Bear Hunting Calibers and LOADS

I have done several articles on this subject over the years, however it is on my mind a lot and I thought I would summarize my feelings on this topic. First of all there is a distinction between black bears, and brown or grizzly bears. I KNOW I am over stating the obvious as those differences consist of terrain, distance at which shots are fired, How close the bear is to impenetrable thick cover, the sheer weight and size of the bear,  heaviness of bones, thickness of hide etc. of the bear itself.

This article is going to concern itself mainly with black bear hunting over bait. A few words about hunting coastal brown bear, interior grizzly etc. Best advice I can give you is that you need to carry the heaviest caliber rifle with bonded type premium bullets that you can SHOOT WELL. Whatever rifle you choose should be weather resistant with a synthetic or laminated stock and a stainless barrel and action. It does you no good to show up at your destination with a .458 Win Mag or a .375 H and H or one its derivatives or even a .338 Win mag that you have NEVER SHOT, much less became proficient with. I have read about stories of folks showing up with a brand new spit polished .338 Win mag with an expensive variable scope and admit they have never fired the rifle. The guy behind the counter at Bass Pro or Gander Mountain bore sighted the scope, recommended a certain box or two of ammo and the would be hunter is off on his or her great adventure.

The rifle is certainly up to the task, however my recommendation would be to get it sighted in from the bench before your trip so that you know exactly where it is shooting at 50, 100, 150 and 200 plus yards. Then get OFF THE BENCH and see how you do from various field positions. If that .338 mag scares the devil out of you every time you shoot it, you have the wrong gun. Take it back and trade it in for something else .30 cal and above. Better yet, READ everything written about bear hunting and rifles that you can get your hands on, and join the local gun club and see if you can try some friends heavy caliber rifles at the range BEFORE you buy one yourself. The minimum should be in the 30-06 range with premium bonded 180 grain bullets. A properly loaded 30-06 with 180 grain bonded bullets that you shoot well beats the .338 Mag that you are afraid of.

If you are not particularly recoil shy, you could have your choice of anything from the 30-06 and up, including but not limited to the various .300 mags and short mags, the .375 H and H and variations thereof, the 45-70 with Garret Cartridge wide meplat hard cast flat nose loads or special loads from CorBon, Buffalo Bore etc. The 45-70 is going to limit the range you can shoot somewhat, however it is certainly capable of taking the big bears. Whatever rifles you choose you are going to want a load that will break a big bears shoulder and penetrate like no tomorrow after doing so. To my knowledge the largest Alaskan brown bear ever recorded was taken by Roy R. Lindsay with a 30-06 on Kodiak Island back in 1952.

As far as shot placement goes it is pretty well recognized that a broadside double lung shot with an adequate caliber and good premium bullet will result in a DEAD bear whether it be an Alaskan brown bear or a 200 pound black bear at a bait site 25 yards from the shooter. The PROBLEM comes in as to whether or not you will FIND your dead bear and take him home with you. There are a lot of articles out there pro and con on shot placement, however the broadside shoulder shot with a .30 caliber and above with a premium bonded bullet will give better odds than a double lung shot on dropping the bear right where he is right now. It should give you an opportunity to make a QUICK follow up shot if he (the bear) doesn't agree with my last statement. In other words, a bear shot through both shoulders is more likely going to drop within sight of where he was shot than a bear with a double lung shot. Dead is dead, however finding your bear and taking him home with you is part of the reason you hunt in the first place. Tracking a wounded bear in thick cover can be a dangerous pastime and should not be taken lightly OR ALONE. A few years ago, I shot a moose in Newfoundland with a Ruger mdl 77 MKII in .300 Win Mag using 180 grain Speer Grand Slam factory loads. I was VERY impressed with the damage on the shoulder shot I took on that moose. My vote goes for heavy for caliber premium bullets and shoulder shots especially on big bear.

For BLACK BEAR hunting whether hound hunting or over bait, you have a lot more leeway.  Black bears on average run 150 pounds. That being said, there are a lot of bears taken every year in the 200-300 pound range and also bears taken that are in the 300-500 and occasionally pushing 600 or above range.

Many of these bears over the years have been taken with the 30-30 with both 150 and 170 grain factory loads. I have read about huge bears taken at close range with the .243 Win etc.

My feeling is that these bears also deserve respect and that if you are using  your .270 Win, 7MM, .308. Win etc. you should use heavy for caliber loads and probably premium bullets that will hold together. In the case of the .308 and 30-06, I would use 180 grain premium bullets, although you can probably get by quite well with 180 Grain Remington Core-lokts. You also have the choice in these two calibers of using 165 grain premium bullets ..IF THEY SHOOT WELL in your gun. For baited bear using a 45-70 Tim Sundle's from Buffalo Bore recommends their 405 grain soft point. I did water jug testing on this load and also the 350 grain penetrator load from Buffalo Bore out of my Marlin Mdl 1895 45-70. Look for you tube videos on this blog or simply type bear bullet water jug penetration tests into GOOGLE.

In the .35 Rem I would take a hard look at Buffalo Bore's 220 grain JFP for bear hunting.

I also own a .338 Federal with a 3X9X40 Bushnell Elite 3200 firefly/rain guard scope that shoots the Federal Fusion 200 grain and the Nosler 210 grain partition load well. My .Ruger .350 Mag with both Rem Corelokt 200 grainers and the Nosler Partition 225 grain are both tack drivers.

You do not need a cannon to shoot a black bear, however if you are going to buy a rifle for that type of hunting, I would steer you towards a .30 caliber and UP and use heavy for caliber loads for bear hunting. My .308 Winchester is a tack driver with Winchester 150 grain power points for deer hunting. A recent trip to the range indicated that two shots at 75 yards of the Win PP went into 1/4 of an inch and about 1.5 inches high. That is perfect for the eastern mixed woods and fields deer hunting I do. At the same sight setting, (2) 180 grain Remington round nose corelokts went 13/16 inch and dead center. I could go bear hunting over bait with this rifle with the 180 grain loads WITHOUT changing my scope setting at all. For bear hunting, other acceptable loads would include 165 grain or 180 grain controlled expansion bullets such as the tipped trophy bonded, Swift A-Frame, Hornady GMX, Nosler E-Tip and the Barnes TSX. Unfortunately right now with the most aggressive misguided attack on the 2nd amendment in my lifetime, along with Homeland Security buying over 1.5 BILLION rounds of ammunition, you will find most Internet outlets and local gun shops with severe shortages of any and all rifle ammunition. If you reload your own and have components on hand, you are ahead of the game for now. I do not reload anymore, however I do have enough 180 grain round nose Corelokts to take care of any bear hunts I am likely to be fortunate enough to go on.

Whatever rifle and load you choose, get to the range and run 100 or 150 rounds through you gun from the bench and various field positions before you show up at bear camp. You owe it to your quarry to be proficient with your rifle and to learn BEAR ANATOMY and what your outfitter recommends as to shot placement etc.

Dan

Spring Black bear hunts In MAINE

Are you thinking of booking a black bear hunt this spring, however you want to avoid travelling to Canada?
You are probably aware that for the last few years, the state of Maine offers a spring black bear hunt over bait. Here is a look at one of the outfitters that offers a spring bear hunt state side.

The name of this outfitter is Bear Tracks Guide Service, and they are located in Milford, ME which is in Penobscot County.

