Kodiak Bear
- Thread starter bcarver
- Start date
Big bears
Whenever i see this question, to give it perspective i quote from the experience of the three rangers that went in to recover the remains of Timothy Treadwell and his girlfriend.(from Katmai)
"Ranger Ellis was standing with ranger Gilliland and Willy Fulton to his left. Ranger Dalrymple was slightly ahead of Gilliland when Gilliland suddenly yells, Bear! while pointing to the right. Ranger Ellis states that he turned and "saw an adult bear moving toward the group about 20 feet away". All four begin yelling in hopes that the bear would see them and move away. Ranger Ellis then states that he "perceived that the bear was well aware of their presence and was stalking them". Ranger Ellis, armed with a 40 cal. handgun begins to fire at about the same time rangers Gilliland and Dalrymple, who were each armed with 12 gauge shotguns loaded with slugs also begin to shoot at the bear.
Ranger Ellis fires 11 times while rangers Gilliland and Dalrymple each fire 5 times, dropping the bear 12 feet away. "That was cutting it thin" stated Ellis. After about 10 seconds the bear dies and Willy Fulton then reportedly says "I want to look that bear in the eyes" and states that he is sure that this was the bear that chased him back to his plane earlier. (Ellis 2003, pg 3)"
Others that have had more experience can respond to the caliber question, but whatever it is it better be big enough with excellent shot placement. As i recall they estimated the weight of the bear mentioned above at about 1000 lbs. the above info is found at http://www.yellowstone-bearman.com/Tim_Treadwell.html.
Whenever i see this question, to give it perspective i quote from the experience of the three rangers that went in to recover the remains of Timothy Treadwell and his girlfriend.(from Katmai)
"Ranger Ellis was standing with ranger Gilliland and Willy Fulton to his left. Ranger Dalrymple was slightly ahead of Gilliland when Gilliland suddenly yells, Bear! while pointing to the right. Ranger Ellis states that he turned and "saw an adult bear moving toward the group about 20 feet away". All four begin yelling in hopes that the bear would see them and move away. Ranger Ellis then states that he "perceived that the bear was well aware of their presence and was stalking them". Ranger Ellis, armed with a 40 cal. handgun begins to fire at about the same time rangers Gilliland and Dalrymple, who were each armed with 12 gauge shotguns loaded with slugs also begin to shoot at the bear.
Ranger Ellis fires 11 times while rangers Gilliland and Dalrymple each fire 5 times, dropping the bear 12 feet away. "That was cutting it thin" stated Ellis. After about 10 seconds the bear dies and Willy Fulton then reportedly says "I want to look that bear in the eyes" and states that he is sure that this was the bear that chased him back to his plane earlier. (Ellis 2003, pg 3)"
Others that have had more experience can respond to the caliber question, but whatever it is it better be big enough with excellent shot placement. As i recall they estimated the weight of the bear mentioned above at about 1000 lbs. the above info is found at http://www.yellowstone-bearman.com/Tim_Treadwell.html.
ligonierbill
New member
That's the reason I bought a .338 Win Mag. It will do the job with the right bullet and good shooting. Minimum? Ask your guide. I know of at least one that requires .300 WM or bigger.
Straight from the Alaska Fish and Game website
If you are going to hunt brown bear on the Alaska Peninsula or Kodiak Island, a .30-06 loaded with 200- or 220-grain Nosler® or similar premium bullet will do the job with good shot placement. Only consider using a .300, .338 or larger magnum if you can shoot it as well as you can the .30-06
If you are going to hunt brown bear on the Alaska Peninsula or Kodiak Island, a .30-06 loaded with 200- or 220-grain Nosler® or similar premium bullet will do the job with good shot placement. Only consider using a .300, .338 or larger magnum if you can shoot it as well as you can the .30-06
Sure Shot Mc Gee
New member
I never hunted a Brown. As far as I'm concerned I guess it depends on the distance between the hunter & his quarry. I know my preference would be as far away as possible from an animal such as that. {being there's always a chance for a serious wound instead of an outright kill.} So having distance between us. I would prefer a caliber that fits the situation and is known for its ability to reach out long distances like those 300/340 Weatherby's can do.
For a close in shot where a wet nose and pair of canine teeth are easily identified coming towards me at a pretty good clip. One of those Big Bore Marlin lever rifles like that 1895 in 45-70 would come in handy. {no doubt its cartridges would be loaded up by me and me alone. No factory ammo on this hunt.}
Maybe my choice of short range rifle may not stop a really BIG Brown's charge. "But I do know I'm going to change his direction of intent!!"
And that may be all I need to witness at that undesirable e~vent._
For a close in shot where a wet nose and pair of canine teeth are easily identified coming towards me at a pretty good clip. One of those Big Bore Marlin lever rifles like that 1895 in 45-70 would come in handy. {no doubt its cartridges would be loaded up by me and me alone. No factory ammo on this hunt.}
Maybe my choice of short range rifle may not stop a really BIG Brown's charge. "But I do know I'm going to change his direction of intent!!"
