The BEST Bear Rifles

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Welcome to Ron Spomer Outdoors. In this video, Joseph von Benedikt and I sit down and discuss the best bear rifles.
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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...
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.

[@davidneal6920]

I would never give a rifle to a bear

[@waynehendrix4806]

Exactly.

[@paulvandenberg5341]

😊😅😂

[@FallHuntsman]

They have a right to bear arms.

[@alexvel6224]

They have the right to arms bear

[@4NaturesStory]

I know! It’s so irresponsible. 🤯🇺🇸🍻

[@ericneilson9151]

338 Win . 40 years hunting in Alaska.

[@billfrederickfrederick2791]

I would agree with that choice... provided the hunter can handle the recoil....The 338 win mag can deliver some powerful energy downrange at the expense of heavy recoil. I remember complaining to my local gunsmith about the recoil from some rather stout 338-06 handloads ...He chuckled and then with a stern attitude asked me what the he&& was I expecting...lol

[@AndyYoung789]

Get anything?

[@4NaturesStory]

@@AndyYoung789😂

[@bradmaxwell6843]

One man said, he felt more punched by his 30-06, than by his .375 H&H magnum. I asked why.? Answer: The weight of the 375 rifle slows the recoil.

[@sapago4166]

Wish the ammo wasn't so scarce.

[@BornAgain2019]

Most calibers adequate for medium to large game work but I tend to gravitate to 30 cal and up insuring proper ventlation of the cavity and make for better blood trails. Hair and fat tend to seal up wounds.

[@evanwindom]

Agreed. I've only taken two, both with a .300 WSM. One dropped in its tracks, and the other ran maybe 20 yards before it dropped and rolled down into a ravine. There was very little blood in either case. It mats up in the hair, just as you said. Both were 180gr bonded bullets.

[@BornAgain2019]

@JobyFluorine-ru4bd for me I"ll grab one of the following. 308, 30/06, 300 WM, 300 RCM, 35 Whelen or 45/70. But if I happened to be carrying my 7mm08 or 270 with well constructed bullets I wouldnt feel undergunned.

[@kentuckywindage222]

​@@BornAgain2019 I'm no expert but I agree and would add a couple. By the way, BornAgain is a great name!

[@BornAgain2019]

@@kentuckywindage222 those are just a few that I have in my repertoire that make sense. I know I could take bear with my 243 and 6.5 Creedmoor and if I had my 22/250 or one of my 223/ 5.56 in hand with well placed bullets they would more than likely do the job but like I said I would rather err on the side of caution. Blessings to you brother, I pray everyone gets baptized in the Holy Spirit and is born again (Saved) before it's too late. Time is short.

[@billfrederickfrederick2791]

For black bear yes,but for grizzlies,and brown bears you are definitely under gunned

[@michaellewis5624]

I choose 35 whelen for everything! Small to large. I'm fond of the 338win and 300win. But 35 whelen is my go-to.

[@joesutherland225]

Me too.ammo can be a bit of a pain mind.

[@dylans0630]

Will it bring down a polar?

[@sbacsigadget]

I myself like large caliber or should I say medium caliber. .338 Win mag

[@Coonhound719]

100%!! Been necking up 7mm rem mag brass because i can’t find any 338 win brass!

[@lesterandvaleriegreene8829]

Hard to beat the old 300 win mag.

[@strat1080]

I agree. I’ve pretty much settled on the 300 Win Mag for everything.

[@strat1080]

@@johndegroot8664 the 300 RUM is pointless. Once you get past 300 Win Mag ballistics in a 30 cal all your doing is creating unnecessary recoil, stressing projectile design, and creating bloodshot meat with outlandish impact velocities. You should really step up in caliber once you’ve reached that level of recoil.

[@mattdelany6799]

.375

[@BlairStOnge]

I don’t know how the 35 Whelen isn’t one of the first cartridges mentioned for black bear. It should be in every conversation for brown bears as well.

[@mikecollard3783]

Agreed. Often imitated, never duplicated.

[@45-70Guy]

One of my favorites. Especially with the newer powders and Bullets it’s very capable. My current setup with North Fork-Barnes and a maximum range of 400 yards works so far. Anything after that is too far for my skill level and gear system. My preference being 300 and in which has become my go to. Hope to put everything to the test at those ranges this year.

