Grizzly Rifle

In reality a .30-06 with a 180 or 200 grain premium bullet is just fine.

However this is a forum for gun nuts and sometimes gun nuts like something a little bit more niche just because.

I would get that 375 Ruger Alaskan. Both the .375 H&H and 375 Ruger are very practical hunting cartridges. A 260 grain AB at 2700-2800 fps is as flat as a .30-06 (flat enough for longer shots if needed) but it packs a whole lot more energy. The rifle is practical for other game too.
 
Boomer said:
At one time the notion that someone would consider the .30/06 insufficient for grizzly hunting would be met with amazement. The .30/06 loaded with 180 gr Partitions was the grizzly gun. Today the .30/06 is no less effective, and should probably considered a prudent minimum, but there is a broader selection of choices. Your rifle should be chosen with consideration to the type of country you'll be hunting in. Steep difficult hunting suggest that a lightweight rifle is beneficial, so you might not want that one chambered for in .340 Weatherby. Likewise, a hunting rifle doesn't fill the same roll as a protection rifle, so unless you just want one, there's little benefit to choosing a .458 or even a big case .375. One of the .300 magnum cartridges would be excellent, but consider the weight of the rifle before jumping on that bandwagon.
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As expected, Boomer speaks with words of reason and practicality. To suggest one NEEDS a 375....."anything" to harvest an inland Grizzly is on the same level as saying one NEEDS at least a 30-06 to harvest a deer.
While I have a 338, it would likely stay home and one of my lighter 308 Norma Mags, loaded with the venerable 200 Partition would accompany me. D.
 
Another rifle that would do is my .45-70 Ruger No.1 loaded with a 350gr TSX bullet at 2400 fps MV.

45-70_No1_Bushnell_1.75-5x20mm_zpswjmh89sz.jpg
 
Boomer said:
At one time the notion that someone would consider the .30/06 insufficient for grizzly hunting would be met with amazement. The .30/06 loaded with 180 gr Partitions was the grizzly gun. Today the .30/06 is no less effective, and should probably considered a prudent minimum, but there is a broader selection of choices. Your rifle should be chosen with consideration to the type of country you'll be hunting in. Steep difficult hunting suggest that a lightweight rifle is beneficial, so you might not want that one chambered for in .340 Weatherby. Likewise, a hunting rifle doesn't fill the same roll as a protection rifle, so unless you just want one, there's little benefit to choosing a .458 or even a big case .375. One of the .300 magnum cartridges would be excellent, but consider the weight of the rifle before jumping on that bandwagon.
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Stop this nonsense. Trying to talk someone out of a new rifle purchase should be illegal! :)
 
chuck nelson said:
The obsession this forum has with bigger bores is actually kind of funny. Worry more about a properly functioning, portable rifle than cartridge choice.
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Agree, Your 30-06 is more than capable. Bullet placement is 100% more important than the size of your lead. But, you should go out and purchase another gun anyways. Just buy one that you would use on more than one hunt.
 
Eagleye said:
As expected, Boomer speaks with words of reason and practicality. To suggest one NEEDS a 375....."anything" to harvest an inland Grizzly is on the same level as saying one NEEDS at least a 30-06 to harvest a deer.
While I have a 338, it would likely stay home and one of my lighter 308 Norma Mags, loaded with the venerable 200 Partition would accompany me. D.
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Good choice of calibre and also one of my favorites. Over the years, it's been a very reliable performer, on paper and in the field.





While there'd be no hesitation on my part to give it the call for some of the bigger Bears etc, there have been a few acquisitions lately that are bigger calibre and some I'd like to 'exercise' in the field.
 
As mentioned, the 30-06 with premium bullets is a sensible minimum. I'd take that even further, 308 Win with a 180gr Partition or accubond. Keep shot distances between 75 and 175 yards, ensure placement is surgical. I like the 375 Ruger m77, very portable, accurate, reliable and gives good performance downrange. Doesn't kick any worse than a 300 Win Mag either

I'll also add - big difference between shooting a grizzly across a slide at 150 yards, and going into the willows looking for him after the shot. I'm pretty sure any cartridge from 6.5 Swede on up, with good bullets, will kill a bear. But what do you want in your hands when you're wading through this #### following the blood trail, if there is one?

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Mike spoke with real words and good advice but in the same we are on gunnutz ... but bearhunter is asking advices for getting a new gun .... we have to oblige and help him ...

if you reload i will have some 200 grains in Nosler Partition with your 30-06 now if you really want a new gun we are in a different pattern. as Mike said having a 375 just for having it but not really using it and having some buyers remorse ... Doug and Mike mentionned a 300 mag might be a better option.

on my opinion the 9.3x62 is another option (mentionned earlier too) to consider because i really like it and even good performance as the 375 is it not a magnum the recoil is roughly as a 300 win mag but launching some nice 285 grains bullet.

you need to find the rifle that fits you in the caliber efficient if you already have it then time for practising ...
 
