308 Win. for Bears? - Season 2: Episode 59

Welcome to the Ron Spomer Outdoors Podcast! In this episode, I answer questions about the antinomy shortage, hunting bears with a 308 Winchester, and more!
00:00 - Intro
01:00 - Is killing coyotes worth it?
10:18 - What bullet are you shooting in your .375 in Africa?
11:47 - I love watching your videos. What brand of shirts do you wear? Are they wool? I’m a big fan of wool shirts.
13:40 - I don’t reload yet, but am thinking about getting into it. I’ve kept all my brass but have used different manufacturers as recent times have dictated. If I use the same powder, loads, and projectiles, does it matter if the brass is mixed?
15:24 - I reside in Norway, and the main game I hunt is large birds (Western Capercaillie, Black Grouse). In recent years Norway has followed other countries in Scandinavia in legalizing hunting these birds with rifles - previously only shotguns aloud. What would be the most ideal cartridge for this style of hunting?
21:34 - I live in Alaska and have taken all matter of game with a Howa alpine in 308. I've been satisfied with its performance on moose, sheep, black bears, and caribou, but I want a larger cartridge for an upcoming Afoganak elk hunt. I feel confident the 308 will take an elk, but I want a larger gun for possible bear encounters and future bear hunts. What recommendations do you have for a cartridge, rifle, and weight?
25:15 - What are your thoughts on the 308 Marlin Express?
27:05 - Do you think the antimony shortage will drive all rifle bullets to copper? What impact will that have on shotgunning and the .22 LR and all of the black powder shooters?
Links:
Website: ronspomeroutdoors.com/
Facebook: / ronspomeroutdoors
Instagram: / ronspomer
Who is Ron Spomer
For 44 years I’ve had the good fortune to photograph and write about my passion - the outdoor life. Wild creatures and wild places have always stirred me - from the first flushing pheasant that frightened me out of my socks in grandpa’s cornfield to the last whitetail that dismissed me with a wag of its tail. In my attempts to connect with this natural wonder, to become an integral part of our ecosystem and capture a bit of its mystery, I’ve photographed, hiked, hunted, birded, and fished across much of this planet. I've seen the beauty that everyone should see, survived adventures that everyone should experience. I may not have climbed the highest mountains, canoed the wildest rivers, caught the largest fish or shot the biggest bucks, but I’ve tried. Perhaps you have, too. And that’s the essential thing. Being out there, an active participant in our outdoor world.
Produced by: Red 11 Media - www.red11media.com/
Disclaimer
All loading, handloading, gunsmithing, shooting and associated activities and demonstrations depicted in our videos are conducted by trained, certified, professional gun handlers, instructors, and shooters for instructional and entertainment purposes only with emphasis on safety and responsible gun handling. Always check at least 3 industry handloading manuals for handloading data, 2 or 3 online ballistic calculators for ballistic data. Do not modify any cartridge or firearm beyond what the manufacturer recommends. Do not attempt to duplicate, mimic, or replicate anything you see in our videos. Firearms, ammunition, and constituent parts can be extremely dangerous if not used safely.

[@gunner4373]

Alot of people don't know that the rifles that homesteaded Alaska and have killed more Grizzly than any others are the Enfield in 303 Brit, the Krag in 30-40 and the 03A3 in '06. The rifles and cartridges may still hold the record so a modern .308 technically can take even the largest Browns.

[@jaydunbar7538]

308 will easily kill anything on the continent, wouldn’t be my choice for an expensive hunt traveling across the country but if elk or grizzly were local id have no issue using it. If I’ve got 10 grand into the hunt I’ll be bringing a bigger rifle just for the increased range to maximize the chance of filling that expensive tag.

[@fnkdtnk]

The problem is people think they need the same, super tough, super deep penetrating bullets that are used on other “dangerous game”. So grandpappy shoots a bear with a 30-06 loaded with a bullet designed for buffalo, gets poor results, and blames the 30-06 instead of the bullet. Tells his son horror stories about using 30-06 on bears, so his son takes a 300 win mag loaded with the same, overly hard dg bullet, gets poor results, and now here we are, a generation of people thinking bears require copper solids being pushed by Weatherby magnums, and anyone using .308 is nuts. Truth is, .308 with a nosler partition, or a winchester ballistic silver tip will pulverize a bears vital organs.

[@RonSpomerOutdoors]

@@fnkdtnk My AK interior griz fell to two 180-gr. Barnes TSX bullets. The first penetrated the heart and off ran the bear. The second hit the spine and killed him instantly. I found that one in the snowbank beyond the bear. Slug weighed 180-grains. Cartridge was Bordens 300 Caribou, an improved 300 Win Mag.

[@tonycollinsworth7393]

Yes and there’s some Indians that’s crawled into the den and shot them on the 22 pistol I don’t care too and as far as 308 I consider the bear has to eat too so get after it

[@sman3569]

@@jaydunbar7538 keep in mind I mean the .308 for DEFENSE against a sudden grizzly attack. In semi auto rifle. For a hunt certainly I would use a heavier caliber in a bolt action, as long as I am not alone, and am accompanied by at least 1 more adequately armed person whom I trust. I say "trust" because rangers report that in most instances when there is a party of only 2 and 1 gets attacked by a grizz, the other person RUNS AWAY ! Surprising, but in most cases, that's what happens !

