bear

[model 12 toby]

10-4 on the accubond. I'll start looking. Would u say average pa bear is tougher than an elk?

 

[model 12 toby]

Okay just looked up accubonds. Said 1800 fps minimum. Does that mean when it impacts animal? Looks like it flies nice. Put it in my ballistic app. So how much energy is minimum and would the bear know whether it was going 1800 or 2200 fps when it hit it if ya hit vitals behind shoulder? Trying to see what would be limits.

 

[Kermit in Va.]

+1 for the accubonds...


Kermit

 

[Trapper243]

1800 fps would be the minimum needed, at the impact point, to ensure expansion. Run your ballistic numbers and do the math to see about where you run out of velocity needed and that would be about where your mechanical max range is. At 2700 fps the 140 Accubond with a 509 bc goes under 1800 fps at around 570 yards. Take a few yards off as insurance and you are looking at 500 yards max. Throw in a whole bunch of field variables, including your own personal limitations and max range shrinks even more. At what distance can you keep your shots on a 6" target? They may be big but big equals more non vital tissue and increases the odds of a bad hit. How tough are they? Make a bad hit and you will be wishing for more gun. Get both lungs and you will be fine. Don't worry about how far someone shot a bear on TV. Work within your own limits . As someone else already said, "shot placement and patience".

 

[model 12 toby]

I'm getting 28 something. fps. I'll do the math. 6" wow that's small. I'll get some and start practicing.

 

[Nomad47]

I recall talking to an Alaskan Guide about hunting Grizzly and Brown Bears. He said he wanted to see a minimum of 300 Magnum of some sort, a very low scope power (he mentioned a 1-4 variable as a max). He wanted the shot to be 100 yards or less and he wanted the first shot to break front shoulders. Dangerous game and that sounded like sound advice to me. I realize Black Bears are not in the same class as Brown and Grizzly but.....
Toby, what type of big game and how many have you shot with a rifle?

 

[model 12 toby]

None. Don't have a 300 win mag. Maybe Ill just forget about it.

 

[Nomad47]

I don't want to rain on your parade, Toby. And Black Bears aren't near as tough or as big as Brown & Grizzly. You don't need a 300 Mag for Black Bear.
But if you think hunting coyotes is tough, wait until you try Black Bear (and not over a bait pile - which I think is not allowed in PA).
I hunted Whitetail Deer in PA for several years and not ONCE did I ever see a bear. Somewhere I read that a deer will hang around long enough to see what made a strange sound or smell while a bear is already gone.

 

[model 12 toby]

I read the success percentages and that's obvious but I haven't been on a vacation in 9 years and if I do something and get away from it all I'm gonna go postal.

 

[Raythemanroe]

Black bears shoulders are still pretty stout, I would and have had no problem using lesser fire power...Would everybody on here say somebody using a Bow is crazy? If I was to go hunting with a 6.5 I would choose the best bullet in my opinion and practice practice practice! Hunting is like anything else 90% mental!!!! 300 mag or more and 100y or less one may as well grab there 12 gauge...

 

[BigDMT]

I think it's funny when people portray a bow as a weak weapon. Most of them launch a 450gr+ arrow with RAZOR sharp cutting blades in front of it. It is a VERY deadly weapon within it's limited range. Discussing bullet construction and their widely varying terminal performances is a whole different ball game. You really can't compare the two. Other than the fact that shot placement is of the highest importance with both.

Many of us have experience harvesting black bears, myself included, and I don't consider them very hard to kill animals either. But thats only because I have been fortunate enough to always land good kill shots on them with a rifle (300 win mag with 180gr bullets).

I also agree that black bears in general are not considered to be as tough as grizzlies, but in most areas they are much smaller animals. In PA however, there is a "chance" that the OP may encounter a black bear every bit as large as a mature bore grizzly. That being the case, even if the percentage of the encounter with an animal of that magnitude is fairly low, don't you all think he should be prepared for that scenario with enough gun??? If not, he could possibly lose the trophy of a lifetime...

If theres a winter brizzard storm warning in effect most of us wouldnt decide to take a 2 wheel rear drive car to drive around on errands or to see family and friends. We would take the 4 wheel drive pick-up. That way if the storm hits while you're out, you'll be much better off. So even if there is only a small chance that the OP may run into a 700-900 lb. monster bruin in PA (and you have to admit that there is definitely a chance when looking at the states harvest history) dont you think it wise for him to go afield with something with more punch than a 6.5mm caliber only capable of mid range velocities and low energy levels using a bullet that "might" be big enough to penetrate such a large creature with a misplaced shot? I dont think its very wise IMO.

I always prepare for the worst and pray for the best

 

[model 12 toby]

I'm going to practice every weekend till then. I'm going to do all different distances out to 600 or so. 1 shot is all I got right? If I can't get it I'll have to move in and forget about it. I don't have another rifle and times r tough right now.

 

[Raythemanroe]

BigDMT I agree with your above statement 100%, but not as strongly! I see guys using big 44 mag pistols and 454, I don't believe pistol cartridges to have the penetration but long story short I believe he has enough gun and shouldn't miss a opportunity as long as he does his part.. If I was gonna be taking a 600 yard shot at a bear I definitely would want a 300 mag! Good luck getting a 500 yard shot at a bear in PA though unless your in the Grand Canyon..Bear don't tend to travel the open in any hunting season in PA..

 

[ChrisT]

I have never hunted bear and most likely never will....................more the pity,old saying goes like this,fail to prepare then prepare to fail,I say use enough gun son

 

[model 12 toby]

I'll have to practice 100 yards too it sounds like. Canyon? Is that in Tioga county?

 

[Raythemanroe]

There is a nice rail road bed that goes in between the hills and some places you have a good line of site...You would have to be quick..

 

[40X Guy]

Model 12 Tioga, Lycoming, and Potter county are pretty much the big 3 counties for bear in Pa. Guys there actually group up at least 20 guys and drive them as the territory is big, and hilly. If going by yourself or with just a few friends it would be best to tag up with some guys at the local bars and get with them. No baiting at all allowed. Also McKean, Cameron and Clinton county have good bear population. Bear hunting in Pa. is hard work and a shot will rarely be taken over 100-150 yards. Tons of state forests in the counties I mentioned and you need to get off the beaten path. Buy a GPS and get your body in shape!

Frank

 

[model 12 toby]

I like sounds of the railroad bed. Guys thanks so much for all the advice. Sounds like I better take my bog pod with me. I've been walking a good bit. I'll have to step it up about as time gets closer. I just got one friend coming so far.

 

[funkyon4wheels]

http://s1292.photobucket.com/user/funkyon4wheels/slideshow/ here is a couple of pics of a Juniata county, pa bear I've been after for the last couple of years. for size reference the bottom of the dispenser on the feeder is approximately 6ft off the ground.

 

[BigDMT]

http://s1292.photobucket.com/user/funkyon4wheels/slideshow/ here is a couple of pics of a Juniata county, pa bear I've been after for the last couple of years. for size reference the bottom of the dispenser on the feeder is approximately 6ft off the ground.

pic wont come up with the link you provided.

"copy and paste" each "image" code on your photobucket photos to your post on this thread and they will come up.