Penobscot County

Population in 2010: 2,233. Population change since 2000: +1.6%

Males: 1,101	(49.3%)
Females: 1,132	(50.7%)

They will need the following information to book a hunt:

Questions I will need to know about:

1. Health issues, food allergies, mobility issues (i.e. Wheelchair, etc.), height phobia’s ETC.

2. Left or Right handed, using a firearm or bow.

3. Alone or accompanied by family.

4. Hunting experience, all hunters must provide a copy of their current hunting license, as well as hunter safety cards for minors who wish to hunt.

5. Will you be bringing ATV, Kayaks, etc.

6. Special accommodations I need to know about, i.e. must have outlet for O2 sleep pap machines etc.

7. What else can I do for you or your family to ensure an awesome time!

(Their DeLuxe American plan package including meals, lodging etc. is currently priced at $1800 however you may want to call to see if there are any special prices) SOLD OUT FOR 2013.

http://www.beartracksguideservice.com/index_files/Page870.htm

They can be reached to book a hunt at 207-356-1062 or 207-991-8314. They are an independent guide service within the Passamaquoddy Tribe and all their guides are native Americans of the Passamaquoddy tribe. You can also reach them at:

Phone– 207-356-1062

Email: BEARTRACKS08@GMAIL.COM

http://www.beartracksguideservice.com/index_files/MaineSpringBear.htm

Looks like a great hunt for the money and be sure to take a look at the photo page.

Dan

Manitoba Bear Hunting

I thought I would post one more Manitoba Canada bear hunting outfitter. There are a lot more, however this one and the previous two are very reputable and have good success rates and big bears along with color phase bears. I hope to make one of these three a reality in the next year or so.

Todays outiftter is Outland Outfitting in Manitoba and they can be reached at 780-870-1269 or 204-997-4910:

http://huntingtop10.com/Manitoba/Black-Bear-Hunting-Guide/Outfitter/377/

EXCERPT:

             
Grand Rapids is a small picturesque community in central Manitoba, Canada. Population is about 1500 and the nearest towns are at least 100 miles away. This isolation, coupled with the numerous caves and dense forest, make for excellent bear habitat. Grand Rapids is 400 miles north of the Canadian/US border and due to the location of our town between two large lakes, we often become a funnel for hungry bears.
The hunt starts on a Monday and runs until Friday, with Sunday being arrival and departure on Saturday. Success rates are 90 - 100% with every hunter getting an opportunity to harvest a bear. Colours range from solid black to blonde, cinnamon, chocolate, or any combination of the four. Some seasons find us harvesting 45 - 50% off-coloured bears, depending on which baits are being hunted. Accommodations can consist of tent camps for isolated areas and cabins/hotel rooms. Transportation to and from baits is usually by 4-wheel drive, but can include boat travel as well as hiking.

Rates and Dates:
Spring season runs from mid-May through mid-June and fall season is the first two weeks of September.The Price for one week is $2,150 USD. This includes a five day hunt at very productive baits, all skinning and hide care, transportation to and from baits, and a comfortable stay.

A $900 deposit is required to reserve your hunt. Balance is due 60 days before hunt. Deposits and payments are non-refundable, but can be transferred to another hunter for that year's scheduled time period.

There is also a wound policy in effect. We will try very hard to retrieve a wounded animal, but if it is not found, it is considered a kill and the hunt is over. Non-hunters welcome to accompany you for $750. Total Cost is final, no exceptions.


Price Does Not Include:Travel to and from airport Staff Gratuities Hunting License (approx. $216) Allocation Fee ($100)

Black flies are usually not a problem, however, we do have our fair share of mosquito's for two weeks in spring and for the fall. I suggest bringing a thermacell and refills.

When we have extra time, we can go fishing or tour the local fish hatchery, Hydro Generating Station, and other local sites. Hopefully, you are not one of the many hunters who have been taken for a ride by other bear camps. I can assure you that will not happen here. You won't find twenty hunters in camp, baits that are a quarter mile apart, or baits that are unproductive. You will see bear.

As you may know, many places in Manitoba are experiencing extensive flooding. That is not an issue at Outland Outfitting as all of the bait sites are on dry ground and there is no flooding in our area. Following is a link to video and hopefully I loaded it correctly. I invite you to take a look at the website and the videos.

Dan

http://huntingtop10.com/Hunting-Videos.php?id=378&Now-Playing=Black Bear hunting Manitoba Canada Outland Outfitting#a

(MY INPUT - Study bear anatomy and practice on life size bear targets from a tree stand and/or ground blind with an adequate rifle. These bears are bigger on average than the run of the mill 150-200 pound baited bear in Maine etc.) I KNOW, I KNOW there have been huge bears taken a lot of other places and with rifles in the 30-30, 7mm08, .243 Win class etc. My personal preference would be something on the order of a 30:06 and UP using a heavy for caliber bullet and sighted in to hit a quarter every time at the distance your bait is placed at.

Starting with the 30:06 with 180 grain bullets and moving up to the .300 Win Mag and .300 WSM class and with the magnums use premium bullets. From there the .338 federal with 210 grain Nosler partition, , the .338 Marlin, the 45-70 with Buffalo Bore or Garret specialty loads, the .450 Marlin, .350 Rem mag and the various .338 Win Mag, .338RUM, Ruger short mags etc. would all be a good choice. If you already own a Marlin lever action in .35Rem and want to use it, i would load it with Buffalo Bore 220 grain loads.

That being said, Don't go with a BIGGER rifle than you can honestly and effectively handle, and practice with it until you are confident and it is an extension of your arm. Use a quality fully multi-coated lens scope and preferably one with an illuminated reticle and perhaps a rainguard type feature like the Bushnell Elite series. It can either be a fixed power, or better yet a variable such as a 1.5X5, 1.5X6, 2X7, 3X9X40 etc. The important thing is to have a wide field of view on the low end and the red dot or illuminated reticle is valuable.

Manitoba Canada Black Bear

I have been doing research on Manitoba black bear hunting outfitters and have decided to post a few chosen ones on the blog. Today's choice is "Big Woods Wilderness Outfitters" located in and around Nopiming Provincial Park in Manitoba which borders on Ontario. They have been in this area since 1966. I graduated from high school in 1965, so trust me when I say ......it has been a while.

They have several videos of nice bears taken on their web site which I will post here. My fascination currently with Manitoba is not to say there are not a LOT of other places in the world to hunt and an equal number of great outfitters. Manitoba is also not cheap, however I am old enough to realize you normally get what you pay for. I have been to Maine several times without a bear and again, don't get me wrong. I LOVE the state of Maine and I normally get there every summer for a week or so on vacation and have been probably 5 or 6 times both deer hunting and black bear hunting. I always say the scenery alone is worth the trip.

What I am seeing in my research in Manitoba is that the bears on average run bigger than in Maine. You will see several bears in the attached videos that run 300 lbs plus. Metal ladder stands are normally placed very close to the bait, and are 10 yards in several cases. You also have the opportunity for color phase bears.

$3200 per person for a 5 day hunt. Site shows $3000 group rate. As I mentioned this is not cheap as you can go to several spots in Maine for less than half of that figure. The next time I do a bear hunt, I will save my pennies and pick a reputable outfitter where the odds of getting a shot at a trophy bear are higher. As with any outfitter anywhere, the weather and other factors could make or break a hunt. There are no guarantees which is why they call it hunting and not shooting.

CONTACT US

Please contact us if you have any questions or to book your Big Woods Wilderness black bear or whitetail deer hunt. Our tags are limited, so book early to avoid disappointment. We look forward to being your hunting guides and sharing our experiences with you, as well as our piece of the Big Woods in Manitoba, Canada.

