bear hunting ammo choice - help pls

Ian Sa

Ian Sa

CGN Regular
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Location
Toronto
I've read tons about black bears in Ontario and the right choice, but I am still hoping for some guidance.
I have chosen to use the rifle I'm most comfortable with....my DTA SRS in .308

I see alot of people say that .308 is barely enough for black bear but I'm hoping my increased experience on this calibre and rifle is better than firing something I'm not skilled in.
Where Im stuck is in choice of ammunition. I want to practice with the right cartridge and cause of work I only get a few opportunities...so Im in a hurry to fnid something I can practice with. I shoot targets with Hornady z-max and love it, but I think it's the wrong choice for 400lbs + game.

I tried to order some nosler 165g pt from Cabelas but their stupid order system won't let it be shipped to a different address than the pal has (my pal and restricteds are registered to my address in the country, but I want to go hunting near my cottage north of Timmins -- a no go with Cabelas). I've searched most of the CGN sponsors and can't find what I think is good bear ammunition here. Can anyone make a recommendation please? Hopefully something I can order this week...
 
I've never heard anyone say that a 308 is barely enough for a black bear...if they do say that, they are a fool. Basically any decent hunting bullet that your rifle shoots well will do the job. Any gun shop will have "good bear ammunition"
 
Ian Sa said:
I've read tons about black bears in Ontario and the right choice, but I am still hoping for some guidance.
I have chosen to use the rifle I'm most comfortable with....my DTA SRS in .308

I see alot of people say that .308 is barely enough for black bear but I'm hoping my increased experience on this calibre and rifle is better than firing something I'm not skilled in.
Where Im stuck is in choice of ammunition. I want to practice with the right cartridge and cause of work I only get a few opportunities...so Im in a hurry to fnid something I can practice with. I shoot targets with Hornady z-max and love it, but I think it's the wrong choice for 400lbs + game.

I tried to order some nosler 165g pt from Cabelas but their stupid order system won't let it be shipped to a different address than the pal has (my pal and restricteds are registered to my address in the country, but I want to go hunting near my cottage north of Timmins -- a no go with Cabelas). I've searched most of the CGN sponsors and can't find what I think is good bear ammunition here. Can anyone make a recommendation please? Hopefully something I can order this week...
Click to expand...

in my world....bear = 45-70 cal (in my 1895SBL!:)
 
so my hornady zmax is okay?
on other forums tehy say it fragments and expands too fast.

But the internet is full of bull$hit opinions and I'd like to hear from someone who actually uses .308 on black bear.
 
or a recommendation for a CGN dealer with good .308 hunting ammo.
lots of norinco surplus around but I can't find much good quality or high grain count around. Maybe I dont need it?
 
You tuck that bullet right behind a bears front shoulder and he's dead, With any .308 hunting bullet. I personally use Remington corelokts 180g for a .308. Killed 4 bears with that bullet in my Tikka. 2 died on the spot, the other two ran less that 75 yards.
 
Any cup and core bullet in the 150 to 180 grain range from a .308 Win will kill any bear walking... in my opinion, do not use the Z-Max bullets, they have a very thin jacket and come apart very easily... the standard Winchester Power Point or Power Max bullet will do just fine.
 
hoytcanon said:
Any cup and core bullet in the 150 to 180 grain range from a .308 Win will kill any bear walking... in my opinion, do not use the Z-Max bullets, they have a very thin jacket and come apart very easily... the standard Winchester Power Point or Power Max bullet will do just fine.
Click to expand...



This x 2
 
You're in Toronto, why don't you just head to Bass Pro, Gagnons, Sail, LeBaron, AlFlahertys, even Canadian Tire or Walmart instead of ordering ammo for your 308? Chances are you're going to be encountering 100-300lb bears, any medium-large game hunting round will work with good shot placement.

http://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/w...int-rifle-ammuniti-0751271p.html#.U73M5JR32So

They even sell Nosler at some stores.
http://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/nosler-ammo-308-win-165-a-bond-1750652p.html#.U73NRJR32So
 
Never had one argue with a 180gr Core Lokt. About the cheapest stuff I can find locally too, and all the LGS's/Canadian Tire/etc seem to have it. I have never put one of them through a shoulder, but have always got full pass through and easy tracking on side/quartering toward me shots. In fact Remington Core Lokt's out of my wimpy 308 have performed better on past bear than the experience I recently had with a Hornady 270gr Interlock SP in my 375 Ruger, but that's another story..

Black bear are not, on average, a 400lb animal either.
 
I have had good luck with Remington Corelokts 180g as well.... two dead bears.

ht tp://www.basspro.com/Remington-CoreLokt-Centerfire-Ammo/product/10207433/
 
A 3030 is a perfect black bear round over bait. A 308 beats that. Try Winchester Grey box cxp2 180 gr cheap stuff. It's all you need.

Personally I use a 45/70. This year I'll use a 458 wm just because. But I've dropped a 300 lb bear with a 25/06
 
thanks all, I didn't even consider Canadian Tire.
I figured the CGN sponsors would have a wide selection but so far could find nothing other than Norinco or target loads. And few websites with 165 grain, none with anything bigger.
Funny thing is that I don't know what kind of bears to expect north or Timmins but I would prefer not to be unprepared. I want to use my .308 and I don't see why I should not provided I use the right ammo. Xeon gave links to order it above and that's what I'll do. Thanks to all for the advice.

Cheers, Ian.
 
Ian;

You plan to hunt north of Timmins but can't travel to one of the outdoor stores mentioned in the GTA to pick out exactly what you need??? That makes no sense to me.

And yes, the .308 Winchester is a smart choice using a good quality 180gr HUNTING bullet.

Bob

www.bigbores.ca
 
I have no probelm driving to pickup ammunition. It's just that every site I've checked says they are out of stock.
Greenbob gave a link to bass pro shops (there is one in Concord) and they say they have .308Win 180grain corlokt in stock.
I'll take that advice, buy a few boxes, and sight in my rifle with this cartridge. With a little luck I'll have myself a nice bear rug this year.

Thanks to all, I appreciate the help. And if lucky I'll upload a pic or two after the hunt :)
 
I picked up 2 boxes of 180 gr. Federal Partitions in 308 from Sail in Toronto a year ago. Also a few boxes of 165 gr. Barnes TTSX from LeBarron recently. One will be used on black bear this fall. Not sure which one.

Everything you need is right here in the City and immediate surroundings.
 
use what ammo shoots the most accurate in your rifle nobody can tell you what will shoot good in your gun get as many brands/weights/types you can and try them all out. .308 is enough gun for the giant raccoons aka black bears we have in ONT it would be enough for moose as well bullet placement is what you need to worry about
 
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