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Minimum caliber for a Grizzly.

CutiegirlracingCutiegirlracing Member Posts: 2,595 ✭✭✭✭✭
edited June 2008 in General Discussion
A friend of mine wants me to go on a Grizzly bear hunt with him.
I'm not really wanting to go. I don't think I can kill something that big. I mean killing snakes with garden hoe is different from killing a bear. I fell guilty if I kill a mouse. But that's a whole another subject. Besides I don't think he's looking just to hunt Grizzly bear.[:(!][:(!]
What would be the bare minimum caliber you would need to kill a Grizzly? 300 win mag or 300 RUM? And for agrument sake what would you want if you had to shoot one at distance, say 450 yards. I know a 50 bmg would do the job, but would you really want to carry a 50 bmg around in the back country for 2 weeks?

Another question what would be the minimum you would need to kill an Elk?

I know shot placement has alot to do with it. But I'm not going out in the back country packing a 22 single shot short pistol.
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Comments

  • IdahoboundIdahobound Member Posts: 20,587 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I don't know wherer you are going hunting but ever state I have lived in didn't have a season on griz
  • IdahoboundIdahobound Member Posts: 20,587 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
  • dpmuledpmule Member Posts: 6,748 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    all you need is that 22LR, because remember the only one you need to out run is the person you are with !
  • CutiegirlracingCutiegirlracing Member Posts: 2,595 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by big800
    I don't know wherer you are going hunting but ever state I have lived in didn't have a season on griz


    I was thinking the same thing. I was thinking they are endangered, but my friends says you can and he's not one to be wrong. So I'm not going to argue with him.
    And like I said I'm not going to go with him, but I'm curious about what kind of caliber would do it.
  • bpostbpost Member Posts: 32,669 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    30-06 would be minimum a lot of bears are killed with it. 300 win mag is popular so is the great .338 winchester Mag. Some folks also use the .375 H&H on both bears and moose. My choice would be the .338 Winchester Mag.
  • GuvamintCheeseGuvamintCheese Member Posts: 38,932
    edited November -1
    The min that I would want would be a .270 30.06.
  • RobOzRobOz Member Posts: 9,523 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    A 300 RUM/Win Mag will kill any Grizz that walks, just pick the propper projectile. I would choose a Barnes TSX 180 grain.
  • HandLoadHandLoad Member Posts: 15,998
    edited November -1
    I've never hunted any Bear. That said, Griz is DANGEROUS! I think I would pack the Biggest caliber I could stand to shoot three to five times accurately. I would want that sucker DEAD, Now! Not mad at me, looking to get even before the lights go out! I think I would look to the African Calibers for game of similar size/danger.
  • turtles11756turtles11756 Member Posts: 1,118 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    there's a book ($8.50 on amazon.com) titled "grizzly country" by Andy Russell. read first then give it to your friend and decide if you still want to go
  • Spc FergusonSpc Ferguson Member Posts: 2,383 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by big800
    I don't know wherer you are going hunting but ever state I have lived in didn't have a season on griz

    same with me. Also you wouldnt want to lug 50cal around through the woods by no means. Sounds like he is just trying to either impress you or get some alone time with you maybe both. The 300 win mag is really good ive shot it and liked it, the .338 also very good choice just hope you hit on the first shot with .338 cause your shoulder probably will hate you if you take 2nd shot. Me personally id rather hunt bear with a bow, but then id prolly have to buy new set of hunting camo bottoms after the hunt. Ok i wouldnt hunt grizzly with bow, but you get what im sayin.
  • CutiegirlracingCutiegirlracing Member Posts: 2,595 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    We were talking about Polar bears. I thought they were endanger too.
    He gone Elk and some kind of Ram, don't remember for sure. And has always been trying to get me to go with him ever since. He goes every year.
    But a cailber for a Grizzly should be good for a Polar right. Or can you even hunt Polar bears?

    He's a link he emailed me a while back.

    http://www.polarbearhunting.net/
  • agman1999agman1999 Member Posts: 981 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by Cutiegirlracing
    Besides I don't think he's looking just to hunt Grizzly bear.[:(!][:(!]