[@BlairStOnge]

@@45-70Guy you’re right. The new Speer and Sierra data puts the Whelen equal to the 358 Norma. I’d love to see some updated data for the Norma. It would be contending with the 358 STA

[@45-70Guy]

@@BlairStOngeif we go with longer barrels also it’s really pushing on the 338WM but in a lighter recoil and also larger diameter bullet. There are a few Guys with custom rifles and longer barrels hunting with the whelen doing 2800-2900 with 225’s and 2700 with 250’s. I personally am not running them that fast but still with current bullet technology and faster than original speeds it’s still an awesome and viable cartridge. 358 stuff never caught on but that just means their missing out

[@BlairStOnge]

@@45-70Guy I’m one of them. I’m getting 2930fps with the 225gr game kings using CFE223 and a 26” barrel. Even good ol’ Varget pushes them to 2875fps in that barrel.

[@HobbitHomes263]

i'll make this easy. Best Moose Rifle- 30-06 Best Elk Rifle- 30-06 Best Mulie Rifle- 30-06 Best Bear Rifle - 30-06 Best Whitetail Rifle 30-06 Best Antelope Rifle 30-06 Best long range burglar rifle- 30-06 Best EV Rifle - 30-06

[@imissyoumom7644]

Absolutely. All these new cartridges are unneeded.

[@Choff1776]

Yes, your absolutely right. But What most people don't Say Is it needs to be a heavy Grain, like a Remington Core-Lokt 30-06 Springfield 220 gr Core-Lokt Soft Round or 200 Grain. Ideally Minimum of of 180 gr. It’s Amazes How many Outdoorsmen don’t Know that or even Think about that. Almost Everbody inherits a 30-06, Has a close relative with a 30-06, or can go to the local gun store and Find an Affordable 30-06 at the local gun store. The most accurate affordable mid price 30-06 rifles are by far made by Ruger. Now Yes, 44 Mag min is Ideal! If all you haveis a 357 mag 180 grain hard cast bullets minimum should be used. HSM makes Bear Load. Double Tap makes 200 grain hard cast bullets as well. If You want use a Glock or Semi Handgun 10mm Hard Cast 200-220 grain but at least 200 Hard Cast Minimum Should be used. HSM and Underwood make those types of bullets as well as Double Tap. If all you have is a 45 ACP 250-255 Grain +P bullets should be used minimum. Underwood makes affordable rounds that fit that description.

[@Seahawks12THMAN54]

@@imissyoumom7644wanna know what’s great about all these new hyped up cartridges?! the 30.06 is left behind, meaning reloading 30.06 is cheaper and finding bullets and cases is always easier to find in stock.

[@matthewvassoff5736]

Gun, Caliber, Bullet choice, Shot placement👍🇺🇸

[@Paul-q3m7k]

35 whelen is my go too . Can’t argue that the 3006 isn’t great tho . It is

[@jamiehurtt3530]

The 35 whelen bolt action is the all around go to rifle that does it all out to 400 yds on all big game in North America. It works well enough from. Woodland Caribou amd dall sheep to yukon moose and is a thumper in big bear without that sharp Super magnum recoil

[@csjrogerson2377]

I first heard the term "Went all floppy" from an old Rhodesian Reservist who fought the insurgents in the Rhodesian Bush War. Used to go out on patrols for a week or so. Called it "Going to slot a floppy". "Why a floppy," I'd ask? "Coz when you hit them with a 7.62x51 NATO from the FN, they go all floppy". He was a great guy. As hard as nails.

[@robfreeman5783]

i first heard it in a much different context

[@Dani-hl3xu]

@@robfreeman5783happens to the best of them buddy

[@Mr196710]

Wait till they refer to us as 'insurgents'.

[@Vikingocazar]

@@robfreeman5783😹

[@troy9477]

The Rhodesian Scouts were tough alright. Much respect to them. Frederick Courteney Sous, the famed hunter, led a group called the Selous Scouts against the Germans in Africa in WW1. He was KIA in 1917- at age 66. Tough man, doing all that at that age.

[@grayman7208]

modern winchester 1886 45-70 +p loads by garret, buffalo boar, grizzly, hsm, corbon etc

[@TexasLonghornRanch]

375 H&H Magnum - all bears including polar bears.

[@NCWoodlandRoamer]

Right on!

[@coreymerrill3257]

Yessir , that's good for the biggest and toughest bears . Calm or charging , in close or at 200-300 yards. Lots of penetration , good trajectory and just all around a great cartridge for hunting in general.

[@jackdundon2261]

375 ultra mag. H and h is kinda light on BIG critters.

[@andrewcleveland]

Love the 375’s, but personally I like the 416 rem mag more. Current loads are 340 woodleigh pp at 2700 fps and 300 gr tsx at 2800 fps.

[@craigleibbrand7761]

340 Weatherby for big bear

[@manfredkrenn445]

8x68s !!!!! kind regards from Austria 🇦🇹

[@andrewcleveland]

That is an awesome cartridge. Unfortunately not well known here in the states.

