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BBD · Posted: Fri Mar 14, 2008 8:04 pm Post subject: 30-06 for bear?

Shot my first bear Fall 2007 with my bow. Hunting a different area this spring '08. Was wondering if a 30-06 nosler tip is too much or would it be ok for the cape? Only other option is 12 gauge slug. Cant use my bow in this area. Also, any ideas what I could do with the cape? Cinnamon Bear from last fall is at the Taxidermist being turned into a rug. Anyone know if furbuyers would buy a bear cape? Or any other ideas? Cant wait to go Bear hunting again. Thanks and happy hunting.

wonksy · Joined: 07 Dec 2006 Posts: 405 Location: new brunswick

30-06 220 grain silver tips let em have er' hawoooooooooooo :thumbsup1:

souwest_ghillie · Posted: Sat Mar 15, 2008 1:31 am Post subject:

Don't worry too much about what shape your cape will be in, just worry about killing the bear. Pretty much any good premium bullet will do a good job in the '06 but remember, just as with your bow, avoid that front shoulder plate at all costs. Wait for that front leg to step forward before making a heart/lung shot. I've seen just as many bears lost from a rushed shot with a rifle as with a bow.....shot placement is everything. Good luck this year!!

Redhawk1 · Joined: 20 Feb 2008 Posts: 75 Location: Delaware

Use a good bullet and the 06 will do the job. I like a good bullet the penetrates, not one that will blow up on impact. A 12 gauge slug is also a great bear round. Personally I like my 45-70 with a 405 gr. hard cast bullet and a quartering away shot. I take out the lungs and front shoulder with one shot. Same goes with my 500 Mag handgun.

I am sure you can find someone to buy your hide as long as you take care if it in the field.

billythekidrock · Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 422 Location: OlyWa

It will be fine.

91xlt · Joined: 15 Mar 2007 Posts: 173 Location: Phila., PA

personal preference for bear, nosler partition or swift a frames :thumbsup1:

fuzzybear · Joined: 31 Mar 2004 Posts: 1350 Location: Bend, Oregon

When on a bear hunt
Close up and personal - 300wsm/180gr TBBC, 30-06/220gr Partition
Spot and stalk hunting - 300wsm/180gr Accubond
General hunt
300wsm/180gr Accubond, 180gr TBBC
30-06/220gr Partition
308win/ pass on shot

308win is set up for deer sized game with 150gr bullets
300wsm is set up for large and heavy game with 180gr bullets
30-06 is set up for those close up and personal hunts with heavy 220gr bullets. I want it down at the crack of the rifle. Don't want to smell his breath.

If I used my 30-06 as a general hunter. I'd use 180gr CoreLok's, 180gr Partitions 180gr Accubonds. Which ever shot the best.

expatriate · Joined: 26 Oct 2002 Posts: 1520 Location: Alaska

I've hunted all over the USA, and it's interesting to note how caliber discusion follows the person's concept of what's considered "big" game. Some people in the Lower 48 will claim moose require a cannon to put down, but a lot of people up here do the job with a .308 or .30-06. Black bears aren't considered overly tough up here, and most people here would chuckle when asked if an '06 would be enough gun. An '06 is fine for most anything in North America, except perhaps coastal browns or polar bear.

I love my .300 WSM and dropped a brownie in its tracks with it last fall at 125 yards with a 180 grain TSX -- but black bears are far smaller. There's no reason why a .30-06 would be insufficient. I'm going for black bear this spring and plan on using a 12 gauge or possibly a .30-30 because it'll be close-range shooting. Shot placement means far more than caliber. If you put a .30 caliber round through the boiler room, it's not going far.

ADKBEAR · Joined: 16 Sep 2003 Posts: 660 Location: Central NY

I agree with expat here. I have shot a bunch of bears with a bunch of different calibers. The black bear is not a hard animal to kill with a well placed shot. I took a 200lb bear with a 112 gr nosler partition out of a 257 Roberts and it did not go 20 yards. The -06 is my go to gun for bear, using 180 gr partitions or TBBC's

numbnutz · Joined: 06 Sep 2007 Posts: 158 Location: portland,oregon

I'm shooting a 30-06 with winchester supreme elite ep3 180gr for bear

BBD · Posted: Sun Mar 23, 2008 10:49 pm Post subject: thanks for replies but....

I thank you all for the responses but I think my question was slightly overlooked. I was just trying to make sure that the 30-06 was not too big of a gun and wouldnt put too large of a hole in the hide. I took my bear last d=fall with a bow. My biggest question is what to do with another bear( besides jerky, sausage and a few steaks)... I have a bear already at the taxidermist from last fall. I am itching to hunt for spring bear, but what could I do with the hide? The wife wouldnt allow another taxidermist bill. Could I tan or cure it myself or could I sell it maybe? Any suggestions of where to sell or what to do with it? thanks again.

GBoyd · Posted: Mon Mar 24, 2008 10:49 am Post subject:

Yeah, you could probably find someone to buy it. Check your state laws first though. Bears have more regulations than most furbearers. Also, I don't know if anyone would buy the skin green. You'll probably have to pay the taxidermist to tan it for you anyway.

But don't try to tan it yourself if you've never done it. It takes practice to get the recipe right and it's slightly different for different animals. You don't want to ruin a bear skin.