    Aw, give him a little bit of credit for originality. It beats going for a drive and running out of gas! [:D]
  • Spider7115Spider7115 Member Posts: 29,704 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Are you SURE you want to face one of these bad boys? [:0]

    IMAGE TOO LARGE...it stretches the screen....cool pic though
  • elkoholicelkoholic Member Posts: 5,130
    edited November -1
    My thoughts are along the same line as previous posters. The minimum for elk is a 270 Win with a 160 gr bullet but I would prefer one of the 300 magnums with a 180 gr pill. For big bear any of the 300 magnums will work with a 200 or 220 gr bullet but I'd would recommend a 375 H&H with 300 gr pill.

    If you think he after a prize other than griz then either have s long talk with him before hand or don't go.

    Hope this helps.
  • select-fireselect-fire Member Posts: 69,540 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by Cutiegirlracing
    A friend of mine wants me to go on a Grizzly bear hunt with him.
    I'm not really wanting to go. I don't think I can kill something that big. I mean killing snakes with garden hoe is different from killing a bear. I fell guilty if I kill a mouse. But that's a whole another subject. Besides I don't think he's looking just to hunt Grizzly bear.[:(!][:(!]
    What would be the bare minimum caliber you would need to kill a Grizzly? 300 win mag or 300 RUM? And for agrument sake what would you want if you had to shoot one at distance, say 450 yards. I know a 50 bmg would do the job, but would you really want to carry a 50 bmg around in the back country for 2 weeks?

    Another question what would be the minimum you would need to kill an Elk?

    I know shot placement has alot to do with it. But I'm not going out in the back country packing a 22 single shot short pistol.


    450 Yds.. That is a long shot for about anything. I would go with a Barrett .50 and let the guide carry the gun.
  • Spc FergusonSpc Ferguson Member Posts: 2,383 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by eboydell
    I think he is on a beaver hunt![:D]

    agrees with the jarhead.
  • OdawgpOdawgp Member Posts: 5,380 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I have a mutual acquaintance that used to live in Utah and now lives in ECC's neck of the woods. his name escapes me??, but he has guided hunters all over the Western US, Canada, and Alaska.

    I once asked him this very question, and he suggested minimum 338win mag for grizzly.

    I asked him why not 300 win mag or 300 RUM? and he said it would be enough gun but if he were guiding he would be minimum of 3 ridges away prior to the guided took a shot at a grizzly with a 300 win or RUM
  • hslaterprycehslaterpryce Member Posts: 927 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    A fellow that owned a couple of sporting goods stores in FL shot a Kodiak (little meaner than a grizzly) with a 7MM Magnum. His guide (Park Munsey) did not think it an appropriate caliber. This guy shot it 7 times....

    I would go with the .338 Win Mag and have a backup (another person) with something even bigger........ Good luck to your friend. But for me, I would have no desire to shoot a grizzly unless he was after me or mine.
  • select-fireselect-fire Member Posts: 69,540 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by select-fire
    quote:Originally posted by Cutiegirlracing
    A friend of mine wants me to go on a Grizzly bear hunt with him.
    I'm not really wanting to go. I don't think I can kill something that big. I mean killing snakes with garden hoe is different from killing a bear. I fell guilty if I kill a mouse. But that's a whole another subject. Besides I don't think he's looking just to hunt Grizzly bear.[:(!][:(!]
    What would be the bare minimum caliber you would need to kill a Grizzly? 300 win mag or 300 RUM? And for agrument sake what would you want if you had to shoot one at distance, say 450 yards. I know a 50 bmg would do the job, but would you really want to carry a 50 bmg around in the back country for 2 weeks?

    Another question what would be the minimum you would need to kill an Elk?

    I know shot placement has alot to do with it. But I'm not going out in the back country packing a 22 single shot short pistol.





    http://www.shootingtimes.com/ballistics/?url=/ballistics/300_rum.html&x=8&y=0
  • cpermdcpermd Member Posts: 5,273 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    35 Whelen

    CP in Bonanza
  • River RatRiver Rat Member Posts: 9,022
    edited November -1
    Cutiegirl, this is a tough question because in my part of the world we have guns to protect us from Griz but nobody's been on the offensive for decades. Obviously, a .45-70 Marlin Guide Gun is perfect for close-range defense work but I have no idea what caliber scoped rifle to recommend. You need to talk with someone in AK or Canada, and see what they recommend. I would think any bolt gun in an African lion type caliber would be ideal.

