Last week we talked about some of the tactics that can be used spot and stalk hunting bears in the spring. Using your tactics and hunting skills are the most important part of a successful hunt. That said, it would be remiss not to give some thought to selecting the right cartridge for the task. The bullet is, after all, the single piece of gear that physically links you and your quarry. This week we will look at the best cartridges for black bears to seal the deal in the moment of truth.
Black Bear Size Ranges
At first glance, black bears are not a particularly notable difficult task for a bullet. Most black bears are between 150-250lbs. This is about the size of a large deer and certainly doesn’t pose the same challenge for a bullet as a large bull moose weighing over one thousand pounds. This train of thought leads to most deer cartridges working for black bears. However, this type of thinking doesn’t tell the entire story.
Bear Specific Considerations
First of all, while most bears don’t get much above 250lbs, the big ones can get much larger than that. Black bears never really stop growing, and big old boars can grow north of 500lbs. While these bears are rare, even rarer is the hunter who would pass a shot opportunity at such a bear because of their cartridge selection.
Next, bears can be exceptionally difficult to track. They have loose skin and a lot of fat. These can help plug up entry holes and prevent a solid blood trail. Not only that, bears have long coats that can soak up what blood does manage to seep out. In my opinion, this means that a cartridge that will penetrate through the bear will increase the odds of recovery.
Finally, unlike deer, bears are not a prey species. While incidents are rare, there is always the possibility that a wounded bear may decide to come back towards you. Having a cartridge that can stop a bear in its tracks is a good contingency plan in case you have to track an injured bear through dense cover.
Cartridge Criteria
Following the above considerations, unless the shooter is recoil sensitive I would favour Class 3 big game cartridges compared to Class 2. Many of the best options will be consistent with the suggestions for our Three Best Large Game Cartridges. However, there are a few more considerations for spot and stalk black bear hunting.
Spot and stalk bear hunting can result in some long shots into avalanche chutes or across clear cuts. This is because these are areas where early green up often occurs. The perfect spot and stalk bear cartridge must push sleek high ballistic coefficient bullets over 2700 feet per second. This combination of speed and efficiency will ensure cartridges perform at distance for the longer shots.
#3 – 6.5 Precision Rifle Cartridge
The 6.5 PRC is a relatively new cartridge released by Hornady in 2018. It’s short fat case with a steep shoulder angle and fast twist rate make this cartridge a very modern design. This allows the cartridge fit in a short action while still fitting the efficient modern bullets. Recoil and ballistics of the 6.5 PRC are almost identical with the tried and true classic the 270 Winchester. However, the fast twist rates of the 6.5 PRC allow it to utilize more efficient bullets, which allow it to outpace the venerable 270 when the shots get really long. All in all the 6.5 PRC is an excellent choice for a black bear hunt in the mountains.
#2 – 7mm Remington Magnum
The 7 RM is an exceptionally well-balanced cartridge. It posts excellent ballistics without being too punishing on the shooters shoulder. While I tend to favour the 280 Ackley Improved for similar applications, at this point ammo availability has made the 280 AI more of a handloaders venture. The 7 RM enjoys ubiquitous popularity and many consider it the ultimate all-around western hunting cartridge. With many efficient bullet options on the market and a large enough diameter bore to fire 175 grain bullets, the 7 RM is one of the best cartridges for black bears.
#1 – 30-06 Springfield
The 30-06 Springfield is the oldest cartridge on this list, but there is a reason it is still around. The long range ballistics of the 30-06 are not as sleek as the other two cartridges mentioned. That said, I am a firm believer that kinetic energy is not the best measure of terminal performance and that the larger diameter of the 30-06 adds to its terminal effectiveness.
When paired with an efficient bullet like the 178gr Hornady ELD-X the 30-06 is nearly the perfect black bear cartridge. Hornady’s Precision Hunter loading maintains 2000 fps out to almost 500 yards with recoil manageable for most shooters. The acceptable recoil, large diameter bullets, and solid trajectories make the 30-06 a deadly combination.
Closing Thoughts
There are many cartridges that can humanely kill most black bears with good shot placement. However, the ideal black bear cartridge must be effective on the largest bears, create an exit wound, and make a serviceable stopping rifle. Additionally, all this must be accomplished with good extended range ballistics and acceptable recoil. The 6.5 PRC, 7 RM, and 30-06 are all extremely capable and effective in this role. Before going the extra mile for a bear this season, make sure your cartridge is up to the task.