[@MicrooOFFICIAL]

5000J super 👍

[@anthonyrstrawbridge]

Much appreciation for all the bear hunters for keeping us a bit safer. I don't want to be poking around in the woods testing bear temperament at all. It's interesting how the significant specifications priortize with dangerous animals. Projectile sectional density and composition, Energy, Velocity, Wind Component, and finally accuracy. That said, reliable and handy are probably at the top of the list. This is all way off from any experience I know of first hand but it's interesting to compare what I've learned. I was mostly ignorant of the 338- 3006 wildcat developed by the " Rifleman" Col. Whelen and his armorer Howe. Hold on now, this 67.7 grain capacity case can launch 220gr 358 cal. projectiles where the Parent Cartridge dropped out at 180-210 grains. Plus, the factory loadings are specified to slightly higher pressures. And the larger bore diameter makes the barrel much lighter with the ability to decrease barrel length well below 24" and increasing the taper and rigidity. Lighter, shorter, deadly game energy and standardized reliability. Probably the most amazing impressive first class grade A select choice numero uno might just be that the 35 Whelen Cartridge built properly will recoil with less than 24# recoil energy - like a 308 or 7mm. Add to the list, seeing your shot and expedited follow up.

[@interrestrial9815]

I learned something about black bears, grizzly bears, and polar bears. I have encountered them frequently and have deliberately looked for trouble with them, excluding polar bears. Spring, summer, fall, and early winter with hours and hours of watching, stalking, and moments of excitement. Some encounters were just plain comical. Some were not quite neighborly, but we tolerated each other's presence; some were spooky, and some were just a pleasant day in the blueberry patch we shared but with yards of distance between us. And then there was the occasional threat. I learned that I had no idea what that bear would do in the next instant, and neither would the bear. Every bear biologist I spent time with knew the same thing. We can explain what they are doing right now, but not in the next moment. So whether or not I am going out to pick blueberries and share a sunny afternoon or give extreme grief to a bear, if I am going to use a firearm as a bear communication device, I want the final say. Big, loud, lots of flame and no doubt that you just did something substantial in communication.

[@Gunsandbunsmma]

This dude is full of bullshit

[@MrRodgear4444]

What is this guy saying?

[@davidh6818]

I think he said "I just farted".....

[@waynehendrix4806]

@@davidh6818 Nah, he just shit in the woods, but nobody saw it.

[@jjw5165]

Big is good

[@joshkrebs1999]

I recently purchased a rifle in 35 whelen. I haven't hunted with it yet, but I'm really impressed with how easy that cartridge is to shoot and the power it seems to have. It just might become my main 300-yard general purpose hunting rifle.

[@NCWoodlandRoamer]

Man I’m thinking about building one but the only thing holding me back is bullet selection/ availability.

[@Paul-q3m7k]

@@NCWoodlandRoamerdo it ! You won’t regret it

[@Paul-q3m7k]

@@NCWoodlandRoamerthere is more selection as you think , Remington , Hornady , barns , nosler and federal all load for it . I really like the 200 grain barns and the 225 acubonds

[@HypocriticYT]

Speer HotCor bullets work very well and won’t break the bank

[@robertpetersson5655]

​@@Paul-q3m7k Norma oryx and woodleigh

[@danfraser7479]

35 whelen work just fine on brown and black bear.

[@ralphbernieri3362]

Good Video boys; Sipping coffee and taking all the info in! My all round Bear/Elk gun-.35 Whelen

[@mollybug9325]

I started with 454 Casull, moved up to 460 S&W magnum. 260 grain flat point on both, while fishing. While hunting in AK, We hunted Sitka black tails with a 338 win mag. We were stalked by a coastal brown bear that we could not see in the rain forest. The gunshot is a dinner bell for bears. Now we find that gun shots are dinner bells for lions in Colorado.

[@billfrederickfrederick2791]

@@mollybug9325 scary but it does happen...

[@billfrederickfrederick2791]

@@mollybug9325 Here where I hunt in Pennsylvania,our black bear often stalk us while we tend to our harvest.

[@kennybates399]

Heading to Prince of wales for a black bear hunt next month, using my custom 35 whelen!

[@davidjanzen5728]

9.3x62, got it all covered!

[@nickg9170]

Yep absolutely. Very versatile

[@stevekotch822]

9.3x62

[@peterhert9350]

9,3x64

[@johnleahu9503]

It's an amazing round!!

[@tdm5100]

9,3X57

[@squat1123]

essentially, the 30-06 necked up to .366 except for a thousandth here or a thousandth there.

[@lonewolf286]

Gaston Dalton our neighbor back in 1950 had a black bear in his spring house. It weighed 500 lb. He shot at one time. The back of the head of the 22 LR killed it dead

[@AndyYoung789]

And he was 500 yards off!

