what's a good round for black bear?

I think just about the perfect black bear gun would be a bolt action (of your preffered flavor) chambered in 350 Rem Mag or 35 Whelen. a strong, weather resistant fiberglass stock, a 22" stainless steel barrel, some good iron sights, a quick detach scope mount system, with a leupold VXIII 1.75-6x32mm scope

pop some 225 Barnes TSX downrange @ 2700 fps...might just work ;)
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You are all wrong!!!

The only cartridge that will kill blackies is the 7mm Rem Mag. Those blackies just shake off everything else;) :D :rolleyes: :p .

Serioiusly, anything around the .270 (with the proper loads) and up will do just fine for killing. If you are hunting in close quarters, you would most likely want something a bit bigger though!
 
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Just remember - WHATEVER you shoot it with - reload fast and watch the bugger for a while. If he even twitches to get up, or doesn't go down hard - hit him again! They're notorious fakers.


You must be tough if you eat that stuff! Worst meat on the planet in my opinion.
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I think bear must be different in different places. Here they taste pretty good, and you're required by law to harvest the meat. I love bear meat.
 
todbartell said:
I think just about the perfect black bear gun would be a bolt action (of your preffered flavor) chambered in 350 Rem Mag or 35 Whelen. a strong, weather resistant fiberglass stock, a 22" stainless steel barrel, some good iron sights, a quick detach scope mount system, with a leupold VXIII 1.75-6x32mm scope

pop some 225 Barnes TSX downrange @ 2700 fps...might just work ;)
​
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My first "magnum" rifle was a .350 Remington, and it works, but it is hardly a magnum in the truest sense of the word being a ballistic equal of the .35 Whelen, without having the advantage of being able to load bullets heavier than 250 grs. without loosing powder capacity. It did remove the paint from my pick-up quite efficiently when I shot over the hood though.

In any case the .350 would be a better choice today than when I owned mine due to the availability of so many good bullets. At the time I thought it was the best balanced cartridge available for the areas I hunted, the rifles could be trim and light, and with a 250 gr. bullet at 2500 fps it was powerful enough for the big bears. I had the TV screen 23/4X Redfield wide angle scope - safe to say tastes have changed in optics.
 
The best round is the one that breaks the front shoulders....then send another into his chest....then another......placement is the key. I've killed bear with 117g 25-06 and seen guys loose bears with a 300 Ultra Mag......dont worry about holes in the hide. Taxidermists get paid to sew.

Good luck on the hunt. Foxer gave you some great advice.
 
Here Are A Few

shot a few bears in my time the 270 weatherby with 140 grain barnes X does the trick always trick is get them broad side and take out the lungs and if you want to the 30 06 with 200 grain partition works well to especially front shoulder bone punching power all around versatile is the 300 mag with the wierrra boattail in federal premium excellent medicine for black bear and other big game animals GOOD LUCK
 
I wouldn't hesitate to use anything .260rem and up.


I will take diameter over speed everytime though. there isn;t a blackbear on this earth that needs a magnum.

something on a .30-06 case would be my choice. .338, .35, etc.
 
Foxer said:
No - and none. It may be adequate with the right ammo (which that wasn't) but it's certanly not a 'good' rifle.
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Blasphemer! Heretic! :D

At least with the SKS you have a bayonet at the ready. :D

But IMHO a .303 Enfield with 10, 180 grain bullets, in it's magazine. :)
 
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