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Re: Let’s build a Big Bear Rifle... gunner500 #13311870 11/27/18
Joined: Jan 2018 Posts: 23,506 Oregon Beaver10 OP Campfire Ranger
OP Beaver10 Campfire Ranger Joined: Jan 2018 Posts: 23,506 Oregon	Originally Posted by gunner500 I've got you a hell of a bear rifle Beaver, BRNO 98 Mauser in 416 Taylor, Timney trigger, model 70 style two position safety, stock relieved all the way around bottom metal to let the water run through now, or after the ice melts, ALL steel, including scope ring screws are black matte cerakoted, Devcon bedded to a B/C syn stock, express sights dead on at 50 yards with 400gr Hornadys or Partitons, a 1.5-5 Leupold riding in Talley levers will give you a little reach for bear, will also provide 300 yard shooting for elk or moose should the need arise. The 400gr partitions at 2400 fps fly pretty flat for a good heavy medium bore hunting rifle. Thanks Gunner. I’m finding the 375 H&H appealing and growing on me...Your Taylor can’t be much fun to shoot when it’s throwing 400gr mice sized projectiles at paper. 🤕😎 Last edited by Beaver10; 11/27/18. Curiosity Killed the Cat & The Prairie Dog “Molon Labe”

GB1

Re: Let’s build a Big Bear Rifle... Beaver10 #13311882 11/27/18
Joined: Jan 2018 Posts: 15 Anchorage Anchor1 New Member
Anchor1 New Member Joined: Jan 2018 Posts: 15 Anchorage	For Bear over the years I've collected a few. I have one Sako FS 375 H&H, one Sako Kodiak 375 H&H, one Kimber Talkeetna, one CZ-550 re chambered to 375 Ultra Mag, a couple of 9.3x62 Sako Black Bears (one for the wife) and for you fans of the 338WM a Ruger Guide gun. The Ruger and the Sako FS are my favorites.

Re: Let’s build a Big Bear Rifle... Yoder409 #13311897 11/27/18
Joined: Jan 2018 Posts: 23,506 Oregon Beaver10 OP Campfire Ranger
OP Beaver10 Campfire Ranger Joined: Jan 2018 Posts: 23,506 Oregon	Originally Posted by Yoder409 I built mine 12-13 years ago and, for my purposes, it has served me admirably. I should mention that it was built to hunt big bears that generally DON'T try to kill you back. But I'd not hesitate to take it after the cranky critters if ever given the opportunity. Started with a (gasp !!) A-Bolt Stainless Stalker .375 H&H. My smith ran the Weatherby treatment through the chamber. Trigger crisped at 40 oz. Leupold rings and dual dovetail bases steeled on and 6-32's replaced by 8-40's. A bedding job and a Weaver 2-10x38 (for weight more than anything) and a Sims pad on the back. right at 8 1/2 lbs scoped and loaded. It was a bastage to find a load that suited it. Had loads with an 8 fps E.S. that wouldn't shoot under 4"...……… Finally found that it took a liking to 250 gr SGK's over a hatful of H-414 and would do 5 of them under 1 1/2" at 100. Took it hunting for the very first time and ended up putting an SGK into the south end of a northbound 7 footer at about 50 yards. came up just one of those little hairs shy of bringing it out his brisket. Crushed him on the spot. The only other bear I got to use it on was a 250-ish pounder that a buddy had started the job on. But the bear had gone into a stand of dark, nearly impenetrable spruce in a VERY pizzed of mood. I went in after him and, once I got down on my belly and lips where I could see, gave him a rough ride til he ceased to breathe. I would have the utmost faith in this (butt-ugly) rifle in any situation. 7’ footer bear...Black, Brown, Griz? At least you’ve got blood on yours. Some of us are building or own these beauties without ever having the opportunity to fully use it for what it was built for.. Good on you...A-bolt, you say 🧐😎 Curiosity Killed the Cat & The Prairie Dog “Molon Labe”

Re: Let’s build a Big Bear Rifle... Brad #13311908 11/27/18
Joined: Jan 2018 Posts: 23,506 Oregon Beaver10 OP Campfire Ranger
OP Beaver10 Campfire Ranger Joined: Jan 2018 Posts: 23,506 Oregon	Originally Posted by Brad A rifle dedicated for big bears, I'd be happy with a 21" or 22" bbl'd SS M70 30-06 (Douglas no. 2 contour) with backup open sights, 3X fixed Leupold in detachable mounts, Bansner stock w/ PT&G Al bottom metal. I'd load it with 200 gr Partitions. Truth of the matter is I do all my hunting in Grizzly country with stuff like the 270 or 308 Win. I also have no desire to shoot a "big bear" so I suppose the concept is wasted on me... 270????? B.S. You only hunt a 308 😆😎 Curiosity Killed the Cat & The Prairie Dog “Molon Labe”

