Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Alaska Caliber for Black Bear

I'm headed to Prince of Wales Island next August in search of a big black bear. Curious if I should increase caliber from my trusted .30-06?

NO

No

No.

No

No.

Not unless you really need an excuse to justify buying another gun.

No.

Take what you shoot best. I choose to load premium bullets in 150-168 grain or 180s with C&Cs in the 308 or 30-06 for my rifle bear hunts in CO. Mostly I go after them in archery season. I like the Barnes or Nosler offerings, they hold together well and fully penetrate big game. I prefer holes on both sides for better blood trails. Shoot for the shoulders. Take a good skinning knife and sharpening gear.

I'm headed to Alaska for the first time in September for a 10 day black bear hunt/salmon fishing vacation. Besides choosing a SS rifle in 30-06, I'm putting most of my preparation into suitable clothing and camp equipment. Never had a bad hunt, but the marginal ones were a result of poor clothing and equipment for changing weather conditions. My only concern is finding comfortable and compact sleeping gear and fishing tackle. Good thing I have some clever hunting pards and great help from good folks on this forum.

Enjoy.

Thanks for the input. Agreed on the equipment TAZ. Might be the excuse I need to buy a new .06

If you get a new rifle, get a 45-70 if you don't already have one. I would take a 45-70 and a 480 grain FN cast bullet over a 30-06 for bear any day.

Shot placement is more important than caliber, and bears don't give a hoot about fancy cartridge names. .30-06 with 180-gr Speer Grand Slams took my first good-sized black bear here just fine. He didn't argue any.

Nothing trumps mortaring 45 caliber bullets 325 yards across a salt chuck...

1 shot with a 150 gr Rem corelock 30-06 at 60 yds. Lights out!!

Unless you have issues with your current 30-06, I can't think of a reason to buy a new one. If you want a new rifle, I'd go up in caliber to a 300 Win Mag or 338 Win Mag, especially if bear is a common game you hunt, These calibers are a good choice for bear (black or brown) and other large game including elk and deer as well�but, with the possible exception of browns, so is your 30-06.

Use you 30-06 for black bear. I like to use a 180-220 grain pill for deeper penetration and an exit hole hole.

In past years when tracking/retrieving wounded black bear shot by clients in heavy cover I carried a model 8 in 35 Remington.
I prefer diameter and weight over speed.

Shot a lot of Black bear. Guided a lot of Black Bear.

Never seen one a .30-06 wasn't near perfect for.

Well constructed bullet over 150gr and slip it in the Heart/Lungs.

Dead Bear.

I have only taken one Black Bear and it was in Canada on a Spring Hunt , shot was at around 100 yards with my 280 Ack Imp and the Speer 160 gr FB Hotcore dropped right there .

Cub?


Lots of differences between hunting POW for bears and sitting over a doughnut barrel.

I'm guessing a few posters haven't the first [bleep] clue what a SE bear hunt is like.

Best bring the 35 Remington, TFF.

Good plan.

30.06 is perfect bear medicine.