Bear Rifles

[SJB358]

Well, I went out, to test a few loads I have had loaded up for awhile. Didn't get quite as much time as I wanted, but I have a good start to most.

It was the first time of touching off my 338 with the Swaro and I LOVE the reticle and the scope. Just an awesome combo.

I was trying RL22 with the 250 PT's and 275 Speer's. Didn't have the chrono set up today, but I will run it next time. The range is 137 yards.

73.5 grains of RL22 with the 250 PT looks pretty decent. I think I got the barrel a little warm for the last shot, but I will reshoot and see what it does.



I also had decent luck with the 275 Speer

RL22 seems to work well in the 338 with that bullet too.



I will work a little more with that bullet soon..



I also shot some groups with Lori's 25-06 and RL22 with the 120 Swift A-Frames. Turned in a decent group, I will go back and revisit next time around.





I will get the chrono out soon, but it has been too long since I have had some range time, so I needed to get out a little!

 

[JD338]

Looking good Scotty.

JD338

 

[DrMike]

For tagging bear over bait, those will all work. Those 275 grain bullets in the 338 will deliver a real knockout blow.

 

[Wincheringen]

I would cut that RL22 charge down for the 25/06, I get excellent accuracy with 2 grains less powder and DRT kills.

 

[Hegland]

As hard as the 180 PT out of the .30-06 slammed my black bear, those .338s ought to pretty much rip the ground right out from under one. And those A-Frames should punch through just fine as well.

Good luck!

 

[JD338]

Scotty,

I shot a black bear with my 338 RUM and a 210 gr PT at 3200 fps. It was an impressive DRT kill.
Quartering on shot, the bullet went into the on shoulder and exited the off side ribs, leaving an exit hole the size of a golf ball.

JD338

 

[onesonek]

You ain't got no worries at PBR Scotty. And either would work for me out to 300 yds. ymmv
A wee bit tighter may be desirable, but I likely wouldn't shoot beyond 300 anyhow. But I think you tighten them up, as sure as I'm confident the rifle is capable as you.

 

[bullet]

Scotty, very nice set up and the Swaro looks real good, they are a fine product. Are you hunting black bear are grizzly bear or both?

 

[SJB358]

You ain't got no worries at PBR Scotty. And either would work for me out to 300 yds. ymmv
A wee bit tighter may be desirable, but I likely wouldn't shoot beyond 300 anyhow. But I think you tighten them up, as sure as I'm confident the rifle is capable as you.

Oh yeah, for sure. I am pretty sure I can tighten both of them up a bit. Still trying to get my little range sorted out. I am going to run the targets out to 200 today and try them again. Should also be able to refine the zero's as well.

Were headed to Idaho for a Spring Black Bear hunt. Lori will take the 25-06/444 Marlin and I will run the 338 and 45-70.. Gotta be prepared, but I would love to smash a bear with one of Dave's 405's. They are too cool to only limit them to paper!

Yeah Mike, the Swaro is THE BEST scope I have ever had. Clear, very positive tracking, and man, it is a tank of an optic, but still relatively lightweight for a 30mm tubed scope.

 

[bullet]

You ain't got no worries at PBR Scotty. And either would work for me out to 300 yds. ymmv
A wee bit tighter may be desirable, but I likely wouldn't shoot beyond 300 anyhow. But I think you tighten them up, as sure as I'm confident the rifle is capable as you.

Yeah Mike, the Swaro is THE BEST scope I have ever had. Clear, very positive tracking, and man, it is a tank of an optic, but still relatively lightweight for a 30mm tubed scope.

Yes, my 3-9x40mm Swaro on my Ackley improved 30-06 was the best scope over all I ever put on a rifle. Very bright (one inch tube, but 300mm allows for adjustments, it does not improve light gathering as some think) and always track true and was very good in low light. Also, you have more than enough plus some for taking black bears even the 500 to 600 pounds class black bear. I like your bear rifle set up, it is perfect, well done.

 

[truck driver]

That's looking good buddy. I managed to bust a couple of ground hogs from my deck this week with my 257 Robby. It was great just to be able to sit out side in the sun and the whistle pigs made it even better.

 

[Kodiak]

I spoke with Elmer Keith in 1973 about bear loads and rifles. He was at the NRA Convention in KC.
The conversation drifted over to .338 caliber rifles and the Speer 275 gr. softpoint . He said it was a good bear bullet then ... and I bet its still good today.

 

[Guy Miner]

Very cool that you were able to talk to Elmer Keith about bullets!

Scotty - I think you're well set with rifles, scopes & loads. Best of luck to you both on the hunt!

Guy

 

[sask boy]

Scotty my cousin shoots that calibre & has shot dozens of black bears.
The 250gr absolutely flattens them.

Blessings,
Dan

 

[SJB358]

I spoke with Elmer Keith in 1973 about bear loads and rifles. He was at the NRA Convention in KC.
The conversation drifted over to .338 caliber rifles and the Speer 275 gr. softpoint . He said it was a good bear bullet then ... and I bet its still good today.

Jim, the 275's tightened up some at 72 grains of RL22..



Then kinda widened back out at 73.



With my last 338, I was getting about 2650 out of 72 grains of RL22, and this one has a little extra barrel on it, so while it is unconfirmed, it feels plenty quick enough. Might monkey around just a little more with it. I love that bullet, and I have a ton of them!

 

[truck driver]

Scotty
the 72gr load looks good maybe by adjusting the COL you could get it tighter.

 

[SJB358]

Scotty
the 72gr load looks good maybe by adjusting the COL you could get it tighter.

I think so too. Will load up a few varying seating depths and test it out. I like those bullets and they really dig deep.

 

[bullet]

Good luck on your hunt, can't wait to hear how it turns out.

 

[Guy Miner]

Scotty - at 72 grains, in what order were those three fired? Were the two that are touching, consecutive?

I think you're onto a good load.

Does Speer still make that 275 gr bullet? I remember seeing them long ago.

Guy

 

[SJB358]

Yeah. Those were shots 1-2 and I dropped the 3rd. Pretty sure I was worn down a touch. Those were the last loads I fired yesterday and 20-30 rounds of 250's is plenty.

They don't make them anymore but I have about 300 of them. Pretty sure I can tune them up enough to hunt with. They might even go for bear.