.280 Remington for Bear?

[salthouse]

You can get Nosler Partions in 175gr from Conley Precision cpcartridge.com http://cpcartridge.com/cart2/index....page=2&zenid=b2f07d08749354e2e512c0f35e4b7acd . I got ammo from them last year, very pleased with the product and the price was ok too.

 

[John Peddie]

Black Bears

I've shot upwards of 30 (government job-camp protection) mostly with a Model 94 (.32 Spl) and a few with a .303 British.

Males ran avg. of 250 live weight, females maybe 150 or so.

Some were DRT, but I've also seen them run (away from me) for 100 yards, full bore, then drop.

If your bears are similar size, you're fine, but I'd suggest those 165 gr. bullets.

But they can be surprisingly tough some times.

One trick: they have superb noses, but poor eyesight. If I caught one with its head down or behind brush, I'd put the sights a couple of feet over the middle of its back, then whistle. Bear stands up for a better look and is right in my sight picture.

 

[NickEllis]

Seems there would be a difference between the Carolina sticks, and the Oregon forests. Very different applications. I'd probably take as big a bore as I could get, crawling into the sticks out east! However, that .280 should do just fine in the woods of Oregon

 

[nathan]

Bear meat must be really be good, huh? SOme say it is really fatty, could be all the salmon they eat.

 

[pat86323]

........ 1/4moa what kind of 7mm ive never EVER seen a 7 mag bullet after the shot. Even on a 500 yard shot on a mature cow elk. They just cut right through and leave an ugly hole on the exit side. Not saying that its impossible but my god they are animals.......not tanks.

 

[Leanwolf]

NATHAN - "Bear meat must be really be good, huh?"

I've only killed two Black bears, both in California. The meat was quite good. I've not killed an Idaho bear, but have eaten some of the meat from three different Black bears killed here by friends of mine. Again, very tasty, and not gamey.

I rendered down the bear fat from the two I killed and used the bear grease for the "lard" in biscuits, pie crusts, greasing the griddle for pancakes and waffles, etc. Mighty fine!

FWIW.

L.W.

 

[1/4MOA]

pat86323 - it was a 7mm mag out of a Savage m110. not a 7mm-08, not a 7mm STW. 3000 fps or so with tons of energy. no exit and still have the bullet that killed the bear.... they are tough animals.

 

[john917v]

I am by no means a firearm expert, but I would say that the .280 would be all right load, and pretty good at close ranges. I would go for something in the 7MM range, as posted above me. Just my 2/100 of a $1.

 

[David4516]

.280 is in the 7mm range...

Actually it's just a little short of 7mm Mag, but beefier than a 7mm-08 or a 7X57 mauser.

Thats why I bought it... shoots like a 7mm Mag but with a little less recoil and doesn't eat as much powder...

 

[Kimber1911_06238]

get a heavy for caliber, premium bullet and go hunt with confidence!

 

[H&Hhunter]

what kind of 7mm ive never EVER seen a 7 mag bullet after the shot. Even on a 500 yard shot on a mature cow elk. They just cut right through and leave an ugly hole on the exit side.

I've seen a 150 lb hog stop a 300 gr Nosler PT out of a .375H&H. Bullet penetration simply depends on to many variables to say that they will always exit or they will always stop.

I've seen plenty of 7MM's stopped by all sorts of critters.

To answer the original question though. Yes the .280 Remington will be fine on a Oregon black bear hunt. Black bears are thin skinned and fairly lightly built.

Popping one at longer range is way different than wading into a dog rally and smacking one at tooth range. That is where a nice .45-70 comes in real handy. But it's a different application.

 

[Logos]

If I was at close range with a big black bear......I'd want the caliber that would do the most damage to the bear.

And if I were choosing between the .280 and the 45-70, I'd take the .280 hands down.

Use a premium 140 grain bullet for the quickest kill. Heavier bullets in the .280 may not open up quickly enough......they are designed for moose, which are three or four times the size of black bear.

Bear are just flesh and blood animals like deer, and deer rifles do a fine job on them.

 

[gbran]

I've taken a fair number of CA black bears, the last 3 with a 454 SRH handgun, most the rest with an '06 or a 7mm mag. I have friends who have used everything from handguns 30-30's to big bores.

I think I might want some horsepower for long shots, but I'd be happy with most anything for the shorter ranges.

 

[glocker82]

I don't think you can ever have to much power for a bear. Give me a T-rex(the gun not the dinosaur)!

 

[David4516]

Well I think I have my ammo question figured out. I went to the range last weekend and tested out my reloads... and was pleased with the results. I shot a one inch 5-shot group at 100 yards. Good enough for me.

I think I'll take the .30-30 with me as well, just in case the brush is thicker than expected or if anything goes wrong with the .280

My Dad has a Puma model 92 in .454, he wants me to take it instead of the .30-30

I tried shooting it, found that the recoil was a little much for me, and decided against it.