[@rockyjones9956]

For bear protection a 308 still beats a handgun

[@sparky_-mf2cs]

Forsure... its funny when people say you need a 44 mag or a 480 ruger or even a 50 smith but then say a 308 is not enough 😂

[@reefread1234]

@@sparky_-mf2cs they obviously cant do the math

[@blueduck9409]

Especially a HIGH CAPACITY .308

[@workct4102]

​@@sparky_-mf2cs I've always made a funny face when trying to figure that out as well

[@Trumplican]

@@sparky_-mf2cs well I'd take a 10MM Glock with a 13rd mag over a bolt action .308 any day for a charging grizz. A semi-auto high capacity .308 is a different story. Most recommend handguns over a rifle because they are hikers and the weight of a rifle is too cumbersome. Saying a pistol caliber is enough and a .308 is not in general is very stupid but I can't say I've ever heard anyone say that.

[@rapalaron6348]

Here in Sweden we shoot big brown bears with 308 Win. No problem with for example with Norma 180 grains Oyrx or Alaska. Also with 30-06 and 6,5x55.

[@georgemcarthur488]

My first rifle was a Carl Gustav sporterized carbine 96 Mauser. I took it's penetration capabilities for granted until I shot a few deer with a 30-06. 156 grain Norma round nose soft point (the old stuff with a cupronickel jacket) would shoot through any deer at any angle and deep into (sometimes through) the tree behind it.

[@stevenbodum3405]

yes, everthing between 6,5x55 and 9,3x62 is more or less good. i would prefer 8x57is

[@chudrustler]

Say what you will. 308win and 338win are probably some of the best cartridges for game in the north. If i had to recommend any cartridges it would be those 2. But if only 1 it would be 308.

[@horse.395]

Oh yes you quite right.😊

[@horse.395]

Humans screw up everything.

[@alcoanotalcoa6841]

bullet placement is EVERYTHING

[@MS-zb5fr]

Best explanation why predator hunting makes sense ever. Applies also for Germany, where the general public does not understand why predetor hunting is a good thing for nature. Thank you for the video.

[@billbertagnoli4226]

I'm 74 and have lived and hunted in Northern Michigan Most of my adult life. I remember when the go to Caliber was the 30-30 . Lots of black bear fell to the Old time favorite.

[@johndemtopics1377]

I do not care about anyone elses advice. Ron Spomer is the advisor to go with!!!

[@Longtrailside]

Well he seemed confident hunting in grizz woods when he hunted all his other game why change now? A 308 with a good penetrating bullett under 300yds will do the job, if he puts it in the right spot.

[@christopherrowley7506]

Well sounds like he's going on a destination hunt to an area with a high density of large coastal brown bears. And him saying he's used to hunting caribou and sheep I'm guessing he's more used to hunting the interior with lower numbers of the smaller inland grizzlies. Up until the 1970s coastal brown bears and inland grizzlies were considered separate species because of the difference in size and behavior, and still today many alaskans distinguish between 'brown bear' and 'grizzly'. My guess is he's intimidated by the reputation of the coastal browns, and that isn't unwise

[@MrJtin69]

@@christopherrowley7506 better have to much power and not need it than to need it and not have it tis why i use 338-378weatherby or 378 weatherby 🙂

[@jk-kr8jt]

Longtrailside, how dare you apply logic and reason on the internet?!?! Everybody knows that a big brown bear can only be taken with a 50 BMG (minimum), better with a 30mm cannon. Actually it sounds like he has opinions. As good as a 308 can be, if he has bigger, that he is comfortable with, why not give it a whirl. A 180gr or 200gr bullet in a 308 will do a browny, under ideal conditions. But what about under less than ideal conditions? Have a great day and please stop using common sense, logic and reason. 🙂🙂

[@Longtrailside]

@@jk-kr8jt There used to be an oooooold youtube video of a hunter with 3 friends hunting 1 guy filming brown bear in alaska. One took a shot at a grizz from a good distance. The bear immediately started to charge at the hunters full bore. They all opened fired at the bear and hit the bear multiple times over and over again, reloading with large caliber rifles. The bear finally collapsed feet from where the hunters stood. That video taught me 2 serious lessons. Shot placement for a charging bear is the brain or upper spine to stop a charging bear. And the second lesson is magnum calibers dont mean shit to a pissed off charging grizzly, unless you packing a full auto 50bmg. Ive seen videos of them killed with simple recurve bows, 308, 300wm, 375 hh, ect, practically dropped on the spot. They are not hard to kill generally, buuuuut if its a bear with a will to live or a pissed off bear that wants to fight, and you shoot it. Juat be prepared for it to fight back. Seen similair with black bear also, but nothing ever like ive seen in that video! It was unreal...!

[@bobgordon1754]

It would be best to hold the range to under 100 yds for both bullet placement and retained energy. Most guides don't like hunters taking long shots on dangerous game.

[@jjjjdooley]

Ron has the absolute most polite and respectful burns of all time. From now on, he should be referred to as The Legend.

