Black Bear Guns & Loads over Bait

[JD338]

I am hoping to pull a tag this fall for MI Black Bear. If I do, I have a spot lined up along the beaver dams and there is a big bear hanging there. The distance to the bait will be about 40-50 yards.
I am thinking the Marlin 1895 Guide gun in 45-70 topped off with a VX-3 1.75-6x32mm will get the nod. Thinking I will use the 300 gr PT at 2200 fps. I know with out a doubt, this is more than enough medicine to put even the biggest bear down with a bullet through the shoulders.

What are your thoughts for a good gun, scope and load for hunting over a bait?

JD338

 

[DrMike]

I would imagine that anything from a 25-06 on up will work. However, if you are hunting in thick stuff, you'll undoubtedly want to drop them right quick. In that instance, I'd think the 45-70 would be the cat's pajamas. That 300 grain PT at 2200 muzzle velocity will put the smack down on a bear right quick.

 

[gerry]

I was thinking recently, when was the last time you used your 35 Whelen? As you know it will do well even on the biggest bear in your area.

 

[Dr. Vette]

I bought a Marlin 336 in 35 Rem earlier this year for just such an occasion, should it ever arise. I was looking for a rifle that could be used for black bear or even, in a pinch, close range elk (yes there is a story behind this).

Now if I could only get 35 caliber bullets for it I'd good!
Brass, powder and primers here, but no bullets.

 

[JD338]

I was thinking recently, when was the last time you used your 35 Whelen? As you know it will do well even on the biggest bear in your area.

It has been a few years since I hunted with the 35 Whelen. She does have a 250 lb bear to her credit.
I want to use something different as I have also taken a bear with a 30-06 150 gr PT and the 338 RUM 210 gr PT.
I could use 257 Roberts 117 gr PT, 6.5mm Rem Mag 130 gr AB, 280 AI 150 gr PT, 416 Wby 400 gr PT, S&W 629 Classic 44 Rem Mag 300 gr JHP or my bow. Most likely my girlfriend will go so I have to rule out the bow in a tree stand.

For me, I think the 45-70 is made to order.

JD338

 

[gerry]

That's a good reason not to use it, the 45-70 would do well. Actually almost anything on your list will do the job nicely. The best is to use your 45-70 since it's on your mind but the 6.5 RM with a 140 gr PT or your 280 AI would be very good as a back up.

 

[Elkman]

One of the rifles with me next spring on my Bear Hunt will be my 45/70. The other will be for shooting across clear cuts. I have only shot one bear, but understand that Black Bears are not very hard to kill.

 

[gerry]

If you stick a bullet in the right place they aren't too hard to kill, if you don't they are tough customers and can go a very long way before dieing. A guy I know hit a blackie with a 250 gr PT Gold at 3000 fps from a 338 Ultra, the bear dropped and since he thought nothing could ever withstand being hit with a big cannon he wasn't ready when the bear jumped up and ran away never to be seen again.

 

[DrMike]

That has happened to more than one bear hunter, Gerry. Admiring the shot isn't at all wise when hunting bruins.

 

[gerry]

On the other hand several youth hunters and my cousin's wife have killed blackies nicely using 140 gr bullets in a 260 Rem and 6.5x55.

 

[JD338]

Bill

You are correct, bears will give up the ghost right quick if you hit them right.

JD338

 

[Guy Miner]

JD338 - with your stated range of 40 yards, and being in a tree stand, I think it's a great opportunity to use something like your Guide Gun. Short, easy to maneuver, and long-range shooting certainly isn't required.

With your handgunning experience, you could even use the .44 mag S&W with confidence!

Looking forward to the hunt report! Keep good watch over those anise balls... :grin:

Guy

 

[OU812]

Don't really have a clue since I have never hunted bears, let alone over bait, but I would think it would be tough to imagine that a 45-70 topped off with a VX-3 1.75-6x32mm shouldn't be at the top of the list for such an event.

 

[SJB358]

I'm with you Jim. Can't think of much better than your Guide Rifle. I'm kinda bummed I didn't get to run mine this Spring but there should be more years of bears.

Your Whelen would be cool as well with those big 250 PTs.

 

[nvbroncrider]

The 45-70 sounds like a perfect fit to me. Although you have many that will work just fine.

 

[JD338]

So I know what I am going to use.
What are you fellas using?

JD338

 

[YoteSmoker]

Can't bait in Colorado but for gun and load I will be using my m70 featherweight 7mm08 with 140 Ttsx come september 2nd.

 

[Guy Miner]

Same situation here in Washington - no baiting and no dogs for bear hunting. So it's all spot & stalk.

Young M700 Junior and I will be after black bear in September. He'll have a .30-06, and I'll have to choose between a .30-06, .300 WSM and the .375 Number One. Any of those will work fine. Noslers of course!

Am thinking 180 gr Partitions in .30 cal, and the 260 gr AccuBond in the .375 again. Though Ive got a couple of boxes of old 270 gr Partitions that I need to do something with, and I think they'd be terrific on bear as well.

Guy

 

[Charlie-NY]

I think your choice of using a Marlin 1895 45-70 is a good one. You might want to avoid using the Speer 400gr JFP unless you like them to drop to the shot as this one did.

Yup - that's the exit hole with the entrance hole visible on the other side. DRT

 

[DrMike]

That definitely blew out the rib cage. I should imagine that dropped that bear right smartly!