Home Forums Hunting & Shooting General Big Game 30 Cal Bullets

Ole Dependable,,never fails to penetrate!

200 gr. Swift A-Frame.

Andy Runyon liked fairly soft bullets for bear and also liked the 40-416 caliber. Not sure if he has killed or been in on the killing of more bears than Phil Shoemaker but it is possible or maybe a similar number. Runyon also said that the Monos were good for shooting at fur in the alders on a wounded bear follow up. I bet he and Phil will lean more towards a Partition, Accubond or Swift at least for the first shot.

Me I have only shot black bear but carried a 7RM with 175 Partitions when guiding fly fisherman, this was the only rifle I owned at the time. We were near a native village and the locals shot bears on sight which kept them fearful of humans, but it also made me not want to kill one.

I would go for something at 180 - 200 grains. The 220 has the partition further forward and due to lower velocity it may expand less, but it would sure work though. Pretty much all of the bullets mentioned would do the job.

The Woodleigh bullets designed for the magnums would be an interesting option. They expand widely but hold together due to the bonding. They usually end up just under the hide on the of side. Many Ph's recommend these on buffalo for shooting in herd conditions. They are also similat to Runyons custom bullets and the Old Bitter Root bullets. I would have faith in these.

Personally, I would want something that expanded fairly wide and held its weight for penetration.

Thinking 200 grain Swift A-Frame or else just a Partition. Have never tried a Woodleigh in anything but they might be great too.

Congratulations on the tag sir. Full disclosure I have never hunted the big bears, but my vote would be for the TTSX. I've had very good results with them on large animals >700 Good luck!

I would use a 200 gr. Swift A-Frame.

The Old Man killed a significant number of grizzlies over the years, and most of them were killed a 300wm and 180 gr Winchester soft points. Relatively soft bullets at relatively high velocity.

That said, none of them were 9’ brown bears (although at least three of them were better than 8 1/2‘ grizzlies).

Don’t overthink it too much. Just get close enough and break bones. A 3 legged bear is slower than a 4 legged bear, and a 2 legged bear is better yet.

Overthink? That’s half the fun.

Can't really go wrong with any of the three. How about whatever shoots the best? The only brownie I shot was with a .375 cal 300 gr partition @ 2,400 fps. Went all the way thru on a broadside shot. We dug it out of the driftwood log he was standing in front of. Perfect mushroom.

On the monometals, I'd want speed over mass, so I'd lean towards the 165 gr on the TTSX @ 3,200 fps vs. 3,050 fps for the 180. Not sure the 180 is going to dig deeper. Shot the 200 gr partition in the '06 and '06 Imp. It would dig bow-to-stern on a good Sitka buck easily. Great bullet, but 75% weight retention on 200 grs is only 150 gr.

Uganik Lake, eh? Fly into the lake? Is there a public cabin on it?

Yeah it's a fly in. It's got a cabin. Not sure I am going to use it. Talked to one guy who hunted the spring hunt and he said it rained 9 of the 11 days. So I might use the cabin..(grin) I think my "odds" of a big bear will be dramatically better though the further I get from that cabin. Everyone uses the cabin. The guide in the area said he avoids the cabin area as the majority of the pressure is around it.

I have 165 etips on hand. I'll probably go with them unless I see some 200's on shooters and I can't help myself.

Maybe Brother Bill would let you borrow his Searcy 470 NE . . . that'll get 'er done for sure!

200 or 220 gr NPT didn't see any blems on shooters but they did have some 180 gr Protected Pt NPT's and I'll bet they would also work. best of luck, what a tag MB

Didn't penetration tests show the 220 NPT out of a '06 penetrated as well as the 300 NPT out of a .375 H&H?

I'd go with the 220 NPT. Shouldn't be a long range shot, just need good penetration.

There are other choices, for sure.

DF

Last kodiak brown bear I killed was with a 225 accubond. Maybe the 200 accubond will get a chance.

I forget who the AK poster was (from up in the valley), but 308 is what his wife used on a Kodiak a couple years ago. Do t recall the bullet which of course is the Important part.


Joel think you're on the right track avoiding the cabin (and a mile radius)

You should have a handle on wet hunts, eh?

This

Midway has 180 grain Bear Claws available. This would be a good bullet if they shoot well.

165 or 180 TTSX will work great. I go with the more accurate one.

use the same cartridge the guide uses,just in case ?

LOL. Good advice.

Can't see not going with a TSX on this hunt...