Looks like mixture of open and close country you have, would opt for the 30-06. My battery includes a very accurate 7mm WSM BLR, which would be my choice if in your terrain. Here in Appalachia the ranges involved tend to be short in the woods, rifles from 30-30 & 44 mag on up do just fine with the correct bullet.

 

My Rifle of choice for bear is a 444 Marlin® loaded withe the following handload...
This.....



This handload is not in any reloading manual. This is a load that I developed from scratch. I have used the following reload since 2006; it kills deer, elk, and black bear superbly................
• Remington® Case trimmed to 2.215"
• Remington® 9½ Large Rifle Primer
• 45.0gr H4198 Powder
• Beartooth® 290gr LFNGC (296gr total weight) Boolit .432"
• COL: 2.570"


Please note that my load is safe in both my 1966 444, and 1988 444SS rifle(s). I have used this load for 13 years and it is safe in my gun(s). THAT DOES NOT MEAN IT WILL BE SAFE IN YOUR GUN(S)! I advise you to start at 41.0gr of powder and work up in .5 (½)gr increments. My load IS NOT SAFE if loaded in Hornady® brass!

 

I am a big 30-06 fan owning 4 different rifles in this caliber. I use only my reloaded 180 grain ammo. As the saying goes the 30-06 cal. will take any North American game. In addition to this statement, if I were to hunt exclusively for Grizzly I would consider using the 300 Magnum. I shoot both these calibers well and are the top of what this old body can tolerate. These calibers may be considered old school, but they certainly have the reputation of doing the job.

Reload

 

Man you guys have it made out there. Bear hunting in shirt sleeves and being able to see hundreds of yards. Where I hunt bear now in WVa & Va the best bear gun is a 7.7 Jap rifle. This is because of the length of the bayonete. It's best to remove the bolt so it doesn't get hung up on brush. The area is a little on the thick side.

 

I use and recommend you use a 30-06 with 180 grain Nosler Partitions. I feed mine to a pre 64 Win 70 Fwt scoped with a 3-9 currently but like a 2-7 as well.

 

It’s archery only here.


If I was making your choice I’d probably be packing the 30-06.


All are solid picks.

 

Guy, what range are you likely to be shooting at and will you have somebody with another rifle and if so what Gar.

 

Last black bear I shot, three years ago. Used the 30-06, made a one-shot kill at about 325 yards.

And tracked down and killed a bear wounded by another hunter in 2013. Shot it at about 15 feet... That was a little "hairy" pardon the pun. I could hear the bear moving and breathing, but couldn't see it in the thick brush. Finally got a glimpse of it, and shot it with the 375 H&H single shot Ruger. I don't think I've ever reloaded it that fast before!

So - ya - can be a longish shot, or very close... I don't normally carry a sidearm when I'm hunting deer, elk or bear. Sometimes though, I'll have the 44 mag revolver with me. The rifle is enough. Normally hunt them with my youngest son. He's one heck of a shot and usually has his 30-06 though last time out for bear, he carried the 30-30 Glenfield:

Guy

 

Take the lever in 45-70, it’ll challenge your skills to get closer to the quarry and probably carry well over the terrain.
The other rifles have been field-proven. It’s time to hunt outside your comfort zone. [emoji51]
R/Griff
P.S.—What back-up sidearm are you taking?

 

There aren't any bears to speak of in Ohio, and I'll probably never get a chance to hunt them in Washington, but if I did I'd take one of these:

Ruger Hawkeye African 9.3 x 62 with Burris 1.5 - 5 scope on quick detach Warne rings

Or Marlin 444 with 3 - 9 Leupold. (can't find picture)

 

There aren't any bears to speak of in Ohio, and I'll probably never get a chance to hunt them in Washington, but if I did I'd take one of these:
View attachment 763083 Ruger Hawkeye African 9.3 x 62 with Burris 1.5 - 5 scope on quick detach Warne rings

Or Marlin 444 with 3 - 9 Leupold. (can't find picture)

Ooooo!
Never mind just bear ~ bring it on over! :elefant:

 

For this thick cover, it's the same we hunt deer in, I like one of my 35s. In Ontario & Quebec can be one extreme to the other. A good 30/06 or 308 is probably the sensible choice. I have found that if you pack a long range magnum banking on long shots your average shot will turn out to be 25yds. The opposite is true if you use a LV rifle. I always take two rifles to Canada and try to match it to the cover. The thing is you have to move through thick stuff to get to tops of ridges where you have open terrain. These are the spots you can see a bear in a clearing or lake shore. That's why a 30/06 or 308 class is the best all around for the job.

