Help with 8x57 load for Black Bear

mosinmaster

mosinmaster

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Hi,

I'm going black bear hunting in a month and I'm going to be using my Husky 8x57. I have Sierra 200 gr Pro-Hunter and Speer 175 gr Hot Cor soft point bullets to reload using PPU brass.

I've only shot the 198 gr FMJ Prvi in this rifle and it was dead on using the factory irons, and I was hitting the gong at 200 meters if I did my part. I want to mimic this FMJ performance using a soft point hunting bullet.

Firstly, if I used the Sierra 200 gr bullets, anybody know what kind of powder would give similar performance to the 200 gr Prvi ammo?

This is Prvi's data: 8 mm Mauser FMJ BT 198gr;665m/s; 2840J; 610mm barrel length tested

Secondly, will 200 gr SP penetrate and expand enough to kill a black bear without it running off? I suppose I'm asking, will it transfer enough kinetic energy while breaking bone and tissue to basically drop it?

The other option I have is a 150 gr 30-30 Marlin but I don't want to risk being underpowered. I have some 170 gr Rem Cor-Lokts as well, but my rifle is sighted in using the 150gr, do you think POA and POI will vary significantly as 100 yards?

Thanks!

P.S. How long are the usual engagements with black bears?
 
probably around 40 grains of 4064 or RL 15 will be close.

there should be no problems on the bear provided (as usually) you hit it in the right spot.
 
I would pick the 8x57 over the .30-30 any day. Should be no problem with the 200 gr. Sierra, but if you want extra insurance try a 200 gr. Nosler partition or a Woodleigh.

50-52 grs. of IMR 4350 should put you in the ballpark.
 
Your 8x57 will be fine for black bear with either of those bullets.

You will have to work up loads in your individual rifle and sight in with that load.

In terms of 'how long are engagments', I'm not sure if you mean distance or time from the shot to expire. In some areas, black bears aren't shy, and can be shot at 50 yards easily; in other areas you need to work to get within 100 yards (open sight range...). If you hit your bear properly, he may DRT, but more often they take off at a run and then go down 30 - 60 yards later. I've seen medium sized black bears hit solidly with .338 WM and .375 H&H take off like a frieght train and run hard for about 100 yards, so don't just expect him to fall over, even on a good hit. If your bear does run off, leave him be for a full 15 minutes and then follow along and tag his corpse. Never chase.
 
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I have worked up a load for one of my rifles that it really seems to like. I can't give you any feedback as to how effective it is on game because I haven't shot anything with this particular load. It is just a very consistent and accurate load in my rifle.

Norma brass
Win large rifle primer
48 grains of 4064 powder
Nosler 180 grain ballistic tip bullet.

If you want a really stiff factory load, check out Sellier and Bellot with the 196 grain soft point. Not always easy to find. If recoil is any indicator, it is considerably hotter than factory Remington stuff.
 
If you want to match the factory ballistics and your fixed sight setting you should use the same weight bullet at the same speed. I have done only limited reloading for my 8x57IS but my Brno shoots the Sierra 175's accurately and fast with the Hodgdon's max published load of 53gr. W748 with Win. brass & primers. Please note that your rifle may not accept that much W748 powder.
I intend to work up a factory duplication load for my rifle with H4350 and Nosler 200's or Hornady 195's ( can't find any 198's) as soon as enough snow has gone to use my chronograph. Just under 2500 fps is my goal.
As Northman already advised you, it is not realistic to think that a bear ( or any other big game animal) will drop on the spot with a well placed shot. Instant kills are written about so much on internet forums that newbies think it is normal. Unless the central nervous system is hit, instant kills are the exception. Be prepared to follow up all shots, even the " good " ones!
 
mosinmaster said:
BC, Spot & Stalk.. Could I get close enough with a 170 gr 30-30?
Click to expand...

Of course. As long as you are hunting the wind correctly. It's the biggest problem with bears especially, since they've got such incredible sense of smell. Biggest black bear I ever had a crack at I fcuked up because I didn't play the wind correctly.

But put the wind in your face, and you can get really close. Depends what the bear is doing of course. The ideal situation is a bear that is feeding. It's easy to get within 10 yards; I've been almost close enough to kick a bear, before it sensed me.

Big bears can get a bit pissy when you disturb them, when they are feeding. Get yourself some threat display, biting, slapping shrubs, etc, jaw popping stuff doing that sometimes. That is really cool behavior to observe. Be ready to shoot.

Also, what are you hunting? Do you want a huge bear, or just any bear? Know ahead of time, and know how to judge the size.
 
The 8x57 is closer in power to the 30'06 than the 30'30 especially when handloaded, accuracy wise I find mine likes 200 gr + bullets while my. '06 likes 180gr.and less. You will not be handicapped in anyway with your Mauser. The 1st one I dumped with mine had his jaw smack hard into the dirt right were he stood.
 
I have shot 3 Black Bears with my 8x57 [a 700 Remington "Classic"]

One was shot with the 200 Accubond at 2640 fps. [Broadside, passthrough.] He ran about 30 yards and expired
One was shot with the 180 Ballistic Tip at 2800 fps. [Broadside, also a passthrough] DRT.
One was shot with the 200 Partition at 2650 fps, and shattered the onside shoulder, then exited behind the offside.
He pushed himself along for about 15 feet, then died.

No shot was over 175 yards....the closest [180 BT] was 40 yards.

I believe the 8x57 is excellent bear medicine.

Regards, Eagleye.
 
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