Mailing address: Big Woods Wilderness Outfitters 400 Yale Avenue West Winnipeg, Manitoba R2C 1V3CANADA

telephone:toll free 1.866.444.0401 1.204.224.3935 (Winnipeg-direct) 1.204.884.2538 (camp)email: bigwoods@shaw.ca

Let us guide you through the "entrance to the wilderness!"

I encourage you to open the link below and look at some of the short videos of actual bear taken both with the bow and the rifle.


Dan

http://www.bigwoodshunting.com/blackbears.htm

Mainitoba Based Bear Hunting Outfitters

I thought I would do a post on a reputable Manitoba black bear/deer outfitter. There are a LOT of reputable outfitters in Manitoba.  As mentioned previously your opportunity for a color phase bear and a large bear are very good in Manitoba.

Blair Hopkner 204-732-2483 / 40% color phase bear / hunt@mountainoakoutfitters.com

$1775 per person (subject to change at any time)

Bow, Rifle and Muzzle loaders welcome / NO handguns in Canada

2012 Manitoba Bear Hunting

Big Bores For Black bear

I thought it might be interesting to take a look at the 12 gauge shotgun with slugs (vs.) the 45-70 (vs.) a .50 cal muzzle loader for black bear over bait. Up front, I have to say they will all do the job very nicely but its fun to look at the numbers.

Take a look at a few 12 gauge slug offerings:

Lightfield Hybred Sabot Slugs

546 grain 3inch MEXP at 1730fps
546 grain 2 and 3/4 inch sabot slug at 1450fps

Remington 12 gauge 3 inch 1 ounce copper solid sabot slug at 1550fps / 2331 ft lbs

Federal power Shok saboted slug 12 gauge 2 and 3/4 ounce 1500fps
Federal 3 inch 300 grain copper sabot slug 2000fps / 2664 ft lbs

A Few 45-70 loads that make the grade:

Hornady 325 Grain FTX Lever Evolution Ammo (Many bears have been taken already with this load)

Buffalo Bore has several loads available for the 45-70 in Marlin Lever Action Rifles:

I have shot the following two loads: (Either will do for black bear and the 405 grain load has a great reputation on black bear over bait)

405 grain JFN Expander / designed to penetrate up to 2 feet in flesh and bone and expand to 1 inch diameter / 2000fps and 3597 ft lbs
350 grain JFN Penetrator designed to penetrate up to 4 feet and expands to .60 caliber / 2150 fps and 3591 ft lbs

.50 caliber muzzle loader / the loads available for this set up are too numerous to mention here:

In spite of that, here are a few:

ALL loads would work with either 100-110 grains of Pyrodex RS or 2 /50 grain/ .50 cal Pyrodex pellets. You would need to put in range time to determine the most consistently accurate load out of your In-line .50 cal rifle.

Barnes all copper 250 grain, 285 grain or 300 grain TMZ spitfire saboted load

TC 250 and 300 grain saboted Shock Wave loads / preferably BONDED bullets

295 grain Power Belt bullets

TC Maxi Ball full bore sized loads 350 grain

Dan

12 Gauge Shotgun Slugs For Black Bear Over Bait?

I know a lot of black bears have been killed using shotgun slugs at typical bear over bait scenarios. The distance is normally somewhere between 20 and 50 yards, with the majority being less than 50 yards.

I know that typical softer lead smooth bore foster slugs have been used with success. They offer a big chunk of soft lead and under the 50 yard mark probably work pretty well. There is a lot of controversy out there on what slugs to use and not to use to be effective . In light of newer technology, one would be wise to take a look at the following slugs especially if hunting Canada etc. where there is an opportunity to take a 500 pound PLUS black bear.

Personally if I went hunting black bear over bait with a shotgun, it would be my 12 gauge Ithaca Deerslayer II Storm model loaded with a saboted rifled slug. I would probably opt for one of the saboted Barnes Solid type slugs and would want to keep my range at 75 yards at the very outside and preferably under 50. Any decent guide will have stands that would accommodate that line of thinking.

Consensus on the various forums I have visited seem to consistently recommend the following slugs in 12 gauge:

Brenneke Gold Mag
Brenneke Black Magic Mag
Dixie Terminator
Dixie IXL-DGS

Following those recommendations, I would opt for some sort of copper saboted slug that would hold together and get through a shoulder shot if one presented itself.

Dan

Here are specs on the Brenneke Black Magic Mag slug:

BRENNEKE USA BRENNEKE Black Magic Slug

For Rifled or smoothbore Barrels
2 in. groups at 50 yards, 3 in. groups at 100 yards with smoothbore barrels
Brenneke 12 Ga. 3 in. Magnum Slug.
BRENNEKE Black Magic Slug
One of the heaviest slugs on the market, the Black Magic Magnum is devastating on the biggest, toughest prey. It is so powerful that it is often the choice of professional guides in Alaska and Africa to back up their clients when hunting dangerous game.
Brenneke's CleanSpeed™ coating gives “clean kills” an entirely new meaning by virtually eliminating lead fouling within the barrel. The Black Magic’s patented B.E.T.® wad was created to transfer maximum energy to the target throughout its flight path, while maintaining accuracy that rivals many centerfire rifles. It is an ideal choice for anyone who may encounter large or dangerous game, as well as for the deer hunter seeking maximum power, range, and flexibility in the field. SPECIFICATIONS:
Mfg Item Num: SL-123BMM
Category: AMMO SHOTSHELLS
Gauge :12 GA
Type :Lead
Length :3 in.
Ounces :1 3/8 oz
Shot Size :Slug
Muzzle Velocity :1500 fps
Muzzle Energy: 3014 ft/lb
Rounds/box :5 Rounds Per Box, 40 Boxes Per Case
Drams :N/A

Following is a LINK to everything you wanted to know about Dixie Slugs:

http://www.dixieslugs.com/qa.html

EXCERPT:

What does large Meplat Area mean?

Meplat Area simply means the area of the nose of a hard cast, heat-treated, slug/bullet or the expanded nose of a jacketed bullet. Tissue damage is based on that area. Water, in tissue, can't be compressed, only moved. This rapid movement, under pressure, is what destroys tissue. Besides being very hard, our slug/bullets have a maximum Meplat Area!

What distance does Dixie Slugs suggest their ammo to be sighted in for?

Since this ammo is designed for use in heavy cover, we suggest a sight in distance at 75 yards with rifled barrels, except Tri-Ball loads at 40 yards.

What does Dixie Slugs consider Dangerous Game?

Any game that can do bodily harm to the shooter/hunter! Examples would include wild boar hogs and large bears. For game like these, the hunter/shooter must have a specialized load delivering a heavy hard bullet for a smashing impact within dangerous game distances! These animals must be put down hard and quick! Many times the hunter gets only one shot and it must count!

What is the Dixie IXL-DGS?

The Dixie IXL-DGS is a 12 gauge 3" load, designed for use against the larger dangerous game at close range. It is a hard cast .730" - 870 gr. bullet at 1200'/". It should be used in rifled barrels and .730" smoothbore cylinder choke barrels.

What is the Dixie Tornado?

The Dixie Tornado is a hard cast bullet designed to be use in plastic sabots for 12 gauge 3" rifled barrels or the plastic sabot for .54 caliber muzzle loading rifles.

45-70 Leverevolution For Black bear

As mentioned previously, I am a BIG FAN of the Marlin Model 1895 45-70 lever action rifle and also a big fan of the Hornady 325 grain flex tip Leverevolution ammo. Without a doubt it is a fantastic round in my 45-70 and would easily allow me to make shots on whitetails out to 200 yards and beyond. At 100 yards, on a good day 3 shot groups are under an inch consistently if I do my part.