[@siljebb21]

Speaking for the Norwegians here. We often use even a 308 win for small birds such as ptarmigan, full metal jacket so we dont ruin the meat, and it works great. I am hunting birds with both 308win fmj and 223rem fmj. I do switch to a .22lr for the ptarmigans however, but that is for precision reasons, and follow up shots is easier. For larger game birds the minimum caliber we are allowed to use is a .22WMR, so the 22lr is mainly for the smallest birds and game here. The law specificly says that with a 22lr you are allowed to hunt species up to the size of a hare, but not hare. anything bigger needs more velocity from a bullet that is .22 or bigger. The aiming point you mention for the birds are spot on! FMJ is the key her to not obliterate the bird. The capercaille has a white spot that almost works as a target to aim for (but only directly from the side)

[@jlwise1949]

Ron: I heard you talking about using a 375HH. In the early 70's I was introduced to the 375 by a guy at elk hunting. He moved down from Alaska to Wyoming . I happened to notice some BIG cartridges in his ammo belt and inquired about them, he said they were 375 H&H. I got the bug and had to have one of the big guys. Over the years I killed many Elk Moose and a yellowstone buffalo . Early on I started loading with H4894 and using Speer 235 gr bullets . All were 1 shot kills except a moose which took 2 shots because of misplacement on my part. I don't know what you are after in Africa but you may want to give Speer 235 gr.hot core a try. I recovered mostof the bullets and they mushroomed very well and never came apart and had very good velocity. I enjoy your shows keep up the good work.

[@jeffreylingbeck5791]

I used a 338 win mag with 225 grain tsx bullets to take my brown bear on the Alaska Peninsula. 9'3" bear.

[@georgemcarthur488]

Can't beat the TSX

[@TerryLee04950]

When I lived in Alaska my choices were 35 Whelen 338 win and 45-70. When out fishing it was a 12ga pump

[@danhiggins5393]

I carry a 12 gauge at work (land surveying) because a rifle seems to offend clients. Even with slugs a shotgun doesn’t measure up to a .308, especially a 10 shot “scout rifle”

[@christopherrowley7506]

@@danhiggins5393 depending on the exact load, a 3in slug has about 15-20% more energy at the muzzle than a 308

[@christopherrowley7506]

@@briant7652 I don't know if we have enough statistics to definitely say that "rifles are typically better for large bears". I've only seen one study going over all historic bear attacks where firearms were used for self defense, and every bear that was hit by any bullet at all stopped its attack. The most common used was 9mm. Now I wouldn't trust a 9mm personally. My point is the data set is small so it's definitely a debatable topic. I'm sure 308 does well, and probably has a lot better penetration. 20% more energy in a slug can't be a negative though, and you're less likely to get a pass through (so all of that energy is dumped in target). I think the reasoning goes both ways

[@christopherrowley7506]

@@briant7652 you didn't engage with what I said at all. I, like the guide, also suspect rifles penetrate better. But then the other reasoning is that if you get a pass through, and you didn't hit a vital organ, then that icepick wound cavity may be useless. Even a bear shot through the lungs or heart would still have enough time to close distance before expiring. The 12ga slug would be unlikely to have that problem. But then what I was saying before: this is all academic because we don't have enough information. And the main study we do have suggests it doesn't really matter what you use, as long as you are able to get shots on target.

[@TerryLee04950]

The best advice I was told years ago. When it comes to bears. and no matter what you have. Keep shooting until it goes down. I have seen a bear outrun a squirrel, and the squirrel had a ten yard head start. Also witnessed a good friend of mine get mauled, so I have a lot of respect for bears.

[@stevenrush9862]

You are spot on Ron. It’s up to us to be good stewards of the land and animals.

[@eerohongisto821]

I have no experience myself but here in Finland popular cartridges for all kinds of rifle bird hunting are 222, 223, 243, 6,5x55, 6,5 creedmoor and 308, but i have even heard of guys shooting black grouse with 9,3x62. With a fmj bullet it seems to make no difference what cartridge you use. Also 22lr is legally too small for black grouse here, the minimum seems to be 22magnum or 22hornet depending on the load.

[@sherlockbonez]

I shot a ruffed grouse with a 375 hh once. Took its head off and no meat damage.

[@hinkrakagaming5532]

Chiming in as a Swede here, it's allowed to hunt Ptarmigans and Hazel Grouse, however Black Grouse and Capercaille is considered needing more performance. So that's the 22 Hornady, 22WM and up. And just like you say Eero, it's very much a wide variety what caliber is used. Expanding bullets are not required, and often not wanted, because of the meat-destroying effect. What is popular around here is late early winter and throughout parts of winter is skiing through the woods, seeing Capercaille or Black Grouse perching on top of pine and fir trees, trying to get close enough for a shot, but shots are often taken from 200m+, so 22lr or 22wm wouldn't be my choice of calibre any way.

[@ronsmith7739]

Oh please, use a 35 Whelen, a medium caliber size. It simply works !!!!!!

[@patrickhankins5381]

Ron, you are spot on with prey predator relationships.

[@shawnmiller4781]

From somebody that grew up on the Alaska Peninsula with lots of brown bears. I have no problem with carrying a .308 as a defensive weapon for a brown bear. If I was specifically hunting them I wouldn’t plan to go less than .338 caliber rifle. (There are exceptions)

[@dangerousfreedom4965]

I’ve heard of some people carrying A.R. 15‘s with green tips for defense from large animals?

[@connorl.2170]

@@dangerousfreedom4965 for defense only you can put down a brown bear with it due to sheer number of bullets on target. With a 30 round standard capacity magazine with 556 the rifle will penetrate a brown bear, but it won’t put it down in 1 or 2 shots, which would be preferred if hunting, as less bullets means less wasted meat and a better skin, and a more clean kill overall. Purely for defense it will do the job but isn’t the best for hunting AR-15 vs AR-10 for defense id choose the ar-10 though, because it has all the same benefits as an ar-15 (semi auto and larger ammunition capacity than a bolt action) but with the larger caliber. 20 rounds of 7.62 nato will kill most all large game in North America

[@paraglidingnut26]

@@connorl.2170 Be sure that ar10 platform is reliable. Have seen my share of ar10's in action shooting events having reloading issues. My Vepr .308 in an AK platform hasn't been as accurate at distance compared to ar10's, but it's always been reliable.

