Cartridge for blackies

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If you don't mind I'd like to hear the story of the blacktail shot with your 338 win mag, and the condition of the meat.
I’ve shot 3 with a 338 WM at ranges between 300 yards and 15 yards. I’ll save the hunting stories for a different thread since this already a bit of a tangent. Meat damage was no different than what you’d see in any moderately high velocity cartridge and less than many high velocity smaller caliber cartridges. What I really like is that I expect 1 shot, 2 holes, a good blood trail, and a short tracking job. I suppose I should mention that on two of the bucks, I clipped the opposite shoulder with the exiting bullet and lost a little meat that way. I count it as a small price to pay for a rifle/cartridge combo that stays in my hand from deer season through elk season and that I can confidently pull out of the safe for any big game task that I could pull off. These are the 3 “blackies” I killed with my 338. 67AB679D-24A9-4D66-82BB-8C114652E4E5.jpeg 723D9D7E-DC2B-4641-8302-EA6A9A590699.jpeg View attachment 917761 828C6A4D-EF49-4A67-839D-867B0FAD7BB5.jpeg
 
I’ve only hunted black bear once. Range was under fifty yards max.

Guide says “shoot for that little pink spot at the base of their ear. To track them, go to where they were standing and look down. You’ll find your bear”. It works.

I have zero desire to chase a wounded bear through brush at night, and your shot may well be at last light.

IMO, your real question should be “which scope?” I’d most strongly suggest something that is super clear, gathers light well, and has a small red dot. My bear was at last light in extremely heavy pine forest during a light rain. Just looking, it was a big ball of black fur in extremely poor light. Cross hairs were lost.

Fortunately, I had a Leupold VX-R with a Firedot. Crystal clear and that little red dot was awesome.
 
I’ve only hunted black bear once. Range was under fifty yards max.

Guide says “shoot for that little pink spot at the base of their ear. To track them, go to where they were standing and look down. You’ll find your bear”. It works.

I have zero desire to chase a wounded bear through brush at night, and your shot may well be at last light.

IMO, your real question should be “which scope?” I’d most strongly suggest something that is super clear, gathers light well, and has a small red dot. My bear was at last light in extremely heavy pine forest during a light rain. Just looking, it was a big ball of black fur in extremely poor light. Cross hairs were lost.

Fortunately, I had a Leupold VX-R with a Firedot. Crystal clear and that little red dot was awesome.

While your guide was correct that a base skull shot will obviously drop a critter. Bears are scored by skull dimensions. So if you shatter the skull you can’t score for the books. If score is something you are interested in don’t head shoot bears.
 
I'd pick a 30 cal or larger rifle

For 30 cal:
Any rifle cartridge 308 Winchester power level and up 168gr bullets and up
A popular load at bear camp is the Rem core lokt 220gr 30-06.....

358 win
348 win
350 rem mag


444 marlin
45-70

12 gauge


Sidearm (flat tough non expanding bullets, I would only use a sidearm on a bear DEFENSE attack and direct all shots to the head):

170gr or heavier 357 (if u must take a 357)
45 auto +p (if u must)
44 magnum 240's or heavier
45 colt

MOST IMPORTANTLY
Test and prove your ability to make good hits with what you will be using. Don't go unprepared. If you bring a 300 win mag and a 44 mag handgun both of which you are recoil sensitive and can't make hits don't bother going.

Only bears we haven't tracked were the neck shot one's. DRT. Haven't head shot any.
 
For both deer and black bears, 10mm Hi-Point Carbine load up with hunting loads...:):D:neener:
 
For Blacktail Deer, I use my Marlin® 336C in 30/30 Winchester®. For Black Bear, I use my Marlin® 444SS in 444 Marlin®. If hunting with a handgun for either species I use my Ruger® New Model Blackhawk® 6½' barrel 41 Remington Magnum.
 
Can we change the title of this thread. The cover of this book could be used against us without even reading the pages underneath it.
Yikes! It didn’t occur to me but to clarify, deer and bears. I’ve no interest in shooting anyone, particularly based on their unalterable shade of melanin.
 
Nice ‘99’ Frulk!

I always thought they came from Savage all beat up and rusty, or with really cheap mystery wood with a finish that wore off sitting in a gun rack...

My Browning BLR .358 is too pretty to hunt with, and trigger suxs.
So, I prefer my well used Marlin .35 Rem.
 
I love bearhunting….have been lucky enough to go to Eastern Canada 6 times, taking five bears. Most deer hunting there is close woods from stands, and in practice you don't need that much gun. That said, you can get some big bears...(just like deer, there are alot more small bears than big bears, and to a newbie in the woods, they all look big). For a typical bear...most run 150-200 lbs. Not a big deal, a 30-30 is fine. When you start holding and waiting for a 300-400 lber, I want more gun...not that the 30-30s wont kill them, but they are less likely to be dropped on the spot.Bears are very fatty, and even with a good exit hole IF they leave the stand clearing are very difficult to trail in the typical very thick black spruce/ swamp terrain they are usually found in. I have settled on a Browning 45-70. I like the big fat slow moving round to settle them asap. My first bear (a last light last day two-3 year old) was shot with a .300 Win Mag, which I was assured was best. It was a double lung shot that almost blew the chest cavity wide open...and the bear still ran 60 yards! I was horrified and disgusted, and vowed to never use the .300 again...and didn't. The 45-70 has anchored them cleanly each time since. But...my next hunt I will likely take my 8x57 Mauser, just because I haven't killed a bear with it yet, and I likely will only shoot one or two more.
 
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