Black bear load question

[Dennis]

I am supposed to hunt black bear over bait in the UP of Michigan in October.

I am trying to decide what gun and load I should bring.

I am thinking about bringing my .450 Bushmaster. I have some Buffalo Bore .275 grain Barnes XPB rounds.

450 BUSHMASTER AMMO AMMO Rifle & Gun Ammunition

450 BUSHMASTER AMMO Field Proven rifle and gun ammo. Maximum firepower bullets. Best ammunition for rifles and guns for sale. Buffalo Bore. Strictly big bore. Strictly Business.

www.buffalobore.com

Do you think this is a good choice?

 

[younggun308]

I should think at typical baiting ranges the answer should be yes. But some guys get angsty about whether the bullet will pass through.

450 BM for bear

www.michigan-sportsman.com

 

[tndeerman]

Have hunted over bait in canada,30-06 220 gr dropped both of them in their tracks,all about shot placement

 

[Planking]

I know of several killed with a 30-06.

 

[rodeojoe]

12 ga. slug. Hollow point.
Good scope on 5 power.
When it hits the ground, shoot it again, ammo is the cheapest thing in your hunt.
Large holes are easy to fix in a Bear hide.

 

[Rancocas]

I killed a 250 lb. bear with a .30-30, but I don't recommend it. Anything with the proper bullets and more energy than the .30-30 should work just fine.

 

[Monk74]

I guided several bear hunters. Never over bait so, it was longer ranges. Saw everything from a .270 to a 300 WM take'm. Bottom line is, you put a hole through it's lungs and it'll run outta air. Bears have thin hides. If a bigger caliber is what you want, that's perfectly fine. But it's not necessary. Good luck on your hunt. Hope to see some pictures soon.

 

[tellico4x4]

I guided several bear hunters. Never over bait so, it was longer ranges. Saw everything from a .270 to a 300 WM take'm. Bottom line is, you put a hole through it's lungs and it'll run outta air. Bears have thin hides. If a bigger caliber is what you want, that's perfectly fine. But it's not necessary. Good luck on your hunt. Hope to see some pictures soon.

Yep, very thin skinned. My 11 yr old grandson killed one in his tracks in AK with 7/08 140gr CorLocks

 

[Huntaholic]

12 ga. slug. Hollow point.
Good scope on 5 power.
When it hits the ground, shoot it again, ammo is the cheapest thing in your hunt.
Large holes are easy to fix in a Bear hide.

LOL Joe knows when it comes to shooting bears! "GO GET YOUR BEAR JOE!" That's a memory I hope I never forget! Good times for sure!

 

[DC219]

The 450 will work fine within its practical range. I've killed lots of hogs with a 95 gr Barnes chambered in 6.8 SPC. That bullet penetrated both shoulders of large hogs. Just know that their vitals are a little forward of what we're used to on deer.

 

[DC219]

Oops, I had hogs on my mind. You said bear. I still think a 450 would be fine.

 

[younggun308]

Oops, I had hogs on my mind. You said bear. I still think a 450 would be fine.

Vitals are also more rearward on a bear. Not forward.

 

[41Magnum]

I think a 45-70 Marlin over bait would be a good bait gun. I took 525 lb. black bear in 1997 with a 45-70 T/C Contender pistol. Around a 40 yd shot. Rolled him like a new driveway.

 

[tickweed]

killed sev with a 30 30, and bow. as stated above, vitals are more rearward. look at a bear vitals picture.

 

[Mattt]

Yea don't sweat it. They're not that hard to kill