kodiak braown bears caliber choice

johnb · Jun 10, 2007

For those of you whom hunt (guides outfitters) or have hunted (hunters).
What is the recomended caliber for the kodiac brown bears? I have shot several large animal all traveling little (distances) I have shot and dropped montana moose (6yd), ketchican coastal grizzly (20yd) (he was pissed and going to fight another grizzly
), and a 2000 lb bull buffalo making a run for it (25yd). all with a 7mm mag 175 NP 2960 ft/s. Yet, is this not enough gun for a kodiak spring brown baer?

thanks for you thoughts

john

HunterHarry · Jun 10, 2007

I shot this 10 foot plus B&C Kodiak brownie with my .300 wby mag with 200 grain partitions.
Drilled him in the boiler room and he was pretty much done for after the first shot.
I had a Sako ,375 I could have taken on the hunt, but really like my ultralight stainless WBY.
I'd recommend from .300 mag up with a minimum of 180 grains.
I shot a nice interior Grizz with a .338 and 250 grain Grand Slams and it took three hits, every situation will be a little different.
I think the 7mm will do the job if conditions are just right, but it would suck to be in a "bad" situation where you wish you had more gun.

Bambistew · Jun 11, 2007

If you're going alone or with a rookie I'd upgrade to a bigger bore, if its with a guide or someone competent to back you up with a bigger rifle, take what you have.

Good luck on your hunt.

thicketmaster · Jul 1, 2008

RE: kodiak brown bears caliber choice

I would invest in a 338 win mag or you could be the next tim treadwell. no way would i go with a small caliber and would not want to rely on the guide or friend for a backup shot.

Magnus100 · Jul 4, 2008

RE: kodiak brown bears caliber choice

.375 H&H worked for me... Biggest bear in camp last spring went to a guy shooting a 30-06. Only wounded bear that got away was a guy shooting a .375 RUM(hottest gun in camp) It shows shot placement is everything. But, If I had to go into the brush after a wounded bear I would like a big fat .375 300 grain bullet.
Mike

Magnus100 · Jul 4, 2008

RE: kodiak brown bears caliber choice

Oh, one other thing. That is one beautiful beast Hunterharry...
Mike

mntman · Jul 7, 2008

RE: kodiak brown bears caliber choice

Shot placement is more important than anything! If you don't have a bigger gun and can't afford it use the one you have. If you have a anti-aircraft ;-) gun and are scared of it, don't use it, more than likely won't make a good shot anyway.
On the other hand if you do have a bigger gun and like shooting it, use it. No use in taking a chance.

best of luck, lets see the pics when you return.

Mntman

"Hunting is where you prove yourself"

MuskegMan · Jul 9, 2008

RE: kodiak brown bears caliber choice

A decent Kodiak brownie being subdued with a single shot from a 7mm is possible, but unlikely.

I don't think you'll regret bringing a bigger caliber.

Personally (36 year Alaska resident) my minimum is a .338 winny and when I'm feeling nervous, I bring my .375-338.

Most folks who have shot a 12 ga shotgun will have no problem with a .375 H+H. 378 Wby, 416 Rem and 458 Win are another story.

TBinKodiak · Jul 9, 2008

RE: kodiak brown bears caliber choice

I'll second what Muskeg said. You can shoot a bear with the 7mm, but there's a good chance the guide will be killing it.

1BigDeer · Jul 12, 2008

Kodiak Brown Bear caliber choice

I'll be bringing my 416 Rigby with 400 grain Barnes TSX bullets on my spring hunt. It has a muzzle brake, otherwise it would be brutal! Good luck on your hunt and tell us the story when you return!

yukonjacko · Jul 24, 2008

RE: Kodiak Brown Bear caliber choice

No problems for an old model 95 in 405 Win, on this Kodiak trip.

oilcan · Jul 28, 2008

HUNTERHARRY i for one never get tired of seeing that picture

CAelknuts · Aug 3, 2008

I'm another who believes that a bigger bullet is much better. I've only hunted on Kodiak once, and used a .338 Winchester with great success. You CAN kill a brownie with a 7MM if everything goes well, but you can't plan on that with this type of hunt. You have to prepare for the 'what-ifs' and I'd personally be taking a larger caliber. If you ever get into a hairy situation, you'll feel undergunned with most anything you'll be carrying.

I think you'd be better off shooting a .30-06 with 200 grain bullets than a 7MM, and of course the .300 magnums, .338 winchester, .375H&H are even better. I'd think that if you are recoil shy, the new .338 Federal would be a very good choice compared to the magnums. With dangerous game, a bigger, heavier and well constructed bullet is more important than a smaller one going faster, every time. I love that photo of the bear shot with the .40 Winchester. That is what I mean by bigger and heavier being more important.

And, you still gotta hit them in the right place.

Hollywood · Oct 19, 2008

I've guided a fair # of brown bear hunts and I can certainly recommend the .338, .340 Wthby Mag, .375, and .416 as great brown bear medicine.

I myself, back up clients with a .300 Winchester Mag, considered light by many, but it is my confidence rifle and I also guide for brownies in a region where bears rarely exceed 8 1/2 ft. For Kodiak, however, I would suggest .340 Wthby Mag as it is particularly ferocious, however the recoil is too!!!!

...something to consider.