KonaBoy

If I was you, I'd look at a Remington 700 CDL in .35 Whelen. I love this cartridge, will do almost anything you could ask of a cartridge on big game under 250 yards. The .35 I shoot weighs, maybe 8 pounds, and I don't find the recoil bad at all. I'd pick up a nice 3-9x or a straight 4x for glass. You'd be all set.

younggun308

I dunno' about that, .35 Whelen is a little slow, but it would make a perfect short-range brush gun.

gandilamont

Quit screwing around. If you want big then get a 338-378 weatherby magnum. Sure you can kell em with small calibers but its a good excuse to buy a new big, kill anything, dislocate your shoulder gun!

Gentlman Hunter

Thank you for all the help. I ended up with TWO rifles :the Browning Safari BARw/BOSS in .338WM and the Marlin XLR in 45-70. I really like what Marlin did with the stainless steel and stock in the XLR's and couldn't passon ordering one (my usual gunshop did not have one in 45-70). Is there any reason to go with the 1895 or Guide Gun over the XLR's?

whitetaildreamer

I have used a 30-06 and a 7 mm mag for bears. The 7mm mag with a 175 grain bullet would be my preference. It also reaches out there with a 150 grain bullet for deer. Nothing worng with the 30-06 but the 7mm mag is shoots alot flatter so easier to adgust from the 175 to 150 grain bullet.

Stinkfoot

I had a similar dilemna and wanted to get something a bit off the beaten path. For what reason, I can't explain. I like to collect odd guns. But I bought the Remington 673 in 350 Rem Mag from Sportsmans Safari on Gunbroker dot com. It's beautiful, but it's not a long shooter. It's my open sight heavy cover knock em dead gun. I just hope it works like that.[X(]

cornfed82

get your self a .223 and top it with a leupold scope and back it with a barnes X bullet. with a well placed shot you'll have no problem taking down a black bear.

James B

My bear gun is a NEF 45-70. Its got quite a few notches on it.

Pioneer2

If your going to be sitting over an activebait you will only be shooting 10-25 yards away likely.Save the $grand$ to pay for the rug.Use 170gr bullets and bring your 30-30.Never seen a blackbear that couldn't be killed with that combo.My 14 year old shot his first moose last fall with a H+R single shot 30-30/170gr Hornady handloads.Forget the bear size stories dead is dead.If you reload or have a friend that does get some 170gr Nosler Particians or Hornady inter-locks.I live in Alberta and hunt spring bear.............Good luck with your hunt....Harold PS depending on where you are going some areas have a high # of different color phases of bear ie:blond.cinnamon.Ascope may come in handy as they have a habit of coming into a bait at last light.Post some pics when you get back!

Rebel Hog

I took this one with a Win Carbine .30-30 and Fed 170gr NP under 100yds.