 

My vote is for the Ruger No.1. Yours just happens to be in .375 H&H which I think will be plenty of gun. With the 260 gr or 270 gr bullets trajectory will be very close to the .30/06 165 gr. bullet.

For what it is worth I use a No. 1 in a .338/06 with 225 gr. bullets.

If you had a No.1 in .30/06 that would be ideal. I think that would be a good excuse to buy another rifle.

 

I never was one to follow the crowd. My main bear & moose gun for Canada was a 375H&H Sako. I know it was more than needed but I liked it. Was in a hotel bar in Quebec with some locals and conversation turned to rifles. One guy rolled a 280 Ross out across the table another a 303 Brit and were arguing about killing power on bears. I rolled out a 375H&H. It stopped the argument but I never did learn what they were calling me in French.

 

Now that's funny!

Guy

 

I saw your scouting photos with the jeep and trailer attached, very nice. From the 3 rifles you have listed, and seeing the country you are hunting in, I would have to go with the 30-06. If you were wanting to give the lever action the work you would have to commit to stalking across areas without much cover at times to get within the 200 yards you have shot the rifle in, which could be very challenging seeing the terrain. If you are able to take 2 bears I would say the 30-06 for the first one, then challenge yourself by only using the lever action for the second...

 

as a lefty and for a close incounter with a bear I would use my rem 7600 in 35 whelen with receiver sights and 225 gr bullets at 2500 fps. very fast repeat shots if needed.

 

Nice pics. Thanks.

 

I know a Canadian who shoots a lot of black bear. He lives in Black Bear country and he swears by 350Rem mag. He shoots them all off bags of rotting fish. He is shooting from average 50yds and claims he has never had to shoot one twice. Back in 70s he was known to supply hides to the git's who sat in cabin all week playing cards & getting drunk.

 

No contest -375 H&H. As 25/20 says, with the lighter bullets you mentiioned, you will have 30-06 trajectory with more punch. The most effective round I've used on black bear is the 338 RUM pushing 250 grain Swift A Frames. It drops them where they stand.

Great pics Guy! You're our hero. We live vicariously through your adventures. ;D

T.S.

 

My choice is my 375 H&H Ruger 77. Or my 416 Rugby scout rifle (This is 2nd choice because it hurts to shoot this one ---however it is a short light powerhouse).

 

I have also killed black bears with my Steyr Pro-Hunters in 376 Steyr. (I have two.) They sport 20 inch barrels and iron sights. The 376 Steyr is a good bear round - just slightly less energy than the 375 H&H and more than the 9.3X62. Like the H&H, the 376 Steyr has more of a "push" recoil.

T.S.

 

Don't hunt bears, but if I did, probably a 30 30 using 170 grain CL bullets, or a 444 loaded with 270 grain Speer Deep Curls, in close cover brush. Or a 30 06 in open country using 165 grain Speer Grand Slams. I live in South Texas, we don't have bears down hear though. In all honesty, If I am going to pay big money to go out of state on a big game hunt, it wouldn't be for a bear. I'd rather spend my money on a good moose or elk hunt. But, I will say, that is some beautiful country.

 

Since hunting here in Idaho can be short or long (all in the same area), I opt for a slightly heavier rifle, same as I do for elk. I carry a Ruger 77 MkII stainless/synthetic (I scrapped the canoe paddle factory stock and put on a Hogue) in 338 WinMag, using 225 gr BTSPs. Hits hard, and shoots flat. What's not to like?

 

I took a .45-70 lever rifle on my first black bear hunt, a .300 H&H single shot on my second, and a .375 NE 2-12" single shot on my third. But I don't think that counts because I have yet to shoot a black bear!

 

Of course it counts! I've hunted them, and other game, many times without notching a tag.

Guy

 

My mulie rifle became a black bear rifle back in 1979. My huntin' bud ran into a foul tempered blackie while we were on opposite sides of a ridge IVO Newport, WA. One shot from my '75 Mod 788 308 Win put the bear down for good. The bear was able to shake off three good shots from my friend's Mod 700 243 Win. Mr. Bruin was getting ready to bum rush my buddy just before I was able to kill it.