[@harrymills2770]

@@AndyYoung789 In a hurricane!

[@justinscott8993]

​@@harrymills2770 under water!

[@J24-k8f]

​@@AndyYoung789 While he was sipping coffee with his left hand.

[@thesouthernnortheast4991]

lol man you trust that neighbor don’t ya 😂

[@davidbryce6970]

There was a meeting of the Ancient and Respectful Order of the Bear. There were Grizzly bears, Brown, Black, Kodiak and Polar Bears. The unanimous consensus was that the very best bear rifles are those that remain in the rack at home.

[@marklomax7452]

Consider Remington Model 760 pump action in 35 Whelen

[@Dani-hl3xu]

In germany we like the 8x57 200 grain at 2750 is no joke

[@deej9367]

The 8x57 is a great cartridge.

[@imissyoumom7644]

That’s a great load

[@MarlinWilliams-ts5ul]

Do you have bears in Germany?

[@leveractiongypsy1848]

I worked California Dept of Fish & Game 1997-1999 in the Yolla Bolly Wilderness and Mendicino county Region 2. I believe it was 1998 a hunter brought it a huge 675lb black bear he took in the Yolla-Bollys. Consensus is massive amount of oak trees and acorns was the fattening factor

[@troy9477]

Wow. Biggest one i ever heard of. Mist areas, 400 lbs is considered huge. Nice territory up in Mendocino

[@orr89rocz]

For shotgun, brenneke black magics have a good record on big bear in alaska

[@Notagunfighter]

That is what I carried in my shotgun in Alaska.

[@tacticalskiffs8134]

I don't know if enough has changed, but back a while, Rifle carried two reports on guides, grizzlies, and clients. Universal finding was that both number of rounds fired by the guides, and the clients were far lower if the cartridge was a 338 mag category. Basically the wheels came off with the "stopping rifles". And even the guides did worse when forced to deal with those situations, understandably. There were two camps reviewed, one felt the guides did better cleaning up with 375s. But the other camp was so serious about the 338s for clients, that they wouldn't let guides carry the better 375s. The thinking was that when they got asked "what do your guides shoot", and the answer was 375s, the clients would bite off more than they could chew. And the guides were still heads well above water, when armed with the 338s. The data reflected every shot fired at bears over a season, by clients and guides.

[@curtishunter6725]

Never bear hunted but have hunted in bear country usually elk. I either used 7 mag but later I used 300 short mag. Figured it would do the trick. Not all encounters are dangerous!!!!!!

[@10-4CodyWade]

You guys should know better than to compare energy numbers between the 7mm-08 and 44 mag. They use different mechanisms to cause damage so its irrelevant to say the 7mm-08 has 3x the energy. That same 7mm-08 has 50% more energy than a 12 gauge shotgun slug, but which one would you choose for bear defense? If you look at momentum instead of energy you'll see that a 44 mag and 7mm-08 are quite similar in performance, with the 12 gauge beating both of them by 1.5x.

[@leskrug9266]

I love my seven MMO8 Thompson center venture compact and I just redid it with a new Leupold scope and laminated stock from Boyds.

[@SamuraiAkechi]

34:04 I've heard that people can take down brown bears reliably with lead slugs that are over 540 grain. Brenneke style slugs in particular. 617 grain was the weight of Shirinsky-Shikhmatov slug designed some time before WWI for shooting brown bears at short range.

[@NickFrom1228]

I think a good point about the energy of 44mag for bears is for many people who are carrying 44 mag for bear defense are also carrying "bear ammo". Something in the neighborhood of Buffalo Bore 340gr hard cast. In a ruger redhawk 5.5" barrel you are getting close to 1500 ftlbs which is significantly more than the run of the mill 44mag round. But, can people shoot it effectively...?

[@patrioticspartan]

Monolithic copper is another option. Both for taking tough critters and defense of said critters.

[@rosshill2565]

I can, but I grew up with 44 mag in family. I was shooting 44 mag and 10 gage shotgun at age 12.

[@Peter-od7op]

I have ruger super red hawk with like 10 inbarrel

[@veroman007]

@@rosshill2565 it shows. you are massive

[@rosshill2565]

@veroman007 your a peice of work. You don't have to be 6' 4" and 260 pounds to manage recoil in any gun.

[@mostachiocam1598]

325 WSM is my go to

[@rexrodecolt]

Interesting, Glad to have him on!

[@AWareWolf9]

The .300 mag dudes stay big mad, but I’m telling y’all…. .338 win mag is where it’s at. That’s a caliber that punches far above its weight, and has some serious butt-whupin’ power, even at face value. Thanks for the video, Ron!!!

