Author Topic: Planning hunting trips what caliber for bear? (Read 1241 times)

Deerhunter#1 · « **on:** July 02, 2012, 11:16:23 PM »

Well decided that I am going to take two days off and go bear hunting here in PA. That said what caliber handi shoul I use. My loads for the 30-30 are with 125 sierra pro hunters at about 2400 ft second. Next option would be the maxi with the 180 hsp at about 2200 ft second. then I have the .270 with 130 hsp at about 2600 ft second. any thought on what would perform the best on say a 200-300 lb black bear at no further than 200 yards and in all reality 100 yards.

KIMBER45 · « **Reply #1 on:** July 02, 2012, 11:33:33 PM »

.270 with a 140 gr. TSX will work just fine. My friend killed one last year using a 7mm08.

44 Man · « **Reply #2 on:** July 03, 2012, 12:26:22 AM »

Actually any of the calibers you have are suitable for black bear. When bear hunting, I don't believe you need to worry about that 200 yd shot, it's more likely going to 30 yds or less. The 30-30 would be fine but I'd feel better going to a traditional 150 or 170 gr bullet. The Maxi would be fine as is and of course the .270 is usable for any 'non dangerous' game in North America. I would cevat that with use of 'proper bullets' for the game intended. I'm sure your .270 load will be fine. It's what I would use. 44 Man

YRUpunting? · « **Reply #3 on:** July 03, 2012, 12:39:33 AM »

I'd go with the 357 Max. There can't be many people who can claim they took a bear with a 357 Max.

Deerhunter#1 · « **Reply #4 on:** July 03, 2012, 02:32:29 AM »

I forgot also about the 44 mag. 44man is rite in all reality the shot will be short I said 200 but I dont even think in the woods I hunt I can even position myself for a shot that far. I do try to take advantage of positioning where I can get 100 yard pokes in some holes. the 160 ftx 30-30 flew well in my 30-30 so i can get a box just for that hunt. thank god I have about 5 months to decide and i am sure it will take me till the last day. what a problem to have

TopperT · « **Reply #5 on:** July 03, 2012, 03:02:11 AM »

If your considering hunting OVER bait, IMHO there is NOTHING as good as a 12 gage. I have shot several over bait in Maine and Canada and all I ever used was a 12 gage. One I used a 12 bore sideby.....The most one ever moved after the shot was "about" 30 yards and IF you have to follow a blood trail like I did for a friend who was using a bow, then a 12 bore is nice to have in your hands crawling around in thick cover.

petemi · « **Reply #6 on:** July 03, 2012, 04:44:13 AM »

You've got 5 months to get what I'd use......the FOUR FIVE - SEVEN ZERO. Seriously, all good advice above. Good luck on the hunt.

Pete

bikerbeans · « **Reply #7 on:** July 03, 2012, 04:50:54 AM »

+1 on using a 12 ga if hunting over bait. First black bear I shot was with a scoped 30-06 at about 25 feet. The other one I shot was with a scoped 7mm Rem Mag @ about 20 yards. I shot both of them in the head and it seemed like I had enough weapon for the job.

BB

Deerhunter#1 · « **Reply #8 on:** July 03, 2012, 05:14:47 AM »

No bait in pa and i quess i could use 20the guage usg also. I have counted put the 125receiver grain for the 3030. Maybe a 150 flat point.

BBF · « **Reply #9 on:** July 03, 2012, 08:43:09 AM »

I don't care for the 125 gr 30-30 bullets for bear.

bucco921 · « **Reply #10 on:** July 03, 2012, 09:05:52 AM »

I would tote the max. The average Pa black bear is around 200 lbs but on the off chance you run into a 300+ lb bear Id like the extra bullet weight. My friend has trail cam photos of a bear they estimate at 500+ lbs over here on the west side of Pa. If I have any vacation time left I will be out after him, probably with the 45-70 tho.

Deerhunter#1 · « **Reply #11 on:** July 03, 2012, 11:12:39 AM »

Sorry about that last post my phone adds as it wants. What I was saying is I counted out the 125 grain bullet in the 30-30. Was thinking I would load some 150 grain but the max is already performing better than the 30-30 and that is with a 180 grain bullet. still havent counted out the 44 mag with the 225 ftx or a 240 grain bullet. I will work on a 150 grain .270 load and it will be betwwen the 3. thanks for your thoughts.

gendoc · « **Reply #12 on:** July 03, 2012, 11:22:33 AM »

Quote from: bucco921 on July 03, 2012, 09:05:52 AM

My friend has trail cam photos of a bear they estimate at 500+ lbs over here on the west side of Pa. If I have any vacation time left I will be out after him, probably with the 45-70 tho.

gud thought....45/70 is always tha 1st choice in my book, even though we ain't got nuthin roun here that big that walks on feet thats consider'd a critter

and i wud take my max any day over tha 30/30

rdlange · « **Reply #13 on:** July 03, 2012, 12:19:47 PM »

I can't see doing a 30-30 with anything less than a 170gr, get close and aim VERY carefully. If I didn't have a 45-70, I'd go with a 20ga slug gun.

Only hunted bear one time and carried a 54 Hawken loaded stout, 115gr FFG as I recall.

