Bullets for Brown Bears

[DirtNap35]

I've been looking into what bullet to run for Brown Bear on Kodiak. My rifle will be a LPR 338 Reaper. The original plan was to use Berger 300 EH, but lately I've been seeing a trend of Kodiak guides absolutely hating on Berger's for this. Some say that they fragment too much and won't break bone, etc. I want to listen to them as they have a lot of experience, but I don't understand why the dislike for Berger?

I would think a Berger would be ideal to stop the animal with all the fragmentation. If you're looking to break his shoulder your going to be missing the vitals on a bear. So why does breaking bone matter?

I guess the other bullets to consider:
265 ABLR
300 ABLR
250 Accubond
250 McGuire
250 Parition
270 ELDX - not sure about eldx have heard of all of failures
250 Barnes TTSX

 

[Plinker147]

With Brown Bears you have to go in prepared for the worst scenario. Penetration is key to stopping power. I do agree with you that I think the bergers would be fine. But Since these are usually once in a lifetime type hunts I would go with your guide/ outfitters experience. Traditional accubonds or some sort of bonded/ mono bullet whichever shoots best

 

[DirtNap35]

With Brown Bears you have to go in prepared for the worst scenario. Penetration is key to stopping power. I do agree with you that I think the bergers would be fine. But Since these are usually once in a lifetime type hunts I would go with your guide/ outfitters experience. Traditional accubonds or some sort of bonded/ mono bullet whichever shoots best

I'm leaning towards Accubond over ABLR because worried about the ABLR not opening up with high velocity and close range. Probably be pushing it 3000 out of muzzle and impact from 50-100 yards.

Other than that McGuire sounds interesting.

 

[Pdvdh]

I've been looking into what bullet to run for Brown Bear on Kodiak. My rifle will be a LPR 338 Reaper. The original plan was to use Berger 300 EH, but lately I've been seeing a trend of Kodiak guides absolutely hating on Berger's for this. Some say that they fragment too much and won't break bone, etc. I want to listen to them as they have a lot of experience, but I don't understand why the dislike for Berger?

Because Burger's suck rotten eggs

 

[FEENIX]

I've been looking into what bullet to run for Brown Bear on Kodiak. My rifle will be a LPR 338 Reaper. The original plan was to use Berger 300 EH, but lately I've been seeing a trend of Kodiak guides absolutely hating on Berger's for this. Some say that they fragment too much and won't break bone, etc. I want to listen to them as they have a lot of experience, but I don't understand why the dislike for Berger?

I would think a Berger would be ideal to stop the animal with all the fragmentation. If you're looking to break his shoulder your going to be missing the vitals on a bear. So why does breaking bone matter?

Frangible bullets will remain controversial, and there will always be resistance to change. The hatred of Berger bullets is real, similar to that for the 6.5 CM. LL! Tough choice for sure, but go with the decision you can live with and the consequences associated with it. Good luck!

 

[WoodPecker Hunter]

I would use the Barnes 265 or 280 LRX outta that cartridge to kill a Big Bear

I would Never EVER use a cup and core bullet
Mono #1 and or Bonded only bullets for that animal .

 

[AJ Peacock]

I'd use an Accubond personally. I've not used it in that caliber, but have in others and they've always worked the way they should.

AJ

 

[sp6x6]

Ive run 338 for 40 years.Last 15 a 338 NM with 300 Berger.I would have no problem killing a bear with that if I lived there.I would be a bit more cautious on placement.But I dont live there and with the high expensive of the hunt etc I would run a AB or a mono metal of some type.My real dream would to arrow one.I have a friend thats taken brown and polar with archery.

 

[memtb]

I've been looking into what bullet to run for Brown Bear on Kodiak. My rifle will be a LPR 338 Reaper. The original plan was to use Berger 300 EH, but lately I've been seeing a trend of Kodiak guides absolutely hating on Berger's for this. Some say that they fragment too much and won't break bone, etc. I want to listen to them as they have a lot of experience, but I don't understand why the dislike for Berger?

I would think a Berger would be ideal to stop the animal with all the fragmentation. If you're looking to break his shoulder your going to be missing the vitals on a bear. So why does breaking bone matter?

I guess the other bullets to consider:
265 ABLR
300 ABLR
250 Accubond
250 McGuire
250 Parition
270 ELDX - not sure about eldx have heard of all of failures
250 Barnes TTSX

I know nothing of "Reaper" ballistics, assuming it has velocity equal to or faster than the .338 WM and you keep the impact velocities above 2K fps…… hit the easy button - the 250 grain TTSX! memtb

 

[Left Hand Dave]

I have never hunted brown bear and will probably never get the chance but I would consider penetration to be very important, more so than elk, deer, pronghorn and squirrels because there is more to penetrate and the others don't normally try to kill you if you make them angry. Perfect shot placement rules but is exponentially more difficult to achieve when saving one's life.

 

[Turpentine21]

Take a look at Northfork.

 

[Varmint Hunter]

How about a 275gr Swift A-Frame bullet?

 

[K.E.C. Darkside]

How about a 275gr Swift A-Frame bullet?

Yep
Can,t go wrong with A=Frame or Partitions.

 

[memtb]

Yep
Can,t go wrong with A=Frame or Partitions.

Very good bullets…..at one time "the best"! memtb