[@kentuckywindage222]

My buddy has both the 300 and 338 W.M. he loves his 300's as he has built 2 custom. One for long range target and a hunter. He has also said if you want a lot of thump the 338 is the way to go. Think it is in a Browning B.A.R. I had an Alaskan guide born and raised there tell me 300 W.M. will take anything there with the right bullet. He asked if I knew why folks there file off the front site of their 44 mag pistols? I had no clue. He said that way it doesn't hurt so bad when the bear sticks it up their arse!😅 He was a hard one.

[@paulvandenberg5341]

Here in Washington most bears and elk are in cover. If you see them at distance get closer. Remington 742, 30/06, 180Gr.. handles like a quail gun. My choice for any big game in the woods and brush. Keep it clean.

[@m444ss]

i really like that 338 WBY RPM in the Backcountry 2.0 rifle. You get a light, handy rifle that has plenty of velocity, energy, reach even with an 18” barrel; and the butt pad plus muzzle break (or a suppressor) really does mitigate recoil. …and i like the bigger hole vs 30s and smaller

[@elizabethnybeck9935]

I use 7x57 or 8x57 mauser

[@joeyindahl2593]

Breneke black magic slugs are the only ones worth a crap for bear protection ,

[@404nitro]

You guys left off the classic weight bullet for the 338s for dangerous game.........the 250's Their SD is .313. Once again you also left out the great 35 Whelen.

[@charlessmith4242]

* There's also various improved versions of the .35 Whelen.

[@45-70Guy]

@@charlessmith4242the AI version of the 35 whelen is not much of an increase compared to the tigers Improved versions. A slight improvement non the less but not worth it with the new powders and Bullets we have. A 225g at 2800-2900 FPS is 338 win mag territory. Personally I run them less than that just for less recoil and also shorter barrel length limiting velocity but even at 2600-2650 a 225g bullet leaves very little to be desired.

[@charlessmith4242]

@@45-70Guy * I don't believe I mentioned anything about a AI version.

[@45-70Guy]

@@charlessmith4242you mentioned improved versions of the 35 whelen. Which would include the “improved” version.

[@jjw5165]

​@@45-70Guyt//

[@razieldrakis]

A rifle with control round feed with a fixed blade ejector in a powerful cartridge for the appropriate range intended.

[@billwendorf2703]

Ron, Quite simply your'e the best! Living the dream buddy.God Bless

[@borisbuliak3626]

Nice tips you guys.

[@damham5689]

You mention 10mm but 357 mag which is nearly identical would work just as well. And with newer 8 round revolvers like S&W and Taurus make it should be fine for black bear protection. IMO

[@jackdundon2261]

"the best rifle", (is the one that Sponsors THIS VIDEO).

[@Pompomgrenade]

😮 people making up the forum, of your comments... Know lots of valuable stuff! Thanks for striking the conversation

[@mikga45]

I loaded 350 grain fn at 1900 fps in 45-70. If you can shoot that you can dhoot a 375h&h which has recoil like shooting 12 gauge slugs that are 2 3/4" in length. Problem with 375 h&h ammo is expensive and not always easy to find. The 45-70 you have to make your own. Reloads or buy buffalo bore.

[@nayrapepenova9325]

375 H&H ammo is easy to find where I am. Ammo is cheaper here than it is for 338 win mag. Also I find the recoil worse on a 338 win mag than I do on my 375 H&H. I can get a box of 10 bullets for 375 the cheapest I found was $47.99

[@mikga45]

I have shot the 338 wm and it recoils more than a 375h&h for me also. A light weight 7mm rem mag will kick the heck out of you in a light weight rifle as well.

[@dayneedinger9404]

I don't think anyone disagrees with the obvious that having something is better than having nothing. With that being said, your credibility begins to erode when you start recommending having a 9mm for bear protection as far as I'm concerned. That caliber should not even be mentioned in this discussion. There are many bears that are walking around with 4-6 .38 and 9mm slugs in them AND a full belly.

[@supergreatairgunreviews]

.338 win mag

[@MehulKamdar]

Yet another great discussion! Sir, many years ago, the USFWS did a test of the effectiveness of various calibers on Alaskan Brown Bears. I cannot find it at the moment, but someone will. As I recall, they determined that the 375 Magnum with 300 grain RNs was the best at the time. It would be interesting to see what our authorities might recommend now, but then we live in politically correct times and they likely won't even talk about bear defense.

[@elpasowrangler]

I remember reading the Alaska Fish and Game suggested people hunting bears carry a 30-06 with a 210 grain bullet. The feling was that most people could handle it or shouldn't be out in bear country.

[@Scatube668]

I think that is the minimum

[@johnappleseed9290]

Yeah I wouldn’t rely on anything smaller than a 220 grain 30-06 for dangerous game. My uncle had to drop a hyena that was stalking him with a 150 gr 30-06 in Africa and he said that it continued to run for another 20 meters his direction before it dropped, he was scared shitless, hyenas have incredibly strong bite pressures and can do some serious damage.