I have faith in BIG lead.

gendoc · « **Reply #14 on:** July 03, 2012, 12:24:06 PM »

Quote from: rdlange on July 03, 2012, 12:19:47 PM

I have faith in BIG lead.

you said that rite RD !!!!

twoshooter · « **Reply #15 on:** July 03, 2012, 01:44:36 PM »

With 5 months there is time to pick up one of the "Big 3", a 444, 45/70, or 500. Do you like big holes, bigger holes, or the biggest holes?? At short range I would rather have the 500 than anything else, personally. Of what you mentioned I would go with a 30/30 and the 160 load. Best of luck, will watch for pictures.

Deerhunter#1 · « **Reply #16 on:** July 03, 2012, 01:49:13 PM »

I was thinking the big lead thing also which is why the 44 mag was thought of. 240 grain swc at about 1800 a second or a 260 grain 20 guage slug at 1600. Either i think would be deadly on a bear under 125 yards.

YRUpunting? · « **Reply #17 on:** July 03, 2012, 02:03:01 PM »

As I recall, Sourdough hunted brown bear in Alaska with a 25-06.

twoshooter · « **Reply #18 on:** July 03, 2012, 04:41:22 PM »

As I recall the great white hunter named Bell preferred a 7X57 with FMJ's for elephant, but it ain't a good idea

shinjin · « **Reply #19 on:** July 04, 2012, 12:55:49 AM »

I killed my 300 pounder with a .50cal BP. The Guide claimed he'd had people with 44 mags kill bears. Trick is to hit them in the RIGHT place because their heart and lungs sit further back in torso than deer. I shot mione like I would a deer, right behind the shoulder and had to track it down and kill it at 15 feet with a GUTSHOT.
You got to nearly gut shoot a bear to hit the heart and lungs so aim further back and use a caliber you can shoot accurately.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #20 on:** July 04, 2012, 03:51:18 AM »

Here are some shot placement guides for black bear.

Tim

http://bearbums.net/shot-placement-and-bear-vitals/

http://www.dundeesportsmansclub.com/dundee%20pic/bearshotplacement.pdf

shinjin · « **Reply #21 on:** July 05, 2012, 02:48:03 AM »

YEP, see how far back and low those vitals are?
If you shoot at rear of shoulf joint like a whitetail you'll miss everything.
Almost a gut shot, almost shooting the brisket is where the sweet spot is.

Deerhunter#1 · « **Reply #22 on:** July 06, 2012, 03:46:19 AM »

Well after the range trip today with the max and the 180 sp and lil gun she will be hard to leave home.

Deerhunter#1 · « **Reply #23 on:** November 08, 2012, 04:46:12 PM »

well i have it down to 2 options after further consideration. I will either push my 270 with 130 sp to near max but I am really leaning on the 160 30-30 ftx. heavy weight bullet and larger surface area. My stand is in the tree as I shot a doe there earlier this year and my longest shot is 150 yards. Though the 270 has more energy it is with a lighter bullet and at those distances think a bunch of the energy might be expended after it passes through the bear. The 30-30 should penetrate well at 2300 ft second and leave all its energy expended in the animal. To anyone else going out good luck 9 days and counting here in PA.

hoytcanon · « **Reply #24 on:** November 08, 2012, 07:15:07 PM »

Quote from: Deerhunter#1 on November 08, 2012, 04:46:12 PM

well i have it down to 2 options after further consideration. I will either push my 270 with 130 sp to near max but I am really leaning on the 160 30-30 ftx. heavy weight bullet and larger surface area. My stand is in the tree as I shot a doe there earlier this year and my longest shot is 150 yards. Though the 270 has more energy it is with a lighter bullet and at those distances think a bunch of the energy might be expended after it passes through the bear. The 30-30 should penetrate well at 2300 ft second and leave all its energy expended in the animal. To anyone else going out good luck 9 days and counting here in PA.

Good Luck Partner! The .30/30 with 160 FTX is a good choice for bears. I have taken more than forty black bears (all with archery gear) and guided hunters to more than 100 other bears, in 35 years of bear hunting here in country that can only be described as bear heaven. I have seen bears cleanly taken with everything from spears to .45/70's... but after hunting, shooting, tracking, dressing and butchering all of those bruins, my experience dictates that I recommend a slower/heavier projectile over a faster/lighter one... and that goes for bullets OR arrows... but applies even more so to bullets. Bears are not hard to kill when hit "right", but they are incredibly tough when hit "wrong." I have spent countless hours crawling on my hands and knees through swamp tangles with a flashlight in my teeth... I know that shot placement is the key.

jpshaw · « **Reply #25 on:** November 09, 2012, 02:16:26 AM »

Here is Louisiana we're just getting black bear back in any numbers. I haven't even seen one here in the North Central area yet but if I was picking from your calibers I too would pick the .30-30 since that is the only caliber we have in common. I'm loading mine up to about (almost) 2400 using RE15. However, picking from my own stuff I would go with my .444. It has been super reliable in the killing department and seems to have as much range as the .30-30.

Deerhunter#1 · « **Reply #26 on:** November 10, 2012, 09:43:10 AM »

was on hornady web site and looking at bullets and looked at there HITS calculator. Ther factory .270 interlook ammo with 130 bullets has a 889 HITS # the 30-30 ftx 160 has a 829. these were for 100 yard values. Pretty close and surprising as many have thought the 30-30 was to small. Looked at the 170 grain and it was lower.