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Best Bullet placement to take down Black bear

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erinis0112 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote erinis0112 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Best Bullet placement to take down Black bear
    Posted: July/26/2016 at 19:16
i am quite new to hunting and i want o get all the facts down, BB's are very tough so i will like to be prepared. i hear hunters always have a carry gun to shoot their self on the head if a black bear gets too close(i wouldn't want that to happen to me LOLZ) i have a nice Colt 901 rifle and i believe is enough fire power for bb hunting, i also have a very nice Nf nxs 55 scope mounted on the rifle so i think that's covered too. please can anyone tell me their practical experience and best bullet placement, Thanks.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote anweis Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/26/2016 at 22:16
Hopefully someone will chime in with an answer while i scratch my head. 
I can tell you four things: 
1. I have never seen a NF scope that i would take hunting, especially in the woods and brush, because they all have bells and whistles and the kitchen sink and TOO THIN of a reticle for hunting brush (maybe they have some new model nowadays). You are not apt to make use of the windage and bullet drop hash marks when the bear is close and most bear hunting is close.  
2. If that 55 refers to the size of the objective, you have a lot of scope there, too much if you ask me. That would be a very large scope that turns your rifle into an unwieldy oar slow to aim and fire with. Being that most bear hunting is close and fast, that is not good.  
3. Don't shoot yourself. Shoot the bear.
4. Don't shoot the bear in the butt, legs, ears, and other painful places. That may infuriate them. Shoot them in the chest, neck, or head, you know, the usual places. You can use google images and look for "bear anatomy" and "bear shot placement" and you will find good pictures there. 

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Rancid Coolaid Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/27/2016 at 08:51
If by "55" you mean a 5.5-22X Nightforce NXS, I gotta agree with anweis, it is the complete wrong scope for what you are doing.

And, much as I love my 16" 308, it wouldn't be my first choice in dangerous game hunting, especially with a 15 inch, 3 pound scope on top.

Curious to know what the bear hunters think.  I have not yet had the opportunity to bear hunt, but have spent time in bear country, always with a 44 mag or 454 Casull on my hip.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote erinis0112 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/27/2016 at 09:43
Originally posted by Rancid Coolaid Rancid Coolaid wrote:

If by "55" you mean a 5.5-22X Nightforce NXS, I gotta agree with anweis, it is the complete wrong scope for what you are doing.

And, much as I love my 16" 308, it wouldn't be my first choice in dangerous game hunting, especially with a 15 inch, 3 pound scope on top.

Curious to know what the bear hunters think.  I have not yet had the opportunity to bear hunt, but have spent time in bear country, always with a 44 mag or 454 Casull on my hip.



thanks for the key points Excellent. the chest and neck sounds like vital bullet aims that will take a bb down.
 PS: i am just kidding, i won't shoot myself LOLZClownClownClown
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote erinis0112 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/27/2016 at 09:55
Originally posted by Rancid Coolaid Rancid Coolaid wrote:

If by "55" you mean a 5.5-22X Nightforce NXS, I gotta agree with anweis, it is the complete wrong scope for what you are doing.

And, much as I love my 16" 308, it wouldn't be my first choice in dangerous game hunting, especially with a 15 inch, 3 pound scope on top.

Curious to know what the bear hunters think.  I have not yet had the opportunity to bear hunt, but have spent time in bear country, always with a 44 mag or 454 Casull on my hip.



so whats your recommendation for a good hunting scope?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Skylar McMahon Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/27/2016 at 09:56
Where will you be hunting Black Bear?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Rancid Coolaid Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/27/2016 at 10:11
On a 308 gas gun?  Probably a good low profile 1-4X, and a very strong sidearm.

Were I to leave today for a bear hunt, I would take my 45-70 with an SS 1-4HD and capped turrets. And a 454 as backup.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote erinis0112 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/27/2016 at 10:30
Originally posted by Rancid Coolaid Rancid Coolaid wrote:

On a 308 gas gun?  Probably a good low profile 1-4X, and a very strong sidearm.

Were I to leave today for a bear hunt, I would take my 45-70 with an SS 1-4HD and capped turrets. And a 454 as backup.



thanks, seems you a natural at this.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote supertool73 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/27/2016 at 11:03
I personally have not hunted black bear either, but know lots of locals and friends that do.  They typically hunt with elk type calibers and usually on the larger end of elk calibers.  30-06 and up with heavy, strong bullets would be my choice.  A .308 would do the job, thousands of bear have been killed with 30-30s and other lever action calibers.  But larger always give you a better chance of a clean kill.  If you choose your .308 I would shot 180 grain bullets with strong construction. 

45-70 would be an excellent choice for shorter ranges.  338 calibers would probably be a bit better if you plan on shooting them a bit farther out.

Low to mid range variable scopes would be my choice as well.  Heavy reticle, maybe with good illumination. 

 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote erinis0112 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/28/2016 at 16:22
Originally posted by supertool73 supertool73 wrote:

I personally have not hunted black bear either, but know lots of locals and friends that do.  They typically hunt with elk type calibers and usually on the larger end of elk calibers.  30-06 and up with heavy, strong bullets would be my choice.  A .308 would do the job, thousands of bear have been killed with 30-30s and other lever action calibers.  But larger always give you a better chance of a clean kill.  If you choose your .308 I would shot 180 grain bullets with strong construction. 

