Ethical?I think NOT!!!!!!!!

[nhdeerchaser]

All right boys and girls,

I was having a discussion with some friends of mine, and the subject of a .243 for bear hunting was brought up. I emphatically(sp?) disagree, even at archery ranges.
I know this is not a black bear forum, but in the context of ethics in hunting, I brought it up. I would not use such a caliber on bear, due to the chance of bullet fragmentation, vs. actual mushrooming and leathal damage caused. Too many variables if the shot is'nt perfect.
No pun intended, bear are a different animal than deer.

What do you all think? Am I right?

Mike

[Vikinghater]

My uncle does alot of bear hunting and a .308 is the "bear" minimum as he always says.

[nhdeerchaser]

ORIGINAL: Vikinghater

My uncle does alot of bear hunting and a .308 is the "bear" minimum as he always says.

Vikinghater,

I think he's right. We have all heard stories of kids dropping deer with .22's. I just think when you go after a big dangerous animal, pack some serious heat.

Mike

[buckhunter21]

I don't hunt bear, but I would think that the bigger is better when it comes to bear.  I think that would be a little small IMO!

[DeerCamp]

308 for the min?! yikes thats what Im using for my bear...lol makes me feel real safe now :-/

[willseyville]

never shot a bear . we had our first bear season last fall being i use a 20 guage shot gun to hunt with and use 3 inch shells i feel if i would keep my shots 50 yards and under i have enough gun but i agree a 243 is way to small for hunting bears [:)] wayne

[mightyfofaad]

ORIGINAL: nhdeerchaser

All right boys and girls,

I was having a discussion with some friends of mine, and the subject of a .243 for bear hunting was brought up...I know this is not a black bear forum, but in the context of ethics in hunting, I brought it up. I would not use such a caliber on bear, due to the chance of bullet fragmentation, vs. actual mushrooming and leathal damage caused. Too many variables if the shot is'nt perfect...What do you all think? Am I right?

Mike

I sure hope you're talking about Black bear & not GRIZZ. A .243 on Blacks is really being under-gunned ... a .243 on GRIZZ is suicidal.[:-]

A .30 cal. cartridge is "bear" minimum. At short range you can use a 300 Savage or 35 Remington, but a .308 or .30-06 are better choices. I like the .30-06 because right off the shelf you can buy cartridges suitable for Coyote (55 gr) up to Elk (220 gr). You won't find a more "useful" cartridge.

WILLSEYVILLE: never shot a bear . we had our first bear season last fall being i use a 20 guage shot gun to hunt with and use 3 inch shells i feel if i would keep my shots 50 yards and under i have enough gun but i agree a 243 is way to small for hunting bears wayne

Yikes I sure hope you're using SLUGS in that 20 gauge! No offence ... but if you're gonna start plugging bears ... you really ought to think about stepping up to a 12 gauge ... and of course ... we're talking black bears here.[sm=rolleyes.gif]

[Cut N Run]

A .270 might work, but my opinion is that anything under a .30 caliber bullet and you are pi$$ing in the wind. 100% agree that .308 is the minimum for black bears. .30-06 is better.  It doesn't make sense to be undergunned for something that could possibly take you out if the initial shot was not as good as it needed to be.
 
Jim

[nhdeerchaser]

I agree!

The last thing I would want to do is to go into the woods after a wounded black bear at dusk only packing a .243!

Mike

[mightyfofaad]

ORIGINAL: nhdeerchaser

I agree!

The last thing I would want to do is to go into the woods after a wounded black bear at dusk only packing a .243!

Mike

Yes ... which is all the more reason to carry a back-up weapon ... my new first choice back up weapon after reading the Thread: Should Woman Be Jailed for Killing Fawn?
is a long handled shovel.

That way, if things go bad, you can always cold cock that bear with your shovel. [:D][:D]