[@samuelpope7798]

That's what we used in the Navy in the 1980s for polar bear defence. M-14 w m80

[@marklomax7452]

Ron, I did 8 hunting trips to Africa between 1995- 2013. Started with all copper Barnes x, then later Barnes Triple Shock. Also used Trophy Bonded on one hunt. You can't go wrong with the Barnes or the Trophy Bonded- always either pass through or very deep penetration. Looking forward to see how you do with the Hammerhead. Good luck in Africa!

[@rogerramjet7567]

When I lived in Montana, I elk hunted in grizzly country. Always with a 338. Never had a problem, but I was prepared none the less. I did take a brown bear 10’6”. Probably a thousand pounds. 338 was enough gun. I would have felt better with a 375.

[@whiplash8277]

Close range/brush, the .45-70 cures all ails. Not too fancy, not too sophisticated, but by golly she gets it done.

[@blueduck9409]

Even a 500 grain lead bullet with 70 grains of black powder will blow a hole straight thru the biggest North American buffalo. It will do the same on the biggest bears.

[@brucepk631]

OR... get a 450bushy in an AR15 and have fancy AND sophisticated all at the same time along with 45-70 like ballistics...

[@whiplash8277]

@@brucepk631 I indeed have that very setup...also have a .458 SOCOM upper as well, but the .450 and .458 are very similar in ballistics and the SOCOM ammo is damned hard to find.

[@Alex-uz7wd]

Wouldn’t think twice about .308 for bear.. I had zero issue killing elk with .308 at 400 yards. Taken moose with .270 as well.

[@jaydunbar7538]

I think people worry to much about having a big rifle, personally I prefer a bigger cartridge for expensive hunts I’m traveling for but if it’s a local hunt and you can wait for a good shot then it’s just not an issue.

[@Cats.Hammers.]

Excellent forearm veins, Ron. A medics dream!

[@laughingdog6010]

325 WSM for bears, compact rifle firing a powerful cartridge.

[@Titoscudd]

I think that copper solids really enhance the effectiveness of the .308

[@PhuVet]

I went to Alaska on a guided hunt with my cousin's guide company, they used 12ga shotguns. I went out 20 years later they used 12 gauge shotguns and 308, a few used 30-06 or 338 federal.

[@Vikingocazar]

12 gauge is so underrated. A slug hits like a dump truck…

[@mattevans-koch9353]

Thank you Ron for another informative Q&A. Best wishes for a great week.

[@jeremiah7855]

.308 gets alot of hate with the right bullet I wouldn't feel under gunned bullet like barens ttsx or prolly even a good bonded soft point Ron and his love for the .308 lol just kidding good videos Ron love watching

[@DinoNucci]

Correct

[@dr.froghopper6711]

And Nosler Partitions or Swift A Frame. They go deep!

[@justinlloyd9342]

I’m not saying it’s the best but Iike what was said before with the right bullet and a good accurate shot I think the 308 would kill anything. Ive heard stories about elephant poachers using far smaller rounds to down them for they’ve ivory so yeah I’d shoot a grizzly with a 308

[@larselundqvist1412]

For the birds use a 308win with lapua 123gr fmj. Smal hole in and out. No meat damage and they die fast. And aim at the white spot

[@danbowen5106]

How far out are the birds usually?

[@aigabaljo]

@@danbowen5106They sit in trees that have a good overview on open areas in the morning. You can get to about 300m before they fly away if they see you.

[@ElJefeTony]

First and only bear I've shot was a 400# black bear with a 308 win. 180 grain, thru 1 shoulder, lung, heart, lung, broke other shoulder. It moved 5 yards only because it was on a slope and rolled.

[@georgemcarthur488]

After seeing my test results from 308 and 30-06 with a 168 grain TSX, I can't imagine anything could survive it. That being said, I hunt whitetails in Michigan 😆. A few of the guys if talked to that have hunted Alaska say that the 300WSM with either a nosler partition in 180gr+ or Barnes TSX in 180gr is the bread and butter up there. I definitely agree with the choice of 338 win mag for and overall rifle. Abundance of ammo for it there.

[@shinrapresident7010]

Canadian Rangers are issued 200 .308 Win 180 grain Nosler Accubond rounds every year and they hunt polar bears.

[@lorenwaldner5930]

I love your videos. I have learned a lot.

[@jimdavis3273]

My suggestion for a rifle for an Elk and Brown bear on Afognak Island. Is the .35 Whelen loaded with good quality 225gr bullets like Nosler Partitions, Barnes TSX or Swift A frames.

[@DinoNucci]

No

[@billfrederickfrederick2791]

How about a 338-06 ?

[@jimdavis3273]

@@billfrederickfrederick2791 That's an excellent choice also.

[@richardfitzsimmons5244]

Great commentary. I just picked up the P.O Ackley book. Although somewhat outdated. Its a very interesting read.

[@benjaminbradley3009]

308 works just fine for bear. 22lr is about all i use for any small game. I dont think i would have ever considered using a center-fire cartridge for bird hunting. But if it works go for it! Its pretty cool hearing from people from all around the world! 👍

[@jimparker7778]

The .30 cal is great, but only as good as the next bullet!

[@thestcroixkid]

Depends in the location...Coastal browns, no friggin' way...

