Sounds like guys were a horrible shot. I have killed bears with a 45/70, 30-06, 30-30 and 243. I’ve seen them killed by many other calibers. I killed a 400lber with one shot of a 45/70 and it never quivered. Shot placement is key. Bear are the same density as whitetail very squishy. Their vitals are a little back and a quartering away shot is a much better option. When in doubt bust that head..300win without a doubt. I was told by a houndsman that they treed a bear and shot it six times with a 45-70 Govt, it fell 80' from the tree and landed on solid granite...got up and rolled off the edge falling another 40' again to hit rock. The 7th shot killed it. When they dressed it out they found six 45acp rounds buried just under the hide. Bears are tough.
I would take the one I like carrying best, bear are not hard to kill if you shoot them well. My 2 choices are 7rem mag, or the 6.5 gender bender... I doubt I will take the 7 mag once... my 6.5 is just so nice to carry and bear are not hard to shoot throughPlanning to go after black bear for the first time this spring. I have a 300 win mag and a 6.5 creedmoor and I am comfortable shooting both. Is the 6.5 creedmoor enough for a black bear or should I take the 300 win mag?
I can assure you there is more to that story if that story actually happened. Shoot them through both lungs and they are dead super quick. The majority are dead inside 20 seconds... they are tough as heck if you don’t kill them good though.... I’m very particular when shooting at bear, I want an easy shot with plenty of time and a good angle.300win without a doubt. I was told by a houndsman that they treed a bear and shot it six times with a 45-70 Govt, it fell 80' from the tree and landed on solid granite...got up and rolled off the edge falling another 40' again to hit rock. The 7th shot killed it. When they dressed it out they found six 45acp rounds buried just under the hide. Bears are tough.