If you were to buy a rifle today.... (Range Report Added)! post #59

Federal Fusion 150 grain 30-06 shoots extremely well out of T3 barrels! [sorry to hijack thread]

I already got the rifle I want today:

Tikka T3 Battue in 30-06 with a Leupold VXR 1.25-4x20 in MaSi QD mount. It does it all, well.
 
Bartledan said:
Stainless Weatherby Vanguard in 30-06, Talley Lightweight Extended Low rings, and a Leupold VX-2 3-9x40.

Right around $1500, out the door.
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That's what I have . except I have a vortex viper HS 2.5 - 10 x44 on. Absolutely a great gun for the price, and the most versatile and capable caliber there is. In millions of people's opinions. But don't take my word for it, just go on line and read the reviews for yourself.
 
Thanks for the replies,
It's looking like there's a good amount of love for the 30 cal so far.

There's just something about a dedicated mid bore (35 cal) for bear that seems so appealing. ;)
 
GMC403 said:
Thanks for the replies,
It's looking like there's a good amount of love for the 30 cal so far.

There's just something about a dedicated mid bore (35 cal) for bear that seems so appealing. ;)
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Then, why not try the 35 Whelen ?
Great for Moose, Bear, just like a 9.3 in that respect.
Shot my first Whelen when I was a shinny teenager, still have and its handling old age better than I.. Lol !
 
Kevan said:
Then, why not try the 35 Whelen ?
Great for Moose, Bear, just like a 9.3 in that respect.
Shot my first Whelen when I was a shinny teenager, still have and its handling old age better than I.. Lol !
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I've previously owned 4 different Whelen's, but up until now I never really had a "need" for one.
Such a great cartridge though. I haven't had a 358 win in a while, so that's tempting too.

You know how it is...... Haven't bought anything in a while, and im caught between spring and fall hunting seasons.......
.......The wheels they are a spinning :)
 
Any short, compact 308 would be just fine. I would use 150 grain bullets. Sierras would be OK.
A friend of mine has probably shot more black bears than most of us have seen. Most were shot with a Remington 760 in 270 Winchester. His ammunition choice was Winchester 130 grain Silvertips (factory loads and no longer available). He shot bears with everything from 22LR to 375, as I recall. One of the quickest kills I witnessed was when we shot one bear simultaneously. I was shooting a 30/40 Krag with handloaded 150 Silvertips while he was using a 338 Win Mag with 225 Hornady's. Both were center hits and that bear was dropping before the recoil moved the scope! I don't think either bullet exited.
 
Dedicated black bear rifle?

Mine would be Win mod 88 in 358Win with 2.5x20mm Leupold scope shooting 225gr NP in front of plenty Win 748 powder.
I would tinker with trigger to be less "draggy" and under 4lbs....wait!
I had one like that 10 years ago or so and....SOLD IT !
I still regret it to this day!
 
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Leeper said:
Any short, compact 308 would be just fine. I would use 150 grain bullets. Sierras would be OK.
A friend of mine has probably shot more black bears than most of us have seen. Most were shot with a Remington 760 in 270 Winchester. His ammunition choice was Winchester 130 grain Silvertips (factory loads and no longer available). He shot bears with everything from 22LR to 375, as I recall. One of the quickest kills I witnessed was when we shot one bear simultaneously. I was shooting a 30/40 Krag with handloaded 150 Silvertips while he was using a 338 Win Mag with 225 Hornady's. Both were center hits and that bear was dropping before the recoil moved the scope! I don't think either bullet exited.
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Yup, a Ruger Scout wold be nice, as would one of those short barreled 788's.
However, I'll stick with my 303!
Cat
 
I have shot 9 bears so far. My worst results were with a .30-06, in that even though I hit the bear in the lungs, he managed to run,crawl, and drag itself over 275 yards from
the impact point. Took me a day and a half to find him. That was my last time I used a medium powered .308 caliber to hunt blackies.
I took my .300winmag and used it with great results for the next 3 bears. Now, I have mostly been using my Ruger Alaskan in .375 Ruger. The results are nothing short of breathtaking in how fast these bears eat dirt. Hard to go backwards in power once you see what a .375 caliber using 250gr TTSX bullets can do. It also feels exactly like my .300winmag in recoil. My friends all chide me about using a 375............................until they see it in action.
 
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I prefer 458 wm but that's just me. I've taken them with a 25/06 as well. If i could have one gun just for black bears I think 458x2" or 458 socom are perfect.
300 wm
35 Whelen
375 hh
Any of the 416 group as well
Depending on how and where you hunt calibers can be switched out easily but bring enough gun that will do the job every time on every bear not just when everything is perfect. Throw enough bullet to get to its intended place as well whether you're a behind the leg double lung or smash thru the shoulder type of shooter. Also remember blacks can get big and in the fall carry a lot of fat. Where I hunt 400 yards is now possible in the recent cuts so ill carry a 300 wm bolt action with me on my back and a double rifle in my hands for walking and stalking. If the bear is more than 75 yards I can easily swap out to the 300. Before the cuts I carried both a 45/70 and either a 25/06 or 458 wm on my back. Never saw it as a downside. A good flat shooting mid bore or 300 mag will work up close and allow you to reach out as well
 
sgt.rock said:
I have shot 9 bears so far. My worst results were with a .30-06, in that even though I hit the bear in the lungs, he managed to run,crawl, and drag itself over 275 yards from
the impact point. Took me a day and a half to find him. Last time I used a medium powered .308 caliber to hunt blackies. I took my .300winmag and used it with great results
for the next 3 bears. Now, I have mostly been using my Ruger Alaskan in .375 Ruger. The results are nothing short of breathtaking in how fast these bears eat dirt. Hard to go
backwards in power once you see what a .375 caliber using 250gr TTSX bullets can do. It also feels exactly like my .300winmag in recoil. My friends all chide me
about using a 375............................until they see it in action.
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I too experienced the same results this year with the 06'........... This is why I'm wondering if a mid bore is a better choice for the specific job of hunting Blackies.
 
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