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Author Topic: Contender for Black Bear??  (Read 611 times)

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Offline DLH

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Contender for Black Bear??
« on: October 01, 2003, 12:42:00 PM »
:D    OK BOYS!! your thoughts on whats good for BIG Black Bears?
 I mean bears over bait, that weigh over #400.
  I have a 45/70 , and a 44mag.  I was thinking of rechambering the 44 to 445SM, or a 444 Marlin. It's a 14"

Thanks
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Offline Blackhawk44

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Contender for Black Bear??
« Reply #1 on: October 01, 2003, 01:53:23 PM »
Really, either barrel you have should take care of varmints that size.  Its just a matter of picking the right loads.
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Offline JJFly

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Which One?
« Reply #2 on: October 01, 2003, 06:25:25 PM »
A quote "The 45-70 is the best sledgehammer under 150yds"  JD Jones.  While I don't agree with a lot he says, I have to agree with this.  In a Contender it really is hard to get a better sledgehammer.  My buddy Wayne hit a 305lb wild boar in TN with his 45-70 and 300gr Sierra FN and I was VERY impressed.  Huge wound channel and complete penetration.  That's all you can ask for.  Pick up some 400gr FN Hard Cast and it will do anything you ask of it.
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Offline Geno

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Contender for Black Bear??
« Reply #3 on: October 02, 2003, 03:39:01 AM »
Either one will do the job just fine. Until last year, my favorite was my 30/30 barrel. I switched last year to a 45/70 barrel for bears and really like it. It slam dunks them like a train ran right over them.
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Offline Hawkeye

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45-70 Bar none
« Reply #4 on: October 02, 2003, 05:00:46 AM »
:)  Just a little humor. I would use the 45-70 w/300 grn or bigger bullets.
I have done some bullet testing on wet phone books and clay burms and the 300 grn Sierra Flat Point, hollow point is nasty. It opens up to about a 60 cal size and keeps on going. I have taken deer through both shoulders and spun them around and on their backs and the bullet never stops.
If my old .35 Rem lever action will take bears, I know the 45-70 w/smoke them. Use a good low power scope and practice shooting at close range and distances to see what you point of impact is close if you hunt over bait.  Good luck and keep us posted on your hunt.  :grin:

Mike
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Offline jhalcott

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Contender for Black Bear??
« Reply #5 on: October 02, 2003, 07:51:02 AM »
where are you finding these 400# bears? They are few and far between. Not that they don't exist,Just get very wary to reach that weight /age!
 Either of the calibers you have will do the trick on baited bears,as the range is usually under 50 yards.If you just gotta have a new barrel and do handload, try a 309jdj or a 30-30 imp. I would not change MY 44 mag barrel ,it is too accurate and too much sentiments to alter it.  jh :wink:
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Offline DLH

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Contender for Black Bear??
« Reply #6 on: October 02, 2003, 12:27:53 PM »
:-D   Thanks  Guys!!
   Last year I shot a Blackie in Newfoundland ( had to use a RIFLE)  that weighed #457.  I'm booked for next year for Nortern Maine, the outfitter said   they got one bear that weighed #465, and #385.  and a lot of smaller ones. but just in case "I don't want to PI$$ OFF nothing I can't slap down"
   
  Speaking of the JDJ 309, I have a 30/40 Krag barrel that shoot exclent!!!

Thanks
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Offline myronman3

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Contender for Black Bear??
« Reply #7 on: October 02, 2003, 12:44:37 PM »
here in northern wisconsin i would say the average bear is around 240.   if a guy devotes enough time to it, he should be able to count on taking a 400+ animal.  my bud killed a 430 lb bear (dressed) this year; but on came in earlier that he couldnt get  a shot on that he thought was a shooter.   next bear to come in he guessed to be a buck and a half so he shot it.  when my brother went to help him retrieve it and he saw the bear he soon realized it was way more than 150.    
   i want to see the bear he saw before he shot this one.  they do get plenty big up here.
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