Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters Deer hunting in Brown Bear country with a 338-06

I think the 210 TSX would be a good compromise for having a bear/deer combo. They shoot well enough. Shots on Admiralty are likely close. I killed 6 or 7 elk with 165 X bullets (1gen). They ALL exited. I wouldn't worry about the 210.

I do agree that game live longer after being shot with copper X bullets than Partitions when shot in heart/ lungs. Just not as much violence going on.

I think the 210 TSX would be a good compromise for having a bear/deer combo. They shoot well enough. Shots on Admiralty are likely close. I killed 6 or 7 elk with 165 X bullets (1gen). They ALL exited. I wouldn't worry about the 210.

I do agree that game live longer after being shot with copper X bullets than Partitions when shot in heart/ lungs. Just not as much violence going on.

No love for the 250 Sierra or the 250 Hornady RN? I have these on hand. 1 MOA at 2550 with these. Might end up just using them for practice. Bought these during one of the past shortages. I'm curious to hear any experiences on game with these.

Interestingly, the Hornady RN has to be seated to a deeper COL than the listed book COL due to it not feeding correctly at the book COL. Another interesting thing I've come across with the 338-06 is using necked up 270 brass for some loads. Of the 100 or so I necked up only one got a split neck. This is with nickel and brass cases for both Win and Rem cases. I think I'll do the candle annealing thing before loading any more up with those.

Still going? Wow!

It would be right to assume the hunter does not have a bear tag which is why he is hunting deer only with no actual looking for a bear mentioned?
It would be right to assume that anything approximating a .30/06 properly loaded scenario would be adequate?
It would be right to assume that no shot will be taken until an encountered bear demonstrates intent to harm?
It would be right to assume that such a circumstance would incite self preservation and the shots would be fast, continuous and adrenaline driven?

I would load for bear and kill a deer, then go home. Some threads get way more complicated than they need be.

I typically carry both. I really don't want to have to skin another bear to give it to the state. I've had to shoot 4 already!

Plus, it's always interesting to hear from people who've never seen a grizzly/brown bear, much less been charged--or actually killed one.

Which includes 90% of the posters in "bear spray versus firearm" threads. Have mentioned this before, but the majority of experienced guides in grizzly/brown bear country I've fished or hunted carry carry both spray AND a firearm

No doubt this will result an amazing continuation of this thread.

is that true for the road system side as well?

over on the west side, any of the side bays off uganik, ugashik... a gunshot was like a dinner bell.

and is it that bad for elk hunts on afognak? my buddy from kodiak pulled a bull elk tag and debating if we should do a surf/deer/elk trip this fall.

had a few run ins with the grumpy brown suit local over down in pashagshak while surfing but i think a dude in a black wetsuit and a huge white board was something not to be messed with and they boogied.

Plus, it's always interesting to hear from people who've never seen a grizzly/brown bear, much less been charged--or actually killed one.

Which includes 90% of the posters in "bear spray versus firearm" threads. Have mentioned this before, but the majority of experienced guides in grizzly/brown bear country I've fished or hunted carry carry both spray AND a firearm

No doubt this will result an amazing continuation of this thread.

Plus, it's always interesting to hear from people who've never seen a grizzly/brown bear, much less been charged--or actually killed one.

Which includes 90% of the posters in "bear spray versus firearm" threads. Have mentioned this before, but the majority of experienced guides in grizzly/brown bear country I've fished or hunted carry carry both spray AND a firearm

No doubt this will result an amazing continuation of this thread.

But I read a few magazine articles on bears. Does it really take much more to become an expert?

Yaddio
My opinion based on hunting a lot of large animals, but never a bear.
You cant shoot from the shoulder a large enough rifle to "stop" a bear. Aint happening. All you can do is stop the heart and lungs, then wait. How long ? A second or two or several minutes.
Forget about accuracy. Let me say this again in case I miss spelled it. Forget about accuracy. You mentioned 100 yards. I have never gutted a bear, but I'd guess a bears heart is at least four inches across and the lungs bigger. You need a load that will shoot inside four inches. Benchrest accuracy aint required here. What is required, is the ability to keep making hits until the bear dies. And make those shots fast and in the kill zone.
If it were me, based on taking a lot of buffalo, bison, eland, etc, and testing a lot of bullets in the Bullet Test Tube, I would use a 250 grain Partition or Barnes XXX. You shout be able to easily get 2500 fps, and that's enough.
And anybody who says a 30-06 aint entirely adequate for big bears, is unwittingly commenting on their marksmanship.
Charlie