[@gdaytrees4728]

If it's a black, fight back. If it's a brown, lay down. If it's a white, good night. Bears are not cute and cuddly, they are formidable predators.

[@fjb4932]

That's the saying i go by. No white's here in Missoula, but blacks and browns. The black bears scare me at night while camping. A dog is a literal life saver ( of the bear and me ). ☆

[@charlesmullins3238]

Man what I’d give to hike,camp, and hunt with these 2…just got my lht on 6.5prc waypoint and been loadin over a yr for it with a cheap simmons I’ve had 24yrs..130gr tmk hellova round so is the 140s…almost made it through 3/4” mild steel at 200yrds..3050fps -3250fps

[@alt5494]

If it's for defense in beer country a lightweight ar10 with quality ammunition, & a bombproof optic. Is a superb option that is incredible easy to use.

[@jimnagel5611]

AT LEAST A HALF DOZENS OF MY COUSINS HAVE A GUIDE STYLE 45-70 FOR THEIR DEFENSE RIFLES -- THEY HAVE OTHER HUNTING RIFLES OF COURSE - BUT FOR A CAMP GUN - 45-70 -- MOST USE A 405 - 435 GRAIN KEITH STYLE HARD CAST AT ABOUT 1450-1500 FPS -- PENETRATION IS ALL THERE

[@atomik1258]

So what about the 6.8 western? The 165gr ABLR is bonded and has an SD of .307 and its going fast! Also the 175gr would be an even higher SD although i'm not sure of the construction of that one.

[@dennisclem5327]

What about the 45 long colt

[@gusloader123]

@dennisclem5327 ---> Good question. They of course neglected to mention it. The .45 Colt is a wider bullet (.454) and heavier weight 250 grain bullet than the .44 mag which is actually a .429 caliber and weighs less at 240 grains. I have shot both and the .45 Colt gives less recoil (and hurts the wrist less) than the "Dirty Harry' showbiz gun. Bigger bullet, more better! It is very difficult to shoot accurately when the recoil of a firearm is brutal.

[@Mj-CWO4]

What’s the sectional density of the 45-70 hardcast 405 gr

[@troy9477]

A few years ago, there was some possibility i would be moving to AK. Hoped i would get into hunting up there, at least somewhat. Figured i would get a 45-70 down here, and maybe a DA 44 mag, before going. Would wait to get a 10 mm (wanted one anyway) until after moving, because there are more choices up there (don't get me started on the Kalifornia "safety roster" for handguns). The plan was caribou, any sort of deer, and maybe moose. Wasn't concerned about a bear-specific rifle, if i even decided to hunt bears. Every pawn shop had 300 and 338 WM rifles, probably pawned or sold off by north slope oil workers. Lots of used guns in the gun shops too. Anyway, the relationship didn't work out and i am never going to move up there. Who knows, maybe i will go hunt the peninsula someday still. Good points as always, gents. Always thought provoking. My other thought for AK was to get an AR 10 with a second upper in 338 Federal.

[@HobbitHomes263]

My grandma filled her elk take every year since I was born in 1955 with a Savage M99 in 243. Her notion was "If you have to shoot elk from 500 yards, you're a fine marksman but you ain't much of a hunter". Grandpa would roll his eyes, point a thumb at her an say. "She just says that cuz she's the snealiest woman on Earth.

[@strat1080]

I see stuff like this posted all the time. Well, it’s not 1955 anymore. Elk and Mule deer hunting is harder than it was back then. There is a lot of hunting pressure and strict hunt ing regulations now. I used to hunt Elk on public land in Colorado. You’re lucky if you saw an Elk all week, and even luckier if you could get within 450 yards of one on public land. The average success rate for Elk for an unguided hunter on public land is well under 20%. Don’t use cartridges that severely limit your ability to harvest an Elk in the conditions you expect to find them. Prepare and be ready to take shots past 300 yards.

[@HobbitHomes263]

I was a guide up here in Montana for 30 years up until a couple years ago. I hunted my own elk with my first hunt in 1968. All on public land. Unguided success rates up here are around 10%. Guided hunts are at around 70%. I'm our camp just about every hunter had a shot. The number one cause was flinching. Second was unfamiliarity with the weapon beyond 100 yards. I'll take a sneaky skillful patient hunter over the latest Earschplitten Loutenboomer every time

[@TMFShooting]

Another Great Video , Thanks for Sharing Ron 💯💥💥💥💥💥💥💥

[@mot0rhe4d40]

More often than not. The black bears in our area. Are usually taken during muzzleloader season in the Ozark mountains. Few are taken during modern gun. Last one a family member took was with a 100gr charge behind a 240gr XTP. This combo traversed 2.5' through the bear ( point of the left shoulder, towards the right hip )

[@crossbowhunter9118]

My dad owns a Remington model 700 chambered in 243. It has a very light trigger. But when I first shot the gun at targets. I never shot it before. I would be scared of shooting it due to thinking it will recoil hard. I would shut my eyes when I pull the trigger. Now I stopped doing it and now i realize how not hard recoil the gun is

[@larryschmidt3594]

What do you think of the 450 Bushmaster for bear over bait?

