Smaller Calibers in Grizzly Country

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Leavenworth

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Lowermainland B.C.
Wondering how many of you hunt with smaller under .30 caliber rifles for deer, goats, sheep, while hunting in Grizzly country ? Do you feel under gunned when doing this ? Just a thought .
Thanks
Leavenworth
 
Only thing that will stop a Grizzly is shot placement. A 6.5 Creed and a .416 Rem are surprisingly similar on bears when you have one second to drop one. Folks get all wound up about grizzlies in BC and then carry a .338... with a 4-12x scope they wouldn’t be able to see a 5 yard bear through, and have never practiced snap shooting looking over the top of.
 
I spent the better part of a decade doing forestry development with nothing more than an axe and a pocket knife.

I never put Grizz into the equation when grabbing a rifle to take out hunting.
 
I carry 6.5 or 7mm in grizzly areas. I have set my own minimum of a 150gr bullet. I suspect the number of grizzly encounters with people will rise with last years hunting ban.
 
time4t said:
My caliber choice is for the game at hand, not for the boogieman or yogi that might come after me. Ardent speaks common sense
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Ardent also carries a 375hh double gun. Lol

I don't spend much time in real griz country (they're around some places I hunt but in very low numbers) so I don't worry about it. 270win with a 130gr interbond will be the choice this fall as I'm down to my last few ballistic tips. I really liked the 150 partition but they're expensive and I got a killer deal on the interbonds so I'll be trying them this year...
 
It's kinda like wearing rubber soled boots in case of being struck by lightning?
Situational awareness, sight, and smell, go a long ways towards avoiding bears.
For everything else, and when it can't be avoided, pack a rig accordingly.
R.
 
I hunt grizz country more often than not with my 7mm08. I don't worry about it. I've stumbled into a few grizz, a couple a little too close for comfort. They always run off like a bat out of hell. If it came down to it shot placement will be more important than anything else.

Lots of hikers/climbers go through grizz country daily with nothing more than bear spray and violent encounters with bears are very rare. Not worth worrying about.
 
As some have already indicated, the biggest myth of "bear protection" is the thought that if it is a really big bullet, you are safer. Shot placement will be absolutely essential to stopping a bear encounter, and if the placement is proper, most cartridges suitable for deer will do the job. If you don't hit the central nervous system, nothing you can shoot from your shoulder will do much to save you. The other idea with which I agree is that worrying about having enough gun to stop a bear is often a concern of those who don't spend a lot of time in bear country. Use a gun suitable for what you are hunting, pay attention to your surroundings to avoid surprises, and stop letting irrational fear ruin your experience of some of the most beautiful environments on the planet.
 
Markus said:
I spent the better part of a decade doing forestry development with nothing more than an axe and a pocket knife.

I never put Grizz into the equation when grabbing a rifle to take out hunting.
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You haven't been hunted by a Grizzly.. it will change you whole point of view on everything, including heading into their domain..it only takes once.
 
rral22 said:
As some have already indicated, the biggest myth of "bear protection" is the thought that if it is a really big bullet, you are safer. Shot placement will be absolutely essential to stopping a bear encounter, and if the placement is proper, most cartridges suitable for deer will do the job. If you don't hit the central nervous system, nothing you can shoot from your shoulder will do much to save you. The other idea with which I agree is that worrying about having enough gun to stop a bear is often a concern of those who don't spend a lot of time in bear country. Use a gun suitable for what you are hunting, pay attention to your surroundings to avoid surprises, and stop letting irrational fear ruin your experience of some of the most beautiful environments on the planet.
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This, straight up.
 
I have hunted all over my area, which is all grizzly bear country, with higher bear densities in some areas, and lower in others, with various sub 30 cal rifles for many years. Have hunted sheep and goats with the 6.5x55, 270 Win, 7mm Rem Mag, 7mm STW and a recurve bow. In some years I have seen or come across up to 20 grizzlies in the course of the season.

Have only had two close encounters on trails in the mountains with a bear, once while guiding, ran into a 8' bear on the trail at 10 yards, luckily he went the other way, and the horse I was on did not spook. My 358 Win was in the saddle scabbard, but was quickly gotten out after that. The other time we came around the corner and the 6' bear was at 20 yards, then ran off to 40, but turned around and came back to 8 yards. That was close enough as he was not showing any signs of breaking off his steady approach (not a charge). The 338 Win Mag I was carrying did take care of the situation. But that is the two close encounters in 35 years. But it does only take once to get into real trouble.

Being physically and mentally prepared and following good practices while in bear country are the biggest factors in staying out of potential problems.
And having any rifle and being able to put it into action quickly and effectively are more important than relying on a 30 cal or larger cartridge. But you must practice this, so that the actions happen naturally without having to think about it before doing it.
 
Leavenworth said:
Wondering how many of you hunt with smaller under .30 caliber rifles for deer, goats, sheep, while hunting in Grizzly country ? Do you feel under gunned when doing this ? Just a thought .
Thanks
Leavenworth
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I hunt with 6 MM , 6.5 MM and 7 MM in BEAR country and No i do not Feel under Gunned ! :p RJ

BUT i would trade for if able for my 300 WBee or 375 H&H if i could when needed ! ;)
 
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A heavy and big caliber certainly helps For your imperfect your shot placement. In an emergency and In a hurry, you do not have the certainty to make a perfect shot. Big calibers DO help!!!!!
 
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