Black Bear. What's your caliber

[KyHunter98]

Just curious to see what rifle you seasoned black bear hunters are taking to the field this spring.
For me, 300 WSM, i've yet to decide on a bullet but will gladly take suggestions.

 

[elkantlers]

180gr Accubond will do nicely

 

[RG_Adult_Onset_Hunter]

.308 with a 170 grain Accubond (that is unless I have my bow in hand). Unless you plan to plow it through a front shoulder whatever you use for deer and elk should be fine.

 

[AvidIndoorsman]

.264 win mag, I've used 140grn Swift A-frames, and 120grn Nosler Etips.

 

[44hunter45]

Hoping to have my 35 Whelen back from the gunsmith by then and get some loads worked up.
If not it will .30-06 with 180 Grand Slams or TBBC

 

[Sask hunter]

Ruger 77 in 338 win mag with 225 ttsx. It hammers bears, elk and moose

 

[MarvB]

Open country: Savage Weather Warrior 300WM - Federal Premium Trophy Copper 165g; Oregon coast: Rem Mod 600 350Rem Mag - Remington 200g Corlokts; hound hunt (once) Ruger Superblackhawk 44Mag 225g Cor@Bon DPX. All died about the same....

 

[Deleted member 20812]

6.5 CM with 123 Hammers.

 

[HighDesertSage]

Just curious to see what rifle you seasoned black bear hunters are taking to the field this spring.
For me, 300 WSM, i've yet to decide on a bullet but will gladly take suggestions.

At this point, I would recommend the hunting ammo you can find.

 

[MTLabrador]

.300 win mag, 181 Hammers if the rifle likes them.

 

[EYJONAS!]

350 grain arrow with 100 grain kudu point. That's gonna be my choice in 21

 

[Sawtooth]

330-06 with 185 or 210 grain Barnes tsx.

 

[buffybr]

I'm at the stage where I'd rather just see bears than hunt them, however the two black bears that I did hunt were on DIY solo spot and stalk hunts, one with a 220 grain cast bullet from my 1911 .45 acp and the other with a 250 grain cast bullet from my Ruger SBH .44 mag.

But, depending on what happens with this China flu, I'm considering a Yukon grizzly hunt where I would be hunting with my .300 Weatherby and 180 grain Barnes TTSX handloads.

 

[EYJONAS!]

I'm curious.... what do you mean you haven't decided on a bullet yet? Unless you have a decent reloading selection or a plethora of bullets to try you might want to get on it. I'm seeing lots of companies that won't even backorder things anymore, and some have 6 to 9 months waiting.

 

[Deleted member 16014]

This year I'll be carrying a 6/250 maybe a 6.5C some days, my boy a .243. Mostly will be packing coffee, a piece of foam, and lots of glass to enjoy watching them.

 

[Marshian]

7mm08 with 140gr fusions. I’ve taken two so far with that combo. Quick kills on both.

 

[andrew11]

Hoping to bring the 270 if I get it all done up in time. Prob just bring the 300 RUM

 

[Jbotto]

330-06 with 185 or 210 grain Barnes tsx.

Never hunted bears, plan to in the next couple years though. This is exactly what I’d be carrying. I have great confidence in both bullets for my .338-06

 

[KyHunter98]

I'm curious.... what do you mean you haven't decided on a bullet yet? Unless you have a decent reloading selection or a plethora of bullets to try you might want to get on it. I'm seeing lots of companies that won't even backorder things anymore, and some have 6 to 9 months waiting.

I've got a couple bullets stocked up. I've just yet to find the time to load up a variety and see what my gun is shooting best.

 

[Muleyhunter78]

.280 Rem with a 160 gr partition. Thats what i like. But i've killed many bears with many calibers so maybe i can't pick just one.........