[@Weatherby406]

30-378 Weatherby backcountry 2.0 carbon is my choice for deer and larger. .30 cal min for grizzly country for me.

[@merlinofnew]

The hardest kicking cartridge in the lightest rifle made. I bet practising is a lot of fun.

[@Weatherby406]

@@merlinofnewit’s very surprising how manageable it is with the muzzle brake. It’s no worse than my 6lb .308 browning x bolt. Can sit down and shoot 3-4 boxes of shells no problem.

[@Richard-wz9uh]

I never get sick of this discussion. My two rifle battery (JVB’s idea from his podcast) would be an 18” 33 Nosler bolt action (controlled round feed Defiance Ruckus Ultralight action) for the big stuff and an 18” 6.5 Creedmoor AR-10 (forged magnesium ROAM receiver) for everything else. They’re near external ballistic twins out to 675 yards (within 2 inches of bullet drop and drift) when using Badlands Precision Bulldozer 2’s at 225gr and 135gr respectively. This monometal hunting projectile will still be going 1900fps at this range and per Badland Precisions tests will still expand.

[@michaeldolomont4424]

Is 300 Wby with 200 g accubond or partition Adequate for Alaska brown bear ? it's a guided hunt !!

[@mattdelany6799]

No. .375. No scope.

[@mattdelany6799]

@johngallagher3732 full of knowledge. Where in Alaska do you live?

[@Hellcat-ml7sz]

Eather my Browning 45.70 lever carbine with 350 gr bonded hp hand loads or my H&K 91 .308 with 20 rd clips of military FMJ armor piercing. Besides those two maybe my 300 Weatherby mag with nosler 200 gr. Partition. Otherwise I'll find a 375 H&H mag double

[@daveoschann1538]

Bear story here. Dad got charged by a black bear with 30-30. Hit it all 5 times and it didn’t go down. Ok I shit you not one round hit the forehead and ricocheted with no penetration of the skull. It took a side hit that finally knocked it off it’s feet saving my dad.

[@lostcreek7551]

In the mountains of the PNW. When going through a Berry thick’it, especially salmon berries. Make noise

[@keithlshepherd2738]

What about 35 whellen

[@UncyPucky]

Anything chambered in 338 win mag, for as big of a bullet it is the ballistics are close to 7 rem mag speeds but dump wayy more energy. Browning A bolt, Ruger guide gun lever action , ruger m77 guide

[@johnl5974]

Great episode, you two are a very good team.

[@Eye_Guard]

Hey, Ron, you do some great videos and even better with Joseph. What is that scope that you have on your 7-08 Kimber?

[@Eye_Guard]

Swarovski?

[@Oldspartan65]

LOL everyone has their favorite bear,deer and even squirrel and rabbit gun😊

[@FindersKeepers88]

Good, thx

[@CFurnace-72]

Thoughts on bonded copper tubing bullets?

[@WilliamKister]

What vest is Joseph wearing. Like the vest with the shooting pads.

[@RandyMan388]

Thanks for the video gents. May all your days afield be great.

[@jasyamaha]

Great chat guys. I don't think I'll cross paths with a bear in the woods here in Australia but if I do I've got my 45-70 and 375 h&h just in case.

[@CrimeVid]

You have feral water buffalo though, if I'm not mistaken ?

[@ken-vw1iv]

What about the Brenneke solid lead slugs vs the old foster hollow base ones?

[@woods_wanderer]

11 bears, 2 above 350lbs. My 303britt with 150gr hotcor. Not one of them went farther than 40m. Oldy but goody. That being said 75m is a very long shot in Ontario bush country

[@army_life_7404]

How would a 308 do against a 400+ black bear at 300-400

[@pappacharlie3126]

Hi Mr Spomer. Where did the tradition come from to eat bear in the US? I'm from South Africa and we don't really have a similar carnivore/omnivore that we hunt for consumption. Just seems a little weird to me to eat a bear 😂 Thanks for the great content.

