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archer2876

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New to rifle hunting. Going on a spring bear hunt to New Brunswick, Canada, will be using a Rem.700 in 30-06 cal.. The shots are only expected to be about 25yards. Anyone have any recommendations on a good
cartridge to use.
 
I'd go .45-.70 for bear at 25 yards
 
At that distance I would agree that a good slug gun is all that is needed.
If you want to use the '06, the 180's or even a good 165 grn will do the job.
I would also go along with the idea of a .45-70. My guide gun in .45-70 is what went to Canada the last time I went.
 
I would also go along with the idea of a .45-70. My guide gun in .45-70
405 grains at 25 yards - say goodnight to Mr. Bruin[up][up][up]
 
Bigger when using Buffalo Bore ammo.
almost borders on cruel and unusual punishment
 
My choices would be Barnes X-Bullet, Nosler Partition, Swift-A-Frame, or Fail-Safe bullets.

Remember, at close range most bullet velocity is at its highest and can displace most of the bullet with impact and only give miniumal penetration.

A bullet that holds together is a great choice for bears as you need penetration to anchor him.

Ryan
 
Check out the Federal Line of ammo. The new 180 gr. MRX looks very promising. Any of the nosler/speer/barnes bullets can be found in Federal loadings. I agree that many times, we really don't need a premium bullet to take most game. However, you should find the one loading that works best in that particular gun, by a few boxes of that ammo and don't worry about it for the next 10 years. That's when it makes sense to by the very best ammo that you can find, you'll never worry if your ammo can take that 300yd. elk or that 25 yd. doe.
 
Wild Work and Flat9999 give you good advice, I'd follow it. You've already chosen the cartridge, and an excellent choice in my opinion, my favorite as a matter of fact.
I know a lot of guys like Remington core-locts, but I've had some bad experiences with them, and just won't use them, nor would I recommend them. My brother and I, in the early 80's, bought 2 boxes of core-loct ammo in 30-06, 150 grain, same lot number. We had the good fortune of shooting over a dozen deer with that ammo. We experienced everything from a perfect 150 grain mushroom, to jacket/core seperation, to a bullet that went to pieces on a front shoulder(the only deer I ever failed to recover). One of the reasons I reload premium bullets now.
You're making an expensive trip, that you're really looking foward to, don't let a poor quality bullet ruin that experience for you. Federal makes good loads with premium bullets if you don't reload. As stated, a 165 or 180 grain bulet is ideal.
As to particular bullet choice, while all the 'premium' bullets are good, the Nosler Partition was born in John Noslers garage workshop in the late 1940's, because of the failure of a regular bullet on a moose he shot, and he realized we needed something better. In all that time, I have never seen, heard, or read of a Nosler Partition failing on game, or NOT performing exactly as it should. 'Boring', 'monotinous', are 2 words a famous gun writer once wrote about the performance of Nosler Partitions on game. That pretty much says it all. Good luck on your trip.
Garry
 
What outfitter are you going with? I've hunted bears up there with the bow three times with Kellys Sporting Lodge.

At 25 yards, I would use a 12ga slug, can't beat that. But if your taking the 06 then anything from 165 grains up, I grew up using the Remington Core-Lokt 180 grains, always had a deer drop in there tracks, no tracking[up], the bear my run alittle, but thats what the guides are for. Best of luck
 
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