Best bear cartridge

[Bambistew]

The wife and I are headed out next week to rescue some antlers and shoot some antler eaters both brown and/or black. Can't decide what rifle to pack. Shots could be upclose to maybe 300 yards. I have the spectrum covered, can't decide on light or heavy. Shot my last brownie with the 308. Have plenty of powder and bullets for everything in between.

280(gasp)
7mag
308
300wsm
300wm
325wsm
338-06AI
35 B/w
375H&H

The wife is on point, and can handle any of the above. Leaning on the 375, light and handy, and kills chit dead out as far as a guy/gal wants shoot.

What would you pack? None are heavy and all are "Alaska" rated non-melting.

Also if you're worried we can only shoot 8 bears combined 2 bb and 6 blacks. How many game bags do we pack?

 

[44hunter45]

I love those 35's

 

[MTLabrador]

.308, 3 game bags per bear, 6 beers per bear.

 

[Cheesehead]

Had to use the googlizer as Brown-Whelen is a new one to me. 375 is never a bad choice.

With MTL on the bags. Beer ratio seems light.

Have fun

 

[Addicting]

You better buy that 460 Roland on here for some extra insurance. That 375 is on the light side for even just a small black bear. Too bad you don’t have a 416 Rigby or a 500 Nitro. I heard from my Brother in Law’s friend that is the min you should carry. Apparently he has a cousin from Georgia that swears by it for bears. Good luck on your hunt.

 

[Ben Lamb]

No .243?

Sad.

 

[D4570]

A 375 H&H or 375 Ruger would make the most sense.
Maybe a 378 Weatherby, but for price and weight, I would go H&H.

 

[ccc23454]

I love the 375 so thats my first choice, 2nd on your list 338/06. As far a game bags i pack 2 large ones per bear for spring bears. Good luck on hunt!

 

[Gerald Martin]

.375 or the.325 WSM gets my vote.

 

[Deleted member 28227]

.35 BW

All of the bags.

2 beers
4 La Croix
1/2 lb Cabot

 

[Panda Bear]

you need to buy a 71/348 before the hunt

you have a nice line up to choose from, congratulations on that

of those listed, we have a 325 wsm that we absolutely love, so that would be my choice

Do yo find them pretty plentiful in the spring ? Hunting the mountains or rivers ?

Game bags, 8

 

[deer_shooter]

Ditto on the 375 or 325

 

[SD_Prairie_Goat]

I do love a 308, but I'd probably lean on the 375 personally. but man the choices!!

 

[Dave N]

I love it when the guy that probably knows more on the subject than 99.9% of the rest of us asks for help!

 

[thusby]

7 mag, fifth of Irish, 24 game bags

 

[MThuntr]

338-06ai

Also some bourbon and smoked salmon...maybe a bit of funky soft cheese not that Cabot stuff (that is for amateurs!)

 

[Nameless Range]

The 35

 

[Redside]

Maybe the choice should be which one to leave home? 9 rifles, 8 tags?

 

[Bambistew]

No .243?

Sad.

It is sad... I've been looking for the "right" one for almost a year now and haven't found one. I left some off the list

 

[Ben Lamb]

It is sad... I've been looking for the "right" one for almost a year now and haven't found one. I left some off the list

Now that that's out of my system, anything over 338. That 338-06 AI would be a kickass rifle anywhere toothy critters live.