[K.Kiser]

I'm sure under abnormal and coincidental circumstances there can be odd facts that arise, and obviously that shot angle would have still been a compromised shot no matter what cartridge of any reasonable caliber...

A 30-06 with any fair chance head shot will dirt nap an 800 lbs. animal... I'd like to know the actual particulars to that event..

[Ak.Hiker]

Originally Posted by MagTen

I read an article of 2nd. largest black bear shot in NC last year (close to 800#s) was first shot twice in skull with '06 and did not penetrate skull.

With a proper bullet the 30-06 and 308 would be plenty for any black bear. A retired brown bear guide I met prefered the 06 loaded with the 220 grain Core-Lokt. Now days we have 308 loads that can produce over 3000 ft. lbs. of muzzle energy. Jeff Cooper talked about running the Federal High Energy 165 grain Trophy Bonded in his 308 Scout Rifle for big game hunting.

[MagTen]

http://www.northcarolinasportsman.co...ls.php?id=3104

[Zombie Steve]

Always liked the idea of a .338-06, but it doesn't sound like it would work with your rifle if .300 win mag is a possibility.

[minnshooter]

Originally Posted by paynter2

Get a short (19") bbl .243 - or better yet 6mm and you won't have to lug so much weight around. It will kill a bear dead. That's all a .50 cal can do - to the bear.

If you want more guns in a variety of calibers - use the '48 hour rule'. It was invented in MN and works great.

You buy something your wife may not approve of. If you can get it in tothe house and keep it there for 48 hours, you're allowed to say: "That old thing? I've had that forever".

It's not considered cheating or lying. You have told the truth and don't have to feel guilty about the purchase.

Nice to see a fellow garage logician on the boards

[countrygun]

I really have no problem with the idea of hunting just about anything in North America with a .308, but hunting it and killing/stopping it where you want it is an issue in my area. The way we say it is "there's a lot of DOWN out there and too many gravities in some spots". Around here 25 yards can mean 100 feet or more of DOWN and back UP.

"The best hunter ain't the one that bags the deer with biggest rack, it's the one that drops it closest to the trail"

DRT is the goal.

[3rdgen40]

Black bear medicine

[Paul53]

Hey Boo Boo, I need a pickanick baskBlam!

Gee Yogi, I hope Mr Ranger is good at first aid. And facial reconstruction. Yogi? Yogi?

[countrygun]

"But Yogi, I don't want to have to tell Mr. Ranger that you're AFU"

[45Frank]

Originally Posted by Tvov

So... are you saying 30-30 is enough or not? I think you mean it is fine for black bear?

We've been hunting Black Bear here and I use a 30-30 and my bud uses a .356. he did one in the eye and it didn't take one step after being hit.

[HollowPoint .45]

.308 is a plenty with the correct bullet choice, I'd use Nosler Partation 165 grain.

[sourdough44]

For a close range shot, take the base of the neck. There will be no tracking required. An elephant round isn't needed either.