Whats your Black Bear Caliber?

[limpet]

I’ve shot bears with a 10 mm g20, 44 mag lever a 243, 270, 300 wsm, 308, and a bow. Basically whatever I have in my hands at the time will do. They aren’t thick skinned and are pretty soft and squishy in general.

 

[rickyw]

30-06. But I may run a 375 h&h for kicks and giggles this year with Speer boat tail soft points

 

[Rogue Bay]

I’ve killed most of my bears with a .30-06 but have killed a few with a 7mm REM. Mag. and quite a few with a .338 Win. Mag. All of these were simply because that’s what I was packing at the time. My wife has killed plenty with her 7mm-08.

I’d have no concerns using a smaller caliber for black bear. I don’t bear hunt anymore to speak of but would have no reservations shooting one with my 6mm Rem.

 

[jtevanMT]

Shot a nice bear with a 300 WM last year. Planing to hunt with a 7 mm PRC this year. Send a 165-180 grain high quality bullet at 2900-3100 fps down range and all is good.

 

[greyghostnw]

10mm, .308, 300 rum.,..

 

[Andrewdk]

Took my first bear in my avatar with a 308, Federal Barnes 165gr. Double lung shot from 10 yards and he was down quick.

I really like the .308 for blacktail and bear doing coastal/timber/Muskeg hunts in SE Alaska.

 

[freezerfull]

I’m happy to use whatever cartridge I happen to be packing. However if I’m specifically targeting bears, I do prefer a 30 cal. I feel it gives me a little more blood on the ground. Anticipated max shot distance determines the cartridge/bullet combo. 300 win with 210 bergers or .308 win with 165 AB’s. Most bears end up dead within site, those that get to cover before a follow up shot usually are dead close by. They are easy to kill but they can cover a lot of ground fatally hit and not leave much to track. If they are moving, always put another hole in them. If their rolling down the mountain seemingly dead you better stay on them and if they even twitch under there own power after a roll, put another hole in them.

 

[Mosby]

In PA, I take my 30-06 or 45-70. Out west I take my 300 WM or 45-70 depending on where I'm hunting.

 

[Matt5266]

Hoping my first BB will be with a 6.5 Creed but in my circle this is a sin. Everyone tells me I need "at least a 7 mag"

Obviously they have not shot many black bears. They are not hard to kill.... and were in the same state , not that it matters

 

[SwiftShot]

It is all about where you hunt. In PNW jungle, I want something that blast through and gives a trail. In PNW they can run into blackberry patches as tall as a truck and insanely big. You need to know where it went. I go heavy 30 cal.
In Eastern Washington or Idaho, Wyoming ect 6.5 or more.

 

[eaglemountainman]

7-08 and 139 Interlocks at 2830 for NE blackies.

 

[Poser]

25-06. 117gr.

 

[Blind Squirrel]

I’ve used a .45/70 on the two I’ve killed. They don’t require a gun that big, but lever guns are fun.

 

[Mtns2hunt]

What ever is in my hands but last was 35 Welan.

 

[buffybr]

I've only hunted black bears twice, both DIY and spot and stalk, one with my 1911 .45 acp and the other with my Ruger SBH .44 magnum. I havn't bought a black bear tag in over 40 years. But I did climb up a tree and catch a cub once.

 

[Quandary]

35 Whelen

 

[Diced]

All mine have been with a 28 nosler or 300 rum. Guess I've always gravitated to bigger cartridges for bears because I hunt them in clear cuts and I don't like it when they make into the timber/reprod.

Biggest thing is you have to remember to shoot them a little farther back than you would a deer/elk. If you do that the cartridges probably won't matter.

 

[Jason Snyder]

Biggest thing is you have to remember to shoot them a little farther back than you would a deer/elk. If you do that the cartridges probably won't matter.

Key point right here.

6.5 CM for me.