Originally posted in "Art of the Rifle"
Just curious about ballistics on the following incident that happened to me last month.
I shot my first black bear this season with my Marlin 45-70 (Guide Gun). The Bear was facing away from me, so I shot between the shoulder blades and took out his ribcage and lung. The bear rolled (I thought for sure he was going to stay down). He got up and walked away slowly...like he was un-injured! He didnt even make a sound. The vegitation was very thick so I lost sight of him. It took me 18 hours to track him in the rain until I found him. He travelled over 400yds!
I was shooting factory 300gr Winchester ammunition. The Bear was 38yds away from my tree stand when I shot him. He had a 1 1/2 to 2 inch exit wound in his chest when I found him. My question is...Is there an optimal range for the 45-70 that I should be shooting at? I recently bought the Guide Gun because it was herald as a "brush gun"...something to use in close quarters. I am just amazed that the black bear went that far after being hit with that bullet. I know that bears in general are very tough animals.
Thanks
Just curious about ballistics on the following incident that happened to me last month.
I shot my first black bear this season with my Marlin 45-70 (Guide Gun). The Bear was facing away from me, so I shot between the shoulder blades and took out his ribcage and lung. The bear rolled (I thought for sure he was going to stay down). He got up and walked away slowly...like he was un-injured! He didnt even make a sound. The vegitation was very thick so I lost sight of him. It took me 18 hours to track him in the rain until I found him. He travelled over 400yds!
I was shooting factory 300gr Winchester ammunition. The Bear was 38yds away from my tree stand when I shot him. He had a 1 1/2 to 2 inch exit wound in his chest when I found him. My question is...Is there an optimal range for the 45-70 that I should be shooting at? I recently bought the Guide Gun because it was herald as a "brush gun"...something to use in close quarters. I am just amazed that the black bear went that far after being hit with that bullet. I know that bears in general are very tough animals.
Thanks