I'm going on my first black bear hunt next month, and I'll be using 180g Nosler Partitions in a Rem 700 30/06. I'll be hunting over bait, so the distance will be fairly close (50 yds or less). My question is, how hot should I load these bullets for this type of hunting?
Nosler velocity for bear?
- Thread starter Mantis
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30-06 lover
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I would go with a standard load at 2700 FPS.
-Mike
-Mike
ronbwolf
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I know reloading your own is fun, but if you are paying for going on a guided hunt I would buy a box of Federal Premiums with the Barnes Triple shock X-bullet. I have used these on deer for the past two years, 80 yds., and 250 yds. and they are the next best thing to a death ray I have seen.
GooseGestapo
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Any well recognized standard loading for the 180gr Nosler will get the job done.
My preference is for Reloader-22
It gives best accuracy from my gun. Approaching 1 hole 3-shot groups @100yds, with some old Speer 180gr Hot-Cor's, which I used for bear on a Canadian spring bear hunt in New Brunswick, Canada in 1988.
I used at that time 58.0gr of H4831, as that's all I could get in my Norma cases. Velocity ran just about 2,700fps. Accuracy was about 1", but not as fast or accurate as the RL-22.
Most factory ammo actually chrono's about 2,575 to 2,650 so don't let folks decieve you about what an '06 really gets with 180's. I've not seen 2,800fps without getting pressure signs. Not something you want if your quarry can "bite back".
But don't let that deter you. The Nosler 180gr Partition has a wonderful reputation gained at that velocity.
My load of 60.0gr of RL-22 runs 2,785fps from my 24"bbl Interarms MkX. (or did before I removed it and rebarreled to .338/06). I also have a Midland Arms (Parker-Hale '98 action) with a 24" bbl that runs it to 2,770. So, it is a consistent load, and consistantly accurate load in different rifles.
As one of the better gun writters has written.......
If you can't get it done with a 180gr Nosler from a .30/06; maybe you need to rethink what your'e doing.
In Upper Maine, and in Eastern Canada, the .30/30 with 170gr Corlokts and the .35Rem with 200gr Corlokts have an enviable reputation for putting down the bears.
Placing your shot "exactly" is much more important than 100+/- fps of velocity.
The .30/06 with 180gr Noslers can't be beat. They give much better initial impact performance than the Barnes X bullets. Especially if you don't hit major bones. They have wider wound channels, and perhaps a better blood trail if you don't hit the spine or cranium.
No "slam" against the Barnes, but I have used, and seen results of many other hunters using the Nosler's, and know they WORK.
My preference is for Reloader-22
It gives best accuracy from my gun. Approaching 1 hole 3-shot groups @100yds, with some old Speer 180gr Hot-Cor's, which I used for bear on a Canadian spring bear hunt in New Brunswick, Canada in 1988.
I used at that time 58.0gr of H4831, as that's all I could get in my Norma cases. Velocity ran just about 2,700fps. Accuracy was about 1", but not as fast or accurate as the RL-22.
Most factory ammo actually chrono's about 2,575 to 2,650 so don't let folks decieve you about what an '06 really gets with 180's. I've not seen 2,800fps without getting pressure signs. Not something you want if your quarry can "bite back".
But don't let that deter you. The Nosler 180gr Partition has a wonderful reputation gained at that velocity.
My load of 60.0gr of RL-22 runs 2,785fps from my 24"bbl Interarms MkX. (or did before I removed it and rebarreled to .338/06). I also have a Midland Arms (Parker-Hale '98 action) with a 24" bbl that runs it to 2,770. So, it is a consistent load, and consistantly accurate load in different rifles.
As one of the better gun writters has written.......
If you can't get it done with a 180gr Nosler from a .30/06; maybe you need to rethink what your'e doing.
In Upper Maine, and in Eastern Canada, the .30/30 with 170gr Corlokts and the .35Rem with 200gr Corlokts have an enviable reputation for putting down the bears.
Placing your shot "exactly" is much more important than 100+/- fps of velocity.
The .30/06 with 180gr Noslers can't be beat. They give much better initial impact performance than the Barnes X bullets. Especially if you don't hit major bones. They have wider wound channels, and perhaps a better blood trail if you don't hit the spine or cranium.
No "slam" against the Barnes, but I have used, and seen results of many other hunters using the Nosler's, and know they WORK.
TomFromTheShade
Member
I shot my bear, 248 pounds, with a 30-06 and a 180g failsafe. It liquified the lung, ripped the heart in half and left an exit hole the size of a silver dollar. I found the bear about 20 yards away.
stevelyn
Member
Premium bullets aren't necessary for black bears. Any old .30 caliber hunting bullet from 150 to 180 grains at standard '06 velocities will due.
Since you are going to be hunting over bait, you can wait for an optimum presentation of the vitals and a deep penetrating bullet isn't a requirement.
Use what you are used to shooting out of your rifle.
Since you are going to be hunting over bait, you can wait for an optimum presentation of the vitals and a deep penetrating bullet isn't a requirement.
Use what you are used to shooting out of your rifle.
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