And that may be all I need to witness at that undesirable e~vent._
A 30-06 loaded with heavy 200-220 gr Nolser Partitions has proven to be just as good if not better than anything else up to one of the 375 magnums. The various 300 magnums do no better, nor worse. With good bullets, and careful shot placement rounds like 270 or 308 will kill one just as dead, but they leave little margin for error.
If a 30-06 or 300 magnum were the largest gun I owned, and if I had a chance to hunt I'd load it with the best bullets I could find and go hunting. If I were buying a gun specifically for large bear it would be a 375 magnum. Wouldn't fool with anything in between.
If a 30-06 or 300 magnum were the largest gun I owned, and if I had a chance to hunt I'd load it with the best bullets I could find and go hunting. If I were buying a gun specifically for large bear it would be a 375 magnum. Wouldn't fool with anything in between.
Art Eatman
Staff in Memoriam
Once again. 
There is a great difference between hunting a bear and being in control of the circumstance, and stopping the charge of a bear which has taken control of the situation.
And that, Dearly Beloved, is why many hunters choose a cartridge suitable for the latter situation if it should arise during a hunt.
There is a great difference between hunting a bear and being in control of the circumstance, and stopping the charge of a bear which has taken control of the situation.
And that, Dearly Beloved, is why many hunters choose a cartridge suitable for the latter situation if it should arise during a hunt.
The quality of the bullet is actually more important than the shell that holds the powder.
You want a good bullet that will go deep and not come apart. Witness the success of the 6.5 Swede in the Scandinavian countries, when used with the old 160 grain bullets against moose and Polar bears. Most of us would not think of a 6.5 Swede (or it’s ballistic twin the 260 Remington) to be Brown Bear rifles, but they have the record of doing a good job when shot well, and the right bullets are used.
Here in Wyoming we have a lot of grizzlies. We don't have a season on them, but some get shot every year because of predation and also because of "bear vs man" encounters.
I am friends with the federal control office in Casper who oversees all the predator control shooting in the state and does about half of them himself.
I am also friends with a man and wife who were employed on Kodiak Island on their trails projects for several years and were face to face with big bears almost every week.
All of us agree that bullets are to be considered more than cartridge cases.
As an example the old 30-06 with 220 grain RN bullets have a better track record than most of the 180 grain bullets fired from 300 magnums.
For hunting big bears use anything from a 30-06 up. Go up if you can still shoot well. Not if you can't. When choosing bullets as a rule, if in doubt ear towards the heavier bullet. Bears are not sniped at long range. "Flat shooting" is really not important. Deep penetration through heavy muscle and large hard bone is.
You want a good bullet that will go deep and not come apart. Witness the success of the 6.5 Swede in the Scandinavian countries, when used with the old 160 grain bullets against moose and Polar bears. Most of us would not think of a 6.5 Swede (or it’s ballistic twin the 260 Remington) to be Brown Bear rifles, but they have the record of doing a good job when shot well, and the right bullets are used.
Here in Wyoming we have a lot of grizzlies. We don't have a season on them, but some get shot every year because of predation and also because of "bear vs man" encounters.
I am friends with the federal control office in Casper who oversees all the predator control shooting in the state and does about half of them himself.
I am also friends with a man and wife who were employed on Kodiak Island on their trails projects for several years and were face to face with big bears almost every week.
All of us agree that bullets are to be considered more than cartridge cases.
As an example the old 30-06 with 220 grain RN bullets have a better track record than most of the 180 grain bullets fired from 300 magnums.
For hunting big bears use anything from a 30-06 up. Go up if you can still shoot well. Not if you can't. When choosing bullets as a rule, if in doubt ear towards the heavier bullet. Bears are not sniped at long range. "Flat shooting" is really not important. Deep penetration through heavy muscle and large hard bone is.
Backwoodsboy
New member
.300 wby mag would suffice nicely.
500 S &W
I would use the 500 S &W. These are really powerful rounds and there is a video on YouTube that demonstrates how effective it is. A man shot a big brown bear 49 yards away and dropped him. I have seen other videos where a bear takes more than three rounds from a high power rifle before it will even stop to lay down and die. These handguns are effective and shoot easy. They have less recoil than a 44 mag. This is achieved through weight and the muzzle break. You can also watch Hickock45 on the tube, an older gentleman easily handling a 500. If I needed a rifle, a 338-45-70 would be my choice. Usually not difficult to kill a big bear, but when they're agitated, you will need some firepower. Depends on your hunting technique, and what kind of range your willing to shoot. Good luck!!
