Which Alaska coastal bear cartridge

[Dbevans]

I don’t know if I am psyching myself out but since reading what seems like hours of fuds saying anything smaller than a 338 is a death sentence even though I’ve killed them with 223s and 6.5cms.

Right now I have a 7prc and I’ve been shooting 160 lrx at 2950 and that seems plenty even out to 500 yards. I also have a 7bc on order which should have even more velocity. So I guess my question is would a 10 foot bear even notice the difference? Normally I didn’t think it was a big deal because I always had a backup shooter but I anticipate some solo hunts this fall.

If the bear would notice a difference I would be getting a 300 prc. Any thoughts?


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[Splee]

You’ve killed coastal brown bears with a 223? Not doubting, I know it’s possible, just wondering why?

I always thought the big bores were mostly necessary for going into thick stuff after wounded bears or hunting them in close quarters where a shot could initiate a charge.

 

[Yukon Cornelius]

My preferred caliber is 6.5cm and I am moving to a coastal brownie area. I am not really worried about it. I do carry a 458 socom in the boat and that’s for the closer shooting.

 

[Dbevans]

My preferred caliber is 6.5cm and I am moving to a coastal brownie area. I am not really worried about it. I do carry a 458 socom in the boat and that’s for the closer shooting.

Seems like I should be good to go

You’ve killed coastal brown bears with a 223? Not doubting, I know it’s possible, just wondering why?

I always thought the big bores were mostly necessary for going into thick stuff after wounded bears or hunting them in close quarters where a shot could initiate a charge.

Because rokslide had a thread on it I guess


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[BLJ]

@Dbevans

Didn’t you use FMJ’s in the 223 as well?

 

[HandgunHTR]

Seems like I should be good to go



Because rokslide had a thread on it I guess


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Ok, let me get this straight. You have killed bears with a .223 and are now wondering if a 7PRC will be enough? Do I have that right?

 

[JDBAK]

I’ve been thinking for awhile that the fastest way to inflict damage for a reasonably trained shooter inside 25 yds is with an AR-15 or possibly a Beretta 1301.
Greatest wound volume, accurately placed, in the shortest time.

 

[Q_Sertorius]

I’ve been thinking for awhile that the fastest way to inflict damage for a reasonably trained shooter inside 25 yds is with an AR-15 or possibly a Beretta 1301.
Greatest wound volume, accurately placed, in the shortest time.

Short of an elephant, rhinoceros, or cape buffalo, if I had to defend myself against any attack, I’d want my AR with 77-grain TMK’s in my arms.


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[mtnbound]

Short of an elephant, rhinoceros, or cape buffalo, if I had to defend myself against any attack, I’d want my AR with 77-grain TMK’s in my arms.


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I’ll second that.

 

[Schmo]

Since you’ve done it before, take the 223 again.

 

[Dbevans]

Since you’ve done it before, take the 223 again.

Seems like I will be fine

I’ve been thinking for awhile that the fastest way to inflict damage for a reasonably trained shooter inside 25 yds is with an AR-15 or possibly a Beretta 1301.
Greatest wound volume, accurately placed, in the shortest time.

So I am most likely getting inside my head?

Ok, let me get this straight. You have killed bears with a .223 and are now wondering if a 7PRC will be enough? Do I have that right?

@Dbevans

Didn’t you use FMJ’s in the 223 as well?

Yes, but that was in the spring on smaller bears. I’m planning on going south east in the fall time and I might have to hunt solo


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[Thegman]

Well, I'm no expert in killing big coastal bears, but Phil Shoemaker's tagline about coastal bears is something like "If you can't do it with a 30-06, you can't do it". Your 7 PRC seems more than ample for the job. Probably the most important part is that you're already experienced in killing bears, so it's not your first rodeo.

 

[Moosehunter]

Seems like I will be fine



So I am most likely getting inside my head?





Yes, but that was in the spring on smaller bears. I’m planning on going south east in the fall time and I might have to hunt solo


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I'd use something really shootable. 6.5 creed seems a good round to me. In my circles that's not "small".
I didn't even know it was small until I started reading on the internet.
Now I use 223 for everything albeit I don't hunt coastal brown bear. I'd want fast follow shots tho that's for sure. On a reliable platform. Good luck!

 

[Yukon Cornelius]

Seems like I should be good to go



Because rokslide had a thread on it I guess


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You will be good to go. We put a lot of effort into the caliber debate and the truth is, any caliber could work as long as you put the bullet where it needs to be.

Bigger bullets allow for a little more shot selections.
Buy a new gun if you want. You don’t need to, but this is a matter of want vs need.

 

[Q_Sertorius]

You will be good to go. We put a lot of effort into the caliber debate and the truth is, any caliber could work as long as you put the bullet where it needs to be.

Bigger bullets allow for a little more shot selections.

Completely agree.

On a large animal, a bigger bullet can give you more penetration, and therefore more angles to the vitals, but that doesn’t mean you should be shooting large animals from those angles if you have a choice. And if you don’t have a choice, then shot placement is paramount. If you hit the right spot, you are going to get enough penetration to the CNS or other vitals with a .223.


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