Bear hunting, what caliber rifle to use?

Question

Some friends and I are going to hunt bears in Russia. I know, "its wrong", "dont hunt", "dont be cruel" what not. We are going, I just want some opinions on the rifle to use. Bleeding hearts need not respond.

thanks for the info, I think Im going to go with the winchester 458 safari gun. I was in the Army, infantry for 3 years, so I can put the rounds down where I want to, but where should I shoot a bear?

Answer 1

Bears are tough customers. Most important, you need a bullet that can penetrate deep. Next, a big bullet would be nice.

While I never intentionally hunted bear, I used to hunt deer in Alaska in an area known for large Brown Bears. I used to carry a rifle as if I were hunting bear, just in case.

If I were going to hunt bear, my first choice would be a 35 Whelen and my second choice would be a 375 H&H Magnum. Both cartridges may be a little on the "big" side, but I've never killed anything too dead.

I'd recommend using a rifle of 30 caliber or larger with quality, controlled expansion bullets. A 30-06 is a decent choice. A 300 Win Mag, or a 338 Win Mag would be a little better. In Europe and Africa, the 9.3x62mm is a popular round that would be good for bear (not sure of it's popularity in Russia though)

If you are sensative to recoil, you could back down to one of the 7mm cartridges. They wouldn't be my first choice, but with careful shot placement, they will work just fine.

What you carry is not as important as shot placement and practice shooting with your rifle of choice. My father lived a subsistance existance growing up in Alaska. He had killed pretty much every animal Alaska has to offer, including Brown Bears. His rifle of choice when he was young was a 250 Savage, a round I would consider inadequate. I just bring this up as an example of how patience, shot placement, and practice is more important than what you carry.

Have a happy and safe hunt. Enjoy your trip.

Answer 2

For black bear I use a 7mm Magnum. A bear can suck up a lot, I hit him in the front shoulder and almost perfectly through the lungs. In the time it took me to reach him about 20 minutes he was still able to get up and try to defend himself. So I would say load up for grizley, and take at least a 300 Magnum. Stay away from the Short Action Ultra Mags.
I'd take one of the following; 300 Winchester Magnum, 300 Ultra Magnum, 300 Weatherby, or a variant of the 338.

Answer 3

Atleast 300 Win Mag, .375 H&H to be sure. .454 casull handgun for backup

Answer 4

30-06 is what I use. The shot should be in the heart lung area. be safe and bag one.

Answer 5

30-06 or biger to small and you might piss them off