OT: Smallest cartridge for black bear

[Mike in Oregon]

'Some folks, you just can't reach.'

Dude, why did you delete your posts?

 

[mic2377]

Of your options, I would choose whatever caliber is in the rifle you shoot with the greatest degree of comfort, and load it with deep penetrating bullets. For example a 100 gr Partition or 90 gr Accubond in the 243, or a Nosler 64 gr bonded in 223, would have adequate penetration.

I would rather have a little less gun where shots can be placed accurately and repeatedly in a reflexive manner, than a bigger, heavier, harder to shoot rifle. Even worse is a handgun. I used to handgun hunt but I gave up on that because without a TON of practice, making good snapshots on moving targets is tough. Having done multiple hog depredation hunts that involve fast shooting on running targets, whatever is low recoil and easy handling is the ticket. Hogs are tough, but based on my experience I would not hesitate to carry a 223 AR-15 for mixed varmint/defense duty with something like Nosler 64's or a 60 Partition. I would put a few rounds of your favorite varmint load on top of the mag, and fill the rest with these.

Alternative calibers for an AR that pack more punch are great, but not all of them are quite as reliable in terms of feeding as cartridges like 223 or 6.8 SPC.

This isn't to say a bigger caliber isnt more lethal, and in theory a better choice for a quick one shot kill, because it is. But you aren't primarily hunting black bear, you are just trying to be ready for a worst case scenario.

 

[Mike in Oregon]

Of your options, I would choose whatever caliber is in the rifle you shoot with the greatest degree of comfort, and load it with deep penetrating bullets. For example a 100 gr Partition or 90 gr Accubond in the 243, or a Nosler 64 gr bonded in 223, would have adequate penetration.

I would rather have a little less gun where shots can be placed accurately and repeatedly in a reflexive manner, than a bigger, heavier, harder to shoot rifle. Even worse is a handgun. I used to handgun hunt but I gave up on that because without a TON of practice, making good snapshots on moving targets is tough. Having done multiple hog depredation hunts that involve fast shooting on running targets, whatever is low recoil and easy handling is the ticket. Hogs are tough, but based on my experience I would not hesitate to carry a 223 AR-15 for mixed varmint/defense duty with something like Nosler 64's or a 60 Partition. I would put a few rounds of your favorite varmint load on top of the mag, and fill the rest with these.

Alternative calibers for an AR that pack more punch are great, but not all of them are quite as reliable in terms of feeding as cartridges like 223 or 6.8 SPC.

This isn't to say a bigger caliber isnt more lethal, and in theory a better choice for a quick one shot kill, because it is. But you aren't primarily hunting black bear, you are just trying to be ready for a worst case scenario.

Good input! I don't think my 223 will shoot the 60 or 64 bullets due to it being a 12 twist. After most of these reads, I'm really thinking about just using my 243 with heavy loads.

 

[CJ6]

I like to call coyotes and have three rifles designated for that (204, 223 and 243). Getting back into the game, I learned that certain areas I was hunting is now loaded with black bear and a wolf pack. I carry a 44 mag whenever I hunt coyotes and try to protect my six whenever I can. So my question is, what is the smallest rifle cartridge you would consider hunting with when in those kind of areas?

Or, do you think the 243 could be loaded up to get the job done?

An old school chum has taken several bear over the years with his Rem 788 in 243.
That being said, that's also the biggest cartridge he owns.

 

[tcob68]

So, what bullet might you suggest for my 243, seeing how I'm not saving pelts? I have a 9 1/8 twist.

I would look at the Nosler 85gr partition. Still have enough speed for the long shots or running shot on coyotes and strong enough to bust large bones and penetrate.

 

[JFrank]

There was a guy awhile back ( in Idaho iirc) that shot a Grizzly with a .22 and killed it. He got in big trouble of course but it did die.
@Idaho-Lefty might recall the incident better than I do, maybe he”ll chime in.

 

[Majday]

Good input! I don't think my 223 will shoot the 60 or 64 bullets due to it being a 12 twist. After most of these reads, I'm really thinking about just using my 243 with heavy loads.

Nosler 6mm (.243") 90gr AccuBond

New Nosler 6mm (.243") 90gr AccuBond Bullets - Bonded Hunting Bullets for reloading precision hunting ammunition

ravenrocksprecision.com

Pretty good price and would probably be adequate for what your hoping for

 

[AWS]

In bear country use a caller with a remote and set it a ways from you. Bears need some pretty continuous calling just shut off the caller if you see one and they lose interest. Carry your calling rifle in a back pack and keep a shotgun in your hands walking in. I hunt a lot of close cover with a drilling or combo gun.. The odds of a bear attack is 1 in 2.1 million. Most attacks happen in August and June neither are prime predator calling times. Bear spray works well untill you run into a bear that likes capsaicin flavor human tartar(humor) bear spray does work. Wear bear bells while hiking in, be sure you tell your family what color your bear bells are so they know which pile of bear shit is you. Buy a bear license and go Bear calling get one up on them.

I used to call the WA coastal forests and the east slope of the Cascades, never called in a bear while predator calling.

 

[Mike in Oregon]

In bear country use a caller with a remote and set it a ways from you. Bears need some pretty continuous calling just shut off the caller if you see one and they lose interest. Carry your calling rifle in a back pack and keep a shotgun in your hands walking in. I hunt a lot of close cover with a drilling or combo gun.. The odds of a bear attack is 1 in 2.1 million. Most attacks happen in August and June neither are prime predator calling times. Buy a bear license and go Bear calling.