I have read several accounts of the 325 grain flex tip bullets effectiveness on black bear hunts, and lately have been wondering about the newer lighter  250 grain Mono flex bullet for the 45-70. I imagine they would flatten the trajectory even further and with the bullet construction making up for the light bullet might do a great job.

Examples on the 325 grain flex tip:

From Cabelas customer reviews:

5 out of 5

457Mag

Would you recommend this product to a friend? Yes

45.70 Flextip for Black Bear--nothing better!

Date:June 16, 2009

Just returned from a Canadian Black Bear hunt, using the .45-70 Lever Evolution in a Marlin Guide Gun.

To put it simply- at 35 yards-two bullets, six holes, one dead bear. The first shot may have killed him, but I didn't wait to find out. Bullet #1 hit 4" below the spine & flipped him over, The second shot entered the wrist, shattered it, then blew on through the chest and out the back on the opposite side. The 300lb. bear managed to get 25 yards into the woods before collapsing with his death moans.

This is the second animal I have taken with this ammo-last summer I took a 250lb. Russian Sow with one shot that pulled 8" of lung tissue out the exit wound.

Three rounds on game--all left exit wounds over 1" diameter.

Maybe next year I'll try it on Zebra.

HERE is another one of the Hornady Ammunition Site:

Home » Team Hornady » Scrapbook » 45-70 Leverevolution Vs. Black Bear

45-70 Leverevolution Vs. Black Bear

Product: Hornady LEVERevolution 45-70
Shooter: Clayton M
Posted: Jun 21, 2008

I was hunting with a 1874 Sharps. I have had great success with the LEVERevolution ammo in this gun. The most recent is on a black bear hunt up here in Montana. Long-story-short---a LEVERevoultion 45-70 to the shoulder at 200 yards and he dropped like a rock.

Below is a link from Hornady to the 250 grain Monoflex load in their Leverevolution line up. MY head keeps telling me that the 45-70 works best with slower moving heavy for caliber loads and I know the Buffalo Bore and Garrett cartridge companies make loads that will stop anything on the planet.

http://www.hornady.com/store/45-70-Government-250-GR-MONOFLEX/


As an example, the current lineup from Garret includes but not limited to:

• 420 grain SuperHard cast Hammerhead at 1650 fps
• 420 grain at 1850fps
• 540 grain at 1550 fps (ONLY for Marlin's built since 1998)
• 350 grain Woodleigh SuperJack Weld Core JSP at 2000fps
• 500 grain Hornady Copper clad Steel JFN at 1530

Does one need that sort of firepower for hunting black bear over bait? I don't think so and for those chores along with deer hunting, I am well pleased with the 325 grain Leverevolution load. Were I to go to Alaska on a brown bear hunt and take my 45-70, I would be on the phone to Garret Cartridge Co. for their recommendations of what to take with me.

Dan

Bear Rifles RE-visited

Now that deer season is over in NYS, my mind is turning back to bear rifles. As mentioned in a recent post, I had sent my .338 Federal to Ruger for some work and recently received it back. I am currently out of 200 grain Fusion loads, however I do have some 210 grain Nosler Partition loads on hand. A couple of boxes of the Federal fusion load are on order and when they arrive I plan on making an afternoon trip to the local range to put the .338 Federal back through its paces.

I suspect the .338 Federal with the fusion load would make a dandy load for black bear, whitetails and about anything one would want to kill with the .338 Federal. IF I were booking a grizzly/brown bear hunt, and using this rifle, I would opt for the 210 grain Nosler Partition load.

With bullets weighing in at 185 grains to 210 grains, the .338 Fed is reputed to give between 1820 to 1920 ft lbs of energy at 300 yards. It does that with less than 9 inches of drop at 300 yards when zeroed at 200 yards. Nothing to sneeze at. I will not begin to try and make a case for this caliber being the equal of the ,338 Win mag......IT ISN'T. On the other hand most of us do not need a .338 Win mag for hunting whitetails, black bear, moose etc.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6qdumOj9W6Q



I am currently considering possibly selling my Ruger .350 Rem mag. I might also consider trading it for  a new 30:06 or even a NEW .35 Whelen. Factory ammo for the .350 mag is scarce and  expensive, however I am looking into finding someone locally that will reload for me and change my mind. Part of the problem is that brass is also limited and expensive and it doesn't appear at this point in time that Remington Arms is going to step up to the plate and start making new brass for this caliber. It is a shame as I  dearly love the ergonomics and handling capabilities of this rifle and fortunately it is very accurate.

I bought this rifle primarily to use with the 225 grain Nosler partitions if I ever got an opportunity and finances to go on a brown bear hunt. Because of the ammo shortage situation, I might resign myself to use the .338 Federal with 210 grain Nosler partitions and let it go at that.

I also have the Marlin mdl 1895 45-70 and for black bear, whitetails etc. I am happy to use the 325 grain Hornady Leverevolution factory loads. They are extremely accurate out to 200 yards which is as far as I have tested them at the range. If I were hunting brown bear with this gun there is an amazing variety of custom loads for this rifle including Garret Hammer Heads that will take anything that walks and also big critter loads from CorBon, Buffalo Bore and others.

In closing I sometimes regret not having the ability to know the future. If I had that power, I would have purchased the Remington bolt action BDL in .35 Whelan instead of the Ruger 77 .350 Rem Mag a few years ago. The only reason being the shortage of not only factory ammo but also brass for the .350 mag. At the same time, .35 Whelan factory ammo or custom loads can still be had through several outlets for a reasonable price. I don't believe the .35 Whelan has any significant performance margin over the .350 Mag per se, it is just easier to obtain ammunition.

Here is a older link to an EXCELLENT review of the Remington Mdl 600 (vs.) the Ruger 77 in .350 mag caliber. The article is by one of my favorite writers, Chuck Hawks:

http://www.chuckhawks.com/compared_350Mag_rifles.htm

EXCERPT:

Conclusion
Both of these rifles incorporate some good features. For rifles of their power they are handy and fast handling, with good portability. The .350 Remington Magnum cartridge is an excellent one. Both rifles are very accurate, more so than they really need to be. At the range there is little to choose between the two, although the Remington's superior trigger (after adjustment) makes it easier to shoot accurately, and its effective recoil pad makes it more comfortable.
In the field it is a different story. Although the Remington 673 Guide Rifle is an adequate hunting rifle, the Ruger M77R Mk. II Standard rifle is superior in most areas. Perhaps the most significant difference is that the Ruger's few deficiencies are easy to correct (principally a recoil pad and a new trigger assembly), while the Remington's problems are fundamental design deficiencies.




(MY INPUT)

I handled rifles in both calibers at the local Gander Mountain store a few years ago and ended up finding a Ruger for sale on line brand new in the box. If I had not found the Ruger on line, I would have choosen the BDL .35 Whelan OVER the Model 600 carbine in .350 mag. Hind sight being 20/20 it seems history would have now proved me smarter in the long run to have went with the .35 Whelan from an ammunition availability stand point. I keep HOPING that Remington Arms will see the light and start producing factory ammo in both 200 grain and 250 grain persuasion again along with selling NEW brass for the .350 mag at a reasonable price.  When they decided to promote the Model 600 in .350 mag again a few years ago, my understanding is they all sold out rather quickly. They OWE it to those of us who snatched up a .350 mag to at least occasionally run a quantity of 200 grain and 250 grain corelokts and make enough brass to keep those rifles going.They already have the tooling for it and I think they would sell the brass and ammo as fast as they could make it.

Dan

IF I owned Only (4) Rifles What Would they Be?

