Bold strategy shooting a bear (presumably black bear) with a Bleedmoor/Needmoor lite... with that setup, sounds like shot placement wont be a problem though.

Yes to Black

I shot my bear with a 30-06 180gr copper Barnes I believe. Sounds like a great hunt! Hope they enjoy it!!

How long did it take for your adrenaline to subside?

oklaunion said:

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How long did it take for your adrenaline to subside?

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That was 2017 during Hurricane Harvey and I still get freaked out thinking about it.

The only time I've been worried around a black bear was catching a cub running to a tree out of the corner of my eye. I was dirt biking, and used all 350ccs to set a personal best on that section of trail to create some distance.

My other encounters hunting have seen the dad voice carrying the day, backed up by a pocket knife or a rifle depending on if I was archery or rifle hunting at the time. Always seem to see nice cinnamon or chocolate phase bears when I DON'T have a bear tag in my pocket.

Not trying to dog pile on the whole creedmore/bleedmore thing, but.

Black Bear is at least entry level dangerous game. Is it a Grizz or a Polar Bear? No.
Can they still tear you a new arse? Yes.

A 113gr projectile seems a bit light.

There is a huge difference between lethality and incapacitation.

I need to know what actual bullet it is. Maybe….maybe a Barnes TSX or something similar.

But I agree thats a really light bullet for a black bear.

Edit to add-Im going to bet at that velocity and weight it's actually a 6.5, not a 6.

SGrem said:

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oklaunion said:

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How long did it take for your adrenaline to subside?

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That was 2017 during Hurricane Harvey and I still get freaked out thinking about it.

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Harvey hit Africa before coming over here?

oklaunion said:

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SGrem said:

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oklaunion said:

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How long did it take for your adrenaline to subside?

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That was 2017 during Hurricane Harvey and I still get freaked out thinking about it.

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Harvey hit Africa before coming over here?

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Hahhahaa... good one. That was Tanzania. Wife was here dealing w Harvey. No communication and no way to get here if we could.

Anyway.... animals that turn on you are no joke. It is not cool....it is not fun it is nightmare terrifying forever. Thank God we are here to share the experience.

I admire your fortitude for participating in such an adventure. I don't have the gonads to do it.

Y'all, Western black bear hunting isn't crawling into caves after them with a burning torch in one hand and a gun in the other. Most people are shooting them as they eat green grass on South facing slopes following snow melt.

Plenty of people killing much larger animals quickly and effectively with 6mms. OP's grandson should be more worried about his rifle exploding if he's actually pushing a 110gr + bullet that fast with an 18" 6 Creed.

I don't think anyone thinks these western state black bear hunts involve a 55gallon drum of donuts and marshmallows at 30 yards and that is why we're critiquing the caliber choice. As a 6.5 creedmoor owner and incredible fan of the round, I still would opt to use a slightly bigger caliber to shoot a 300-500lb black bear (not entirely sure what their spring weight will be but I know of at least 2 500lbs+ bears shot last year).

No one is saying you can't kill a bear with a 6mm or 6.5 caliber rifle and it has nothing to do with being close quarters when you're shooting the animal, yet everything to do with approaching a potentially wounded animal that can kill you that ran off into the brush. I'd rather have a well placed round of .300win than a well placed round of 6.5 creedmoor, every single time for a "dangerous animal" hunt and the consensus for almost everyone - particularly on this board - is the same.

Boys will be boys

In the early 70's I bought my first hunting rifle. Weatherby Vanguard 30-06. I felt like that would take care of me for any North American hinting. About the same time 7 mag was gaining popularity along with the 270 followers. So I know people who have all three calibers, yet I stuck with this one. no regrets. So lucky to live in a country where there are so many options. I do agree with the previous poster about 6mm.

ttha_aggie_09 said:

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I don't think anyone thinks these western state black bear hunts involve a 55gallon drum of donuts and marshmallows at 30 yards and that is why we're critiquing the caliber choice. As a 6.5 creedmoor owner and incredible fan of the round, I still would opt to use a slightly bigger caliber to shoot a 300-500lb black bear (not entirely sure what their spring weight will be but I know of at least 2 500lbs+ bears shot last year).

No one is saying you can't kill a bear with a 6mm or 6.5 caliber rifle and it has nothing to do with being close quarters when you're shooting the animal, yet everything to do with approaching a potentially wounded animal that can kill you that ran off into the brush. I'd rather have a well placed round of .300win than a well placed round of 6.5 creedmoor, every single time for a "dangerous animal" hunt and the consensus for almost everyone - particularly on this board - is the same.

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This.

IF that Bear, or any other animal is standing at a dead calm at a bait station (Baitnig for bear is legal in some states) and you are prone and locked down with the perfect headshot, then the above mentioned rig will put him down pretty much right there. That is true of most any animal.

That is IF you have the above mentioned situation. If you are having to hurry for whatever reason, or a head shot isn't available to you, you might need more gun.

Also, its possible that you may need to stop him, right now/yesterday. In which case, ya may need more gun.

Lethality vs. Incapacitation.

300 WM 178gr vs 6mm ARC 106 gr, both after going through steel. Feel free to tell me which one is which and how the 6mm isn't lethal.

No, I don't hunt in Texas so I'm not worried about hitting the post holding up the hog panel around the feeder.

I chose the steel photos because they look almost the same as the bare gel photos, and this being texags, I wanted to get ahead of the person claiming a paper thin shoulder blade is impenetrable on these armored bruins.

Seen quite a few bears killed with a .270. I would have no issues taking my 6.5 on a black bear hunt.

I've also watched a smallish sow get shot in the chest with 3 12 gauge slugs, fall out of a tree and break her neck, and still take 3 .357 rounds to the head.......the reason I became so passionate about bears.