Brown bear Rifle

[akmtnhnt]

While bullet placement is critical in every shot, going after a bear, any kind of bear with a 223 is a hunting accident waiting to happen with you the center of attraction in the subject bears ire. I've been at this for some 61 years as an instructor, Military, NRA and Hunter Safety and have hunted a lot around the country when in the Army. I will readily admit I have hunted in bear country, but not for bear. I am not a trophy hunter, I am a meat hunter. I eat what I shoot and bear just doesn't trip my taste buds. I have always preached to bring a firearm up to the job when hunting anything. A .223 is not up to purposely going hunting in bear country much less intentionally going out hunting any bear, a ****ed off black bear can kill you just as dead as a Kodiak, and probably just about as fast. If you want to watch your grandchildren grow up don't venture into the bear woods with anything less than a 308. The life you save, will be your own.

I've only ever hunted black bears with a 6.5cm. They die every time. The bullet and the placement is just so much more important than diameter. I've killed everything OTC in Alaska with that rifle except brown bear.

I'll be sitting bait later this year looking for browns. I'm generally solo. It wouldn't bother me to bring the AR in 223 wylde just because people think it's dumb, when it's perfectly capable. I've never shot a black bear that had any idea I was there. If they did I wouldn't have had the shot so I wouldn't have taken it. But that'd be with any rifle. There's no danger whatsoever. The bears aren't hunting you back and if they get the slightest smell of you they're gone so fast.

I think people that think you need a cannon for a bear a) haven't been around bears much b) don't know bear anatomy/haven't taken one apart.

Honestly the ideal bear rifle is a semi-auto that holds quite a few that has so little recoil that you can stay in the scope and on target after every shot. That's going to be something like 6.5 grendel and under. You shoot bears until they stop moving because you don't want them to run off.

 

[Deerhide1]

Both will be about equal, I like the Swift better.

The Accubond likely won't penetrate as well as either.

Thanks, HARPERC, going on a black bear hunt this fall. I know the black bears on average are about a third of size compared to a Kodiak, but I still prefer it to be dead as I approach. I will be shooting a 300 win that loves 200 gr partitions.

 

[Lenny Foffa]

For me a Brown bear hunt is the dream of a lifetime. probably never going to happen. HOWEVER speaking just for myself, I would either find or" put together", a WINCHESTER Model 70 ( Extractor Claw) , chambered in 375 H and H . If I could not find one chambered in 375 H and H , ( or 375 Ruger ) I would find a used magnum and re barrel it with a Stainless-Steel barrel, to that caliber. ( Note: I just saw a used Model 70 in 375 H and H ,in an ugly spongy green stock for $1500 and a Rugger Model 77 in a wood stock , in 416, for $1650, at a gun show in Pa. twice in two months. ) Have my gunsmith pillar bed it into a Mc Millian stock, Fit and island rear sight and a Front sight and barrel band to it . Use Leupold Dual Dovetail Steel bases, either welded or Screwed and Epoxied to the receiver. Select the Dual Dove Tail 30mm rings at a height that will work for me with a Leupold 2x to 10 X Scope with a 44 mm Obj. Lens, and the comb on the stock. I think such a Rifle/ Caliber /Scope combo would be a serious , no nonsense, rugged and reliable rig to take brown bear, in harsh conditions. I know there are much more sophisticated options available, but I would be happy and confident with an old school rig like that , for that particular Hunt.

 

[tooth doc]

For me a Brown bear hunt is the dream of a lifetime. probably never going to happen. HOWEVER speaking just for myself, I would either find or" put together", a WINCHESTER Model 70 ( Extractor Claw) , chambered in 375 H and H . If I could not find one chambered in 375 H and H , ( or 375 Ruger ) I would find a used magnum and re barrel it with a Stainless-Steel barrel, to that caliber. ( Note: I just saw a used Model 70 in 375 H and H ,in an ugly spongy green stock for $1500 and a Rugger Model 77 in a wood stock , in 416, for $1650, at a gun show in Pa. twice in two months. ) Have my gunsmith pillar bed it into a Mc Millian stock, Fit and island rear sight and a Front sight and barrel band to it . Use Leupold Dual Dovetail Steel bases, either welded or Screwed and Epoxied to the receiver. Select the Dual Dove Tail 30mm rings at a height that will work for me with a Leupold 2x to 10 X Scope with a 44 mm Obj. Lens, and the comb on the stock. I think such a Rifle/ Caliber /Scope combo would be a serious , no nonsense, rugged and reliable rig to take brown bear, in harsh conditions. I know there are much more sophisticated options available, but I would be happy and confident with an old school rig like that , for that particular Hunt.

love model 70's. the cz 550 mag is another great choice

 

[MOA or bust]

Considering this thread was started 3 years ago, people must love brown bear hunting! Hardly any Louisiana black bears here ( I've never seen one) although they used to be numerous up in the Mississippi delta - Teddy Roosevelt's teddy bear hunt was there in 1905.