Re: Let’s build a Big Bear Rifle... Beaver10 #13311913 11/27/18
Joined: Dec 2005 Posts: 5,936 Black Hills of Dakota CRS Campfire Tracker
CRS Campfire Tracker Joined: Dec 2005 Posts: 5,936 Black Hills of Dakota	Quote I also have no desire to shoot a "big bear" so I suppose the concept is wasted on me... I am with you, as I will not say never, but highly unlikely that I will ever hunt a big bear. Arcus Venator

IC B2

Re: Let’s build a Big Bear Rifle... rj308 #13311933 11/27/18
Joined: Apr 2009 Posts: 3,246 Texarkana T Texczech Campfire Tracker
Texczech Campfire Tracker T Joined: Apr 2009 Posts: 3,246 Texarkana	RJ308 What is the name of those sights? Or where can a set be had? Definitely a cool looking sigh system that looks to be quickly acquired. Molɔ̀ːn Labé Grandpa:the road to hell is paved with good intentions. Dad:son you have 2 choices for supper eat or don't eat.

Re: Let’s build a Big Bear Rifle... bsa1917hunter #13311934 11/27/18
Joined: Jan 2018 Posts: 23,506 Oregon Beaver10 OP Campfire Ranger
OP Beaver10 Campfire Ranger Joined: Jan 2018 Posts: 23,506 Oregon	Originally Posted by bsa1917hunter Originally Posted by nyrifleman So the consensus seems to be Winchester then... Nah. Oh, wait, that is a model 70.. What was I thinking... The rifles you post have a look of clean lines, all business, and no-frills...Just flat out kill’n tools. I like them a lot. 😎 Curiosity Killed the Cat & The Prairie Dog “Molon Labe”

Re: Let’s build a Big Bear Rifle... Beaver10 #13312030 11/27/18
Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 8,333 Likes: 2 NW MT Stormin_Norman Campfire Outfitter
Stormin_Norman Campfire Outfitter Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 8,333 Likes: 2 NW MT	For backup/defense a 45-70 guide gun with 430gr gas checks at 1800 fps. If I was hunting where I needed some range, 338 wm with 225 or 250 gr partitions. But normally I just carry a .44 just in case. But we just have little griz "Life is tough, even tougher if your stupid" John Wayne

Re: Let’s build a Big Bear Rifle... Beaver10 #13312062 11/27/18
Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 5,527 Likes: 2 Roosted on a limb Yoder409 Campfire Tracker
Yoder409 Campfire Tracker Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 5,527 Likes: 2 Roosted on a limb	Originally Posted by Beaver10 Originally Posted by Yoder409 I built mine 12-13 years ago and, for my purposes, it has served me admirably. I should mention that it was built to hunt big bears that generally DON'T try to kill you back. But I'd not hesitate to take it after the cranky critters if ever given the opportunity. Started with a (gasp !!) A-Bolt Stainless Stalker .375 H&H. My smith ran the Weatherby treatment through the chamber. Trigger crisped at 40 oz. Leupold rings and dual dovetail bases steeled on and 6-32's replaced by 8-40's. A bedding job and a Weaver 2-10x38 (for weight more than anything) and a Sims pad on the back. right at 8 1/2 lbs scoped and loaded. It was a bastage to find a load that suited it. Had loads with an 8 fps E.S. that wouldn't shoot under 4"...……… Finally found that it took a liking to 250 gr SGK's over a hatful of H-414 and would do 5 of them under 1 1/2" at 100. Took it hunting for the very first time and ended up putting an SGK into the south end of a northbound 7 footer at about 50 yards. came up just one of those little hairs shy of bringing it out his brisket. Crushed him on the spot. The only other bear I got to use it on was a 250-ish pounder that a buddy had started the job on. But the bear had gone into a stand of dark, nearly impenetrable spruce in a VERY pizzed of mood. I went in after him and, once I got down on my belly and lips where I could see, gave him a rough ride til he ceased to breathe. I would have the utmost faith in this (butt-ugly) rifle in any situation. 7’ footer bear...Black, Brown, Griz? At least you’ve got blood on yours. Some of us are building or own these beauties without ever having the opportunity to fully use it for what it was built for.. Good on you...A-bolt, you say 🧐😎 Black. Yep. A-Bolt. I've read and heard more schmack talked about the red-headed step-rifle over the years than I can relate. My rifle has been pushed ahead of me through MILES of spruce needles, snow, mud, bear chit and about any other woods material one can name. 100% of our bear hunting is organized drives. We (the pushers) crawl through and under crapholes that a rabbit would look at, say "f that" and go around. In all honesty, the gun has never offered one hiccup of any sort. Maybe some guys have gotten bad ones. I ain't one of them. Wollen nicht krank dein feind. Planen es.

