocious carnivorous bears...

I own a Marlin 1895 in 45-70, and it is a fine bear rifle. My problem is that I just recently acquired a Remington Model 7 in .350 Rem Mag and that is also a dandy bear gun! I know, what a problem to have...

Anyways, I really like the idea of using only one gun for most of my hunting. To date that was my Ruger in .300WM. Now I really like the shortness of the Model 7, plus I can feed it 180 to 250 grain pills (I don't know yet how accurate it is) as well as 125 grain pistol or cast bullets for small game.
It comes with sights and I plan on mounting a 1.5-5 VariX-III on it in Warne rings so I can have the best of both worlds.

I also like using cartridges deemed obsolete by CGN membership:p...

So I want so earnest opinions about the .350 Rem Mag, is it a do-it-all kinda rifle? Will it take down a charging Grizzly? Am I facing impending doom and death by disembowlement if I don't use a 45-70 for bear defense???

Anyone is welcomed to add comments, if you have .350 Rem Mag experience that will be considered a bonus!

Thanks a bazillion to all for your constructive input.

Troutseeker
 
Last edited:
350 rem mag is a great cartridge! Stoke it with premiums and put 'em where theyre supposed to go and it wont let you down.
 
But there is no CRF on a Remington Model 7 in .350 Rem Mag. Is that wise in a rifle meant for dangerous game?

BB
 
troutseeker said:
Am I facing impending doom and death by disembowlement if I don't use a 45-70 for bear defense???

Troutseeker
Click to expand...

Yup, you will be torn to shreds and die! Be a man and get a 50 cal:50cal:, or stay warm at home by your electric fireplace stroking your pea shooter :p :D

Am I kidding :confused:? No, I am very serious :eek:
 
troutseeker said:
Hello fellow CGN members. I have a legitimate question about bear defense.
...So I want so earnest opinions about the .350 Rem Mag, is it a do-it-all kinda rifle? Will it take down a charging Grizzly? Am I facing impending doom and death by disembowlement if I don't use a 45-70 for bear defense??

Troutseeker
Click to expand...

The 350 Rem Mag is only an effective bear stopper if it used in conjunction with the 673 Guide gun. After you have emptied your magazine into yogi and if he is still charging, you have the option of employing the "harpoon" defense and capt nemo'ing his ass. :D

Seriously though, a Model 7 is a nice light, pointable rig and the .350 Rem is no slouch in the penetration department. As a bear defense round it will deliver the same ME as the .45 round and at higher velocity. In a hunting scenario the .350 will offer flatter shooting and longer effective range than the .45. I'd take the model 7

What rifle action do you prefer and how do they both fit you?
 
Wild_Thing said:
What rifle action do you prefer and how do they both fit you?
Click to expand...

I much prefer bolt actions and I operate them nearly as quickly as I do lever actions. I find that cycling a bolt action takes way less movement and allows me to remain on target as opposed to jerking my elbow cycling the lever and having a lever rifle move around.

The model 7 fits me great and I dont get punched by my own thumb when I fire it...

All things considered I'm pretty sure I will keep the 7 and dispose of the 1895...

Troutseeker
 
crazy_davey said:
Yup, you will be torn to shreds and die! Be a man and get a 50 cal:50cal:, or stay warm at home by your electric fireplace stroking your pea shooter :p :D

Am I kidding :confused:? No, I am very serious :eek:
Click to expand...

Yes. Most bears that see you will charge instantly. Do you realize that one of the best kept secrets that they won't ever tell you is that they eat thousands of people a year! And they're tougher then you realize. Your trusty old deer gun just won't do the job!!!! :eek:

Best start with this and work your way up....
http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?t=193924

grizzlydvd.jpg
 
Last edited:
If you pack a rifle solely for bear protection I would choose the .45-70 (actually I'd choose a .458) but for hunting in bear country, a .350 magnum carbine is a very good choice.

Push feed vs CRF makes for interesting reading in these pages, but the question you need to be concerned with is, does YOUR rifle function reliably? If the answer is yes your can concentrate on becoming proficient with it. If the answer is no then you must determine if the problem relates to ammunition or the rifle. An ammo problem can be easily resolved, but if a problem arises with the rifle you should not take it afield until the problem is resolved and you are once again confident that it works every time all the time.

Potential problem areas, are the same with any bolt action rifle chambered for powerful cartridges. Improper bedding can result in stock cracking. My .350 magnum cracked right through the forearm and down though the pistol grip. Some styles of bullet might not feed as well as you might like. This is a trail and error situation, and every rifle is different.

A particular problem you might encounter with the .350 is that the lead might be a little short for long bullets. This might result in having to seat the bullet into the powder space of the cartridge, and the short .350 doesn't have any excess capacity to spare. Try to choose bullets that you can seat evenly with the base of the neck that will still function through the magazine. If the rifle ever needs a trip to a gunsmith, you can decide at that point if a longer lead is beneficial.
 
"...Will it take down a charging Grizzly?..." Absolutely nothing will guarantee a one shot stop. Not even a head shot with a .45-70. Assuming you have time to make any shot. Yogi is extremely fast. If he wants you (he doesn't), he'll have you. Yogi will avoid you like the bad smell you are.
 
Boomer that was an excellent response/comment I couldn't have responded better actually I couldn't even come close... :)

As for some of you other guys you have far too much time on your hands don't you... :D
 
Troutseeker, I don't have a 350 Remington but I do have a .35 Whelen and I can tell you that it well definitely knock the hell out of a bear. All in all, the 350 Remington will be a better balanced bear rifle. However, the Marlin 1895 is a great rifle firing a great round. I had one but stupidly sold it to a guy from B.C. Oh wait, that was you I sold it to. lol
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom