what gun do you use to take a black bear?

Answer 1

New Jersey only allows black bears to be hunted using muzzle loaders or shotguns.

However, for some reason, New Jersey also considers the 1884 Springfield Trapdoor rifle, which uses .45-70 Govt. black powder rounds to be a "muzzle-loader", I decided to use this firearm when I took a 325 lb. black bear in this state.

The .45-70 not only has sufficient power to bring down such an animal, but also has a very blunt tip, which allows it to plow through bushes and other such growth without being deflected.

Answer 2

I agree with the person that mentioned that a 308 Win is about as small as I would go. If it was all I had, I would probably go as low as a 30-30 Win.

With the hair and fat layer that a bear has, you want to try and make as big of a hole as possible to ensure a good blood trail.

If you are using a gun that you already have for deer, I'd probably opt for a 30-06, any of the 300 magnums, a 12 ga. slug, or anything bigger.

If you are planning on going out an buying a new rifle (hunting a new animal is a great excuse to get a new rifle..), I'd opt for a 35 Whelen (if you are a handloader). A 45-70 would be nice. A 450 Marlin might be a little better (though the recoil might be a little stiff). If you can handle the recoil, a 375 H&H packs a ton of punch and probably a little overkill (but I've never shot anything too dead in my life though). A 338 Win Magnum is a round that would pack pleanty of punch with only moderate recoil (I always thought the muzzle blast was worse than the recoil myself).

With bear, the ranges typically are well under 100 yards, so a long range round really isn't needed. The key is to make a big hole to ensure a lot of blood and to have enough power to go through both shoulders if need be.

Answer 3

Bear take a lot of lead. Although many have been killed with the old .30-30 Winchester, I wouldn't use anything smaller than a .308 Winchester. The new .338 Federal round sounds like it would make a good bear gun.

Something already in my gun room is a 673 Remington Guide Rifle in .350 Remington Magnum. This is an 'old' round recently resurrected by Remington. The thirty-five caliber, 200 grain bullet should be plenty for bear. Black Bear appear to be making a come-back in Texas. If ever there is an open season (in South Texas) for bear that .350 is probably what I would use. Black Bear has not been listed as legal game in South Texas since 1974. That was in Jim Hogg County, and no one had seen a Black Bear there for thirty years! Although one had been destroyed by the police department further south in Edinburg, TX. (Hidalgo Cty.) in 1966.

H

Answer 4

A cartridge that has sufficient "punch" through brush in wooded areas. Practically any centerfire rifle that is designed to take a sizeable whitetail deer is capable of bringing down a black bear. But I recommend nothing smaller than .284 caliber. There is a variety of rifles in the following calibers: .280 Remington, 7x57 Mauser, .30-06, .300 Winchester Magnum, .30-30 Winchester, .338 Winchester Magnum, and .45-70, or something like a Ruger .44 Magnum carbine. All have done excellent jobs.

Answer 5

When bear hunting you should always be careful so I would just get a .300 win mag. This gun can take down and is made for big game. You should get a strong gun because for all you know you could land on a huge black bear that can't be taken down by any smaller rifle.

Answer 6

Bears have tough hides and a big fat layer. When you shoot them, there's not much of a blood trail to follow. So, making sure you can get the job done in one shot is of the highest importance. Many people take black bears with a .30-.30. That's a little small for me, I'd like to use a bigger gun to be sure to get the job done. Like others have mentioned rifles like the .444, .30/06 and .300 magnum are all good choices. A 12 ga with saboted slugs is also a good choice, especially if you are shooting shorter distances (less than 80 yards).

Answer 7

I would use something at least .30 caliber. I wouldn't be afraid to take one with my .308. Most black bears weigh under 500 lbs. That's definitely the smallest gun I would use though. If I was buying one I would go with a .300 magnum or larger. If you're hunting short range in fairly dense woods, Marlin makes several high caliber lever actions such as the .444 and .450.

Answer 8

something that will put it down with the first shot. a wounded bear is an angry bear. i hunt with a 300 mag and a 7mm mag. i would not go smaller than a .243. if you are going to hunt bear having confidence with the gun you use is as important as the calibre. a lot of people think that shooting a large calibre rifle will guarantee a kill but they are wrong. being able to place your shot is the most important part.

Answer 9

I used a 30.06 Remington 760 pump to take the only black bear I've killed so far. A 180gr. Core-lokt bullet did the trick. Several of my friends have taken them with bows. It's all about shot placement. Know where the vitals are located and wait for the perfect shot angle. Good luck hunting.

Answer 10

A Thompson Center Encore 50x209 muzzle loader loaded with one Barnes Expander bullet and 130 gains of 777 black powder substitute, does the job. Or if I'm feeling like using my handgun its a 454 encore with 12" barrel, loaded with 300 grain hornady XTP pushed by h110 powder.
Both when used wisely will put food on the table with one shot. Mmmm. think I will have to thaw out some of that tender meat for dinner tonight! Good the blood going just thinking about it!