Gun for bear...is it big enough?

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bmilla35

Joined
Aug 29, 2007
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Currently the largest caliber gun I own or have access to really is a 7mm08. I really want to try bear hunting this year...but I dont know if the rifle will suffice. I usually use 139 grain Cor-Lokt ammo by Remington for deer, and when I was at the store I bought a box of Superperformance ammo (also 139 grains). The bullet is all copper and according to the guy should have better penetration, vital for a larger bodied bear. I'm a great shot, but that can only get me so far, and part of my duty as a hunter is to kill an animal in an ethical fashion (i.e. quickly).

So what do you guys think?!

Side note we only have black bear, and while some can get pretty big, they probably average around 400 pounds. However, we do probably have the largest black bears in the country on average.
 
I shoot 7mm-08 for black-tail deer and hogs, sometimes in bear country. I would think you would be Ok with 140 grain well constructed bullet, like you have or other premium bonded. I personally would prefer at least 150 gr., but I think shooting a better constructed bullet in 140 would be more effective than a soft point 150 on a bear. In all honesty, if I were to roll up on a bear with my 7mm-08, I would keep shooting until I was out of bullets. It's a .308 necked down to .280 diameter bullet, and I'd be there have been thousands of black bears taken with a .308. You should be fine. Just followup the shot with a couple more if you can.
 
It is indeed a GMX bullet. I'll take them to the range as soon as it starts getting cold (but still before the season starts) and see how my gun likes them. Hopefully it's pretty similar and I don't have to change much, because it is ridiculously dead, and has been for years.

And good idea PlanetCat, I never really thought about multiple shots. They don't always drop immediately like on tv lol
 
or just get a .35 Remington or higher and be done with it. what kind of distances are we talking? long range dont use the 7-08. our distances in the swamps of NC are VERY short. like 1-30yds. in those cases i use either my 12 gauge in 3inch mag or my .35 Remmy 336. distances of 30-90yds i use the .35 or the 30-06
 
If you make a clean shot on a black bear in the vital area, a 7mm08 should definetly work fine. If you hit anywhere not in the vitals it doesnt really matter what caliber round your using, your going to have a very pissed off bear hah.
 
You mention you are a good shot. That is far more important than selection of caliber, within reason . That said, when I was still rifle hunting, I used a 338 win mag for everything. I like the big heavy bullets, and I could shoot it very well, so I was comfortable with it.
 
It will work just fine.As said before shot placement is the key. We have large black bears here in the U.P.I have only hunted them with a bow and never gave it a second thought. I did carry one of my 44 magnums as back up. Now trailing someone else supposed great hit bear I carry my pistol gripped 12 gauge shotgun with 3 inch 00 buck. It will stop a pissed off bear quick.
 
hung-solo said:
or just get a .35 Remington or higher and be done with it. what kind of distances are we talking? long range dont use the 7-08. our distances in the swamps of NC are VERY short. like 1-30yds. in those cases i use either my 12 gauge in 3inch mag or my .35 Remmy 336. distances of 30-90yds i use the .35 or the 30-06
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Shots wouldn't be that far. I doubt they would even hit 100 yards.

I would hate to spend more money on another gun (just bought a handgun yesterday), but the place where I bought it has a special contract with Browning, and in the back there is a "dings and dents" section. They're perfect functionally, they have some minor cosmetic error or, more commonly, are used as demo's for the reps. Anyways, the gun I was interested in was a Browning X-Bolt Stalker in 300 win for $530. But then I would need a scope, too.
 
I love a short action, and the 7mm-08 is a great one for deer and black bear sized game.
A very accurate round as well.
 
bmilla35 said:
What do you think about the price on the X-bolt?
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That's not a bad price. It looks like they run about $800+ at Bud's gun shop and gun genie. If the condition is like new, you get a decent warranty, and you feel like buying another rifle, you'll probably be happy with it. On a .300 WM, you'll need to drop at least $400 for a decent scope on it. The .300 has devastating knock down power, but it's not nearly as fun to shoot as a smaller .30 caliber or your 7mm-08. I much prefer to shoot my .30-06 or .270 over my .300.
 
It's definitely enough gun for black bear. The largest black bear in Pennsylvania ever killed by a hunter weighed over 700lbs. The hunter killed it with a 30-30 win. I think it was back in the 1980's in one of the northern tier counties.
 
Planetcat said:
That's not a bad price. It looks like they run about $800+ at Bud's gun shop and gun genie. If the condition is like new, you get a decent warranty, and you feel like buying another rifle, you'll probably be happy with it. On a .300 WM, you'll need to drop at least $400 for a decent scope on it. The .300 has devastating knock down power, but it's not nearly as fun to shoot as a smaller .30 caliber or your 7mm-08. I much prefer to shoot my .30-06 or .270 over my .300.
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The only thing I didnt like about it was how loud the action was. The "click" was really loud. I'm sure that is something that could be fixed by any gunsmith could fix.

I don't think I could afford a $400 dollar scope anytime soon lol. Luckily from what I hear, the 7mm08 should be sufficient.
 
Planetcat said:
That's not a bad price. It looks like they run about $800+ at Bud's gun shop and gun genie. If the condition is like new, you get a decent warranty, and you feel like buying another rifle, you'll probably be happy with it. On a .300 WM, you'll need to drop at least $400 for a decent scope on it. The .300 has devastating knock down power, but it's not nearly as fun to shoot as a smaller .30 caliber or your 7mm-08. I much prefer to shoot my .30-06 or .270 over my .300.
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If you are going to shoot 180 grain or smaller bullets, and your shots will be less than 300 yards, you won't gain anything with the 300 win mag. , over the 30-06.
I've owned a few 300's but always shot 200 grain bullets. Still wasn't convinced there was enough difference over on 06 to justify the longer barrel and extra powder being burnt...
You don't have to spend $400 or more for a scope just because its a 300 win mag. Look around for a used Leupold scope. You can pick them up quite a bit cheaper than new, and they still have a lifetime warranty. The last 300 I had, had a Leupold fixed 4 power scope. They are durable and simple, and if you practice with it, you can make hits out to any distance you should be shooting game at. There are plenty of variable power scopes to choose from to though, if you like variables
 
Where would you recommend looking for a used scope?

My 7mm08 has a leupold on it, which i've been very happy with.
 
bmilla35 said:
Where would you recommend looking for a used scope?

My 7mm08 has a leupold on it, which i've been very happy with.
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There are a lot of them on the big auction site. Also check pawnshops and gun shows, if you have any in your area. Sometimes they come up for sale here too, in the classifieds.
When I was still collecting guns, I would buy every Leupold 4 or 6 power scope I found, if it was in excellent condition. I don't think I ever paid more than about 60 for one
 
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