I know the only 3 rifles to hunt the world or 4, or 5,  or, 7 etc. has been done numerous times. Fortunately in this country, we are not forced into that situation YET. Be sure to vote responsibly in November to protect your second amendment rights.

If I could only own four rifles  what would they be? I will keep it sensible and NOT include African game. I will be 65 in October and have never been to Africa even though I dreamed of hunting there as a kid growing up. I still have a dream of taking a brown bear someday, God willing and the creek don't rise. Right now it is simply not financially in the cards for me, however I hang onto the possibility of someday.

I mainly hunt whitetail deer, and the majority of those have been taken with an Ithaca 12 GA shotgun, or a muzzle loader prior to NYS opening most counties to rifle hunting in the last 5 or 6 years. I have taken one moose in New Foundland (with the Ruger .300 Win Mag)  and have been on three baited black bear hunts, plus several unsuccessful early bear hunts in the Adirondacks of NYS. My favorite hunting as a farm kid was limited to 99% woodchucks (I loved growing up during the 50's and 60's before the world went nuts and you could use kids and guns in the same sentence and we had never heard of "Political Correctness", and the chucks were very plentiful in those days. I do not see as many since coyotes became so numerous. I have been on a few whitetail hunts in Maine and only once had an opportunity to take a crotch horn buck on the last afternoon of a week long hunt. I let him walk. One other Maine hunt did give me a short glance at a beautiful monster buck, however I simply could not get on him fast enough to make a high percentage shot.  My brother and I had a wonderful whitetail trip in Saskatchewan a few years ago and I passed passed up several bucks.

That being said, and going forward hunting mostly woodchucks, whitetail deer and possibly black bear and holding out for a brown bear, this is what I would pick if doing it over:

First the discussion assume rifle #5 for plinking and a fun gun in the form of a Ruger 10/22. See I am breaking the rules already, cause you just gotta have a .22.

My FIRST of four choices would probably be a bolt action .223 with a 4X12X40 scope on board. The .22-250, the .204 Ruger etc. shoot flatter, the various .17 HMR's, .17 Hornets etc. are fun,  however ammo for the .223 can be had at a bargain in a lot of outlets. The .223 would do everything I wanted it to in the fields of NYS out to 300 yards or so. It is deadly on coyotes, big woodchucks, and inexpensive to shoot, and one can see impact of the bullet through your own scope without a spotter.

MY second choice would be my Savage bolt action Weather Warrior in .308 Win. It handles like a dream, is deadly accurate and .308 ammo is likewise very available. It is an ideal caliber for hunting NYS farm fields and combined woodlots and also the big woods of Maine. It could easily be my deer and black bear rifle with the right loads and also to take wild boar if I ever get the opportunity to do that.

I would keep my Marlin Model 1895 45-70 as I dearly love that rifle and sometimes just want to carry a lever action. With the right loads it makes a 200 yard whitetail gun (Hornady LeverEvolution loads), and with the Buffalo Bore 350 grain penetrator or similar loads from CorBon, Garrett Cartridges and others is capable of taking anything on the planet with the right loads.

My last choice would be to get my Ruger Model 77 .300 mag back if I could. I let it go a few years ago and have always regretted it. It had a professional trigger job, a top notch scope on it and a muzzle brake. With 180 grain bullets it was very accurate and if going to Alaska to hunt brown bear, would be the gun I would take with me. I normally would favor a heavier caliber gun, however knowing the Alaskan brown bear hunt would be a one time event and knowing that a LOT of brown bears have fallen to the .300 Win Mag, IF I had the rifle still I would take it with me. In part that is because my only opportunity on the last day of the hunt could come down to a 175-200 yard shot and I know the .300 Mag would do its part IF I did mine. Also it is a perfect gun for a second opportunity on the prairies of Saskatchewan or other Canadian provinces for whitetails.

Check with me tomorrow and I might change my mind. Fortunately right now, I still have the freedom to keep what I have or sell or trade on of my existing guns for something I might like better.

Dan

"Can the liberties of a nation be sure when we remove their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people, that these liberties are a gift from God? Thomas Jefferson

The Constitution is not an instrument for the government to restrain the people, it is an instrument for the people to restrain the government."

Patrick Henry

More On Bear Bullets

I came across an article from Joe Riekers concerning proper bullets for bear hunting that mirrored my own thinking on calibers and loads so I thought I would do a post on this subject. Joe starts his article  by mentioning that black bears have been taken with all manner or firearms, including handguns, varmint rifles, black powder guns shooting .50 cal round balls etc.

He then gets into the nitty gritty of what one should use if he or she takes black bear hunting over bait seriously. Three factors he considers important to success in north east bait scenarios are the bear's anatomy, the close range and the downward angle of the shot.

The only variable is shot placement. One should practice from an elevated stand if hunting bear over bait from a tree stand. This will help you to determine the angle of the downward shot and what vitals you are likely to hit, especially if you can use some sort of 3D type target showing vitals. One has to imagine a straight line through the bear and has to consider not only the entrance hole, but where the bullets path will take it through the vitals.

CLOSE RANGE: Most bear baits are set up from 25 to 50 yards. I have seen them set up at 100 yards in some camps. The close range of many of these baits determines the type of load you should be shooting. ALL bullets are designed to perform best  within certain limits. You can take advantage of these close range situations by using premium or hard cast bullets in .35 caliber or larger in diameter and a nominal velocity for the bullet design. Joe mentions that this would include the .35 Remington, .44 mag and .45 Colt , .358 Win, .444 Marlin, 45-70, .450 Marlin, .50 Alaskan and also .45 and .50 cal muzzle loaders and 20 and 12 gauge slugs of proper weight and composition. Your favorite load may not be listed, however this list is intended to be a guideline. not an all inclusive list. The bullets normally used in these calibers are already working within their intended parameters. You end up with a .35 cal and above rifle with a heavy for caliber bullet at a moderate velocity. These are near perfect for close range baited bear situations, and provide a better chance of complete penetration leaving and entry and an exit hole to bleed from.

Calibers such as the .270 Win, .280, 25:06, 7mm mag etc. need premium bullets and even then you may take a perfect lung shot which will kill the bear but it the bullet does NOT expand, you may obtain complete penetration and leave only a pencil size hole, inhibiting a decent blood trail. I would either use heavy for caliber expanding bullets and take lung shots or if up close and personal at 25 yards as an example, and using premium bullets, you may want to take a shoulder shot.

(MY INPUT) I would take a look at loads from Buffalo Bore and Garrett cartridges for the .35 Rem, 45-70 etc. I would add to the list the .350 Rem Mag with 225 grain Nosler Partitons and also the .338 Federal with 210 grain Nosler Partitions. In the .308 and 30-06 I would lean towards premium 180 grain loads. In the .35 Rem I would opt for the 220 grain BB load and in the 45-70 either the 405 grain expander load or the 350 grain penetrator load. Garrett loads have the widest meplat of any loads I know of. In muzzle loaders I would use either a bullet like the TC Maxi Ball or perhaps a 300 grain premium shock wave saboted bullet say in a .50 cal ML.

CUP & CORE conventional bullets: These loads consist of melted lead poured into a copper jacket and are fine for hunting whitetails. The problem comes into play with the close range of baited bear sites at 50 yards and under because of the possibility of the bullet still moving way to FAST and the heavy structure of the bear and heavy bones etc. These bullets can fragment and come apart inhibiting their penetration qualities. They would be better if the bait is more like 75 to 100 yards away allowing the bullet to slow down some before impact.

