Min Brown Bear caliber

broknaero

broknaero

New member
Never hunted Browns but would like to book a hunt in the next 2 years. Dont want to start an arguement on this but want to throw the question out there for you Alaska guys. What would you consider the absolute minimum for the big browns? I am very comfortable with my .325 WSM. Its energy equals the .338 mag and shoots as flat as the .300 win mag with less recoil. I know the .375 seems to be the go to for the big browns and I may look into a .375 Ruger.

I have not decided on an archery hunt or rifle hunt. Just curious what would be the minimum for browns if I go rifle.

Thanks
 
If your going to hunt in Alaska you will need a guide and he'll be carrying a back up gun. The 325 WSM should work fine. I used an 8mm Rem mag for the five years I spent up there and it did just fine for Browns. I used the 220 grain Sierra Spitzer pushed a little over 3000 fps.
 
Yeah I just didnt want to show up and have a guide looking at me like an idiot for carrying something smaller than a .375.
 
The answer to your question is-22lr, since as far as I know that's the minimum that anyone has used, LOL (certainly not me and not real highly recommended).

Seriously, ask your guide. Many have minimum requirements of their own, based on their experience in the area they guide.
 
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Seriously, ask your guide. Many have minimum requirements of their own, based on their experience in the area they guide.



Thats the best advice. When I decide to book I will do that. My concern is that I'll be told my 325 is not enough then I'll have to use an unfamilar rifle that with recoil I may not be as accurate with. When I was younger I had a bad flinch from recoil. My 325 is fine but when shooting a friends 338 I felt the nasty flinch coming back. Id feel better about the shot with the 325 220grain that I'm used to over a .375 300grain that would loosen my teeth when I shot.
 
I developed hunting loads for my .375 H&H with 300gr soft points and solids going 2550fps. I practice plinking with it using 30.0gr of SR4759 powder and a 235gr bullet going 1700fps. Minimal recoil and I get to shoot a lot more. I shoot clay targets offhand and using safari sticks. Recoil from big guns doesn't bother me and some days I've shot 50 hunting rounds of .375 and .416 from a bench. I do use a PAST pad when sighting from the bench then I don't get sore. When I shoot game I never feel recoil at all. I like the .375 H&H and may get a .375 Ruger next. Great caliber for medium to BIG game. I'm not a fan of the short mags. Partly because the one's I've seen don't feed very well. Just my opinion.
 
If i was going after the big bears i would use my 338 RUM, but the 338 WM or 325 WSM would be just as good. Good quality premium bullet would be more important than the difference between the two cals. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif
 
If your guide is not familiar with that caliber, tell 'em it's got ballistics comperable to the 338WM. The 338WM is VERY popular in Alaska. Should get you in the door, and should do the job if you don't try to do too much logging with it! (Find a clear shot. You don't know from thick if you haven't see the Alaska coast!)
 
Logging,lol never heard it called that, but I see your point. Hey I may just decide to go archery. Less choices that way. I have 2 years to decide.
 
broknaero, I feel that you have fine caliber and you should run with it. I know some gents that go with a 300 Win. Mag, not that I would do that myself, but remember guides have your back in the instance that your not stopping it, which happens more than most people are willing to admit. My only advice is I would use a tough bullet like the Barnes Triple Shock for maximum weight retention and penetration and remember to stop them from charging, break a shoulder and finish them quickly. Semper Fidelis fellow Devildog!
 
I have heard from relatives and friends that have gone on guided hunts that a .300 Win Mag is often considered the minimum. I equally hear that many guides shudder at the thought of another hunter showing up with a large caliber rifle they can't handle or shoot competently. Of course a .22 took the record grizzly and it won't make you flinch.
 
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I equally hear that many guides shudder at the thought of another hunter showing up with a large caliber rifle they can't handle or shoot competently.



.325WSM is as large as I want to go. Anything more and I'm afraid the recoil will cause me to loose accuracy.
 
I have been asking this very question with my brothers and also consider using my bow. My argument is that if I used a .270 Weatherby Mag that is sub MOA and will ruin any coyotes day at 300 yards, why couldn't you put one in an ol' browns neck at 100? I would rather be confident in the shot with something I have put a lot of rounds thru than go up there with a rifle that I have never spilt any blood with.

DD /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused1.gif
 
Most guides would rather you bring a 30-06 that you can shoot well than a mangalum that you can't.

A little secret up here is that magnums become more prevalent the closer you get to the gravitational influences of Anchorage.

Bushkins usually use standard calibers to hunt with. In my particular area folks tend to use a lot of .270s.

I have a little experience with browns out here on the peninsula. All the ones I've killed (DLP kills) has been with a 12 ga and Brenneke slugs. Two kills last year by locals with a 12ga and Foster slugs and one this year with a 30-06. All were DRT.

A couple buds of mine are pretty partial to 8mms and one took and interior grizzly last year with one. A .325 WSM will work just fine as well as the .35 Whelen, 338-06, 350 Rem. Mag. and similar cartridges.

Whatever you choose, I recommend going with a super bullet with what you can shoot well rather than bumping up to a cartridge that gives you the flinchies and tenderizes your shoulder. Besides, your guide will be playing back up to you.

If you are going to do a fall hunt it's even more important to use a super bullet due to the extra 8" or so of fat that has to be penetrated before crashing through the muscle and bone into the vitals. But as always, a well placed bullet into the boiler room equals a new $1500 rug. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-006.gif
 
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All the ones I've killed (DLP kills) has been with a 12 ga and Brenneke slugs. Two kills last year by locals with a 12ga and Foster slugs and one this year with a 30-06. All were DRT.



12 ga slugs is all we used on the ranch on Kodiak too. They weren't always DRT, but they were always STOPPED right there and could be easily finished without any more charging. I doubt a guide is going to want you to use one though. They are going to try to put you on a hundred yard (or more) shot, not the 50ft shots (or less) that we often dealt with in the heavy brush.
 
A good buddy of mine took his griz last year and a 6'8" blackie here with his .325 wsm. Both with 220gr PP load. He was very happy with the performance. I just picked up a kimber montana in .325 based on his excellent results with the same rifle and cartridge. I wouldn't think twice about taking a shot at a griz or brownie with the .325, or even the 300 win mag for that matter.
 
if it can kill you use enough gun if you can shoot it. i used a 416 remington magnum on my boone and crockett brown bear. 375 is a good choice.
 
Sounds like good advice so far. But I think the swift A-frame 220's would be a better bet. And get a very low powered scope on that gun if you don't already. Don't worry about the 325 being not enough... if you use the RIGHT bullets you'll be fine. And yes shot plac. & bein' comfy.... all that too. 338's are favored up here because of the heavier for caliber bullets than say the 323's, not always because the make a lil-bit' bigger hole.

CZ
 


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