    Then again, bullet construction is probably more important. So is bullet placement. Betcha most Canadian and Alaskan griz killed by locals were dropped by .30-30, .30-06, or .303. A friend who ranches 20 miles up this valley from me tells the story of his dad, then a young man, killing a sow and two cubs in the late 1920s, with three shots from a Winchester 94 in .25-20 (although I wonder if it was really a Savage 99 in .250 Savage -- which would be more credible). For defense, a handgun or carbine should be loaded with hard-cast bullets to penetrate the brain pan, which is the only real shot you have in a frontal attack. A boiler-room shot from 250 yards would have completely different requirements.

    So I recommend a bolt gun, no smaller than .30-06, loaded with some high-performance tips that will penetrate well. And if griz hunting (assuming this is not in Canada) you MUST carry a heavy revolver, no less than .41 mag, with hard-cast bullets and +P performance. If in handgun-free Canada, I would like someone behind me with a guide gun or African double as backup. This is the most dangerous animal in North America. Good luck! Take the trip! And report back to us!
  • skyfishskyfish Member Posts: 1,068 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    The smallest I would use are a 325WSM with a 220gr or a 338RCM with 225gr bullet, that would be the smallest for Grizzly for me. Both would work for Elk too. Very low power scope or open sights. A 375 would be better. My 2 cents.
  • tsr1965tsr1965 Member Posts: 8,682 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by Cutiegirlracing
    A friend of mine wants me to go on a Grizzly bear hunt with him.
    I'm not really wanting to go. I don't think I can kill something that big. I mean killing snakes with garden hoe is different from killing a bear. I fell guilty if I kill a mouse. But that's a whole another subject. Besides I don't think he's looking just to hunt Grizzly bear.[:(!][:(!]
    What would be the bare minimum caliber you would need to kill a Grizzly? 300 win mag or 300 RUM? And for agrument sake what would you want if you had to shoot one at distance, say 450 yards. I know a 50 bmg would do the job, but would you really want to carry a 50 bmg around in the back country for 2 weeks?

    Another question what would be the minimum you would need to kill an Elk?

    I know shot placement has alot to do with it. But I'm not going out in the back country packing a 22 single shot short pistol.


    Hey there CGR,

    I would go with a 338 Winchester or RUM(the gun type...not the capt'n type). That would work swell for griz or Elk. I am not saying you are a wuss, but they do have recoil, and you should think about a break to help your frail little self with that.
  • CS8161CS8161 Member Posts: 13,596 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Lets go kill a grizz just so we can say we did it!
  • Tailgunner1954Tailgunner1954 Member Posts: 7,734 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    A good friend of mine used to guide up in Alaska (out on the islands), he used a 300 H&H for his hunting (same as the 300 win mag) and a 375 H&H when guiding (to back up the hunter, in case).

    He always said that he'd prefer to guide a man that knew what he was doing with a 30-40 Krag than a guy with the biggest cannon made that was afraid of the gun.
    IOW carry the largest rifle that YOU can shoot comfortably

    BTW, the Inutes kill polar bear with 223's on a regular basis

    As far as your "buddy" goes, bring along a couple "zip ties" incase he get's froggy. Place one around "big jim" and one around "the twins" and cinch them both up tight. After that he won't bother you anymore [}:)]
  • fishkiller41fishkiller41 Member Posts: 50,608
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by Chris8161
    Lets go kill a grizz just so we can say we did it!

    Why not? LET'S GO FOR IT !!
  • shoff14shoff14 Member Posts: 11,994 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by Chris8161
    Lets go kill a grizz just so we can say we did it!