Defiantly!

 

[Mike in Oregon]

Defiantly!

I have always had the best luck calling in September. I just have to try and stay away from the bow hunters, respectfully. Soon I'll try getting out in March and April. that's spring bear and cub season though.

 

[Alex Wheeler]

I wouldnt worry about it too much. The reality is to stop a bear you need to break them. CNS so its about penetration and shot placement. Not sure you want to coyote hunt with something that can go through a bear. Yes you can kill them with small stuff but the point is to kill them before they kill you. I remember a case is sw Mt. where a guy was hunting and came up on a griz in Lima. Shot him in the face with a 300 Weatherby but it still tore him up so bad he was air flighted to Wa. and not sure if he made it or not. The bear did die, but not fast enough.

 

[R.Morehouse]

12g.... 00-Buckshot & Slugs in a quality semi. First 2 00-Buck, then alternate. Shot placement in a high-stress situation isn't something that is usually regularly practiced. I think I would want to put the 1st 2 in the face, if it were looking my way......I have never hunted or shot a bear, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express once.

Regards
Rick

 

[Paddyd]

I like to call coyotes and have three rifles designated for that (204, 223 and 243). Getting back into the game, I learned that certain areas I was hunting is now loaded with black bear and a wolf pack. I carry a 44 mag whenever I hunt coyotes and try to protect my six whenever I can. So my question is, what is the smallest rifle cartridge you would consider hunting with when in those kind of areas?

Or, do you think the 243 could be loaded up to get the job done?

Black bears arent all that hard to kill. Here in Michigan, we use dogs, a single shot 30/30 and a Glock19. Usually never need to draw the pistol.

 

[L.Sherm]

There was a guy awhile back ( in Idaho iirc) that shot a Grizzly with a .22 and killed it. He got in big trouble of course but it did die.
@Idaho-Lefty might recall the incident better than I do, maybe he”ll chime in.

Shot placement is the key no matter what bullet or caliber you use, as far as Black bears being aggressive i trust none of them ive been charged twice by black bears.

 

[sw282]

This question is like asking, ''What's the smallest parachute l would need in case l had to jump out of an airplane''?

 

[JFrank]

Shot placement is the key no matter what bullet or caliber you use, as far as Black bears being aggressive i trust none of them ive been charged twice by black bears.

My Bear hunting mentor ( 83 years old now) has shot twenty blacks in her lifetime doesn’t trust them either, she always carries a 30-06.
I had a 5 footer go up a tree so fast I was like whoa !! I’m glad he didn’t come at me that fast cause I didn’t have a gun that day and I can’t run at all. Lol
Moose are even worse. I won’t get anywhere close to a cow or a bull, at least they don’t climb a tree after ya.

 

[dellet]

There is a big difference in hunting bears, and being hunted by a bear. For the most part it sounds like you’re talking about possibly being attacked, which means a charge. The problem with a charging bear is that there is no such thing as shot placement.

The head will do a really good job of protecting the vitals. It’s pointy, round and hard. Does a very good job of deflecting bullets. Then add in the speed and agility, there is no time to place a shot. You’ll be lucky to not be shooting from the hip.

The problem with calling predators in bear country is that you set up to your advantage. That means the you have a certain amount of out of vision area that you are calling in another predator. Bears often circle.

Years ago I set up to call a bear across a clear cut that I could see. Gave up when I saw the cubs. Hunting with a bow, I had dropped some of my gear behind me. After giving up on the black bear, and returning to grab my stuff, I was treated to a steaming fresh pile of grizzly crap. I had inadvertently called it in, which might have explained the lack of interest the sow had shown. It winded me and left. Bottom line, it’s really hard to get a rifle in position to shoot, if the attack occurs when you’re not already looking through the scope.

A second weapon, that has use at a get off me distance, is a wise choice no matter what you do with your rifle.

Forgot to mention, have you stopped to considered if your scope will be useful or a hindrance at 20 yards?

 

[L.Sherm]

A shotgun with buckshot works good up close and personal.
A guy few years ago killed a charging griz with bird shot bird hunting.

 

[L.Sherm]

12g.... 00-Buckshot & Slugs in a quality semi. First 2 00-Buck, then alternate. Shot placement in a high-stress situation isn't something that is usually regularly practiced. I think I would want to put the 1st 2 in the face, if it were looking my way......I have never hunted or shot a bear, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express once.

Regards
Rick

Shot gun with buck shot and slugs alternated is what we all carried for bears in S.E. Alaska when I cut timber there in the late 80's.
Dall Island the blackies were thick as fleas on a hound. You had to hang your bar oil jug up in a tree or the bears would eat it after we left for the day.

 

[std7mag]

As @dellet says.
There is a huge difference between hunting for bear and reacting to a bear charge.

And if it's a charge, most likely it's at a distance that's already dangerous.

Forget about shot placement!
You won't have time.

While I have hunted bear with my 257 Roberts AI, it's not the weapon I want for protection from a bear charge.

You want something that you can get into action quickly, that hits hard, and you can put repeated shots out quickly.

@Mike in Oregon,
Your 44 Mag will hit hard. A good penetrating bullet is wanted.
You should practice drawing from your holster, smoothly.
Then practice rapidly emptying the cylinder into a target.

After that, practice throwing the pistol. Lol