[@puccini4530]

From England. Wow! This presenter is the ultimate communicator.

[@AntonGudenus]

For capercaillie I'd advise for using a 22 Hornet or WM or a 17 HMR. If one uses a too fast and powerful caliber the exit hole is a real challenge for any taxidermist. Same goes for bullets that fracture into small parts. Old hunters sometimes used FMJ .222Win, though that needs a very accurate shot, as it will punch a straight hole without expansion, which risks long searches for the shot animal.

[@mattdg1981]

This comment put a smile on my face. I almost forgot about the old 222. Good stuff man god bless.

[@sepehr8711]

my friend in Finland use 6.5x55 with 140gr fmj bullet and achive good result on capercallie.

[@simongloutnez589]

Regarding coyotes its important to point out that they were not trully a wood species. The woods were the domain of the wolves(well all the american continent to be fair) and the coyotes remained in the savanas, the plains, etc. But now that we have devasted wolves population AND we cut down most forests to live there or to farm the land, we have artificially created the perfect habitat for coyotes. They also use our forest roads system here in Quebec to travel great distance and find new farm fields to live nearby. They have really benefited presence.

[@newerest1]

Good information man

[@dabisnit]

The best way to reduce coyote (aka Prairie Wolf) numbers is by introducing wolves

[@eliinthewolverinestate6729]

We have wolf/coyote mixes. The 75/25 are long legged wolves western great lakes making them bigger. The 60/40 wolves of eastern great lakes have a lot of coyote looks to them. More red in the fur.

[@tigerstallion]

nobody ever did a genetic test on an pre-colonial Eastern red wolf. Canines have been in the Americas, from FL to AK including the forest, throughout all of recorded history, except for places where theyve been eradicated by man.

[@dougbarlow3010]

This was one fun video. I was really impressed with your bird imitation.. wow that was so real I ran and got my gun!!!,very informative Thanks again from N.E. Utah.

[@jaybailleaux630]

PO Ackley Book is the world's best book to this day explaining case powder capacity as related to velocity performance and bore size. I read the covers off this book literally. I have to remind myself that bigger is not always better when it comes to cartridge case capacity and refer to PO Ackley oftentimes.

[@lukehanson5320]

27:04 With as much as you know, still happy to admit where your knowledge/experience stops. I assume that's why you still have the respect of the community all these decades later. Keep up the good work, Ron!

[@TheTGRproductions]

Given the right distance and shot placement, a 308 winchester will kill just about anything in North America! It's my favorite round of all time, as I find it personally more versatile where I live then any other caliber. And I only like it slightly more than the 30-06 because of its more mild recoil! But overall, if I was hunting a Grizzly Bear, I'm taking something like a 30-06 or bigger!

[@victoryengineer]

.308 WILL kill anything in North America with ease.

[@Wildwestwrangler]

Maybe a 30-06 Ackley improved?

[@BaconSlayer69]

.308 is fine for grizzly just use a 180 gr cartridge

[@Wildwestwrangler]

@@BaconSlayer69 nosler partitions handloaded to at least 2600fps in your 308!!!

[@BaconSlayer69]

@@Wildwestwrangler I don’t care you replied too late

[@jk-kr8jt]

Ron, I really enjoy these Q&A videos. I play a bit of a game with them. I listen to the question, hit pause and answer it myself. Then I hit play (or whatever it's call on these darn smartphones) and listen to your answer. You're from South Dakota (originally) and I'm from Illinois, but I swear we must be related. Keep 'em coming. I think, could be wrong, the twisted tubular magazine you're thinking of is the old Remington pump. Might be the model 14. It was the home of the 25, 30, 32 and 35 Remington line of cartridges. Sadly only the 35 Rem soldiers on in the Marlin levers. There may have been other twist tubular magazine rifles, but that the one that came to mind first. Please let us know how you like the 270 gr in your 375. I like the 375 and never had a problem with 300 gr pills. That served me fell and has accounted for hundreds of animals. Just my experience. A couple of years ago I did use a friend's 375 with 270 gr cor-loktd Remington ammo to take several elands, kudus, zebras and giraffes, those old cup and core preformed fine. All the best to you Ron. Cheers, Jeff.

[@sammartinez8084]

Great show Ron 👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@Cats.Hammers.]

All hail!! The one true ammo God, our Lord Ron. Top bloke. Fact.

[@hadleyscott1160]

I have a 325 wsm and it’s a lever with a magazine. It works.

[@Styckjunkarn]

Hi. Top bird hunting with a rifle has been successful in Sweden with a fully jacketed 6.5 round nose. Good precision and adequate knock down with a round nose. Since one needs a light weapon after long ski trips after birds, single shot rifles 22 Hornet or 5.6x52 have been popular.

[@hinkrakagaming5532]

Adding in here that the shots are often taken from distances of 100m+, often 200m+, so 22lr or 22wm would neither be feasible nor 22lr allowed. At least in Sweden

[@Tensioner]

I think the first two say about what I was thinking. Not my 1st choice for big ones but I'd feel pretty good about having a .308 if I ran into one unexpectedly. Anything much smaller and you might want to shoot to miss.

[@jk-kr8jt]

Dead is dead. Never shoot to miss. 223 to 500 A-square are all better than getting chewed on.

[@Tensioner]

@@jk-kr8jt If your about to get chewed on sure, if it's pretty calm you can sometimes scare them away by shooting. But do what you want of course. shrugs

[@thestcroixkid]

@@jk-kr8jt WORD!