IN a nut shell if you use, larger calibers starting at .35 and up, heavy for caliber and/or premium bullets (vs.) the calibers UNDER .30 cal with bullets impacting outside of their intended parameters because of distance to the bait and the size of the animal being shot you have taken steps to insure a successful hunt.

Dan

Show me a man who cannot bother to do little things and I'll show you a man who cannot be trusted to do big things.
-- Lawrence D. Bell

Bear Pepper Spray in Bear Country Or While Hunting Bears

I read an article recently in Field & Stream concerning a black bear attack on a hunter while bow hunting moose. The hunter survived with mostly puncture wounds that narrowly missed his lung and spinal cord.

To his credit and incredibly good fortune he did get one arrow off at the charging bear. The shot was true and the arrow penetrated the chest and came out the belly. The bear could have easily killed him if that shot had not been good and if he had not continued to fight by repeatedly stabbing the bear with another arrow tipped by a Muzzy broad head. The fact that the bow hunter was alone and without backup makes his survival even luckier.

Statistically just what are the odds that the average hunter, whether a bow hunter, or handgun hunter or even a rifle hunter can bring his or her weapon of choice to bear and accurately place not only a KILLING shot, but a STOPPING shot to the bear before being mauled or knocked down? NOT very good apparently.

In a study of hundreds of bear attacks, pepper spray deterred a charge approx 92% of the time, while bullets did so only 66% of the time. The stats do not mention whether or not the bear spray was rated for BEAR protection and up to the task and the bullet study does not differentiate between a 125 grain JHP .357 Magnum and a 45-70 stuffed with Garret Hammerhead loads.

The real crux of the situation is that most of us can bring the BEAR rated pepper spray into play and point and shoot faster and more accurately that we can bring a rifle into play.

For your next baited or spot and stalk bear hunt, here is a LINK to acceptable bear sprays.

http://ezinearticles.com/?Bear-Pepper-Spray-By-Guard-Alaska---A-Product-Review&id=1126588

You can also buy bear pepper spray from Cabela's, BassPro, and several other outlets.

The thought also occurs to me that even while bear hunting with a rifle, it might be a good idea to have an easily accessible compact reliable handgun on your person (IF it is legal to carry where you are hunting and you have a permit to do so) That handgun should be stuffed with hard cast heavy for caliber bullets. If you were surprised or knocked down by a bear and separated from your primary weapon be it a bow, or a rifle, muzzle loader etc., it gives you some extra insurance. (Remember I sold insurance for a living for over 40 years).

This would be in addition to the BEAR SPRAY in a holster on your person and your primary weapon if it is a rifle.

Since the bear spray has the highest percentage of deterring a bear, I would make sure I could get to that easily at all times and keep it in my tree stand even if hunting black bears over bait. Also if you are NOT specifically hunting bears, then you will avoid legal and social complications if you can deter the attack without killing a bear.

Dan

A Bears Eyesight Is better Than You Think

Most of us who spend anytime hunting, or reading about hunting bears have been told although a bear's sense of smell is superb, their eyesight is poor.

It turns out that recent research shows that is NOT the case. The eyes of a deer are larger in comparison to their body size than many animals. Their position on the head does NOT allow for much eye movement which is diverse from humans and other predators. A bear on the other hand has much smaller eyes, however they move more freely than a whitetails. Since the deers eyes are more or less stationary and therefore a deer has to move its head to see its surroundings, a bear can move its eyes and take in more terrain without moving its head to do so.

The eye is made up of (5) different parts:

• Cornea - protective layer over the lens /Humans have an UV filter and on animals it is CLEAR
• Lens - right behind the cornea and collects and directs light into the retina
• Pupil - opens and closes to change amount of light passing into the eye
• Retina - located in the back of the eye and light that hits it is sent to the brain via the optic nerve
• Optic Nerve Head - sends light

Apparently there are differences between a PREDATOR'S EYES (Human, Bear etc.) (vs.) a prey species eyes (as an example whitetail deer). One such important area is how the eyes focus. Humans and Bear's are similar in that we have a very small field of actual focus in our peripheral vision. We can see as an example an entire field or section of woods, however our eyes (and the Bear's) then FOCUS on a particular section of that field or woods. Deer on the other hand have a WIDE area that is in complete focus. Deer have a narrower band from top to bottom than we do, however the entire area they see is in FOCUS while our focus is more limited to a much smaller area. To make it simple when a whitetail is looking straight ahead, almost its entire horizon is in focus and they do not have to bounce their eyes back and forth and up and down to achieve that focus. A Bear's eyes are positioned more to the front of its head while a deer's are more to the side of its head. You might say that Bear's have binocular vision for the entire 120 degrees of their field of view.

RODS (VS.) CONES:

I teach NYS defensive driving classes and always try to mention that Whitetails have more rods than cones. Why is this important? They do not break down the color spectrum as well as you and I do, however they can easily detect the slightest movement in their field of view. In other words a deer may or may not see you and identify you as a threat simply because you are wearing  an orange vest or hat if you are perfectly motionless, however if you adjust your hat, check your wrist watch, scratch that itch on the side of your nose etc. he will likely detect that movement instantly anywhere it occurs in his peripheral vision.

Deer are said to have approximately 20/40 vision while perfect vision in humans is said to be 20/20. A humans pupil opens and closes rather quickly while a Bear's open and closes mores slowly, however the bear's pupil opens almost 2X as wide as ours. Bears and deer have much better LOW light vision  than a human does than we do. Bear's have a substance called "Tapetum Lucidum" on the retina which is largely responsible for this. Bear's have approx 10X the number of rods as humans have.

Deer can detect movement better than a bear and this of course ups their survival rate. Bears are a predator species and the detection of the slightest movement is apparently not needed by them as much as it is the deer.

Both deer and bear have considerable advantageous to humans as far as eyesight goes in general. I believe it is simply because the good Lord made them that way.

You can bet when that big bear comes to a bait site at very last light, that he is seeing things a whole lot better than you and I are. Both the whitetail and that big bear win the contest hands down when it comes to their sense of smell. They certainly take advantage of what their eyes can see, however I believe their noses are probably the FIRST line of defense for both species.

Dan

Genesis 1:31 King James Bible (Cambridge Ed.)
And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.

.357 Mag and/or the .44 Mag For Back Up While Hunting Bear?

If you are on a baited bear hunt situation in the USA (NO handguns allowed in Canada), and decide to carry a handgun as a backup, in case an angry sow or boar wants to come up into the tree stand and visit you, what type of loads should you carry? In many locales where outfitters take bow hunters, rifle hunters etc. it might be permissible to hunt with a bow and still carry a handgun as a back up.

Truth be known, I normally carry a canister of pepper spray specifically made to repel bears, (NOT humans). I read an article sometime ago concerning a scenario that repeats itself while hunting black bears over bait.

A hunter up in a tree stand overlooking the bait had a big sow and two cubs come into the bait. Both cubs decided to come up the hunter's tree. The advice normally given is to completely ignore the cubs, keep quiet and keep still. They are just curious and after checking you out will normally scamper down the tree and go back to their mother or on to other things.

