Griz

[InTheSchool]

This forum is at it's best when everyone is sharing their opinions. So, chime in with yours here.....

I am going to B.C. in June 2008 on a Grizzly bear hunt. I have worked up a load for my 300WSM - 200 grain Nosler partition muzzle velocity 2900fps over 3000 foot-pounds of energy. This load and rile shoots cloverleafs out to 200 yards. I have a lot of confidence with it. It is light enough that I can carry it all day without slinging it. A well placed shot should kill anything out to 300 yds. But is it enough rifle? The typical griz is supposed to be 8-10 feet, 500-750 pounds. I'm looking forward to the discussion. Thanks!

[Swamp Scooter]

If I was going I would use a bigger gun. 375 H&H, 338 Win Mag., 416 Rigby? I suppose it also makes a difference if you are going to be doing it from a stand or stalk and how far you are shooting. Ask the outfitter too. Might as well get a new gun if possible for the hunt of a lifetime!

But... Tred Barta did it with his longbow at about 12 yards too!!!

[InTheSchool]

It is a spot and stalk hunt in the mountains. You hike and glass slides to find feeding grizzly. That was why I was concerned with dragging a big rifle along. The outfitter uses a 338 for a backup.

[Code-Man]

what are the low end specs of your load? 300 wsm should be more then enough to kill a bear. It seems a lot of the pros use that for bear. Just hope you can reload quickly. Only thing with WSM are a fat bullet and can't fit as many into a clip/gun.

[Surface Tension]

Most of your griz hunting in AK is going to spot be and stalk.

I know one local in AK that uses his 30.06 for grizzly. I know another local that uses a 338 Win mag and a bear guide who also uses a 338 Win mag.

Penetration is what your concerned about with any thick bodied big game. I'd maybe rethink the Nosler partitions and go with Barnes premium X-Bullet. Its CXP4 classified(dangerous game)

[tealitup]

I think you have enough gun power, but would second the change in bullet type to the Barnes bullet - They have something like 98% weight retention after hitting a bone. I think Federal makes a nice combination.

Remember to take some pictures - we all want to see.

[warrior]

I agree on the bullet choice, I shoot a 7mm Remington Ultra Mag I have used the nosler in a 160 gr. they are a great bullet but... for Griz I would load a Barnes or something a little more aggressive. If your a hand loader and have some experience, you know you need a bullet that will stay together as well. So dont be afraid to shoot the Noslers you have. Just my 2 cents

[thewalleyeguy]

What about a bear-claw

[Jackpine Rob]

I agree with looking for a different bullet.

Check out the Fail Safe. Classified among the toughest of the tough, and suitable for dangerous game.

[fishermann222]

I have been on several griz hunts and while your rifle is an ok choice I would not use it. I use my .338 win mag. See if you can shoot at 225 grain bullets out of that gun. You should not be shooting at a grizz at more than 200 yards, and that range is pushing it. The reason you want to be close to a griz when you shoot is not because you can not kill them with one shot, but its because you want to be within range for follow up shots. You do NOT want to have to be chasing a wounded bear through the alders. I have passed up a brownie that was a touch over 200 yards just a few months ago as it was within 50 yards of a HUGE alder patch on the side of a mountain. I could not get any closer than 200 yards and still have a shot, so I could not shoot. It would be too hard to get a follow up shot at that range before he hit the alders running.

So your gun will do the job but try to get a larger bullet, and go with a barnes. You want a bullet that is going to hold together as you are not just shooting for lungs but you are also trying to take out a shoulder with the same shot. You want a bullet that is going to hold up to that kind of abuse.

If your guide is telling you the TYPICAL grizz is 8-10ft I would bea little bit "questioning" of the way they measure, or the truthfulness of their info. An 8ft grizz is a very large bear. A 10 footer is HUGE HUGE HUGE. They may not be using "square" measurements. There is no way the typical bears they are taking are 8-10 ft square. Places in Alaska and even kodiak it can be hard to get 10ft bears.

[InTheSchool]

This is my logic with the Nosler Partition: I want an exit wound. My shot placement is through both shoulders trying to break him down on the spot. I test fired the 200 grain using backyard science, I used an old steel belted tire for the skin, a 3X3 southern yellow pine board for the shoulder bone, a five gallon bucket full of water for the body and a solid tree behind. Well the tire opened the bullet perfectly, the hole in the 3X3 looked like a 50 cal. going in. It held together as it hit the pail the entrance hole was nearly an inch, the pail exploded with water shooting up 5-6 feet in the air. the bullet seperated in the water and the exit hole was back to 30 cal. After passing through the tire again, the bullet penetrated the tree 4 inches. This was from 40 yards. The Nosler will do lots of damage. I haven't tried Barnes X bullets their ballistics aren't that impressive. If Hornaday makes a 200 grain interbond I will look at that. Has anyone tried the XP3's on something larger than a deer?

[fishermann222]

I understand you want an exit wound but that is not always possible, even with high powered rifles. On a griz hunt last year two buddies, one with a 340 weatherby, and one with a 300 RUM both fired on the 8ft griz at the same time. Range was 125 yards, and neither bullet exited. One was 225 grain and one was 250 grain.