[@sman3569]

Well if a brown bear is charging you at close range, you better have that .308 in a semi-auto and try to get at least 2 or 3 hits, or you will face the unpleasant experience of being EATEN ALIVE.

[@Tensioner]

@@sman3569 Lol, I'll keep it in mind.

[@johnkaraphillis754]

Please let us know how your .375 H&H with the HammerHunter performs. Thanks Ron!

[@lonewolf286]

I know when you talking about quail or some people causing partridges. I haven't seen one in 20 years and when I was growing up those thousands of them running around everville. I don't. It's bobcats or coyotes killing them out but in my neck of the woods I ain't no quail anymore and I love your show

[@jukkasaastamoinen3420]

For black grouse and capercaillie I’ve used .22 WMR, 6.5 Creedmoor, .308 and .30-06. Here in Finland also .222, .22-250, .223 are also often used. Usually the birds are shot from tree tops. As they can spot the hunter far away, shooting distances are often 150-250 meters. Therefore flat shooting rifle and high bc bullets help. Bullet should be fmj if you want some meat to cook after succesful shot.

[@lassevatto7164]

Finnish hunters hunt big birds. We mostly use calibers/cartridges that are common here and easy to get. Ron Spomer once called me pragmatic and that is a good word to describe many hunters in Finland. Years and years .308 has been the cartridge to go to. It can handle everything from birds to bears, it has a huge variety of factory ammunition and prices are also reasonable(our market is not huge). In the old days many hunters had only one rifle so it had to fit most(all) game you wanted to hunt. I don´t think that hunting and gun culture differs too much in Nordic countries. I think it is good to think about what kind of rifles are you going to get in future. Are you going for only one rifle to do it all or are you going to get many for different game.

[@Wildwestwrangler]

​@@lassevatto7164are there a lot of grizzly in Finland? Do you have black bears?

[@lassevatto7164]

@SuperCamper , hello, we don't have grizzly bears here, but brown brears we have. It is almost the same. Population size is different from place to place, but there are enough that population must be controlled by hunting. We don't have black bears in Northern Europe.

[@baobo67]

22 Hornet is a great oldy. Takes over from the 22RF and is still quiet. Cheers

[@jasonhumphreys261]

Good call on that 22Hornet suggestion. A friend of mine uses that for Turkey.

[@billythekid2281]

Great video Ron.

[@csjrogerson2377]

Its well known that predator-prey populations are cyclical with a lag time where predator antecedes prey. Fox pop up, goes to low rabbit pop. Low rabbit pop starves out the foxes. Low fox pop leads to high rabbit pop. And so it repeats. For the Grouse and Capercaillie, 22LR or 22Mag has been used. The birds are easy to stalk and so range is not an issue. They have enough weight to stop them flying but not too much velocity to ruin meat, so body shots are the norm.

[@jizburg]

A point on us changing the habitat. In europe you can follow were the human population spread itself and built communities by looking for were nettles grow. Because we farmed it for fiber for fabric. It is processed the same way as linnen. And it grows in pretty rough soil.

[@rpk5250]

The conservation information is excellent. I realized some of my assumptions were wrong

[@Bhartrampf]

In Germany they liked the 22 hornet and 222 and Remington did the twist magazine in the 141. I was going to say, you dont need antimony in black powder and a lot of guys are going to powder coating. A mixture Tin and lead makes good bullets for low velocity, like black powder and hand guns.

[@jackhook4192]

I will stick to my tried and true 45/70 for bear.

[@leskrug9266]

I love my Ruger#1 in 375 ruger, I shoot hornady 300 grain DGX.

[@ravissary79]

There are coyotes in my neighborhood in town, just south of Tampa. I can hear them at night. I've seen a dead one on the side of the road near the main drag during rush hour. My inkaws have seen them on the luxury/Beach islands that are often akin to tourism resorts.

[@pencilhead0153]

It may not be the most affordable way, but a 45-70 is the sexiest way to take a bear just saying

[@blueduck9409]

The 45-70 govt is one effective way to take down even the biggest bear inside 150 yards. The 500 grain bullet from buffalo bore is devestating.

[@vinceblasco]

Rather than the Marlin express you can just get a Savage 99 in 308, 300 Savage, or 7mm-08. Rotary magazine, but still an excellent and superbly accurate rifle.

[@mattdg1981]

Yeah sure. Theres a lot of savage 99's laying around. I'll just go pick one up at my LGS. In my 44 years on this planet I have only seen 2. Good luck.

[@vinceblasco]

@@mattdg1981 I guess I’ve been fortunate? I encounter them regularly in TX. They made well over 1M of them.

[@JohnSmith-xs4sx]

@@vinceblasco for a hundred years even , they are out there but very hard to part with ;)

[@tims.5995]

I never saw a Savage 99 in 7-08 ?

[@vinceblasco]

@@tims.5995 They didn’t make that many and they’re kind of expensive when you find them. The .300 Savage and 308 Winchester were way more common. But they also made them in 243, 30-30, and 7mm-08 and others.

[@kirkstewart-vf6hg]

Like the famous BC Grizzly guide Claton Mack said break out the BIG GUN ! The 308.

[@kirkstewart-vf6hg]

Larger magnum calibers just don't make up for bad shot placement ! He'll old Seth Kinman meat procurer for fort Humbolt here in far northern california killed over 600 california grizzlies by his count in the 1800's with a 50 cal Hawken muzzleloader with what he called his Brain spilling shot a little low just behind the ear..