Re: Let’s build a Big Bear Rifle... Beaver10 #13312091 11/27/18
Joined: Feb 2010 Posts: 2,084 Kitsap Peninsula, WA John_Havard Campfire Regular
John_Havard Campfire Regular Joined: Feb 2010 Posts: 2,084 Kitsap Peninsula, WA	If you're the dude paying the guide to get you onto a big bear you're also paying the guide to back you up. In that event anything like a 30.06 with a reasonable projectile would be fine. But if I'm self-guided (like the two I've killed myself) I'd want nothing less than a 375 H&H. NONE of the photos I've seen attached to this thread save one show anything approaching a "big" bear. A big boar can weigh in excess of 1500# in the fall. Until you've killed one personally it's damned hard to imagine just how powerful and vengeful they can be. If I were a sport paying Phil to guide me I'd use a .243 with 120 grain bullets and let him back me up with his 9mm pistol - just kidding. If I'm hunting by myself and not relying on a guide to back me up I'd have either a 375 or 416 with a 1-5X scope (in focus half-way down the barrel) loaded with stout pills.

IC B3

Re: Let’s build a Big Bear Rifle... Beaver10 #13312116 11/27/18
Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 5,527 Likes: 2 Roosted on a limb Yoder409 Campfire Tracker
Yoder409 Campfire Tracker Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 5,527 Likes: 2 Roosted on a limb	Here's the noggin from the bigger of the two blackies. He went 21-15" B&C Weatherby cartridge for scale. Wollen nicht krank dein feind. Planen es.

Re: Let’s build a Big Bear Rifle... Beaver10 #13312125 11/27/18
Joined: Mar 2017 Posts: 2,180 Alaska A AKPENDUDE Campfire Regular
AKPENDUDE Campfire Regular A Joined: Mar 2017 Posts: 2,180 Alaska	I have a weatherby vanguard dangerous game rifle with a leupold vx3i 1.5-5x20 mounted with Talley quick release rings. That’s my bear gun.

Re: Let’s build a Big Bear Rifle... AKPENDUDE #13312189 11/27/18
Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 5,527 Likes: 2 Roosted on a limb Yoder409 Campfire Tracker
Yoder409 Campfire Tracker Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 5,527 Likes: 2 Roosted on a limb	Originally Posted by AKPENDUDE I have a weatherby vanguard dangerous game rifle with a leupold vx3i 1.5-5x20 mounted with Talley quick release rings. That’s my bear gun. There's lots of worse choices, for sure. Junior just got him a new Vanguard II Synthetic .375 H&H a few weeks ago. He zeroed it with the factory irons at 75 yards with some Hornady factory loads and it grouped very well. Few weeks it'll be off to our smith. The reamer that did mine hasn't seen any action since (go figure) and it's ready to make the guy some more money. Probably get his Vanguard set up similarly to my rifle. If it's a working system, go with it. Wollen nicht krank dein feind. Planen es.

Re: Let’s build a Big Bear Rifle... Yoder409 #13312252 11/27/18
Joined: Jan 2018 Posts: 23,506 Oregon Beaver10 OP Campfire Ranger
OP Beaver10 Campfire Ranger Joined: Jan 2018 Posts: 23,506 Oregon	Originally Posted by Yoder409 Here's the noggin from the bigger of the two blackies. He went 21-15" B&C Weatherby cartridge for scale. That’s a very nice black bear...😎 Curiosity Killed the Cat & The Prairie Dog “Molon Labe”

Re: Let’s build a Big Bear Rifle... John_Havard #13312288 11/27/18
Joined: Jan 2018 Posts: 23,506 Oregon Beaver10 OP Campfire Ranger
OP Beaver10 Campfire Ranger Joined: Jan 2018 Posts: 23,506 Oregon	Originally Posted by John_Havard If you're the dude paying the guide to get you onto a big bear you're also paying the guide to back you up. In that event anything like a 30.06 with a reasonable projectile would be fine. But if I'm self-guided (like the two I've killed myself) I'd want nothing less than a 375 H&H. NONE of the photos I've seen attached to this thread save one show anything approaching a "big" bear. A big boar can weigh in excess of 1500# in the fall. Until you've killed one personally it's damned hard to imagine just how powerful and vengeful they can be. If I were a sport paying Phil to guide me I'd use a .243 with 120 grain bullets and let him back me up with his 9mm pistol - just kidding. If I'm hunting by myself and not relying on a guide to back me up I'd have either a 375 or 416 with a 1-5X scope (in focus half-way down the barrel) loaded with stout pills. JH, I’m guessing here, but the lack of big bear pictures might be because of the cost associated with doing a guided hunt in bear-zilla land; Kodiak, Afognak or Raspberry Island maybe. I imagine it’s a small fortune to hunt a 900lb to 1000lb pound bear. 😎 Curiosity Killed the Cat & The Prairie Dog “Molon Labe”