Boomer said:
At one time the notion that someone would consider the .30/06 insufficient for grizzly hunting would be met with amazement. The .30/06 loaded with 180 gr Partitions was the grizzly gun. Today the .30/06 is no less effective, and should probably considered a prudent minimum, but there is a broader selection of choices. Your rifle should be chosen with consideration to the type of country you'll be hunting in. Steep difficult hunting suggest that a lightweight rifle is beneficial, so you might not want that one chambered for in .340 Weatherby. Likewise, a hunting rifle doesn't fill the same roll as a protection rifle, so unless you just want one, there's little benefit to choosing a .458 or even a big case .375. One of the .300 magnum cartridges would be excellent, but consider the weight of the rifle before jumping on that bandwagon.
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There you have it. :)

Grizz
 
JMOP, and have never had the privilege of hunting grizzly, but have taken my share of black bears and then some.....

While black bears are different in size and temperament, they don't differ much from grizzly in regards to their physical make up....

When hunting bear, it's important to remember that they have very low heart rates so they don't bleed out as quickly as an ungulate... for this reason, I prefer to use a chambering that hits hard and fast (even black bears do some weird shyte after being hit before they die)....

This is why I disagree with the "bigger cal is the better cal" crowd.....

A .45-70 may be a good "eat right up to the hole" cartridge, but its low on energy....

IMOP, the 375's, 300 mags and the like ar much better choices...... and yes, as boomer said, even an aught six would likely do.... and all have an advantage over a lumbering,falling safe trajectory cartridge like the .45-70
 
todbartell said:
As mentioned, the 30-06 with premium bullets is a sensible minimum. I'd take that even further, 308 Win with a 180gr Partition or accubond. Keep shot distances between 75 and 175 yards, ensure placement is surgical. I like the 375 Ruger m77, very portable, accurate, reliable and gives good performance downrange. Doesn't kick any worse than a 300 Win Mag either

I'll also add - big difference between shooting a grizzly across a slide at 150 yards, and going into the willows looking for him after the shot. I'm pretty sure any cartridge from 6.5 Swede on up, with good bullets, will kill a bear. But what do you want in your hands when you're wading through this #### following the blood trail, if there is one?

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Sound advice.. Every real world hunt is not staged like you see on Wild T.V.
 
A 30-06 is a good all around gun that can get the job done. You are looking for a bigger gun to get the job done and protect yourself in any bear related situations. I started out with the good old 30-06, still have it. I picked the 338 win mag in a kimber Montana for a step up in caliber, its light, handles well and shoots a proper bullet for the job. I Have used it from coyotes to moose and just about everything in between northern B.C. has to offer because I like it so much. You don't need a Montana, it's just the rifle I picked. You need a 338 win mag in the rifle of your choice. Along the way I picked up an M70 in 375 h&h which is more than enough for the job. The 375 with 300 grain accubonds is a fun gun but is more expensive to shoot (yes I handload, 375 bullets are still expensive) and everything it can do in North America my 338 can also do while being lighter, cheaper to use, and less felt recoil in my kimber than my safari express 375 due to stock design. A 250 grain 338 bullet has a very similar trajectory as the 30-06 with a 180 and a lot more bone crushing thump. I have been using the 210 grain ttsx in my 338 and I am happy with the results on game out to 320 yards. I won't hesitate to use the 210 ttsx bullet on a grizzly. Having both the 338 and the 375, I found the 338 more useful on this continent. Good luck on your grizzly adventure.
 
Buddy use to guide up North. He had a .338 A lot of his American clients had .338's also
The consensus was to use the 210 gr. Most seem to think it had more terminal power as compared to a heavier bullet.
One of his clients used a Browning Bar in .338 for all his hunts world wide
 
Hunting dangerous game of any kind with a single shot rifle is a fool's game IMHO............unless that is all you have and can afford. Then my advice is get close and be 100% positive of a completely debilitating shot before touching the trigger, or walk away and try again another day.
 
bearhunter79 said:
Hey reaching out to the forum for some help! Just drew a spring grizzly tag and its a good reason to buy a new rifle just for this trip. I will be hunting west of Valemont BC, foothills of the Rockies and need everyone's help based on their experience as to what to buy. My go to Black bear and everything else rifle is a
30-06 with a 20 inch barrel and I love it, but why not get something new. Would like to get something soon so I can get some range time in with it but non of the gun stores around me have anything that has left me feeling more than so so.
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I'd be fine with the rifle you have now. The '06 with loads made for the mission will do the job on grizz just dandy at sensible ranges. Switching to a different set-up will not give you the time to get used to it as far as load development time, muscle memory for the new rifle & feel for the optics. Your go-to gun would be fine in most grizz scenarios as long as ye are wary & sure shootin'.
 
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Wow this has been great all around advise from everyone. I know the aught 6 will do the job and am very comfortable with it ( its a Sako 85 black bear) and believe me it will be in the truck when I go, but the wife gave me the blessing to buy something new and new it will be. The main reason I started this was because I am going to have to buy something online for lack of selection around me and without the opportunity to handle it first needed everyone,s help.
 
If I was going on a dedicated grizzly hunt, I'd buy an Accumark in 340 Weatherby.

Please note: I don't know beans about bear hunting. This is just my speculation.

The 340 has plently of grunt to be a morale booster up close and at night, and goes fast for a nice long, flat poke from a safe distance.
 
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