Hunting Forum

I shoot 130 gr Nosler partitions in my .270. I took a black bear with that load while hunting caribou in Alaska at 90 yards. Bear was not a monster, but respectable and dropped where I shot him. I use Noslers because the group well in my gun (~0.75 MOA). They also shoot in almost the same place as the 130 gr Sierra spt. So I load the Sierras for practicing in the off season and then just before hunting season begins I shoot a few rounds with the Noslers to adjust the scope slightly for that load.

Guess I would recommend the 180 gr Noslers if they group well in your gun.

jack

I took a good medium sized Alaska black bear using a .30-06 and Speer Grand Slam bullets. Those performed perfectly and did the job nicely. I think a Core-Lokt might not hold together well enough to penetrate deep enough. But likewise I think a super premium bullet is overkill (bad pun here). Old timers killed lots of these bears with less capable bullets, but as long as you have access to a decent handload, then use it. The new Core-Lokt Ultra might be a good choice.

Yup, a lot less! When I was chasein' hounds, back in the '50s, killed a few with a .38 sp., I have killed a few with the ol' krag, mostly with a 170 gr. Hi-V bullet. Don't hunt bear any more, but, if push come to shove, I wouldn't be bit afraid to use a plain ol' lead bullet!

Nothing wrong with your current load in factory ammo. Since your going to reload, I'd grab 165 gr Hornady's Spire Points for starters.  Just the plain Interlock version, not the Interbond or SST or, just the pointed bullet they have had for years.

Dale

the load you are talking about in 165 or 180 is good and with the 30-06 that should take care of anything in the US

Two years ago I loaded Hornady 170 grain Interlock flat points for myself and my dad in 30-30's. Two one shot kills. My bear dressed at 310 lbs, about a 40 yd shot as it crossed an atv trail walked by one dog. My dads was 170 lbs dressed, 50 yds (I wasn't present though) and the guide said they never seen so much blood. The heart pumped blood over 6 feet onto the trees. You don't need a flat bullet for the 30-06 but I'd think the same thing pointed would do just as good. I opted for my 30-30 over my 300 win mag simply because I didn't want to haul around such a long rifle for close shots too. Good luck. I wish I could go every year but it takes quite a few years to draw a tag in WI.

Bears over bait tend to be at very short range, so softer bullets like Ballistic tips may not be best. Exit wounds are imperative with a bear. Other than that, any good bullet works well. The 180 Core-loct in 30-06 is a well proven combination.

180 gr. Barnes "TSX", Nosler Partition, E-Tip, Hornady GMX, or Swift A-Frame. Good luck.

I have put black bear down with 100 grain Remington core-lokt from my .243. They are not all that tough. Having said that, I agree with handloader1. Choose something that will both open and penetrate. Above all, choose something you have confidence in. If you do not trust your rifle and bullet you will never shoot up to your own ability.

Good luck.