Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles AK Black Bear Hunt Rifle Choice

That gun also shoots the 225 Sierra very well...probably better then the 250s truth be told.

I have shot deer with both the 225 Sierra and 250 Speer with great performance from both and have no reason to doubt the 225 would work great.

Here is a 225 after it went through a couple feet of muley at around 75 yards.



Never caught the 250 but it definitely expanded on a small whitey at about 125 yards.

That tips the scales then. I would use the Whelen with the 225 Sierras.

No bad choices either way. Me, myself, I would take the whelen.

Decided on the Whelen. Assuming our rifles make the same connections we do we will be in Alaska in a few hours and looking for bear tomorrow evening.

Did a little load work with the 225 Sierra and settled on a load of Alliant PP MR 2000 at just shy of 2600 fps. I like the idea of a moderate load with that bullet and brass should last forever. Accuracy is certainly acceptable.

My 250 speers shoot to almost the same POI at a similar velocity but not quite as accurately.

Here is eight shots transposed on one target while doing some seating depth tests. Not a Varmint gun but should do the trick.

Man, that will work!

All good choices, the Whelen though I like how you modified, very nice. Good luck to you and your son

I’ve never regretted hunting with a 300…

I believe you chose the right rifle friend! Alaska/bears/35 Whelen...just seem to go together...like peas & carrots, ha. have a ball.

All tagged out and happy with the choices we made.

My son shot a good bear at 150 yards (died in a crappy place so pics don’t do it justice at all) with the .30-06 and a 165 Accubond. Was quartering a bit more then I would have liked when he touched it off and hit a little far back. Bear made it to the alders on a steep hill. Only went a couple hundred before giving it up but made for a long day. One shot, two holes and a dead bear so the Accubond did it’s job even with less then ideal steering.





I found a good bear last night that we made a move on. I suck at judging bears and almost didn’t shoot but finally decided it was plenty big. Glad I did. The first 225 sierra took off the top of his pumper and the second anchored him as he was on his final run. Lots of trauma and two holes after putting it through the ribs. Very happy with that.

Congrats on the bear! Looks like an awesome hunt for you two!

Your bear looks like to be a big fella, big ol noggin. Congrats to both of you.

Congrats on an awesome hunt. (And score one for the Whelen!)

Whelen, for the bigger bore and hole ideally. Better blood trail?

Congrats to you and your son. The bear you shot there looks like a real bruiser

No need for a trail Died within 20 yards or so if the first shot.