[@thomaswall4285]

savage, browning and win for the circular magazine I think. more comments better for the algorithm :)

[@Greyzonecompliant]

In Sweden it is generally like this. (With a 1000 exceptions of course) If your hunting forest grouse with a dog. The 22 wmr is popular (but not exclusive) If your hunting it with skis on your feet the 6.5x55 or 308 is very common. But you often bring your most accurate rifle for this job. The ranges can be long. That big bird shrinks at 250 meters 😅

[@manuelvargas2608]

I hunted turkey for years and use a 22mag fmj reliably inside of 75 yards and shot inside 100 without losing one. No meat damage and accurate enough for a head shot if you wanted to.

[@airbornesoldieramerica7125]

In my state by law we are only allowed to use a shotgun or crossbow or bow or muzzleloader for turkey.

[@TheCriticalPigeon]

Your videos are wholesome and informative. I'd love to see you do a field video with Paul Harrell. Your videos and humor are similar and would have a large over lap of interested viewers

[@lomax6620]

The 17 Rem is sometimes overlooked. I would try that for grouse. Ammo might be rather hard to come by. Fun round and packs a lot of punch and the rifles I have shot have been really accurate.

[@parsoncolt]

Love your thunderbird. Wore that on my shoulder in the 70s.

[@seeratlasdtyria4584]

Well, if I remember my human history, I think early humans used to kill cave bears with spears, and more recently, American Native tribes with spears, and bows/arrows did in some more modern bears on this Continent. No doubt a number of other races/cultures elsewhere have done similarly, soooo, I suspect it IS possible to take out a bear with a .308 ;) LOL. However, For Myself, back in the distant past when I frequented areas where BIG bears ("Brownies) hung out, I used to carry either a short barrelled 12 Gauge full of heavy slugs, or one of my .375's , depending on whether I was river/lake fishing, or hunting...(course I'm a chicken:)(btw, felt recoil was actually a little LESS with the .375's LOL)

[@YBenjamin1996]

love the idea of running into Ron at Costco!

[@outlaw80178]

The guy that asked about .308 for grizzly. Keep the .308, buy a high capacity pistol, in 10mm. Sig xten, S&W m&p 10mm, my favorite is the springfield xdm elite.

[@johnryan6658]

10mm is weak. .454 Casull, .460 Magnum, and .500 Magnum aren't.

[@georgesakellaropoulos8162]

Wool and polypropylene are a great combination. Wool insulates even when wet.

[@ulflyng4072]

Nylons starts stinking heavily after just a day.

[@TheDespairbear]

Just ordered my first TAG shirt. Thank you for the sugestion.

[@mattpie595]

Lead styphnate is also used for primers. Old potassium chlorate is no longer used because they were corrosive.

[@larrysayers1377]

I had a .308 Marlin Express lever action in a 336 action. It came out with the .308 FTX bullet and still does. I sold it many years ago but I still see ammo on the shelves.

[@HobbitHomes263]

307?

[@larrysayers1377]

@@HobbitHomes263 the 307 came out in 1982 and the 308 Marlin Express came out in 2007 when Hornady developed that LEVERevolution ammo with the Flextip bullet to try and duplicate the 308 Winchester.

[@williamgaines9784]

The spiral magazines were on Remington pump rifles before they transitioned to the box style.

[@MB-qw1eb]

I was a 308 detractor for a long time but to be honest it still is a pretty effective cartrige, i still think sniper system should have better range cartrige like .338lap and have 308 for battle rifles or dmr

[@GeorgiaBoy1961]

With the benefit of 20-20 hindsight, it is easy to lapse into criticism of the .308/7.62x51mm NATO cartridge as the choice for military for an alliance like NATO. There are more-efficient choices available, such as cartridges which fire projectiles in the 6.5-7mm (.264-.284-cal.) range. However, if you look at the major powers and what they have used to arm their fighting men since the turn of the 20th century, they have consistently selected cartridges in the .30-.32 caliber range. The British Empire relied upon the .303 for years, which is classed in the .31-caliber range. Germany relied upon 8mm Mauser (7.92x57), which classes in the .32-caliber range. Japan started WWII using 6.5x50, which is a .264-caliber cartridge, but switched midway to 7.7mm, which is of .31-caliber. Italy started and finished with 6.5mm Carcano. France used the 7.5x54mm, which is a .30-caliber & the Swiss used 7.5x55, also a .30-caliber chambering. Russia's 7.62x54R, which is still used today more than 120 years after its introduction, is also in the .30-.31-caliber range. Some smaller nations had more-unique and offbeat choices, such as Sweden using the 6.5x55, but in the main, thirty caliber cartridges were chosen. Many militaries liked the aerodynamic efficiency and modest recoil of 6.5-7mm projectiles when fired from rifles, but preferred heavier projectiles for use in automatic weapons, such as medium and general-purpose machine guns, since the heavier .30-.32-caliber bullets retained momentum better at longer ranges and thereby had better terminal performance. For snipers, until maybe thirty years ago, any shot past a thousand yards was considered quite long, and since most snipers and designated marksmen took their shots inside 800 yards (or meters, as the case may be) the majority of the time, there really wasn't much of a sense of urgency about adopting something more efficient. The .308 may not be the "best" performer inside that range, but it was/is a good one, which was apparently enough for their uses. It is an excellent general-purpose cartridge, which is one reason it has remained in use for nearly seventy years since its introduction in the 1950s. Remember, too, that the senior officers making the choices of cartridges for the NATO alliance at the time, such as the now i(n)famous Colonel Rene Studler, U.S. Army Ordnance Dept., were men born in the late 19th century and who came of age during the era of WWI. A period of time in which thirty-caliber cartridges were the king of the hill.

