Elk bullet in Grizzly country

[jimh406]

Maybe obvious, but compared with any handgun a 300 Win Mag is dramatically more powerful. As noted, any Elk bullet should work at close range.

If you are someone who hunts without one in the chamber, I'd strongly consider also carrying a sidearm. Even a 9mm can kill a Grizzly based on the results of shootings. Sure, bear spray can be good but it won't stop a Grizzly, it only discourages it and only works in the right wind or no wind. A handgun is also useful to have a gun on you while you are processing your kill.

That being said, most people won't come across a Grizzly while hunting, so how real the danger is up to you to decide.

 

[It’s Bucky]

Whatever you choose, practice is more important than whatever you choose.

 

[Wyoming270]

I dont hunt in the small portion of wyoming where grizzlies are prevelant. I do hunt where there are lots of black bears. I carry a pistol chambered in 460 rowland while hunting, and use Hornady interlock bullets to kill every game species I can draw a tag for. never had an issue with these bullets. Even putting 130 grainers in 270 win through elk lengthwise ive never had issues with them coming apart. I would not hesitate to use this bullet on grizzlies, in 270 win or my favorite 300 win mag. My ancestors killed a lot of large bears with soft lead round balls and FFG. i think any quality jacketed big game bullet designed in the last 70 years will serve you well.

 

[MTGamecock]

I guess my question was more about whether, when deciding what bullet to use, people considered potentially having to use the rifle against a bear, or if it's not considered by others. I'm also somewhat curious what everyone uses.

I've never given it a thought. If you have a 180 grain bullet suitable for elk, it will be "suitable" for griz, should you need it. I put the word in quotes, of course, recognizing the many variables in a griz encounter that might effect your ability to put the bullet in the right spot.

Think about it this way: A .44 mag revolver has long been recognized as a reasonable sidearm for defensive carry in grizzly country, typically generating between 1000 and 1200 ft-lbs of energy, depending on the load. Your .300 win mag will likely generate 3-4 times that energy. So why would anybody carrying an elk rifle also carry a sidearm? The ability to get off 5 or so rounds in a matter of seconds, of course. Also, in a quick encounter at close range (which is the only range in which you are likely to articulate a strong self-defense argument), I have a lot more confidence in drawing quickly and getting a quick sight picture with my pistol than with my scoped rifle slung over my shoulder.

I carry bear spray on the left side of my bino harness and a 10mm Glock with 10+1 rounds on my right hip because I like having options and sometimes am known to hike into a stiff headwind. I hope I never have to use either one. Also, nobody ever wants to become an expert on this topic based on experience. Fortunately, very few of us do.

 

[Laelkhunter]

Swift A-Frame would be my choice if 1- You can find them, and 2- If they shoot well out of your rife. They are similar to the Nosler Partition but are bonded and will hold together better than a non-bonded bullet.

 

[El Jason]

I guess my question was more about whether, when deciding what bullet to use, people considered potentially having to use the rifle against a bear,

No

 

[Pucky Freak]

I have no practice using a bolt action rifle as a personal defense weapon, so it’s basically useless to me anyways. I’m not shooting a bear if it bluff charges or rears up either.

At the end of the day your decision on what elk load to use will have about 0.01% relevance to bear safety.