Quote:
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.