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Joined: Mar 2010
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OP
Campfire Regular
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 600 |
I have a hunt scheduled in May for spring black bear in Maine.
My firearm choices are 30-06 firing a 220gr. Remington Corelokt, or an 8mm Mauser sporter firing one of a number factory loads. 8mm Mauser is currently the largest bore rifle in my collection. (I have a 9.3x62 on the wish list, but it won't happen before the hunt).
For 8mm Mauser ammunition I have/can acquire:
*Sellier & Bellot 196gr Soft Point Cutting Edge
*Hornady 195gr Interlock
*Norma 196gr Oryx (If I can find some)
* ???
For those of you who would choose the Mauser, what would be your ammunition selection? Is there a better factory ammunition out there for bears?
Any benefits for the 30-06 over the Mauser? Specific density?
Thanks...
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Joined: Oct 2002
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Campfire Oracle
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Campfire Oracle
Joined: Oct 2002
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Bear die easily. Haven't used anything above 25 caliber for the last several.
"Dear Lord, save me from Your followers"
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Joined: Feb 2013
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Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Feb 2013
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I think either will do fine, Nosler 200 gr. partitions in the 8mm would be another good choice. Lots of good bullets for the '06.
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Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 600
Campfire Regular
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OP
Campfire Regular
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Thanks Steelhead, but as I'm paying for the hunt, I just want to ensure it gets hammered and goes down. So I'm looking for information about what would be the hardest hitting.
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Joined: Jul 2001
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Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 60,160 Likes: 13 |
Any of the alternatives you list would work fine. Personally, I'd take the 8x57 wsith Norma Oryx ammo, just because I'm a rifle loony--and have excellent luck with Oryx bullets!
“Montana seems to me to be what a small boy would think Texas is like from hearing Texans.”
John Steinbeck
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Joined: Mar 2010
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Campfire Regular
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OP
Campfire Regular
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Is the Oryx a bonded bullet? Or a traditional soft point?
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Joined: Feb 2006
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Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
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I took a bear in Vermont one year with my 8x57 using those anemic green box Remington 170gr round nose. No problems.
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Joined: Jul 2001
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Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Jul 2001
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It's a bonded bullet that opens pretty widely and typically retains around 90% of its weight. It tends to knock the snot out of whatever it hits.
“Montana seems to me to be what a small boy would think Texas is like from hearing Texans.”
John Steinbeck
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Joined: Mar 2010
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Campfire Regular
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OP
Campfire Regular
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It's a bonded bullet that opens pretty widely and typically retains around 90% of its weight. It tends to knock the snot out of whatever it hits. Yessir, I like the sound of that.
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Joined: Dec 2004
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Joined: Dec 2004
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I believe there is almost no difference in field performance, but the 8mm / Oryx would be my choice, just like Mule Deer.
In my rifles the Norma or Hornady 195-6 gr. loads shoot about 2500 FPS versus the 30-06 220 gr. at about 2300. So, slightly more shocking power with the 8mm, and fully adequate penetration.
In my opinion, the bonded core Norma Oryx is the best quality bullet of your choices, the S&B the poorest quality. I have seen many S&B cutted edge bullets slip their cores. ( they still killed stuff though!) Hornady and Remington are standard plain style cup and core bullets and about equal quality.
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Joined: Apr 2011
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Apr 2011
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I'd opt for the 220s in the 06. You can't stop 'em. Where in Maine out of curiosity?
The way life should be.
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It will be in Wesley, Maine through an outfitter...
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Joined: Apr 2011
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Apr 2011
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Wow. Native and haven't heard of that one yet. Whereabouts?
Got it. Downeast on the Airline. Stiff with blackies on a good year they say.
Last edited by bluefish; 03/18/13.
The way life should be.
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Ha! I hope so Bluefish... I'll report back in late May. Maybe you can help me...how's the trout fishing in mid-May? It's on a lake and they said you can fish for smallies there, but in my opinion it's prob too early and too cold there for smallies...So how about the trout?
So anyone have a good lead on some Norma 8x57??
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Joined: Jan 2006
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
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Bud that 30-06 with a 180 or 220 core-lokt will not let you down. Black bears die pretty easily and since I am assuming your hunting over bait shot placement will not be challenging.
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Nov 2007
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Ain't a bear alive that'll know the difference.
My buddy's BRNO 8x57 likes the Prvi Partisan 195 gr soft point load.
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Joined: Sep 2009
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Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 46,253 Likes: 2 |
I have a hunt scheduled in May for spring black bear in Maine.
My firearm choices are 30-06 firing a 220gr. Remington Corelokt, or an 8mm Mauser sporter firing one of a number factory loads. 8mm Mauser is currently the largest bore rifle in my collection. (I have a 9.3x62 on the wish list, but it won't happen before the hunt).
For 8mm Mauser ammunition I have/can acquire:
*Sellier & Bellot 196gr Soft Point Cutting Edge
*Hornady 195gr Interlock
*Norma 196gr Oryx (If I can find some)
* ???
For those of you who would choose the Mauser, what would be your ammunition selection? Is there a better factory ammunition out there for bears?
Any benefits for the 30-06 over the Mauser? Specific density?
Thanks...
200 gr Partitions in either cartridge will be more than enough, and I doubt any blackie could tell the difference. Gunner
Trump Won!
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Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 96,121 Likes: 1
Campfire Oracle
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Campfire Oracle
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 96,121 Likes: 1 |
Thanks Steelhead, but as I'm paying for the hunt, I just want to ensure it gets hammered and goes down. So I'm looking for information about what would be the hardest hitting. Swing and a miss. Point being, if a 25 caliber works, damn near anything out of a 30 or 8mm will do it.
"Dear Lord, save me from Your followers"
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Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 4,963
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Mar 2011
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8x57, any of those bullets would do the job. Tried some of the Hornady 195s last year just messing around and they were very consistent. You could always get the PRVI stuff and get twice as much ammo for your money.
Mauser Rescue Society
Founder, President, and Chairman
I don't always shoot Mausers, but when I do...I prefer VZ-24s.
jdi do píči
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Joined: Jul 2001
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Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Jul 2001
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At least a couple of people have suggested 200-grain Nosler Partitions in either chambering for the hunt. These would indeed work fine, but the OP apparently doesn't handload. While Nosler does offer 8x57 Custom handloaded ammo in the 8x57, even they don't offer 200-grain Partition ammo in the .30-06. Or at least I couldn't find it on their website.
While the OP may be willing to try other options, apparently he isn't a handloader.
“Montana seems to me to be what a small boy would think Texas is like from hearing Texans.”
John Steinbeck
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