    Every time someone talks about bear hunting you pipe in and basically call them an idiot. Why don't you back away from the key board with your animal lovers mind set. God put animals on the planet for man to survive.
  • triple223taptriple223tap Member Posts: 385 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    12 ga SxS shotgun loaded with 00 buck. Shoot him in the * @ 150 yards with the first barrel, hold your breath, count to 20, then shoot him in the head from 5 yards with the second barrel. The trick is, don't count too slowly.

    Seriously, the Federal Rangers on the AK peninsula carry Rem 870 pumps loaded with slugs.
  • redneckandyredneckandy Member Posts: 9,716 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Tell him he's not a real man unless he kills one with a K-bar.
  • triple223taptriple223tap Member Posts: 385 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by shoff14
    quote:Originally posted by Chris8161
    Lets go kill a grizz just so we can say we did it!


    Every time someone talks about bear hunting you pipe in and basically call them an idiot. Why don't you back away from the key board with your animal lovers mind set. God put animals on the planet for man to survive.


    I doubt this thread is about having bear stew for dinner. It's pleasue or trophy hunting.
  • triple223taptriple223tap Member Posts: 385 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Tell him he's not a real man unless he kills one with a K-bar.his bare hands and teeth.
  • River RatRiver Rat Member Posts: 9,022
    edited November -1
    For everyone's general info, the Grizzly has either been de-listed, or is about to be. ECC woulld know -- I can't recall which. That means the Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming game departments will assume responsibility for managing the species. Regulations are being drafted, management goals are being set, and there will be hunting seasons. I for one am excited, because only with hunting will the animal re-learn a fear of man and anything that smells of him. The mountains will be safer for us, and actually safer for the griz.

    CGR, you also asked about appropriate calibers for elk. A lot of local meat-hunters like myself prefer moderate rounds like the .30-06 or .308. Lots kill elk regularly with .270s. I shoot a 7-08, and love the cartridge (and the light rifle). I don't take long shots. If I did, or if I shot large bulls, I would borrow my wife's .300 win mag. My preferred elk scenario is a dry cow at 200 yards. I have been known to yell at a bull, to get him out of the way of a shot on a cow. Can't eat the dang horns, you know. If I was you, and hoping to have a classic (say, 300 yds.) shot across a canyon at a nice bull, I would look into the .338 federal. But I'm a wuss on recoil, and like .308-class cartridges. If you already have a .30-06, .308, .300 mag, or .338 mag. in a scoped rifle you are comfortable with, take it and place your shot well. You absolutely must have a scope, unless you plan to Dan'l Boone it and shoot from 100 yards. If you're going to do that, then get a .45-70.

    Having a comfortable gun to carry is essential, especially if you are going to be walking over a lot of country. And you will.
  • MIKE WISKEYMIKE WISKEY Member Posts: 10,046 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I'VE GOT YOU COVERED[:D]
  • CS8161CS8161 Member Posts: 13,596 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by shoff14
    quote:Originally posted by Chris8161
    Lets go kill a grizz just so we can say we did it!


    Every time someone talks about bear hunting you pipe in and basically call them an idiot. Why don't you back away from the key board with your animal lovers mind set. God put animals on the planet for man to survive.


    I don't see any mention of the word "idiot" in my post...and I am just as entitled to my opinion as any other member of this board! If you don't agree with my opinion, thats ok with me. And I am happy that you are that close with GOD that you know his intentions! Thats great!
  • mogley98mogley98 Member Posts: 18,291 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    BB or .22
    Why don't we go to school and work on the weekends and take the week off!
  • mogley98mogley98 Member Posts: 18,291 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Danielle Boone done it with just a knife
    Why don't we go to school and work on the weekends and take the week off!
  • texaswildmantexaswildman Member Posts: 2,215 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    You will find most guides use a 375. some use 338. remember you are hunting dangerous game....
  • 204targetman204targetman Member Posts: 3,493
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by mogley98
    Danielle Boone done it with just a knife

    But Daniel Boone was a man. He was a big man....
  • BeeramidBeeramid Member Posts: 7,264 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    There are those here who get all sissified at the thought of killin a large animal. Don't even get on the subject of a big gator, the crybabies come out of the woodworks!!!!!
  • beachmaster73beachmaster73 Member Posts: 3,011 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    .416 Rigby would be my minimum caliber[:D]. beach
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