.280 Remington for Black Bear

[USMC_Hunter]

I'm going black bear hunting in PA this year. I'll be hunting the mountains in Sullivan County. I want to take along the M70 Featherweight in .280 rem. My back up will be M77 MkII in .308 win. Contacting the experts for advice on good/ proven bullet recommendations for both calibers.   

Thanks in advance.

S/F

[Graybeard]

I'd use either a 150 Nosler PT or any of the good 160 grain 7MM bullets if hunting bear.

[pastorp]

I agree with Greybeard on the 280. And 180gr corelocks have always worked for me in the 308. Regards, Byron 

[NYHunter]

You may want to consider using the factory165 gn. RN soft point CORE-LOCT from Remington in the .280 and the 180 grn. RN soft point CORE-LOCT in the .308. Providing your rifles shoot them fairly well.

Most guides and hunters in the northeast, where the shooting is usually not that far,  prefer the round nose soft point CORE-LOCT. It proviides a broad frontal area for rapid energy impact and rapid expansion". 

IMO, I agree. I took a black bear with a 180 grn. RN CORE-LOCT from my '06 at about 40yds. The shock on impact sent all four legs out in differnect directions, with his body hitting the ground. And then he was up and gone in a flash, but only went 50 feet.

With bears starting to build their winter fat reserve, and their fur,  I would go the .308, it will leave a larger exit wound that is less likely to close should the bullet not hit any ribs and pass between them.

Good luck...NYHunter

[alaskacajun]

The only bullets that I will use for bear are Nosler's and Barnes X.... I have a buddy who shoots a .280 AI and all he uses are Barnes X in it. Black Bears seldom take more than 1 shot from it before expiring!

- Clint

[NYH1]

In the 280 Rem. If I loaded my own which I don't do YET, I'd go with 150 or 160 gr. Nosler Partition or 160 gr. Trophy Bonded Bear Claw. I don't know much about the Barnes X bullets so I can't say anything about them.

Factory ammo I go with Federal's 150 gr. Nosler Partition or maybe Remington's 165 gr. Core-Lokt. Nosler is also loading their 160 Partition for the 280 Rem.

For the 308 Win. I'd go with the same bullets but in 180 gr.  Good luck!