 

[Pro2A]

You're already Golden, get in shape and rock on. Zero need for another gun!

Wash your keyboard off with Peroxide..... "Zero need for another gun." Such fowl language...... OFF WITH YOUR HEAD, COMMIE!!!!

 

[AvonShooter]

What does one consider good enough placement on brown bear using a .223???

Once to your own forehead?

 

[fta0303]

Planning on a once in a lifetime brown bear Alaskan hunt in a couple years. Have a 300 Win Mag that shoots 220 Nosler partitions and 200 Nosler partitions quite well. Don't really want to buy another rifle but should I move up to a 338 class? Thinking of either a 33 Nosler, 338 WM or 338 ultra??? Opinions???

Nothing wrong with a 35 Whelen. 250 Swift A-Frame or Woodleigh Weldcore. Many people have had good performance from the Speer 250 HotCore, which can be pushed out to 2700 fps out of the Whelen. I'd go Woodleigh Weldcore, a round point is better for closer work. Mr. Schumacher says a .30-06 will work, so the 35 Whelen certainly will. Factory 250s at 2400 fps are very easy on the shoulder, and adequate if a good bullet.

Also, the .358 Norma Mag if you can find one. I have one in a Weatherby Safari Custom. Or a .375 Ruger, which can be had in a .30-06 size rifle, very handy. All this from someone who's never hunted bear....

 

[Marky_mark]

Nothing wrong with a 35 Whelen. 250 Swift A-Frame or Woodleigh Weldcore. Many people have had good performance from the Speer 250 HotCore, which can be pushed out to 2700 fps out of the Whelen. I'd go Woodleigh Weldcore, a round point is better for closer work. Mr. Schumacher says a .30-06 will work, so the 35 Whelen certainly will. Factory 250s at 2400 fps are very easy on the shoulder, and adequate if a good bullet.

Also, the .358 Norma Mag if you can find one. I have one in a Weatherby Safari Custom. Or a .375 Ruger, which can be had in a .30-06 size rifle, very handy. All this from someone who's never hunted bear....

Hotcore and weldcore bullets are not ideal. They expand too fast and lack penetration. The a frames would be a far better choice. They have much thicker jacket

 

[BigDon]

rigby is my 416 of choice, but rem works well. I am a barnes guy for bullets. works on cape buff, will work well here. 400 gr tsx and 400 gr bronze solid

Rigby is specifically a warm weather cartridge. I also have a 416 Remington for the cold stuff. You Really want ignition in the cold when you're hunting baddies.

 

[fta0303]

Your 300 with partitions should work fine. Bears are very slow to die even with good shot placement. My friend shot a huge polar bear back in the 70's with a 300 and although the first shot was a perfect hit from about 150 yds, the guide asked for a follow up shot after the bear stayed on its feet for about 15 seconds. Remember if the animal is amped up with adreneline, the first and subsequent shots may not show any effect and the animal could stay on its feet over 25 seconds before tipping over. They have a very slow heartbeat.

Never hunted bears. But, my Father taught me not to just shoot a good shot, but to be fast on with follow ups. For deer, he liked his Winchester 88 in .284 because it was fast. A bolt rifle can be operated very quickly, but you have to practice it. Dad used to drill me with a Springfield he sporterized, until it became second nature. He emphasized a full bolt stroke, pull it back to your eye, ram it forward to the front site. (Gunsmiths will shudder!) Practice that fast follow-up and test to be sure that your rifle won't hangup in the middle of it.

 

[fta0303]

Hotcore and weldcore bullets are not ideal. They expand too fast and lack penetration. The a frames would be a far better choice. They have much thicker jacket

Remember that .35 Whelen isn't a high speed magnum. Lot of difference in bullet performance between 3000 fps MV and 2400 fps MV. That Speer bullet has stood the test of time on many large animals, but its not best paired with high velocity.

 

[Lenny Foffa]

Mr. 0303, Thats a great story and a great drill!! If the group will allow Just a bit of Brown bear conversation. While watching the outdoor show WINCHESTERS DEADLY PASSION, with Mellisia Bachman, and her husband. She took a black bear with a Model 70 in 375 H and H ,BUT!!!!!! He shot a Brown Bear coming up a river bed, walking towards him. He took the Bear , with a bow, from a spot on the bank, slightly higher that the bear, at a range of 6 or 7 yards. The skill, the calmness he possess is incredible to me!! One arrow, no back up shots fired by the guides, and the bear died within 50 yards of where he shot it. Amazing to me!! Ill bet you can see it on U Tube!!!

 

[Marky_mark]

Remember that .35 Whelen isn't a high speed magnum. Lot of difference in bullet performance between 3000 fps MV and 2400 fps MV. That Speer bullet has stood the test of time on many large animals, but its not best paired with high velocity.

I'm not talking about 3000 fps. I'm talking about terrible penetration out of a 416 ruger. That speed bullet was used because that was all that was available. That doesn't mean it was good