Black bear hunting is a popular activity among hunters and requires the use of a reliable and effective cartridge. There are various cartridges available in the market, and each has its own set of features that make it suitable for black bear hunting. In this article, we will explore the best black bear hunting cartridges and discuss their suitability for this task.
This list, while numbered, is not a ranking system but rather a listing of 10 black bear cartridges that continue to get the job done.
1. .45/70 Govt
The .45/70 Govt is a classic cartridge that has been in use since the late 1800s. It is a large caliber cartridge that is perfect for taking down black bears. The cartridge has a heavy bullet, between 300 to 500 grains, that delivers high energy on impact, making it suitable for hunting bears at close range. The .45/70 Govt is a great choice for hunters who prefer the classic feel of a big bore cartridge. Likewise, this cartridge performs amazing while hunting bears over bait, or while chasing bears with hounds.
325 gr FTX® LEVERevolution®
Velocity at Muzzle: 2050 (FPS) // Velocity at 300 Yards: 1225 (FPS)
Energy at Muzzle: 3032 (FT/LB) // Energy at 300 Yards: 1083 (FT/LB)
2. 30/30 Winchester
The 30/30 Winchester is a popular cartridge among hunters and for good reason. It is a versatile cartridge that can be used for hunting various game, including black bears. The cartridge has a pretty manageable recoil and can be loaded with a variety of bullet weights. The 30/30 Winchester is a great choice for hunters who want a reliable cartridge that can be used for close to mid-range black bear hunting.
Velocity at Muzzle: 2200 (FPS) // Velocity at 300 Yards: 1380 (FPS)
Energy at Muzzle: 1827 (FT/LB) // Energy at 300 Yards: 990 (FT/LB)
3. 308 Win
The 308 Win is a popular cartridge that is widely used for hunting. It has a moderate recoil and is easy to shoot, making it suitable for beginner hunters. The cartridge has a high velocity and can be loaded with a variety of bullet weights. The 308 Win is a great choice for hunters who want a reliable cartridge that can be used for hunting black bears and several other types of big game. This cartridge is very well suited for spot and stalk bear hunting.
165GR ACCUBOND TROPHY GRADE
Velocity at Muzzle: 2800 (FPS) // Velocity at 500 Yards: 1917 (FPS)
Energy at Muzzle: 2871 (FT/LB) // Energy at 500 Yards: 1346 (FT/LB)
4. 6.5 PRC
The 6.5 PRC is a newer cartridge that has gained popularity in recent years. It has a moderate recoil and is extremely accurate, which makes it suitable for beginner hunters. The cartridge has a high velocity and can be loaded with a variety of bullet weights. However, most hunting options are in the 140-grain range. Like the 308 above, The 6.5 PRC is a great choice for hunters who want a reliable cartridge that can be used for hunting black bears at longer ranges.
143 gr ELD-X® Precision Hunter
Velocity at Muzzle: 2960 (FPS) // Velocity at 500 Yards: 2248 (FPS)
Energy at Muzzle: 2782 (FT/LB) // Energy at 500 Yards: 1604 (FT/LB)
5. 300 Win Mag
The 300 Win Mag is a popular cartridge among hunters who want a powerful cartridge that can take down big game. It has a high velocity and delivers high energy on impact. The cartridge can be loaded with a variety of bullet weights (140-220 grain). These bullet-weight options allow the 300 to be extremely versatile for bear hunting. The 300 Win Mag is a great choice for hunters who want a powerful cartridge that transfers large amounts of energy to the target. This cartridge shines as a long-range bear hunting round. However, it will put a wallop on bears in close-range hunting as well.
Velocity at Muzzle: 2960 (FPS) // Velocity at 500 Yards: 2089 (FPS)
Energy at Muzzle: 3502 (FT/LB) // Energy at 500 Yards: 1745 (FT/LB)
6. 270 Win
The 270 Win is a popular cartridge among hunters who want a versatile cartridge that can be used for multiple hunting purposes. It has a moderate recoil and is a great cartridge to chase all manners of big game. Many a black bear has fallen to the 270 over the last 100 years. With the proper bullet selection, the 270 really shines as a spot and stalk bear rifle.
145 gr ELD-X® Precision Hunter®
Velocity at Muzzle: 2970 (FPS) // Velocity at 500 Yards: 2157 (FPS)
Energy at Muzzle: 2840 (FT/LB) // Energy at 500 Yards: 1497 (FT/LB)
7. 30-06
The 30-06 is a classic cartridge that has been in use since the early 1900s. The cartridge has a high velocity and is suitable for hunting black bears at long ranges or short ranges. The 30-06 is a great choice for hunters who want a reliable cartridge that can be used for hunting black bears and other game. The ol’ 06 does a great job on black bears and transfers high amounts of energy to the target, in this case, black bears. She might be old but the 06 continues to be one of the most popular bear rifles.
168GR ACCUBOND LONG RANGE TROPHY GRADE AMMUNITION
Velocity at Muzzle: 2800 (FPS) // Velocity at 500 Yards: 1987 (FPS)
Energy at Muzzle: 2924 (FT/LB) // Energy at 500 Yards: 1472 (FT/LB)
8. 243 Win
The .243 Win is a versatile and reliable cartridge that is often used for hunting deer, but it is also a great choice for black bear hunting. With its flat trajectory and high velocity, the .243 Win can easily take down a black bear at reasonable ranges. Additionally, the .243 Win has very manageable recoil, making it an excellent option for hunters who are not comfortable with larger cartridges. While some consider it too much of a lightweight to be effective on black bears, a well-placed 243 bullet will get the job done and will be easy on the shoulder.
Velocity at Muzzle: 2980 (FPS) // Velocity at 500 Yards: 1854 (FPS)
Energy at Muzzle: 1873 (FT/LB) // Energy at 500 Yards: 725 (FT/LB)
9. 350 Legend
The 350 Legend is a cartridge that has gained popularity among black bear hunters due to its accuracy, power, and manageable recoil. With its straight-walled design, the 350 Legend is a great choice in states that only allow straight-wall rifle designs. Solid penetration and expansion make it a reliable choice for taking down black bears. Additionally, the 350 Legend is an affordable and readily available option, making it an excellent choice for hunters who want a dependable cartridge without breaking the bank.
170 gr InterLock® American Whitetail®
Velocity at Muzzle: 2200 (FPS) // Velocity at 300 Yards: 1271 (FPS)
Energy at Muzzle: 1827 (FT/LB) // Energy at 300 Yards: 610 (FT/LB)
10. 338 Win Mag
The .338 Winchester Magnum is a powerful cartridge that is highly effective for black bear hunting. With its high velocity and heavy bullet weight, the .338 Win Mag delivers excellent penetration and expansion, ensuring a quick, humane kill. Additionally, the cartridge has a relatively flat trajectory, making it suitable for longer ranges. Although the recoil can be significant, the .338 Win Mag is an excellent choice for experienced hunters who want a dependable cartridge that can take down even the largest black bears.
225GR ACCUBOND TROPHY GRADE AMMUNITION
Velocity at Muzzle: 2750 (FPS) // Velocity at 500 Yards: 1984 (FPS)
Energy at Muzzle: 3777 (FT/LB) // Energy at 500 Yards: 1970 (FT/LB)
In conclusion, selecting the right cartridge for black bear hunting is crucial for ensuring a successful and humane hunt. These listings are all excellent cartridge options that provide varying degrees of power, accuracy, and recoil. Regardless of which cartridge you choose, it is essential to take appropriate safety precautions and to use a bullet that is suitable for the size and weight of the game you are hunting. With the right cartridge and preparation, you can have a successful and memorable black bear hunt.
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