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Author Topic: Advise for Cordova Brown Bear Hunt  (Read 843 times)

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Offline lgall

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Advise for Cordova Brown Bear Hunt
« on: March 24, 2005, 12:14:19 PM »
I have a chance to go on a Cordova Brown Bear Hunt in September.  I wanted to know if my 30-06 will be enough for this hunt and if so what factory loads would work.  I was thinking Federal High Energy 180grain Nosler Partition or Trophy Bonded Bear Claw.  Please give me any advise that you can.
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Offline Daveinthebush

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« Reply #1 on: March 24, 2005, 03:12:08 PM »
If I was purposefully going on the hunt of a lifetime for a brown, I'd take something bigger.  Yes, it can do it.  And you will be hunting the salmon streams in the areas so shots will be close.  

I don't know where out of Cordova you'll be hunting but on one of the islands there are some huge bears.  I would not want a 30/06 in my hands if I walked into the wrong bear.  

Your guide might be just crusing the shorelines and you might be shooting from the boat.  In that case yes.

I'd rather have a .338 or .375 in my hands.
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Offline Sourdough

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Advise for Cordova Brown Bear Hunt
« Reply #2 on: March 25, 2005, 08:30:33 AM »
Just be aware the 30-06 can do it, but it is classified as the bare minimum.  I personally carry a 30-06 in the winter time.  Come spring I carry a .338 Win. Mag.  or one of the .35s.  All we have here is Grizzlies (same bear just don't get as big as the Coastal bears).  When I go to the coast I carry the .338 only.  I have a very interesting video of Jim Schokley, the Canadian Guide that has taken everything with a muzzleloader.  He went after a Coastal Brown with an Encore .50 cal, he will never do that again, and advises no one else try it.  Jim shot the bear twice I believe, but it took several shots from the guides .375H&H to finally stop the beast.  Jim feels that a muzzleloader is just not adequate for the job.  I feel the same about a 30-06, or anything smaller than .338.
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Offline AK737FO

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« Reply #3 on: April 02, 2005, 06:54:20 AM »
If you are going to spend the time and money to come all the way to Alaska to go on a brown bear hunt - you can save up enough money to buy a bigger gun.  I have hunted all over Prince William Sound with a 30-06.  I was deer hunting in bear country and I have never had any problems, but you have to be aware of your situation.  I think it is a different story if you are bear hunting.  I would choose a 375 H&H.  I have been nose to nose with mr. bear with that rifle in my hands and my confidance factor was high - it would not have been so high with my 06 in my hands.  You will also find a lot of 338's up here, some 375/338's, lots of 45-70's.
If you are flying out to Hitchenbrook Island from Cordova, give Gale a call with "Fishing and Flying".  She is a top notch bush pilot, she is probably 60 some years old and has been flying out of Cordova since she was in her 20's.  She has been there and done that and will get you in and out safely.  I've flown with her for years.
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Offline Yukon Jack

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Advise for Cordova Brown Bear Hunt
« Reply #4 on: April 06, 2005, 08:01:32 PM »
If I were going to use a 30-06 for brownies, I'd load up the heaviest and most strongly constructed bullets I could find.  I'd want some more than the 180's.  The 220's would be more appropriate.  I'd feel much better with a 338 or 375.

Cordova Air is also a good outfit to fly with out of Cordova.  Sounds like you may already have your hunting spot or transportation lined up?
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