I would use the 500 S &W. These are really powerful rounds and there is a video on YouTube that demonstrates how effective it is. A man shot a big brown bear 49 yards away and dropped him. I have seen other videos where a bear takes more than three rounds from a high power rifle before it will even stop to lay down and die. These handguns are effective and shoot easy. They have less recoil than a 44 mag. This is achieved through weight and the muzzle break. You can also watch Hickock45 on the tube, an older gentleman easily handling a 500. If I needed a rifle, a 338-45-70 would be my choice. Usually not difficult to kill a big bear, but when they're agitated, you will need some firepower. Depends on your hunting technique, and what kind of range your willing to shoot. Good luck!!
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My way
For me, hunting a big brown bear will be a dream come true. I will carry a 500 S&W and a 12 gauge with high powered slugs and buck shot. I am one of those types who like to be close and personal. To me, it takes more skill to out wit the animals senses and make a clean kill. I have never taken a deer more than 15 yards away. I have shot coyotes less than 40 yards. That's how I like to hunt. I wouldn't bring a rifle unless it was required. The 45-70 has good knock down power and so does the 338. Using the correct bullets will make a difference as well. I wouldn't be worried. As long as a good shot is placed, you will recover your game. Also, more times than not, your guide or buddy will also carry a firearm for protection. Very rare for a hunter shoot a bear, not kill it, and the bear kills the hunter. Usually it's a bear that nobody knows that's around show up with a surprise attack, which usually the hunter and the guide shoot it dead. But the bears do win sometimes. Having a firearm you can shoot effectively and quickly would make sense.
Why a handgun like the 500? If I were to be attacked by a bear, it would be easier to maneuver a hand gun than a long gun. The bear will be biting, slashing, and throwing you around, just shove the muzzle right into the bear and fire until it's dead or your out of bullets. I have done lots of research on bear attacks and the like, and more times than not, the hunter cannot maneuver his long gun around to shoot the attacking bear. I hope it never comes down to this, but it does happen unfortunately. Your biggest life saver in this situation will be another person with a firearm. OK, I'm done going on and on now!!
For me, hunting a big brown bear will be a dream come true. I will carry a 500 S&W and a 12 gauge with high powered slugs and buck shot. I am one of those types who like to be close and personal. To me, it takes more skill to out wit the animals senses and make a clean kill. I have never taken a deer more than 15 yards away. I have shot coyotes less than 40 yards. That's how I like to hunt. I wouldn't bring a rifle unless it was required. The 45-70 has good knock down power and so does the 338. Using the correct bullets will make a difference as well. I wouldn't be worried. As long as a good shot is placed, you will recover your game. Also, more times than not, your guide or buddy will also carry a firearm for protection. Very rare for a hunter shoot a bear, not kill it, and the bear kills the hunter. Usually it's a bear that nobody knows that's around show up with a surprise attack, which usually the hunter and the guide shoot it dead. But the bears do win sometimes. Having a firearm you can shoot effectively and quickly would make sense.
Why a handgun like the 500? If I were to be attacked by a bear, it would be easier to maneuver a hand gun than a long gun. The bear will be biting, slashing, and throwing you around, just shove the muzzle right into the bear and fire until it's dead or your out of bullets. I have done lots of research on bear attacks and the like, and more times than not, the hunter cannot maneuver his long gun around to shoot the attacking bear. I hope it never comes down to this, but it does happen unfortunately. Your biggest life saver in this situation will be another person with a firearm. OK, I'm done going on and on now!!
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Use heavy lead!
I wish I had the opportunity to hunt a large brown bear! I have been on a few black bear hunts in WV, but that's a different ball game. (we use 30-30s and 357 to 44 magnums) If I was hunting brown bear, I would use a 405gr flat tipped lead 45-70 round. That cartridge was able to take out buffalo in the 19th century at several hundred yards, so I imagine it would work great on a brown bear.
I base this off of the heavier bullets' kinetic energy, and its ability to carry momentum through the thick flesh and bone of such a creature. Also the heavy lead doesn't break apart like hollow points. You're wanting deep penetration/slow expansion. I would also refer to the style of bullets used in Africa in the 19th century as well. What works, works. History proves that, so why reinvent the wheel? My 2 cents anyway...
I wish I had the opportunity to hunt a large brown bear! I have been on a few black bear hunts in WV, but that's a different ball game. (we use 30-30s and 357 to 44 magnums) If I was hunting brown bear, I would use a 405gr flat tipped lead 45-70 round. That cartridge was able to take out buffalo in the 19th century at several hundred yards, so I imagine it would work great on a brown bear.
I base this off of the heavier bullets' kinetic energy, and its ability to carry momentum through the thick flesh and bone of such a creature. Also the heavy lead doesn't break apart like hollow points. You're wanting deep penetration/slow expansion. I would also refer to the style of bullets used in Africa in the 19th century as well. What works, works. History proves that, so why reinvent the wheel? My 2 cents anyway...
Super Sneaky Steve
New member
By buddy went to Africa with his Remington 700 in .308 Win and shot stuff way bigger than a bear.
ChasingWhitetail91
New member
Anything from 30-30 to 06 i'd feel comfortable with. Now if the bear was after me i'd be inclined to lose the rifle and climb the nearest tree.