Re: Let’s build a Big Bear Rifle... Beaver10 #13312311 11/27/18
Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 5,527 Likes: 2 Roosted on a limb Yoder409 Campfire Tracker
Yoder409 Campfire Tracker Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 5,527 Likes: 2 Roosted on a limb	Originally Posted by Beaver10 Originally Posted by Yoder409 Here's the noggin from the bigger of the two blackies. He went 21-15" B&C Weatherby cartridge for scale. That’s a very nice black bear...😎 Thank you, sir. Here's a field pic...…… Wollen nicht krank dein feind. Planen es.

Re: Let’s build a Big Bear Rifle... SCGunNut #13312324 11/27/18
Joined: Dec 2005 Posts: 1,581 Likes: 1 Lake Iliamna Alaska waterrat Campfire Regular
waterrat Campfire Regular Joined: Dec 2005 Posts: 1,581 Likes: 1 Lake Iliamna Alaska	[quote=SCGunNut]Highly doubtful I'll ever hunt a big bear, but I have several contenders if he opportunity does arise. My latest addition is a Sako "Grizzly" 9.3x66 / .370 Sako Mag. Custom .376 Steyr Traditional choice, Husqvarna .358 Norma Mag [/quote Nicest trio I've seen in a long time! Last edited by waterrat; 11/27/18. Reason: need to comment I tend to use more than enough gun

Re: Let’s build a Big Bear Rifle... Beaver10 #13312408 11/27/18
Joined: Feb 2010 Posts: 2,084 Kitsap Peninsula, WA John_Havard Campfire Regular
John_Havard Campfire Regular Joined: Feb 2010 Posts: 2,084 Kitsap Peninsula, WA	Beaver10, you're right - it's expensive to hunt with a guide. I was a resident of Alaska for just under 20 years and hunted Afognak Island, Kodiak Island, and the Alaska Peninsula a total fo 6 times for brown bear (DIY hunts) and personally killed two. I participated in the killing of 3 more. That does not make me an expert but the point remains - until you've actually seen and killed a big bear then what it takes is hard to imagine. A well-placed shot from a .308 Winchester will kill a big bear. But if the [bleep] hits the fan and killing at close range is required then a big hole in the end of the barrel is a source of comfort. If I were to hunt big bears again on my own I'd carry a 20mm chain gun if I could (or I'd have Phil back me up).

Re: Let’s build a Big Bear Rifle... Beaver10 #13312412 11/27/18
Joined: Mar 2013 Posts: 1,570 Yukon Terrirory Y yukon254 Campfire Regular
yukon254 Campfire Regular Y Joined: Mar 2013 Posts: 1,570 Yukon Terrirory	Dam, thought Ruger had the bear gun market cornered Jim !! That Sako grizzly looks about perfect.

Re: Let’s build a Big Bear Rifle... Beaver10 #13312457 11/27/18
Joined: Jan 2010 Posts: 1,908 Likes: 3 Texas City, Texas H Henryseale Campfire Regular
Henryseale Campfire Regular H Joined: Jan 2010 Posts: 1,908 Likes: 3 Texas City, Texas	First off, let me confess that I have never, as yet, hunted bears. I have on several occasions designed my fantasy moose/bear rifle. What I find curious is there seems to be more preference here for the .375 H&H over the .375 Ruger cartridge. Is this simply because Winchester does not offer this chambering in their rifles? I am really partial to a M-70 as my favorite .30-06 deer rifle. From what I have heard and read, the Ruger version chambering is superior to the H&H with the same performance. This is why a stainless steel Montana Rifle Company with synthetic stock, iron sights, quick detachable mounts, Nightforce illuminated reticle scope would seem ideal to me. Even better would be the same if offered in an all weather version Winchester M-70 with a 20 or 22 inch barrel. It really seems to be a shame that Ruger discontinued the Alaskan. It seemed to me pretty much the perfect bear/moose rifle. Am I missing something here? "...why, land is the only thing in the world worth working for, worth fighting for, worth dying for,... because it is the only thing that lasts."

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