Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Alaska Minimum caliber for Coastal Brown Bear...

D'Arcy's normal comment is "why would anyone want to feed empties?"

Just out of curiosity, does anyone think the 7mm Rem Mag acceptable for brown bear? It's generally not mentioned in brown bear discussions, nut the 30-06 gets a fair amount of consideration. I tend to think anything the 30-06 can do, the 7mm Rem Mag can do a little better since it drives higher SD bullets faster, along with generally higher BC values. A good 175 should penetrate better than a 30 cal 180gr version of a given bullet style. Perhaps there's something to be said for bullet diamter, and a 30 cal being a better choice? I'd like to do on a hunt with Phil in a few years, and am just thinking what I might take for my rifle...7mm rem Mag, or set up a 30-06 or 300 Win Mag. I'm probably overthinking it, but that's what rifle loonies do lol

I'd bet there has been more than a few big bears shot with the various 7mm magnums. Probably with many less powerful outfits too. Goes back to what you have, are very familiar with and shoot well. Placing an adequate bullet in the right spot. But why take a minimal diameter cartridge for a really big animal that tends to get pissed off when shot. I have more than a few magnum rifles from 264 to 375 as I've already said my consideration would start at 30 caliber for self. Sometimes in life you have to use what tools you have when it something's needs to be done rfn. This bear hunt has all the time the op needs to plan and select the right tools to use and he has already said a m700 Rem 300 win mag ,his question was for the bullet recommendation. I've used 700 remingtons all my life as well as others, I am surprised the crf fanboys aren't heaping it on him. MB

LOLOLOL. I'm in the surprise boat with you.

458 answered this somewhere in the first three pages of responses, he said yes very good. Bob Hagel had a story about an incident where he thought the 300 magnum with 200 grain Bitter Roots was better. He was comparing the 200 BBC to a 175 Nosler I believe, so if they both had the same make bullets I think they would be closer. Bitter Roots open up much more than partitions while still penetrating almost as well. He was making a case that the 300 was a better Alaskan cartridge than the 7mm but then his favorite was the 340 Weatherby so a single incident to re-enforce his personal bias. But then he had hundreds more experiences to do so as well.

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D'Arcy's normal comment is "why would anyone want to feed empties?" [/quote]

This sounds like what a Zeiss rep said to a gun writer who said the earlier Zeiss scopes wouldn't pass the hot water leak test. " Vie vood anyone vant to do that?"

I know it!

What do you figure the minimum magnification a hunter should use for taking coastal bears when using binocs? I'm guessing 8x, but placement is everything. If you can handle 10x, then maybe that will give you an edge.

:-)

LAS is the only one I know using "bino pills" for brown bears.

8X worked. No doubt I'd choose 10x next time. But it was only a griz- not a brown. She was a mite confused, but not serious.

Now, for a bear that was serious.... I'd want at least an 9 X19....

Oh, and in hand.

That cased, empty-chambered .30-06 20 yards away just did not cut the mustard. (Not commenting about me)

Nor did stupid, but you gotta go with what's at hand.

No animals were harmed in this exercise, which would not have been the case with arms in hand. Them poor little orphan cubs...

Win- win.

I cannot recommend....

A poster case for lucky better than good - all around.

I think a 7MM running Berger VLDs is a bit better for a real hunt.

Just Sayin.

True- but Phil wasn't hunting, "just" defending otherwise clients If I understand this right.. With what he had to hand.


I personally have no experience with Berger VLD, but my impression is that there are several better choices available for this type hunt.

Try to keep up.

Key word: proprietary.

So I am bit dense, Mike. Try to keep me up... it's a full time position, I promise you.

Is it the pay or the benefits he wants?

Hard to tell- he's illusive. ellusive?..JFC- you are the English major...

John,

Berger doesn’t make a 9mm handgun VLD?

They do, but you can only run them in the extended Glock mags.

Very true and duly noted.

What bullets might be best these days for a .348 Win?

About 30 years ago I loaded some with Hornady 200 FPs and Barnes 250 FNs... but I'd guess there's something better on the market nowadays? I tend to think heavier is likely better; wouldn't mind a wider meplat, assuming experiment shows reliable feeding...

I meant to experiment with gas-checked HCLs back then, too, but IIRC I never found a source.... and don't want to do any casting myself...

-Chris