Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Alaska Black bear caliber question

6' plus black bear boar I killed with one shot through the ribcage while he worked the edge of a large chockcherry patch in early Sepetember. I was out calling coyotes and had along my favorite coyote rifle, A Sako .220 swift. I never considered not shooting this bear because I only had a swift along.

IMO, black bears arent any harder to kill than a deer. FWIW, I've killed 31 blackies here in Montana, Wyoming, Idaho and Alaska and seen at least that many if not more killed by guys I hunt with.....shot placement is still king.

I packed a .280 for my Alaskan black bears......go with the rifle you shoot the best and are the most comfortable with.