[@gusloader123]

@paapacharlie3126 -- Hello. I am not R.S., but I lived in Alaska for 5 years and know some things about bears, both Blackies and Brownies (Grizzly). Had my thick metal trash can flattened one night outside my door by a grunting bear. Sane people do not eat bears. They are big pigs with claws and fangs. They eat anything, from day old pastry behind a grocery store in Alaska to fresh fish in a river to eating actually garbage and dead critters they find. A coworker of mine (before I retired) said that her husband killed a black bear and cleaned it and cooked it in a big campfire stew pot in the garage (next to the house) and it stunk up the whole place badly. She refused to eat any of it. Leviticus plainly tells us what we should eat and what we should not eat. "Garbage in - Garbage out!"

[@rickyshultz2051]

Black bear , went straight down with a 243 . I prefer bigger but that bear flat lined .

[@toldroyd1]

How about the .375 Ruger. I believed the bull roar of some of the gun writers who claimed it was the best thing since sliced bread as you could get .375 H&H ballistics in a standard length action and it had the ability to drive a .375 bullet at the same velocity from a 20 inch barrel as a .375 from a 24 inch with the H&H. I bought one with a two piece stock to reduce recoil and 20 inch barrel as that was the political double speak according to the gun writers at the time. Some mentioned that it had as much recoil as you would expect but no one, not a single writer bothered to mention the muzzle blast from a 20 inch Tube. The stock really works as it doesn't hit my shoulder as hard as my .270 or my brothers 25-06, but the first time I fired it, I thought the gun had blown up. Yes, I really did. The muzzle blast was really that bad. Everyone I have let shoot it says the same thing. My shoulder doesn't get sore shooting it, my Jaw doesn't hurt (like it does shooting a lever action 45-70) but even with double hearing protection, it hasn't been nearly as much fun as I thought it would. My next action is to order a silencer to calm things down a bit. I have tried 60% reduced loads using H4895 Powder for 1800 feet per second with 225 Hornady SP bullets and my 12 year old grandson can shoot 1-1.5 inch groups at 100 yards much to the consternation of my son who said he never wanted to touch that gun again! I kinda forgot to tell him about the reduced load. Certainly easier on the shooter than the same bullet at 3100 FPS. It would make a nice short range deer gun at 1800 Fps, kind of a bolt action version of the 350 Winchester. But that isn't what the .375 Ruger is all about so I'm going to try the silencer (I hate to use "Suppressor" for it as both Hiram Maxim and John Moses Browning called it a silencer and if it is good enough for those luminaries its good enough for me!) and/or a longer barrel to get back the Velocity and punch that the rifle was designed for. 0

[@jeremiahcoles2378]

Come on Ron. You know it's a 308 😅

[@BrianWhite-q5x]

Sectional density is why the old 6.5 military cartridges were so successful years ago on elephant. Long heavy skinny fmj have killed many with brain shots. Or like your 7mm08 the 7mm Mauser was popular with there 175gr fmj .

[@BrianWhite-q5x]

I did recently pick up and custom Steven's 200 in 458win mag. Barnes 300gr ttsx socom bullets are my main load. I do cast some lead for it as well.

[@HypocriticYT]

Load with the 500 gr solids and let your friends try it 😂

[@waggtech4883]

Not many bears in central Kansas. Mostly Angus and Herefords…

[@ericfalkenberg9052]

7mm rem mag for black, 450BM for everything else

[@TRoutdooradventures]

I deer hunt with ar-15s that bear is getting 20 rounds of barnes tsx

[@hunter-cs3em]

I believe in the 30 06 rifle for bear.

[@CowboyHunterPodcast]

Just ordered the rifle that will likely be my go to when I actually decide to apply for tags. Winchester XPR .338 Win Mag, I wouldn’t be afraid to go smaller, I mean maybe woods carry is a 9mm, but I think that Win Mag is just going to hit that sweet spot. At close range you won’t kill it too dead, and it’s still going to punch very hard at range. Caveat I’ll add us that if you’re not a reloader it’s not that cheap to shoot, not the worst but many are cheaper. For defense while hunting other species it’s also just fine, a little big but not going to destroy deer.

[@carlubambi5541]

I have been taught to make the first shot count period .I learned to hunt with a single shot cil ,then a Spanish sidex and th n my franchi model 48 .That gun was tough to shoot a second shot accurately .The recoil was bad so I learned to take my tome to place my first shot .Was a great gun to snow shoe for Hares light fast first shot .Now i uses a beretta A303 for everything .Onve in a while i take out the savage 243 or special occasions my 111 in 300winmag .all depends

[@ChanoLeyva-hq2ci]

308 and 9mm for me, using 190 nosler accubonds and underwood extreme defender 👍

[@Mango-kg1by]

This is American we have to right to arm bears

[@lelandwyse8543]

The best rifle for bears is the 1 you have handy .......