NC bear rounds

fed168 · August 20, 2001, 04:28 PM

My brother in law is talking about going for bear in eastern North Carolina.
We have black bear in the state, and I am curious what would be acceptable for hunting them. I see them as dangerous game, and the minimum caliber to use would be a .338. Can I upload a .30-06 for the task? On that note, our department had to put one down, and it was taken with an HK 53, in .223.
NC bears tend to be in the 150-400 lb range, I think.

labgrade · August 20, 2001, 05:05 PM

No need to try to boost the '06. Any decent hunting bullet in factory specs suitable for deer/elk - 165-200 grain range - should serve your BIL good enough. I'd tend to use 180-200 myself.

Al Thompson · August 20, 2001, 07:50 PM

The '06 will work fine, but I would use a good tough bullet. After you skin one you'll understand the need.

Giz

JKeith · August 22, 2001, 08:06 AM

My grandfather, before his death, hunted bear in eastern and western NC....he always used a .30-.30 with 150 grain bullets...never had a problem dropping them.

A .30-.06 is plenty for NC black bears.

biganimal · August 22, 2001, 06:58 PM

I shot one here in upstate ny in 82 with a 44 mag lever gun and another in 84 with a 264 win mag. both were under 85 yards and were one shot kills. your 30/06 with a bullet larger than 150 grains will do ok. just remember ...SHOT PLACEMENT !!!!

KYE-OAT · August 22, 2001, 07:14 PM

......the black bears we got here in Arkansas are really wimpy......a 400 pounder would be a monster.....any of the calibers listed in this thread will work.....and as big animal said..shot placement is Important.

fed168 · August 23, 2001, 06:17 PM

Where is the best place to make the shot on the body?

KYE-OAT · August 23, 2001, 06:22 PM

.........see thread titled "Shoulder Shots?"

August 20, 2001, 04:28 PM	#1
fed168 Senior Member Join Date: March 15, 2000 Posts: 1,040	NC bear rounds My brother in law is talking about going for bear in eastern North Carolina. We have black bear in the state, and I am curious what would be acceptable for hunting them. I see them as dangerous game, and the minimum caliber to use would be a .338. Can I upload a .30-06 for the task? On that note, our department had to put one down, and it was taken with an HK 53, in .223. NC bears tend to be in the 150-400 lb range, I think.

August 20, 2001, 07:50 PM	#3
Al Thompson Staff Alumnus Join Date: May 2, 1999 Location: South Carolina Posts: 3,611	The '06 will work fine, but I would use a good tough bullet. After you skin one you'll understand the need. Giz __________________ http://www.scfirearms.org/

August 22, 2001, 06:58 PM	#5
biganimal Senior Member Join Date: March 5, 2001 Location: south carolina Posts: 435	I shot one here in upstate ny in 82 with a 44 mag lever gun and another in 84 with a 264 win mag. both were under 85 yards and were one shot kills. your 30/06 with a bullet larger than 150 grains will do ok. just remember ...SHOT PLACEMENT !!!! __________________ Other than That, Mrs Lincoln, How was the play?

August 22, 2001, 07:14 PM	#6
KYE-OAT Senior Member Join Date: July 6, 2001 Location: AR Posts: 121	I concur (and agree as well...) ......the black bears we got here in Arkansas are really wimpy......a 400 pounder would be a monster.....any of the calibers listed in this thread will work.....and as big animal said..shot placement is Important.

August 23, 2001, 06:22 PM	#8
KYE-OAT Senior Member Join Date: July 6, 2001 Location: AR Posts: 121	For just about everybody's opinion... .........see thread titled "Shoulder Shots?"

August 20, 2001, 05:05 PM	#2
labgrade Member In Memoriam Join Date: November 29, 1999 Location: west of a small town, CO Posts: 4,346	No need to try to boost the '06. Any decent hunting bullet in factory specs suitable for deer/elk - 165-200 grain range - should serve your BIL good enough. I'd tend to use 180-200 myself.

August 22, 2001, 08:06 AM	#4
JKeith Member Join Date: May 16, 2001 Location: Cary, NC Posts: 21	My grandfather, before his death, hunted bear in eastern and western NC....he always used a .30-.30 with 150 grain bullets...never had a problem dropping them. A .30-.06 is plenty for NC black bears.

August 23, 2001, 06:17 PM	#7
fed168 Senior Member Join Date: March 15, 2000 Posts: 1,040	Where is the best place to make the shot on the body?