The problem sometimes arises when the hunter decides to try and scare the cubs  with hand gestures etc. to try to shoo them away. In the case I read about, one of the cubs climbed the tree until he was above the hunter and then proceeded to cry for his mama. The other cub ran down the tree. Faster than I can tell the story, the sow was up the tree and biting at the hunters boots. Fortunately he had a can of BEAR pepper spray and gave the sow a snoot full of it. She ran down the tree, roared, bawled, tore up the bushes etc. and in a flash was right back up the tree. The hunter give her another snoot full of pepper spray and the sow repeated the scenario of running town, tearing up the brush, bawling, etc. and again was right back up the tree. The hunter hit her with a third charge of pepper spray and this time when the sow ran down the tree, the frightened cub followed her. The three bears left the bait site with the sow still swatting at brush, bawling etc. (ONE CAUTION using pepper spray is to make note of the wind direction and intensity when in a tree stand............IF the wind is gusting badly or has an Upward draft to it, the pepper spray could come back in your own face which besides being extremely Unpleasant could temporarily blind and disorient you at a bad time to do so)

This case ultimately had a successful outcome for the hunter, although if he had remained quiet and still,  it probably would have resolved itself without incident. I am NOT sure how many one or two second sprays were in his can of pepper spray, however if the cub had not followed the sow down the tree, it could have had a different outcome. Having an angry big sow up your tree stand three separate times is enough to shake up any one's nerves.

LINK to BEAR Pepper Spray Below:

http://www.defensedevices.com/bearpepspray.html     / The spray mentioned in this link has (9) ONE second sprays per canister.

The sow was NOT about to vacate the premises without her cub. One of the most dangerous situations to be in is between a sow and her cub if she believes her cub to be in danger. I too carry pepper spray in an outside of my coat easy to reach holster. I think most of us would rather NOT have to kill a sow with cubs and the memory of that would haunt most of us.

I don't think it is a bad idea to carry a .357 mag or a .44 mag in a shoulder holster if you own either of these guns, and you can legally carry in your chosen hunting area. This is the ultimate last chance back up, (IN the event you were bow hunting where it is also legal to carry a side arm for back up, OR dropped your rifle, or it was knocked out of your hands, or jammed etc.), so what sort of ammo works in these two calibers?

.357 mag - I would carry Buffalo Bore's HEAVY 180 grain hard cast LFN-GC load that moves out of  of a 3" bbl at 1302 fps, a 4" bbl at 1375fps and a 6" bbl at 1707. You do not want a jacketed hollow point type load for up close and personal bear defense. You want a non-expanding hard cast FLAT NOSE bullet and in the scenario above take a head shot only after expanding all other applicable tactics. BELOW is a LINK to BB hard cast .357 load.

http://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=100

.44 Mag - I would definitely want one of Garret Cartridges for the .44 mag stuffed in my cylinder. He specializes in two calibers (45-70 ammo and .44 Mag ammo). His reputation for producing both is well known and you can visit his website to read the results of both. Since I own a Ruger Super Blackhawk revolver magnaported with a 7.5" bbl, I would opt for his 310 grain SuperHardCast Hammerhead load at 1100fps for bear protection and again take head shots. This particular load as mentioned on his website is safe for all .44 mag revolvers with one exception..........DO NOT USE THIS LOAD IN THE TAURUS TRACKER).

Dan

II Corinthians 5:21 KJV "For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of GOD in him:

Looking For Protection In Bear Country - LOOK NO FURTHER

If you own a Marlin Model 1895 .45-70 and are looking for ammo to protect yourself FROM or to HUNT the big bears, you need to look at offerings from Garrett Cartridges.

http://www.garrettcartridges.com/4570tech.html

EXCERPT:

Garrett's 45-70 Government Hammerhead Ammo

420-gr SuperHardCast gas-checked Hammerhead at 1650-fps*

THIS AMMO IS RECOMMENDED FOR USE ONLY IN MODERN FIREARMS, INCLUDING MARLIN, TC CONTENDER, ENCORE, KODIAK MK-IV, C.SHARPS, SHILOH SHARPS, PEDERSOLI SHARPS, NEF, H&R, BROWNING, RUGER, AND WINCHESTER RIFLES. ALSO RECOMMENDED FOR USE IN BFR REVOLVERS. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD THIS AMMO BE FIRED IN ANY TRAPDOOR SPRINGFIELDS OR ANY OTHER FIREARMS NOT LISTED HERE!

Energy: 2540 ft/lbs: Taylor Knockout Value: 45; Meplat: .330”; Chamber Pressure: 28,000-cup; Brinnell Hardness: 25.
Trajectory: +3.5” @ 100-yds, ZERO @ 150-YDS, -8.3” @ 200-YDS
*All ballistic specs result from 22” barrels.

Our 45-70 GOVT Ammo extends the usefulness of our 420-gr SuperHardCast Hammerhead bullet to most modern firearms not recommended for use with our 420-gr +P Hammerhead Ammo. This SAAMI chamber pressure compliant ammo is completely safe in the firearms listed above, and delivers tremendous impact-performance by virtue of our inordinately lethal 420-gr Hammerhead bullet. Although producing less energy than our +P Ammo, this 420-gr GOVT Ammo will penetrate through the heaviest North American game from end to end and provide quick incapacitation.
Since all of our Hammerheads are built to the same standards of strength, the somewhat lower velocity of this cartridge, when compared to the 420-gr +P Hammerhead Ammo, makes it an even better choice for really heavy game at short range. This is due to the fact that the amount of stress a bullet experiences upon impact is a product of the speed of impact and the toughness of the target. So when the game is heavy, and the range is inside of about 150-yds, we recommend this ammo instead of our 420-gr +P Hammerhead Ammo. This ammunition also delivers far less recoil, for those who are recoil sensitive, than either our 420-gr +P Hammerhead Ammo or our 540-gr +P Hammerhead Ammo.
This ammo has been used to take all North American game, as well as many species of African game, including Cape buffalo. Although not as powerful as our other 45-70 Hammerhead offerings, this ammo is extremely lethal and is a fine choice for the hunting of all North American game including heavy bison. It is also an excellent choice for close-quarters defense from heavy coastal grizzlies.

(MY INPUT)
Heck of a load, but is it safe in your marlin Model 1895 45-70? See excerpt here to verify that information. Dan

(EXCERPT from website)