45-70 would be an excellent choice for shorter ranges.  338 calibers would probably be a bit better if you plan on shooting them a bit farther out.

Low to mid range variable scopes would be my choice as well.  Heavy reticle, maybe with good illumination. 

 


well said, i am definitely getting some 338 calibers.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 3_tens Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/28/2016 at 19:06
.22 pistol. Get in a tree when the bear climbs the tree put the barrel in his eye and squeeze. It may not kill the bear but it will be a great test of your nerve.  Wink 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Peddler Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/28/2016 at 19:17
Any good whitetail rifle is all you need for Black Bear. In New York there are about 1800 harvested every year and in PA the average is a little over 3500 on average harvested each year. I doubt if many .338's are used if any. Best guess .300 Win. Is probably the biggest with very few over that.

I think there were 50 or 60 killed in PA that were over 500 lbs. I would still guess most were with normal Whitetail calibers.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Son of Ed Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/28/2016 at 21:02
That's what I always read when I was a kid growing up on the farm.  A 30-30, 300 Savage, 30-06 etc.

I spent my entire childhood on the farm in Pennsylvania and never even saw a bear.  In 1962 the Game Dept figured that hunters shot 88 bears in the '62 season.  Now, decades later, after I've been gone for 45 years, Pennsylvania has exploded into a huge bear hunting spot.  

I was living up in Pennsylvania a few years ago and I still didn't see one.   

 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote erinis0112 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/28/2016 at 21:11
Originally posted by 3_tens 3_tens wrote:

.22 pistol. Get in a tree when the bear climbs the tree put the barrel in his eye and squeeze. It may not kill the bear but it will be a great test of your nerve.  Wink 



thats really funny, i am definitely not doing that.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote erinis0112 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/28/2016 at 21:13
Originally posted by Son of Ed Son of Ed wrote:

That's what I always read when I was a kid growing up on the farm.  A 30-30, 300 Savage, 30-06 etc.

I spent my entire childhood on the farm in Pennsylvania and never even saw a bear.  In 1962 the Game Dept figured that hunters shot 88 bears in the '62 season.  Now, decades later, after I've been gone for 45 years, Pennsylvania has exploded into a huge bear hunting spot.  

I was living up in Pennsylvania a few years ago and I still didn't see one.   

 


i am sure they are up there, they migrate with weather and do hibernate too so.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Steelbenz Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/28/2016 at 21:53
We have had a couple black bear sighting in my neck of the woods in central Alabama. I have only eaten bear meat once and it was not a good meal. If Yogi don't mess with me, I don't mess with Yogi! Now Porky pig? That's a different story!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 3_tens Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/28/2016 at 22:09
I have an invitation to Hunt Arkansas B B B Bears during Bow season. Shocked In reality, feel safe. Not many hunters get a chance to see a bear much less get a shot at one with a Bow.

 You laughed at my .22, as was intended, but in reality that is what you said you were using.  Souped up   .223 out of the Colt LE 901. I would prefer something that shoots 140 grain pills or better for penetration. The hide is tough I have been told. Not sure my old bones could outrun a pissed off Bear. My backup would be a .357 and not a .22 either. Crazy but not that stupid. You never said where you were hunting. It would make a difference as to the size of bears you will have available to you.
I have a SS HD 1-6X24 scope on a LAR-8. It is a perfect combination. This scope has crystal clear HD glass. The FFP with the Donut circle is good up close, and at the 6X magnification brings up the mil reticle, good for longer ranges. A fine choice for your bear hunt.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Peddler Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/29/2016 at 04:02
Bears don't migrate, yes they do hibernate.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Cold Trigger Finger Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/31/2016 at 21:14
Bears do migrate some. They tend to cover ALOT of real estate. . The bear I killed last fall from my deck . I shot with my 9.3X,64 Brenneke. With wide shallow v and bead, express sights . 286 gr Lapua Mega bullet pushed by 75gr of Accurate 4350. . Shot was at not o er 30 feet . Didn't want to blow the back of his skull off , so I shot him just to the side of his mug as he looked at me . Bullet was lost somewhere in his lungs. 1 shot instant kill. About 300 lbs body weight.
I've killed a number of black bear over the years. . I prefer to use rifles that produce 4,000 ft lbs of m.e.With a bullet of .338" dia or greater. Tho I have killed a black bear with a 55gr fmjbt from my CZ 527 in 223 . Predator calling rifle. But, I've killed more brown bear than black . So my rifles are primarily brown bear rifles. Which obviously work well on black bear also.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Cold Trigger Finger Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/31/2016 at 21:34
However. This summer, I put a Vortex Crossfire ll. 1~4x24 on my 9.3 . But will put it on my 458. . I've killed more bears with a scope sight than iron sights on my rifles over the years. Mostly low power variables. But also 3~9 power.
A 308 Win will work . But unless you make a good first shot with a good bullet , meaning tough!! You will need a few rounds at best. A 500 lb black bear is a Big black bear. Personally, if I was down south, (lower 48) And was going to hunt black bear. I would find a Ruger Frontier in 358 Winchester. And put a 1~4x24 SWFA SS Classic in the conventional position with high rings.
Imo that would be about a perfect all around big game rifle.
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