 

My mulie rifle became a black bear rifle back in 1979. My huntin' bud ran into a foul tempered blackie while we were on opposite sides of a ridge IVO Newport, WA. One shot for my '75 Mod 788 308 Win put the bear down for good. The bear was able to shake off three good shots from my friend's Mod 700 243 Win. Mr. Bruin was getting ready to bum rush my buddy just before I was able to kill it.

I have a scary video taken last week involving a .243, a bowman, a Cape buffalo, Jay (fortunately the clowns brought in a real hunter with a .375H&H)..... but, alas I would not take a .243 out on any bear hunt. I do have to admit that my knowledge of bears are limited to Poo Bear and hunting them even less, but a .243 .... not.

Interesting thread here Guy and the rifles listed sure can do a lot over here too ... in fact all and more. Some of those listed can come with me after the biggest we have on offer. I find myself returning to this read every day as all the contributors seem to know the limits of their equipment and many are concerned and know the limits of their own skills. These are most important attributes when taking on any dangerous game here and certainly even some "non dangerous" game too. I suppose it has to count equally for bear hunting.

As for side arms as a "backup", it happens that some carry them here, but another skilled rifleman with knowledge and experience and the correct calibre is by far a better insurance. These come with extra eyes, ears and smell as a bonus. Can't beat that.

From my meager collection of firearms in my safe at home, I will have to settle for my .375Ruger (Guide gun) with its Vortex 0-4 x 24 (don't know if this will suffice over there). All I then need is a bucket full of USD to fly my derriere over there, two buckets of USD to hunt and pay for a bear and another three buckets full of USD for a jacket and boots to soak up your climate and to fly my derriere and bear skin back here!

Dream on African boy ... dream on!
:elefant::smokin::elefant:

 

Dang, Jay!
You had your knife in your teeth, too, didn’t ya?
[emoji51][emoji1783]

 

On my belt...……….

 

I've never "officially" hunted for bear but I did kill one back in 1959 with a .38 Spl. revolver. Long story short, a college age church youth group on a 4th of July camp out near Yosemite national Park. A bear came into camp and dragged a young lady out of her tent and I shot it twice behind the ear. Gun was an S&W 38/44 Outdoorsman shooting a 158 gr. cast bullet over IIRC 11.5 gr. of H2400 powder. As we were not exactly sure if we were barely inside or or actually out of the Park, my girl friend and I broke camp and camped elsewhere.

If I were to do a bear hunt today I would probably have to do a stand hunt over bait. Two bad knees preclude much boondock hiking anymore. I would probably use my .35 Whelen with the 225 gr. TSX bullet as first choice, or maybe a .358 Win with 250 gr. bullet. Might even take a 30-06 with a good 180 gr. bullet and call it good. I'm not sure if using dogs is legal here in Arizona and I don't think baiting is either. I have a good electronic caller so that might be an option. I'd probably also have my .44 Mag. or .45 Colt Ruger Bisley with John Linebaugh level loads as a back up piece, whichever one I shot best. I might even take my .375 Taylor wildcat for a bear. It has .375 H&H ballistics in a 30-06 length action. At 7.5 pounds ready to go I does kick like and angry mule. It was meant to be a carry a lot and shoot very little type of gun when I was running for a transfer to Alaska. Didn't happen but I still have the rifle.
Paul B.

 

I've never "officially" hunted for bear but I did kill one back in 1959 with a .38 Spl. revolver. Long story short, a college age church youth group on a 4th of July camp out near Yosemite national Park. A bear came into camp and dragged a young lady out of her tent and I shot it twice behind the ear. Gun was an S&W 38/44 Outdoorsman shooting a 158 gr. cast bullet over IIRC 11.5 gr. of H2400 powder. As we were not exactly sure if we were barely inside or or actually out of the Park, my girl friend and I broke camp and camped elsewhere.

Paul B.

Nicely done!

 

Depends if you are doing it for sport and fun or for the table. Everytime I go deer hunting with along range gun I see them up close. And when I bring a short range gun they are 300+ away. All are stellar cartridges and platforms! So put a vernier tang sight on the 45-70 and get to practicing out there!