Caliber/Rifle choice for Saskachewan black bear ?

[amboy49]

A friend talked me into signing up for a black bear hunt in Saskatchewan during late summer (August). I am told the camp is bow/muzzleloader/rifle friendly.

I've been on a black bear hunt several years ago in Quebec and harvested a 225 boar with a Mathews Q2XL. However, I was younger and more foolish then and may be second guessing that weapon of choice.

So, I have a firearms choice of the following:

Kimber American .308 bolt action
Savage 114 .270 bolt action
Remington .50 Caliber muzzleloader
Ruger .44 caliber bolt action

I am told the bow stands will be at 20 yards and the gun stands will be located about 100 yards. Factors include the .270 is flat shooting, the .308 only has a carrying weight of 6.2 lbs, the .44 has pretty substantial drop after 100 yards as does the muzzleloader. I doubt that I'll do any cartridge handloading and just use factory stuff.

Perhaps the .308 and .270 are more about cartridge choice (manufacturer and ballistic coefficient). But that may also be true of the .44 and the muzzleloader now that I think about it.

Perhaps a survey of which gun to take and why ?

Supplemental question: Can I use a Thermacell without causing odor problem ? I've not used one before.

Thanks in advance

amboy49

 

[Bigtanker]

.308 would be my choice. Great selection of factory ammo. Unless you can get a Barrett .50, I'd stick with your Kimber.

 

[Mark 1911]

.50 cal muzzleloader would be a great choice at close range with magnum load. Actually I think any of your listed choices would work. The only one I would personally shy away from for black bear would be the 44 mag.

 

[mike trible]

.270 with 150gr. Nosler partitions would be my choice. I have taken two black Bears with that combination.

 

[Yeah]

The 84M is the better rifle by a long ways. By design it will best fend rigors of a hunt, even with the blue/wood combo.

308 Win also bests 270 Win via greater factory load options. I'd be looking for something topped with a 150 TTSX or 168 TSX. If the range warranted, and it doesn't, 155 Scenar.

Having never hunted with one I can't comment on the Thermacell, other than to suggest keeping a can of DEET handy when it doesn't work. Have has fishing partners tote them along and they did little good. I also haven't hunted bears out of fixed camps but can report that even the ones that spend their time deep in the bush, aren't much spooked by evidence of people. Baby blackies are skittish though...

 

[snapping turtle]

Since the 44 is a bolt action not a lever I would go with the kimber also. Black bears over bait you need a good first shot and might have to thread the needle around a tree Limb ECT.

 

[42769vette]

Id probably go with the 308, but any of the above should work fine.

 

[bigelowe]

308 would be my choice, for all of the reasons listed above and then some.

 

[scott delaney]

.308 because you have it. for me it would be 444marlin

 

[SSGSAD]

JMHO, .308, or .270 ..... can't go wrong, with either .....

 

[WilsonMD]

I would probably choose the .308. I took my Sasketchewan black bear a few years back with a 7mm. We were also expecting our bait sites to be a 100 yards, but they all ended up being around 20 yds. I had no issues with the 7mm @ 20 yds, lol! I have used my Thermacell while deer hunting, for several years, and have had great success with no adverse effects. If I remember correctly, I was told NOT to aim at the front shoulder on a black bear, the bone is too heavy. Aim behind it.

 

[Yeah]

I was told NOT to aim at the front shoulder on a black bear, the bone is too heavy. Aim behind it.

Someone must have seen you were loaded with Sierras.

 

[HuntMeister]

270 or 308, whichever you shoot the best would be my vote. Good luck on your hunt!

 

[Principal Skinr]

Another vote for .308. I'd use loads with Barnes TSX bullets, though. They'll rip right through a big bear, or just about anything else. That bullet is all I hunt with, with the exception of very small game. They are very accurate, too, in every brand of ammo I've experienced with them.

 

[abuckle]

I would go with the 308 as well. You have good range options, reload if needed and plenty of power. 44 mag may not suit it and if you miss you have a reload issue with your muzzleloader.

 

[met eng gun nut]

.308 will give you the most choices with bullet weight. if you are in a stand carry weight is secondary to dropping the game as humanely as possible