Bear Hunt in AZ

Jeff Thomas · October 15, 2001, 08:47 PM

I plan to go bear hunting in a couple of weeks with a good friend.

Plan to use a Marlin 1894S, .44 Mag. I'm going to mount a Leupold 2-7 x 33 scope, because my eyes aren't the greatest with iron sights, and I want a clean kill. [Being wildly optimistic that we'll actually see a bear.

]

Now, I have no idea what kind of ammo to purchase and sight in with. Without any other idea, I'd be tempted to choose a good .44 mag self defense load. Any specific suggestions for factory ammo (I don't reload, yet).

Any other bear hunting suggestions, stories, firearms suggestions, etc. are always appreciated.

While our bears don't get real big in AZ, it would be nice to have a nice rug.

And, is the meat worth sampling?

Thanks. Regards from AZ

Art Eatman · October 15, 2001, 11:26 PM

I'm totally out of touch with factory ammo, these days, but I know Remington used to sell a fairly hot load with a lead bullet having a fairly large meplat.

Otherwise, I'd go with a 240-grain hollow-point bullet.

Art

inGobwetrust · October 15, 2001, 11:56 PM

I like the Speer 270 grain Gold Dot Soft-Point. I used these to take a 200 lb. hog with great results. They leave my 6.5" S&W 629 at about 1250fps. They should be very impressive out of a carbine. Buffalo Bore loads these in one of their 444 offerings so they should be sturdy enough for the increased velocity.

Bottom Gun · October 16, 2001, 12:40 PM

I'd go with a hot loaded 240 gr hard cast SWC. I think you want penetration rather than expansion.

Paul B. · October 16, 2001, 01:57 PM

Jeff. I think that one of the heavier bullet loads is what is called for here. If the 270 gr. Speer comes factory loaded, that sounds like it might work well.
I guess you know you have to call Game and Fish every day before you hunt bears in AZ. Each area has a limit on female bears killed and once that limit is reached, the season ends for that area. I guess nobody told Game and Fish that bears don't recognize the boundaries the Commision has set up.
Good luck on your hunt.
Paul B.

October 15, 2001, 08:47 PM	#1
Jeff Thomas Senior Member Join Date: December 9, 1998 Location: Texas Posts: 4,753	Bear Hunt in AZ I plan to go bear hunting in a couple of weeks with a good friend. Plan to use a Marlin 1894S, .44 Mag. I'm going to mount a Leupold 2-7 x 33 scope, because my eyes aren't the greatest with iron sights, and I want a clean kill. [Being wildly optimistic that we'll actually see a bear. ] Now, I have no idea what kind of ammo to purchase and sight in with. Without any other idea, I'd be tempted to choose a good .44 mag self defense load. Any specific suggestions for factory ammo (I don't reload, yet). Any other bear hunting suggestions, stories, firearms suggestions, etc. are always appreciated. While our bears don't get real big in AZ, it would be nice to have a nice rug. And, is the meat worth sampling? Thanks. Regards from AZ __________________ I refuse to live in a state which fails to recognize my family's fundamental right of self defense. I refuse to give that state my labor, my taxes, or any other support for such an uncivilized and barbaric policy. In other words ... Texas, Yes ... California, No.

October 15, 2001, 11:56 PM	#3
inGobwetrust Senior Member Join Date: January 10, 2001 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 179	I like the Speer 270 grain Gold Dot Soft-Point. I used these to take a 200 lb. hog with great results. They leave my 6.5" S&W 629 at about 1250fps. They should be very impressive out of a carbine. Buffalo Bore loads these in one of their 444 offerings so they should be sturdy enough for the increased velocity. __________________ "In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act" George Orwell

October 16, 2001, 01:57 PM	#5
Paul B. Senior Member Join Date: March 28, 1999 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 3,802	Jeff. I think that one of the heavier bullet loads is what is called for here. If the 270 gr. Speer comes factory loaded, that sounds like it might work well. I guess you know you have to call Game and Fish every day before you hunt bears in AZ. Each area has a limit on female bears killed and once that limit is reached, the season ends for that area. I guess nobody told Game and Fish that bears don't recognize the boundaries the Commision has set up. Good luck on your hunt. Paul B. __________________ COMPROMISE IS NOT AN OPTION!

October 15, 2001, 11:26 PM	#2
Art Eatman Staff in Memoriam Join Date: November 13, 1998 Location: Terlingua, TX; Thomasville, GA Posts: 24,798	I'm totally out of touch with factory ammo, these days, but I know Remington used to sell a fairly hot load with a lead bullet having a fairly large meplat. Otherwise, I'd go with a 240-grain hollow-point bullet. Art

October 16, 2001, 12:40 PM	#4
Bottom Gun Senior Member Join Date: October 13, 1998 Location: Arizona Territory Posts: 1,092	I'd go with a hot loaded 240 gr hard cast SWC. I think you want penetration rather than expansion.