[@bobpob8431]

and also straight walled case and very very accurate

[@InGratitudeIam]

The problem with Pronghorn in the Sonoran Desert in AZ was poaching and its devastating effects in addition to the impact of the regular predator population. The problem in CA with cougars was that about 40 years ago, Fish & Game failed to file an environmental impact report by the deadline and a conservation group was successful in getting cougars placed on the endangered species list. That really screwed things up. It wasn't until people were being attacked on a regular basis in CA that cougars were taken off the list. Then there are extraordinary wildfires due to improper land management.

[@paraglidingnut26]

Finally, someone with a brain. Mis- management in CA forests is the real reasom for their continued forest fires.

[@allenrosesr.8480]

I just love your videos

[@fiestastboost5788]

Another option for a powerful load (im not reccomending to anyone for dangerous game its just an observation of mine) without going to something huge is a 300 win mag with 220gr woodleigh weldcore RN bullet. Plus there is a 300 win mag in almost any rifle type. The recoil is still stout, but less than real big loads

[@buddy22801012]

The 17 HMR would work out well on grouse with head shot’s out to 150 maybe 200 yards.

[@kellywalker8407]

Where I live, the big plummet in small game populations was from the federal rapier protection act. By the 80s small game (all species) was so much more scarce than when I was a youngster. See a Nothern Harrier and find a pile of pheasant feathers. See a Red-tailed hawk find jack rabbit fur. Two Great Horned owls completely wiped out my favorite cotton tail spot. The ground under where they roosted was littered with rabbit bones. Take it or leave it, my opinion.

[@bobgordon1754]

I live in Alabama and as a young hunter I could just take off walking with my.410 and kill all kinds of rabbits, quail, woodcocks,squirrels and other game. When the hawk and owl population went up to the small game population went down. Those that survive today are wild as a bat. They are literally hunted 24/7 by something.

[@kellywalker8407]

@@bobgordon1754 Years ago, counties actually had a bounty on Golden eagles. I think it was .50 cents. During the depression that was real money. In more modern times, I had a rancher friend who ran sheep. Golden eagles can literally grab a small lamb and fly off. He called an old veteran game warden about the problem. The game warden said to pepper the eagle with a shotgun. My friend asked, "but what if I accidentally kill it? He shrugged and said "I don't want to hear about it". That is called Wyoming predator control, and it's not a myth.

[@altonguis8870]

@@kellywalker8407 Truer words....

[@joshg3527]

I've had a 308 marlin express for about 12 years. Love my rifle and the cartridge. Ammo is only made by the Hornady Leverevolution and Remington core locks round nose. I always used the hornadys as my rifle does not care for the remington too much. Not as accurate and seems to swell a little and hard to eject. Ammo has always been hard to find and pretty much impossible now but I have enough to last me a bunch more years. Wonderful woods rifle for deer. My shots are pretty much limited to under 100 yards as I hunt in the woods in Maryland. Every deer I've killed with it has dropped in its tracks. Glad to see someone asked about it. Thanks for your question and answer on it.

[@jdmbraceyourself9860]

Yes, I will be trying my 380 soon

[@jasonbroom7147]

The 308 Marlin Express is loaded with a 160gr FTX (flex-tip) bullet that is constructed to not open as quickly as the same weight bullet used in 30/30 ammo of the same type. The problem is the case is truly unique, being loosely based on the 220 Swift. To further confuse the issue, the 338 Marlin Express is built on yet another case, the 376 Steyr, so despite the very similar naming of these two cartridges, their cases are not at all the same.

[@robertpetersson1390]

Black Grouse full metall jacket 6,5x55 is standard. 22magnum is the minimum legal cartridge in Sweden for tjäder and orre ;)

[@robertfarrow4256]

Excellent advice! Those coyotes are eating pets like crazy, and the cottontails are gettimg scarce. Shoot the coyotes if your area allows.

[@oldcrackadated]

Old wheel weights make good bullets , they are made from hardened lead , been using it a long time

[@sethlindsey1359]

ruger m77 guide gun in 338 win mag would work great on bears. 9.3x62 would also work great.

[@gunslinger3090]

for hunting or combat accuracy you can use different brass. you can weigh mixed brass & bullets to get good accuracy. the main thing is powder charges , slower powder & fast burn rates to barrel length& bullet weight.

[@mattgarcia1099]

Everyone seems to immediately talk about Alaska. Well, there are 49 other states, and 39 of them have bears. I personally took at 7’ tall 400lb black bear with a .308. Head shot using Remington corelokt ammo. One shot was all it took.

[@tico4940]

I grew up on kodiak island alaska,my dad opened the airport in 1967,park muncy was the #1 guide for hunters out of state,my dad hunted with him and got kodiak brown bears,elk,deer etc,but we always had airplanes so went to the mainland for moose ,mountain goat and reindeer,I used a 30-06 while dad prefer his 7mm.At 10 that 30-06 kicked my butt lol.Shot alot of deer with 30-30 mostly,even got stationed on Kodiak 2 times in the Coast Guard,havent been back since 1990,great hunting.

[@MrJtin69]

For elk and in grizz country use a 325 wsm or 338 lapua or if ya wanna reload hot loads 35 whelen is a beast i use 338-378 weatherby but i know not everyone has the $for it