CHAMBER PRESSURE & THE MODERN 45-70 LEVER-GUN

We are often asked how performance/pressure parameters were established for our 45-70 Hammerhead Ammo. These are important matters as they involve issues of firearm reliability and safety, as well as questions regarding impact-effect.
Given the selection of an efficient powder, the speed to which a bullet of a given weight can be propelled is determined primarily by the seating depth of the bullet and the chamber pressure limit the builder has imposed upon the load. There are many opinions regarding prudent pressure limits for the 45-70 lever-gun. They range from those advocating 28,000-cup/28,000-psi load levels, to those advocating 42,000-cup/45,000-psi load levels. It is our view that given the mechanical characteristics of the modern 45-70 lever-gun, and the enormous amount of power that can be achieved within modest chamber pressure levels, the prudent course leads to a point somewhere in between. We have chosen to impose a maximum average chamber pressure limit for our 45-70 Hammerhead Ammo of 33,000-cup/35,000-psi. It is often claimed that the Marlin 1895 is completely safe with load levels up to 43,000-PSI, and that the modern Winchester 1886 is safe to 50,000-psi. This analysis is based on the strength of the respective lockups. We do not take exception with these claims. However, it must be accepted that the 45-70 lever-action rifle is a mechanical device that, by its very nature, is far less capable of handling high pressure and its effects than bolt-action rifles. Assuming the selection of an efficient powder, 45-70 pressure levels in the high range, especially those utilizing heavy bullets, generate an extremely severe recoil pulse, which can wreak havoc with certain design characteristics of the modern lever-action rifle. The most common among these involves magazine problems and difficult case ejection. The stacking of cartridges in the tubular magazine amplifies the effects of recoil battering in the magazine. When this causes trouble, it generally takes the form of a magazine failure in which the magazine opens at the end or separates from the gun, precluding any further shooting. In a worse case scenario, magazine detonations can occur. Difficult case ejection can also result from high working pressures, and can effectively put the lever-gun out of commission. A gun that has to be dropped from the shoulder in order to force the lever open, is a gun that is worthless should a fast second shot be required. It is our view that any cartridge built for use against heavy and potentially dangerous game must first and foremost reliably function in the gun. Mechanical failures are not an option. The gun must fire each and every time it is called upon. Therefore, our over-riding performance criteria is the production of the most powerful, deepest penetrating, and most lethal big game loads possible within strict parameters of absolute firearm reliability.
Determination of meplat diameter is a compelling issue. Since wound channel diameter is far more a product of meplat diameter than actual bullet diameter, impact-effect can be considerably enhanced through the use of bullets with wider than normal meplats. Our 45-70 bullets are the bluntest in the industry, and provide superior impact-effect as a result. It is our view that proper hard-cast bullets must have wide meplats in order to quickly dispatch big game. Meplat diameter is also relevant to the issue of magazine safety. Recoil battering of the cartridges in the tubular magazine mandates the use of blunt flatnose bullets. The greater the recoil pulse, the greater the recoil battering of the cartridges in the tubular magazine. It is our opinion that when firing heavy recoiling loads, safety from a catastrophic magazine ignition is increased with bullets possessing wider than normal meplats. Our bullets have meplat diameters of .330-inch on the 420-grainer, and .360-inch on the 540-grainer. They dwarf the all too common .300-inch meplat.
Although blunt, our SuperHardCast Hammerhead bullets provide a very useable 200-yard trajectory in the case of our 420-grainer, and 150-yards with our 540-grainer. Also, to the full extent of their range, they are both capable of shooting lengthwise through the heaviest game, while providing rapid incapacitation. Interestingly, both our 45-70 loads generate as big a Taylor Knockout Value at 130-yards as does the 375 Holland & Holland with 300-grain bullets measured at the muzzle.
The velocity achieved by a hunting bullet determines how strong the bullet must be. If the bullet lacks sufficient strength to survive impact with heavy bone at close quarters, all can be lost as a result of simply achieving too much velocity. Bullet impact stress is the product of the toughness of the target and the speed of impact. Any time velocity is increased or decreased, it has a direct effect on the practical strength of the bullet. Consequently, it is essential for the bullet to possess the strength required to survive close quarters impact with the heaviest game without bullet expansion or fragmentation. This is a serious challenge for ammo builders as it is easy to overpower bullets in the pursuit of more power, and, consequently, seriously compromise their effectiveness on really tough game.
Extensive impact testing and pressure/load evaluation has led us to our current performance levels. This reflects our view of the proper chamber-pressure level for the modern 45-70 lever-gun, and the maximum velocity appropriate with high performance alloy without concerns of bullet failure when impacting the toughest targets at close-quarters. Our bullet designs incorporate the best in meplat diameters, penetration, and accuracy. They are also hand-cast by us using a special low antimony alloy with superior hardening characteristics. These are the most highly evolved, power efficient, and safest high performance 45-70 loads on the market. We are very proud of our perfect safety record and will continue to put safety first in our pursuit of maximum power and impact-effect in the 45-70.
- Randy Garrett

BEAR Season 2011 Is Almost Here

Many of you are probably getting your gear ready for a September 2011 Bear Hunt either in Canada, or perhaps Maine or in the Adirondacks or Catskill Mountains of NYS. Thought I would pass along some information and recommendations if you will "Bear With Me."

BEAR FACTS:

We are talking primarily about Black Bears in this post, however much of it applies to all bears:

• Sense of hearing / MUCH better than a human's, probably in the ultrasonic range.
• Sense of smell / (There is an OLD saying that talks about a pine needle dropping to the earth in the forest. Legend has it that an EAGLE saw it, a DEER heard it drop and a BEAR smelled it) A bear has been known to detect a human scent trail 14 hours after a human walked by, and they can tell the direction of travel of a breeding sow just by sniffing her tracks. 
• Eyesight / Surprisingly bears see at least as well as humans. Polar bears actually see the best with special filters that allow them to see underwater and to filter snow glare. Black bears do have color vision and particularly sensitive to blue and green wave lengths. There is some speculation that they also see red, which makes sense for being able to visually see colored berries and fruits. They are however NEARSIGHTED, and have trouble distinguishing objects at a distance. Like most NOCTURNAL animals they have a reflective layer called Tartetum Lucidum lining the back of the eyeball which helps the light reflect back through the retina which helps with night vision. 
• WEIGHT / Average male is around 250 lbs and females around 150 lbs. Weights range from approximately 125 lbs to over 600 pounds.

If you are planning or looking into a hunt this fall, you cannot go wrong with looking at our neighbor to the north in Canada. The western provinces probably have more color phase bears and on average larger bear. Places such as Saskatchewan, Manitoba, British Columbia, Ontario, Alberta, Manitoba and Newfoundland Labrador, and New Brunswick in Canada are always good bets. Many outfitters advertise 90 to 100% success rates. Be sure to read and understand the procedures for crossing the border into Canada and the registration of firearms taken with you etc. LONG before going. HANDGUNS of any kind are NOT allowed in Canada.

The State of Maine is another destination with a LOT of black bears and literally dozens and dozens of outfitters willing to accommodate your hunt. Hunts there can range a little as $500 for a week with a do it yourself, bring your own food hunt to upwards of $3000 for an everything included SPRING hunt on the Passamaquoddy Indian Reservation. I understand there is also a FALL hunt with some outfitters on the same locations for considerably less money. You have to do your homework and check references and compare outfitters etc. long before you actually book.

RIFLES and SCOPES:

Black bears have been taken with a wide array of firearms including just about all rifles suitable for whitetail deer hunting, muzzle loaders  including .50 cal flintlock with black powder and round balls, and of course archery gear and shotguns.

IF you are purchasing a rifle or other firearm specifically for black bear hunting over bait, my own short list would include the following:

Marlin lever Action in 45-70, .35 Rem, .444 Marlin, .450 Marlin and .338 Marlin Express
Your choice of a bolt action, pump or semi-auto in: .308 Win (with 165 or 180 grain premium loads), 30-06 (same 165 or 180 grain premium loads), .300 WSM (with 180 grain loads), .338 Federal (with 210 grain Nosler Partitions or 200 Grain federal Fusion). .350 Rem mag (With 225 grain Nosler partitions), .35 Whelen (250 grain Rem Core Lokt or your own handload) etc. 
Muzzle Loaders would include .45 Cal, .50 Cal and .54 Cal rifles and my choice would be a saboted bullet combination with around 100 to 110 grains of Pyrodex, or Triple 777. I would choose saboted slugs in the 250 to 350 grain persuasion.

I cannot in good faith leave out SHOTGUNS with slugs. My favorite would be my own Ithaca 12 GA Deerslayer II with saboted slugs, however the 20 guage has come a long ways over the last 10-15 years and  would be happy to hunt with one.

Scopes: A quality fully multi coated lens scope in the 2X7, 1.5X5, 3X9X40 range with at least 3.25 inches of eye relief and preferably an illuminated red dot sight or reticle or Firefly reticle (circle dot) etc. I can recommend Bushnell Elite 3200, Burris Fullfield II, Leupold, Nikon Monarch etc. without reservation.

MOSQUITO Relief: Do not leave without purchasing a Thermocell unit and know how to use it. It is quiet and effective on a baited bear hunt


Hope you get a BIG one and send me photos to put on the BLOG.


Dan

John 3:16

King James Version (KJV)

 ¹⁶For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.