Brown Bear Cartridge

[Brother Bob]

Shooting a large brown bear with a .30-06 is a gamble that I won't take! By the time you cram 200 to 220 grains of bullet in a .30-06 case, you might as well be shooting a larger calibered rifle! I have been studying this brown bear hunting stuff for a few of years now. You want to know what rifle to take? Ask the guide what he uses for backup. That should be your first clue. I've read way too many horror stories about these massive bears taking good hits from large bullets and still not going down! Watch the video! Even though the sow died, she had plenty of fight left for a few seconds. What saved those guys was the fact that she turned around. If she wouldn't have, we may have never been able to see this video because no one wants to see another human get ripped to shreds by a bear! The male took two good hits and is seen standing off in the distance. I'll take my .375 H&H for my hunt. I'll also take my .338 as a spare. The guides recommend you bring two rifles just in case one breaks. Not too many gunsmiths where you'll be hunting. Just chewing the fat and my 2 cents.

[vikingpreacher]

Originally Posted by Widux

I shot my first grizz(interior ) and coastal brown-with a 30-06 with factory 220gr corelokts- later went to 338 then rem 416 when backing clients. For Kodiaks I'd not consider anything smaller than 375 H&H and most likely would take the 416.

If I were a guide I would probably carry more gun than I would otherwise. Not that we should rely on guides to protect us but, when you are a guide you never can count on your clients to do it themselves.

[CroMagnum]

Originally Posted by turner

+1.... I do too! What type velocity are you seeing...somewhere around 1800-1900 FPS? You will most assuredly get Mr Grizz's attention with that load! If I ever get to go, I'll look at 400gr pointed "X" bullets in my .450

Should be close to 1850-1900 fps in the 420 gr HH. This is my first hunt with my XLR and I am very much looking forward to using it on a big brown bear. 1 round into both shoulders should put it down for the count. Everything i've read about the Garrett's has been positive and I have yet to find where someone actually recovered one of these from an animal.

[turner]

Originally Posted by CroMagnum

Should be close to 1850-1900 fps in the 420 gr HH. This is my first hunt with my XLR and I am very much looking forward to using it on a big brown bear. 1 round into both shoulders should put it down for the count. Everything i've read about the Garrett's has been positive and I have yet to find where someone actually recovered one of these from an animal.

I'm impressed! Thanks for letting me know. I think what a lot of 30-33 caliber fans don't take into consideration is that with a .458 diameter bullet, even a solid, we're talikng a BIG hole to let the air out. Again, simply my personal opinion. That 45/70 has a ressurection in today's world with actions like Marlin's and Ruger's that put it awfully close to old .458 performance.

[billy]

Originally Posted by Brother Bob

.375 H&H or a .458 Winmag. Bear in mind that these guys can approach 1,800 lbs. and rip you in half with one swipe of their paw. I'd also have a .44 magnum strapped to my hip just in case. There's one stuffed at Sportmans Warehouse in Memphis, that took 7 rounds from a .340 Weatherby to bring down. That sucker is huge and could look over the top of a school bus while standing upright. When you're dealing with monsters that big, it is not a good time to try to prove a point or a caliber. Forget the math and all the ballistic B.S.! Your azz is on the line and your future depends on a big hole in the right spot and some luck to boot! While the bear may only have a few seconds of life left, he may decide to take you with him. A bear of that size could make you look like you got hit by a train in 2 seconds or less!

do i hafta go?

[Magnumsrule]

Originally Posted by turner

I'm impressed! Thanks for letting me know. I think what a lot of 30-33 caliber fans don't take into consideration is that with a .458 diameter bullet, even a solid, we're talikng a BIG hole to let the air out. Again, simply my personal opinion. That 45/70 has a ressurection in today's world with actions like Marlin's and Ruger's that put it awfully close to old .458 performance.

Yeah but u try calculating the trajectory on a falling bolder? lol JK

[jimkim]

Primary choice would be a marlin .45-70 with 400gr 2000fps handloads.
Secondary choice would be Twelve gauge pump rifled slug barrel Winchester BRI type slugs. One oz. .50 cal slug 1153 fps @ 50 yd. 1329 lb of energy @ 50 yd. Use the pump for fast follow up shots.
third choice would be to roll around in powdered milk and hope the bear is lactose intolerant. If he gets by the 45-70 and the 12 gauge then I might as well give him diarrhea. I don't want to be the only one sh*ting myself.
.

