1Moose
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Nov 25, 2013
- Messages
- 168
I have a rifle black bear tag for Colorado that runs parallel to my bull elk muzzleloader season. We're using a drop camp, so I plan to bring my 300 WM in with me so I have the option to hunt black bear if I fill the elk tag. I'm all set with the 210 HVLD which shoots well from my rifle: just shy of 2800 fps; easily <0.5MOA, even with me shooting.
Chances are I won't see one. And most of the black bear I've seen in that area look somewhat smaller (picture a fat / oversized dog like a Newfoundland), though last year when elk hunting I saw a massive sow with 3 cubs. I've never shot a bear, and I don't know how to estimate bear weights, but I'm 180 pounds, and if I was crawling like a bear you could have easily stacked a twin on top of me and two next to me to fill her girth. I was totally shocked, and honestly a bit nervous. She never saw me, and the wind was straight to me, but when she finally moved into the deeper woods, she got mad t something, broke over a tree (not an exaggeration) and then popped her jaw loudly enough it sounded like she was at 50 yards not 200: I think she was likely scaring off some other bear, and not sending me a message, but still....
I came to realize there are bigger black bears in that area than I previously thought. Which gets to my question. This load with 210 HVLDs is far preferable to the others I've tested in the past, and I'm very confident shooting it. I have tested several sub MOA loads for both 180 Barnes TTSX and 180 Nosler ABs in the past, and I could quickly get that loaded up, though I never pursued those loads fully as the 210 HVLDs shot so much better. I also have 200 ABs in the closet, which I suspect will shoot well, but I've never tested them at all.
Honestly, I'm hoping to not hear that I should get to the range this weekend and dial in an alternate load. But, I'd rather hear your honest opinions than what I want to hear. I had been convinced this 210 HVLD load would be effective, but have seen some comments on threads about fall black bears that have me second-guessing things. I do have a .30-06 that shoots 168 TTXS reasonably well (@ 2675 fps), but I just don't have the confidence with that rifle that I do with the 300 WM.
Expected shot distance in this area is under 200 yards, with a very slight possibility for a 300 yard or longer in one area. This is my weekend to finish my hunt prep and packing. The range is 2.5 hrs round trip, so I'd rather not spend my time driving. Off to do a bit of packing and then will check into see what you have to think. Thanks in advance!
Chances are I won't see one. And most of the black bear I've seen in that area look somewhat smaller (picture a fat / oversized dog like a Newfoundland), though last year when elk hunting I saw a massive sow with 3 cubs. I've never shot a bear, and I don't know how to estimate bear weights, but I'm 180 pounds, and if I was crawling like a bear you could have easily stacked a twin on top of me and two next to me to fill her girth. I was totally shocked, and honestly a bit nervous. She never saw me, and the wind was straight to me, but when she finally moved into the deeper woods, she got mad t something, broke over a tree (not an exaggeration) and then popped her jaw loudly enough it sounded like she was at 50 yards not 200: I think she was likely scaring off some other bear, and not sending me a message, but still....
I came to realize there are bigger black bears in that area than I previously thought. Which gets to my question. This load with 210 HVLDs is far preferable to the others I've tested in the past, and I'm very confident shooting it. I have tested several sub MOA loads for both 180 Barnes TTSX and 180 Nosler ABs in the past, and I could quickly get that loaded up, though I never pursued those loads fully as the 210 HVLDs shot so much better. I also have 200 ABs in the closet, which I suspect will shoot well, but I've never tested them at all.
Honestly, I'm hoping to not hear that I should get to the range this weekend and dial in an alternate load. But, I'd rather hear your honest opinions than what I want to hear. I had been convinced this 210 HVLD load would be effective, but have seen some comments on threads about fall black bears that have me second-guessing things. I do have a .30-06 that shoots 168 TTXS reasonably well (@ 2675 fps), but I just don't have the confidence with that rifle that I do with the 300 WM.
Expected shot distance in this area is under 200 yards, with a very slight possibility for a 300 yard or longer in one area. This is my weekend to finish my hunt prep and packing. The range is 2.5 hrs round trip, so I'd rather not spend my time driving. Off to do a bit of packing and then will check into see what you have to think. Thanks in advance!
