Due to an aneurysm in my heart my Dr. has me limited to .223 class rifles. I'm deciding between a .223 or a .22-250 now and expect to purchase one within the next two weeks. Now Bear season is one of my favorite hunting seasons but given my cartridge restrictions should I just forget about it? I really love to go but am not sure of the ethics involved with .22 centerfires and Black Bears.

Well, it's legal in PA. And under the right circumstances it would work.

Having read your other thread.... I would be pushing for more answers/clarification from the doctors. And that would be my main concern over this hunting season.

Your condition could be a ticking time bomb, and deserves your full attention... If you want stick around for long.

As far as a .22 cal for bear, take it and hunt. If you have a shot opportunity, take a good shot. But it's certainly not ideal.

-Jake

Well, my Dr's want me hunting. They agree that physical exercise is crucial for me in staying above terra firma. My one cardiologist even told me to hunt mountains. So I'm cleared to go I just am not allowed to get winded or subject myself to much recoil. Which means I'm free to hunt wherever I want at a reasonable pace but I can't drag anything out.
A revolver is also tempting as I used to hunt with one (it was stolen) and I killed a couple deer with it.

If you have a doctor who is telling you to hunt in the mountains but not get winded I'd get a new doctor. He's telling you to do something he's obviously unfamiliar with. Not a good sign.

black bears are not particularly tough. Any good .22 caliber soft point through the ribs should kill out to a couple hundred yards. I would be very careful with your heart though

I gotta agree....no medical student, but I know this, you have an aneurysm your Dr. is telling you to go ahead and climb mountains but don't shoot a rifle larger than 223????? Again, no medical expert here....but I think it might be "second opinion" time. Stay out of the mountains and use a 243 or 260 would be more like it.

The 22-250 is an excellent round. However, many rifles have 1 in 14 twists and won't stabilize bullets much above 55 gr. There are some with 1 in 8 twists that are better for this job.

How about a .44 rifle? Super mild recoil, lot better bullet choices

I'd not feel horribly undergunned with a 223 loaded with the right bullets for black bears. You like Barnes bullets, right, Mike? Seems like a heavy Barnes in the forward ribs would do the job. Or you could shoot for the head/neck or other CNS. Or you could hunt with a wildcat based on a small case, like the Grendel, or 6.8 SPC, or Blackout. The right bullet in either of those three would be slick and handy.

Get a PAST recoil pad, and wear a couple layers of clothing, and whatever recoil there is will be spread out to the point that it will be negligible. Lots of ways to go. Remember that you will be hunting, which isn't the same as killing. I've done lots of mountain-climbing with guns, hiking with guns, and strolling through the woods with guns. No shooting was required, but I enjoyed it immensely.

I'd have to agree with the posts above. 6.8 SPC in an AR or a 44 magnum carbine would both be good. The 6.8 is about like a 257 Roberts in it's balistics, and the 44 with a hard 250 grain or heavier bullet will exit a bear. I know. I have done it from handguns, so I am certain a rifle will be fine too.

The lever actions kick much harder then you'd think with full power loads but a Ruger Auto would be good. Autos may need full power loads to cycle well

In a Lever Acton there is no reason to need full power loads. If you load with a 250+ hard cast bullet at only 1300 FPS M.V. you will see the gun kicks very little. and the bullet will do all you need on deer and black bear. I have shot 1200 FPS 44s clear through elk from a 4" revolver, so I know that they will work.

That was my cardiologist in NC. My Cardiologist in PA and I are meeting in a couple weeks and hunting season will be the focus of my questions.

Some of the Montana guys have take bear with the .22's, but that hunting is different from the brush in Pa.

10mm, 44 SPL, Mag, 45 LC pistola/revolver would be my suggestion

Good deal. Hope it turns out well.

How about hunting bear with a bow?

Yes I would.

I would hunt and choose shots well ... Barnes makes some bullets that come to mind.

That's the direction I'm leaning.

Your heart can't handle the recoil of a bigger cartridge but can handle the hills?

I doubt a .223 or 22-250 is going to have trouble with a bear.




Dave

That's what they tell me. They want me physically active but not to the point of getting winded.

I doubt a 22-250 or a 243 will wind you ..

If you can't get winded you better take those hills very slow. And have someone ready to help you drag this season!

-Jake

Absolutely!

Id do what ever it takes to be into the woods! Years ago I had to have back surgery, and couldnt draw my bow,my buddie that owned a Archery shop, offered to let me use a crossbow, I hated the idea, he asked do you want to deer hunt or just sit home! I used the crossbow, didnt get a deer but was still hunting! I got better and used compound bows and even Longbows, now 20 plus years later im back with a Crossbow, But still HUNTING!

That's how I feel. Plus, my Dr. told me the surest way to die is to become inactive and the surest way to live is to become active.

I like what Doc said about being active.

I'd be hunting and just pick my shots carefully. That would be with or without doc's permission.

your health is top priority, plus if you don[t think you are in shape to carry the appropriate rifle then its best to let this season go, there is always another one.

I wouldn't worry about shooting a bear with a 223 or 22-250 given good bullets. I would be a little concerned with all the associated activity, especially the post kill dragging/packing. I would see that I had a contingency plan for a successful hunt.

I can carry any rifle made. It's shooting them that's the issue.

Agreed. I pretty much have that in place.

I hope you can make it work, Mike.

About 10 years ago, I had rotator cuff surgery on my right shoulder 30 days before the Pa. buck season opener. In my case, I had to be careful getting around, the doc was concerned about me falling and ripping his handiwork out of my shoulder. So I hunted wearing a sling and then a swath to bind the arm to my body.

No way could I use a rifle, so I hunted with my Redhawk in my left hand. A handgun is a lot lighter than a rifle, that could be important when you consider all the weight of clothes, food, and other stuff we hunters typically have with us.

Best of luck with whatever your decision is,

Dale

Unfortunately my Dan Wesson hunting revolver was stolen and I can't afford to replace it at the moment. But a revolver would be a welcome solution.

Thanks.

I don't particularly recommend .22 centerfires for bear but in capable confident hands they are deadly. A close friend of mine killed several bears with his 22-250 while I hunted with him some 25 years ago. He is a good hunter, calm shooter and a superb shot who knew where to place his shots and had the ability to do so. If your resume fits and you have the discipline...

Edited to add that blood trails are less likely with any .22, so a hit that puts the critter down fairly close to where he was when hit is desirable.

.243 with a barnes 80gr ttsx in the neck. That will drop a bear with no tracking. Just like shooting a hog.

Or a .223 with same but lighter ttsx.

One of the good guys here, Dober, found a .22 centerfire satisfactory for the task:




I'd imagine the walking in, and shooting, should be pretty manageable. Getting a bear out of the woods, though, should probably involve a few buddies.

I sure hope you can do it, & tell us about it!

FC

I'd get a second opinion, that recommendation sounds pretty contradictory. Spend a few more dollars and see another doctor, it's your heart and with the time and effort.

250-3000 with 80 grain Barnes ttsx.

Now you're talking!!!!

Good luck.

Thanks

I bought a PAST recoil shield and it seems like I'm safe now to hunt with my .300 Savage since I won't be firing many shots in hunting season and my model 99 is sighted in already.

Thanks. I took your advice.

That's great news, Mike! I'm excited to hear it!