[CroMagnum]

Brown bears are starting to move, spotted 2 dens last night whilst scouting my area. Look for a report in the next week or 3.

[Widux]

I love when guys who have not been there nor done that have very pompous opinions on what to use and how to do it--

[turner]

AND I QUOTE!!!!!!!!!][/b]
Yeah but u try calculating the trajectory on a falling bolder? lol JK
__________________



Boulder??...... I'll still enjoy my chances at any range a sane man wants with a Grizz or Brown. I am all about Elmer's opinions when it comes time for a close encounter with a dangerous animal. He is still correct, when it comes to BIG biting creatures, that big bullets WIN, hands down. If you even suppose that a .338 250gr bullet is better at 150 yds or 10!!!!!, than a .458 400gr, well perhaps you might need to see that video again. Of course, only my opinion.
One last question...How many .338 "Guide" guns have you seen?

[Kaboom]

I had read a article a year or so back about a seasoned guide who required a .338 mag. min. & no semi autos. His favorite gun was a .458 lever gun if I remember right. Me I'd take my lever .450 marlin with my S&W .500 on my hip.

[turner]

Originally Posted by Kaboom

I had read a article a year or so back about a seasoned guide who required a .338 mag. min. & no semi autos. His favorite gun was a .458 lever gun if I remember right. Me I'd take my lever .450 marlin with my S&W .500 on my hip.

Mr. Kaboom, I like your style. My BLR with the option of pointed, or not, bullets, makes me feel it is at least the EQUAL of a .375 @ 100 yds or less. Period!

[Kaboom]

Yep, I love my BLR! knocks the deer off their feet. I'd aso consider taking a 870 12ga pump with deer slugs in really heavy cover also. Saw a guide carrying one on a bear hunt once.

[Midas]

Originally Posted by Widux

I love when guys who have not been there nor done that have very pompous opinions on what to use and how to do it--

Even more enjoyable are the folks who contribute nothing to the thread, yet still feel the need to make smart remarks

[Magnumsrule]

No kidding you see where i said JK???

[Widux]

Your right Midas but with all the experts here nada needs said--You might check post #36. I have only hunted Coastal brown bears 8 or 10 times, Grizz maybe 10 also - and had quite a few meetings with them when hunting other game in 25 yrs spent in AK.guided black bear hunters one season and took friends from lower 48 out on many occasions.I held a Class A Asst.Guides lic but will leave you to your fun--Adios.

[CroMagnum]

Why be so pissy about what's been posted in this thread? You don't like some people's choice in bear rifles? Fact of the matter is bears can be killed with ANY caliber rifle as long as the bullet is placed where it needs to be. By the way, what does holding an assistant guides license have to do with anything in this thread?

[Brother Bob]

Originally Posted by CroMagnum

Why be so pissy about what's been posted in this thread? You don't like some people's choice in bear rifles? Fact of the matter is bears can be killed with ANY caliber rifle as long as the bullet is placed where it needs to be. By the way, what does holding an assistant guides license have to do with anything in this thread?

I thought a forum was where everyone talks about a certain topic and shares ideas and thoughts on it. Gee, I guess I was wrong, but I'm in good company, huh?

[turner]

Originally Posted by Magnumsrule

Yeah but u try calculating the trajectory on a falling bolder? lol JK

I need to apologize to you... When I first wrote my reply, I simply didn't realize how rude it sounded. My apologies, please. we can disagree, but I didn't mean for it to sound quite so...rude, T.

[AKHunter]

Boulder??...... I'll still enjoy my chances at any range a sane man wants with a Grizz or Brown. I am all about Elmer's opinions when it comes time for a close encounter with a dangerous animal. He is still correct, when it comes to BIG biting creatures, that big bullets WIN, hands down. If you even suppose that a .338 250gr bullet is better at 150 yds or 10!!!!!, than a .458 400gr, well perhaps you might need to see that video again. Of course, only my opinion.
One last question...How many .338 "Guide" guns have you seen?
Last edited by turner; 04-22-2008 at 08:04 PM.

I did'nt hear it anyplace in the video or elsewhere. Are you saying the fellow that shot that charging bear was using a .458 400 grain or do you know ? I am curious. Sorry if I missed it.