Brown Bear Cartridge

[turner]

Originally Posted by AKHunter

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.

No, sorry I didn't mean it to sound as if I knew what he was shooting. I was simply using the video footage as an example of why I'd prefer to have a big bore rifle as a back-up.

[pulicords]

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--

I'm no expert, but I did take a brown bear (SE Alaska) about five years ago and did five black bear hunts in the same general area prior to that. FWIW, I decided on using a .375 H&H magnum (300 grain Barnes "X" bullets) Model 70 Winchester stainless "Classic" (pre-'64 action) with a fiber glass stock and 1.75-6x Leupold scope.

My reasons: Although the round is heavier, IMO the .375 H&H is easier to shoot well than the .338 Winchester. The .338 is in a lighter package, shooting a more sharper kicking round, with less momentum than the "old" .375. During my black bear hunts, several other hunters lost bears hit with the .338 and my guide (who uses a .375 for everything) said that's not uncommon.

Big bears, black and brown are found throughout his area. They need to be hit well, with big bullets and often the "lighter" .338 rounds don't hold up as well as the heavier 300 grain, .375. With less (felt) recoil, follow up shots tend to be easier and more accurate with the heavier .375 rifles. Remember, the .375 is not a "super magnum", it's chamber pressures and velocities aren't close to the Remington .416, 375 Ultra Mag or Winchester .458. Because of their light weight, hot loaded 45-70 and .450 Marlin carbines (ie: Guide Guns) also recoil a lot. The lever actions are quick to operate, but are they as fast to get back on target?

My guide told me that to his knowledge, the .375 H&H is the most commonly used gun by guides in his area. It's a proven cartridge, with excellent stopping power, excellent penetration and excellent accuracy. Not particularly "high tech", but proven and it worked for me.

[vikingpreacher]

I have frequently heard that most guides carry a 375, some carry something larger. I think a guide should carry an excessive amount of gun just because if the bear charges and hurts his client he could be held responsible. Should he? NO! But it is the way the world thinks.

[SwedeSteve]

Unfortunate those guys had to put down that sow. I would've liked to hear a little more on their stalk. Maybe if they had glassed a little longer they might have picked up the sow. Also, they didn't show the boar very well in the footage. He looked smallish. If he was a full grown boar, I doubt the sow, with cubs would be around at all?

[CroMagnum]

Originally Posted by Brother Bob

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?

He was being pissy and knows it so he went and edited his post then you come to his defense. Is that how it works here?

[Brother Bob]

Originally Posted by CroMagnum

He was being pissy and knows it so he went and edited his post then you come to his defense. Is that how it works here?

Oh heavens no! I guess I could have worded it differently. Just a feeble attempt at keeping it civil.

[CroMagnum]

No need to worry about keeping it civil, I was just making a point is all. Some people like to think they are the end all-be all of hunting just because they might have done it a time or 2. I've been hunting Alaska for 15 years now and i've got a long ways to go before I can call myself an expert at anything up here. Just when you think you got it down......well, mother nature shows you otherwise.

[tobyrn]

If I were going to spend all that money of an Alaskan grizz bear hunt I would opt for something to give me the option of going long if that ended up being my only opportunity therefore the .300 RUM with the heaviest factory loaded bullet produced. Browning .375 H&H magnum as a backup. Remington has a shotgun, SPS, that would perform well with rifle slugs at the shorter distances and should be considered depending on terrain. Some of the other caliber mentioned should also work well at the shorter distances with a well-placed shot.

[Mike Franklin]

Well, I'm partial to doing things a little different. I'd take a Remmington Rolling Block in .45-90. 500 gr bullet, lead flat point over FFFg. Of course unless I win the Lotto it'll likely be squirrels with a SXS this Fall.

[Rambo]

I have a .300 WinMag and would use a 220gr bullet. That's all I have in a big gun so that's what I would use. I did see that show in the video and was that a rush. That's when you find out how many guys there are behind the camera with guns.

[Brother Bob]

Originally Posted by Mike Franklin

Well, I'm partial to doing things a little different. I'd take a Remmington Rolling Block in .45-90. 500 gr bullet, lead flat point over FFFg. Of course unless I win the Lotto it'll likely be squirrels with a SXS this Fall.

Hi Mike! Welcome to the forum. Come on over here to the Memphis area and I'll show you a bear that will change your mind! It's at a Sportsmans Warehouse. It's stuffed. A local shot it up in Alaska. GRRRRRRRRR! LOL!