Bullet debate for Black Bear
- Thread starter stalker07
- Start date
DrMike
Ballistician
- Nov 8, 2006
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I confess that I get tickled each time I read the title of this thread: there is no debate about bullets for black bears! Seriously, about any bullet from your 338 WM will work fine for black bear. However, any of the Nosler Partition bullets will perform very well. It is a matter of putting the bullet where it will do the most damage.
Guy Miner
Master Loader
- Apr 6, 2006
- 17,789
- 6,036
It's funny - a buddy of mine grew up in British Columbia. He and his family lived way out, on the edge of some remote logging camp. He still considers black bears cowardly pests - killed a couple with a .22 rifle when he was young, and apparently a mess of 'em with a .303 rifle. To this day he has no respect for the black bear - and with his level of experience, I have to admit he's fully entitled to his opinion.
Me on the other hand, I think they're pretty cool. Not a grizz, but pretty cool.
Guy
Me on the other hand, I think they're pretty cool. Not a grizz, but pretty cool.
Guy
- Thread starter
- #24
Yea, I'm well aware of the .338 WM's effectiveness with pretty much anything. I am a perfectionist when it comes to guns, hunting and shooting however. I feel it best to maximize my effectiveness on whatever game I choose to hunt for ethical reasons. Yea, I could shoot it behind the ear with a .243 and an 85 gr TSX and drop it like a rock but I'd rather not take that route. I've known a lotta people that were out of work and killed whitetails with a .22 lr for food because they had nothing else. It is what it is.
stalker07":34a2hupn said:
I am with you S07! I have a 35 Whelen and 338WM for the heavy lifting activities which are bear, elk, and hopefully some more moose. That is why I have them and they work well. I would use others, but like you said, if you have a rifle that shoots big 250's into an inch, well, that just kinda helps that much more. Scotty
- Nov 4, 2004
- 25,342
- 8,903
The 3 bears I have shot all went down with with shoulder shots.
I used a 30-06 with 150 gr PT, 35 Whelen with 225 gr PT and 338 RUM with 210 gr PT.
My thought is to use a tough bullet and put it in the vitals. Break big bone and they don't go anywhere.
JD338
I used a 30-06 with 150 gr PT, 35 Whelen with 225 gr PT and 338 RUM with 210 gr PT.
My thought is to use a tough bullet and put it in the vitals. Break big bone and they don't go anywhere.
JD338
- Thread starter
- #27
I've considered getting a .35 Whelen but they're pretty hard to find in my neck of the woods. Seems like it'd be a great all around thumper. I have a 20" bbl for my T/C Pro Hunter in .500 S&W Magnum. That lil guy throwing a 400 gr bullet at around 2k is wicked. JD, I agree. Breaking bone is the name of the game with bear in my opinion. Hopefully, come December, I'll be posting some pics of a big bruin.
- Nov 4, 2004
- 25,342
- 8,903
stalker07":35jrdc5f said:
The reason the 35 Whelen is hard to find is because it is a terrific hunting round! I have used the 225 gr PT with great success but decided to move up to the 250 gr PT. 59.5 grs RL 15 pushes the 250 gr PT to 2581 fps from a 22" barrel. That is getting into the 338 Win Mag neighborhood. With sub MOA accuracy, it is an easy 300-400 yard hammer from deer to moose.
Get yourself a 35 Whelen, you will be glad you did. :wink:
JD338
