Best Bear Hunting Load for 30-06???

[Deck78]

posted in other hunting section but thought you gun nuts might be able to help too

Dad is going up to PA for a bear hunt and wants to borrow my 30-06 to hunt. Any of you guys have suggestions on what type of load would be best for hunting bears. They are having real problems with them up there this year and his buddy said most of the bears they have gotten on trail cam are well above 600lbs so dad is nervous he might be undergunned??? He does have his trusty S&W 500 .50 cal revolver strapped across his chest. I think he is secretly hoping he has to use that beast :grin:

 

[mr.big]

200 Nosler Partition and a max dose of 4350,,what I would want at least,,

 

[ewc]

If your dad finds a 600# black bear, I'll kiss his ass.

300# male is big.

I'd use a .223 with a 62 ttsx.

 

[Model70Man]

I'd go with a 168 grain Barnes TTSX in the -06.

Well above 600 lbs is pretty dang big for a black bear.

 

[ewc]

I had Pelton as my mammals teacher. He might as well play the lotto if he's counting on #600.

UPSman is smarter on bears than me. I'll bet he'll show here in a few...

 

[vonb]

I'd use a .223 with a 62 ttsx.

Didn't know they made these in .30-06 Accelerators? He did ask for .30-06 suggestions, didn't he?

Bears aren't that tough....A simple 180gr Core-Lokt would work fine or something more extravagant like a 150+ TSX.

 

[mr.big]

If your dad finds a 600# black bear, I'll kiss his ass.

300# male is big.

I'd use a .223 with a 62 ttsx.

will these bullets shoot ,I been thinking about trying them for deer in the CZ 223,,but they are expensive ,looking for a good bullet to let JW use on the juvy hunt,,

 

[Kimberman]

Ranges shouldn't be long, I would shoot some 180-220 gr round nose out of it.

 

[Deck78]

I know nothing about bears and 600 lbs is what the guy says and he told dad they are a real problem this year. They had a bumper crop of their food source, whatever it is that bears eat. Either way, I appreciate the load suggestions and will post up a pic from his hunt if he gets one.

 

[sneakboxer]

Last year someone shot the new record at 850+ and i think a few 800+ bears have been killed in the last 10 years. So depending where your going it is a possibility for sure. In SW PA the bear i have seen killed run around 300-600 tops, but its been a wile since i've been home.

As for the 06. 180-220 well made bullet should do the trick. Partion, Accubond, Interbond, or interlock or game king. As a kid most bears and deer killed were shot with Corelocks or Win silvertips.
Best of luck,

 

[stik]

http://hunting.maitt.org/bear-hunting/w ... 24406.html

 

[ewc]

He did ask for .30-06 suggestions, didn't he?

You are correct, my bad. I'll revise my recommendation to a premium bullet 150 gr or less.

Maybe these, if he does not reload:

http://www.federalpremium.com/products/ ... spx?id=875

 

[UPSman]

They can pretty good sized but they aren't in every tree. When I trapped them in NC, we had one hit by a deuce and a half and he was over 700 lbs. Not many bears will tote off a 30/06 if they are shot in the vitals.