I GOT ASKED IF A 243 WINCHESTER WILL BE LARGE ENOUGH FOR BLACK BEAR, HUNTING
MOST BLACK BEAR ARE SHOT AT FAIRLY CLOSE RANGE OVER BAIT OR WITH DOGS,...would a 243 work?, in most cases yes!,
but if you were asked whats the IDEAL rifle or carbine to hunt black bear with,or follow up a wounded black bear in thick cover in less than ideal lighting, (always at least a possibility) Id bet the vast majority of people would select something, in a carbine length that could get a fast second shot, (pump,lever or semi-auto) if required, like a 35 Remington,30/06, 12-10ga gauge slug gun,444 marlin 45/70, 450 marlin, simply because you can,t always predict what will happen, an unseen stick deflecting a shot, a sudden movement of the target, there always a small possibility you won,t hit exactly where you planed to, and a wounded bear may not take kindly to your presents
I know Id sure be far more comfortable walking back from a hunt in dark woods with a bit more ability to thump something big and hairy with a bad attitude at bayonet ranges than a 243 if it ever was required.
black bear range from about 150lbs to over 600lbs, and you've go no idea what you'll, see, the angle or range or cover you'll be asked to shoot at, many are shot from tree stands or blinds, but theres also confirmed cases of black bears killing men.
read
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_fa ... th_America
http://www.foggymountain.com/handgunnin ... unt2.shtml
http://www.foggymountain.com/handgunnin ... unt3.shtml
MOST BLACK BEAR ARE SHOT AT FAIRLY CLOSE RANGE OVER BAIT OR WITH DOGS,...would a 243 work?, in most cases yes!,
but if you were asked whats the IDEAL rifle or carbine to hunt black bear with,or follow up a wounded black bear in thick cover in less than ideal lighting, (always at least a possibility) Id bet the vast majority of people would select something, in a carbine length that could get a fast second shot, (pump,lever or semi-auto) if required, like a 35 Remington,30/06, 12-10ga gauge slug gun,444 marlin 45/70, 450 marlin, simply because you can,t always predict what will happen, an unseen stick deflecting a shot, a sudden movement of the target, there always a small possibility you won,t hit exactly where you planed to, and a wounded bear may not take kindly to your presents
I know Id sure be far more comfortable walking back from a hunt in dark woods with a bit more ability to thump something big and hairy with a bad attitude at bayonet ranges than a 243 if it ever was required.
black bear range from about 150lbs to over 600lbs, and you've go no idea what you'll, see, the angle or range or cover you'll be asked to shoot at, many are shot from tree stands or blinds, but theres also confirmed cases of black bears killing men.
read
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_fa ... th_America
http://www.foggymountain.com/handgunnin ... unt2.shtml
http://www.foggymountain.com/handgunnin ... unt3.shtml