Caliber and rifle for brown bear

[Dbevans]

Got the itch for another rifle. Primary use is for big brown bears around bristol bay and hopefully peninsula next fall!

What gun and caliber would you use for this? Budget is under 2.5k


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[Dennis]

375 H&H or 9.3 x 62 would be my choice as those are what I have.

 

[Kyguy]

Do you want a bear hunting rifle or a bear stopping rifle? They are not the same.

 

[Geewhiz]

If you need anything larger than a 77tmk you’re a retard.

 

[JohnJohnson]

What max range will you be shooting to?

 

[RockAndSage]

Got the itch for another rifle. Primary use is for big brown bears around bristol bay and hopefully peninsula next fall!

What gun and caliber would you use for this? Budget is under 2.5k


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It'd be pretty hard to beat this setup - reach out to the guy:

WTS/WTT Thread 'Tikka M690 9.3x62'

Jun 12, 2026

A desire to pursue other projects has caused me to put up a couple of rifles for sale.

First up is a Tikka M690 in 9.3x62. Also for sale, as an optional extra with the package, is a SWFA 1-6x LPVO in Unknown Munitions Tikka Low rings. The two make an excellent combination at the short to medium ranges (0-300 yards) for which the 9.3x62 is justifiably famous. A great option for an Alaskan hunter.

A previous owner had drilled a primitive brake into the barrel. I had Kampfeld Customs cut the rifle to 18"...

• Q_Sertorius

 

[Escalante11]

My dad killed his 9ft coastal brown with a 175 ELDX out of an 18” 7PRC. Shot distance was ~350 yards. Bear spun around a couple times and went down. Guide said that is about as quick as he’s ever seen one die.

The other guy in camp was using a 338 loaded with Barnes copper. I watched him put 5 rounds in his bear under 100 yards over a 30 second or so period before his died for what it’s worth. Most of which were decent hits.

 

[coyotekilla]

Tikka stainless in 9.3x62 or 35 whelen.

Ruger hawkeye Alaskan in 375 ruger

Savage 116 in 338 win thru 375 h&h

Might have to build the tikka in those calibers but you will have a dandy big critter rifle.

Personally, id take 1 of the ones i already own - 6.5 prc, 300wsm, 358 win, & spend the money on a top notch optic and practice ammo. I'll take an expertly placed, bonded 6.5 prc bullet over a poorly placed big mag.

 

[Dbevans]

If you need anything larger than a 77tmk you’re a retard.

I got a couple small ones with 55 fmjs but my biggest is 8.5 footer with 6.5cm

Just not sure what I want for peninsula bears


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[Dbevans]

Tikka stainless in 9.3x62 or 35 whelen.

Ruger hawkeye Alaskan in 375 ruger

Savage 116 in 338 win thru 375 h&h

Might have to build the tikka in those calibers but you will have a dandy big critter rifle.

Personally, id take 1 of the ones i already own - 6.5 prc, 300wsm, 358 win, & spend the money on a top notch optic and practice ammo. I'll take an expertly placed, bonded 6.5 prc bullet over a poorly placed big mag.

Guess I might have just use what I have

My dad killed his 9ft coastal brown with a 175 ELDX out of an 18” 7PRC. Shot distance was ~350 yards. Bear spun around a couple times and went down. Guide said that is about as quick as he’s ever seen one die.

The other guy in camp was using a 338 loaded with Barnes copper. I watched him put 5 rounds in his bear under 100 yards over a 30 second or so period before his died for what it’s worth. Most of which were decent hits.

Sweet

It'd be pretty hard to beat this setup - reach out to the guy:

WTS/WTT Thread 'Tikka M690 9.3x62'

Jun 12, 2026

A desire to pursue other projects has caused me to put up a couple of rifles for sale.

First up is a Tikka M690 in 9.3x62. Also for sale, as an optional extra with the package, is a SWFA 1-6x LPVO in Unknown Munitions Tikka Low rings. The two make an excellent combination at the short to medium ranges (0-300 yards) for which the 9.3x62 is justifiably famous. A great option for an Alaskan hunter.

A previous owner had drilled a primitive brake into the barrel. I had Kampfeld Customs cut the rifle to 18"...

• Q_Sertorius

I’ll check it out

What max range will you be shooting to?

My farthest on a coastal brownie was 550

Do you want a bear hunting rifle or a bear stopping rifle? They are not the same.

As in?

375 H&H or 9.3 x 62 would be my choice as those are what I have.

Cool thanks for the rec


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[MtnW]

Sounds like a couple more amazing hunts.
Why not go with a proven classic traditional controlled round feed .375 H&H MOD 70 Winchester with the original style trigger. Close second choice would be a Mauser 98 9.3X62 or .375 H&H that has been worked over by a qualified rifle builder who understands feeding and function . Definitely avoid many of the used rifles out there that have been worked on by untrained, unqualified BUBBA’S !!!
Best wishes for your upcoming Brown Bear hunts.

 

[schmidty3]

I got a couple small ones with 55 fmjs but my biggest is 8.5 footer with 6.5cm

Just not sure what I want for peninsula bears


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Brother why are you asking the retards on the internet?

You are a SME

I vote for another 223 kill, for the culture.

 

[gtriple]

Take something that you shoot really well with a fragmenting match bullet. Bears aren’t tough. They go down ridiculously quick if you make a good shot.

I shot a grizz a few weeks ago with a 7prc. It went like 30 feet. Perfect double lung shot.

Using a bigger cartridge as a “bear stopping” round doesn’t make sense to me. A bolt action rifle is not a good choice for self-defense. In the heat of being charged, you may only get one shot off, maybe not even that.

Carry a pistol. They are faster to draw and put multiple rounds on target.

Just my 2 cents. 6.5prc or 7prc would be my choices for any bear hunt. They are slightly different builds for me.

 

[Turkeytider]

If you need anything larger than a 77tmk you’re a retard.

LOL! Based on the brown I saw on our recent Alaska trip, I’d be uncomfortable with anything short of a 40mm Bofors! What a magnificent creature! I’ve hunted most of my life but I have no desire to kill something that majestic.