Black bear load ???

[rijerolmon]

Looking for information. Have been offered a blind/stand in Northern Maine 40 to 50 yards off a bait site. Better off with a .50 PRB or Maxi or a .62 PRB either will be over 85gr. FFF ???.

 

[biliff]

Having used a .58 with PRB over 90gr.FFFg , I would go with the .62.

 

[Browning_68]

Either should work fine, though the .62 makes a bigger hole. Use what you're more comfortable with.

 

[buford87]

I have never hunted black bears but I would say to shoot the rifle that you shoot best..............watch yer top knot............

 

[roundball]

Looking for information. Have been offered a blind/stand in Northern Maine 40 to 50 yards off a bait site. Better off with a .50 PRB or Maxi or a .62 PRB either will be over 85gr. FFF ???.

I'd choose the .62cal PRB hands down...Good luck on your trip.

 

[hanshi]

While the .62 is a real heavy hitter, the .faster .50 prb is no slouch. As has been posted by others, I'd use the gun I shoot best.

 

[wattlebuster]

Both will get er done BUT Id go 62 anyway :hatsoff:

 

[sc45-70]

I've killed a couple black bears with a 62 PRB and 90 grains of 2f.

I never had to shoot one twice!

SC45-70

 

[B.Habermehl]

My .58 Likes 80gr.fffg. and PRB. Deer realy hate it they tend to bleed out rather nicely when hit. I would not hesitate to use it for black bear. Givin the choice between a .50 and a .62 I would take the .62. I just like the bigger caliber's "whompability". I like a ball big enough to exit and leave a sizeable exit hole. This has made all my tracking easy so far. BJH

 

[Moose Guide]

The only black bear I shot with a BP was shot with a .490 prb over 70 gr of ffg from a TC Hawken, it was a through and through at 60 yds. Hair pigs is easy to kill!!!! A well placed shot from either of your choices will work fine!!!

 

[Shine]

Im going with Nit wit and my brother. And a couple of others the first week. Im using my Roy Stroh rifle. 490 70 grs of 2f,hopefully this will be number 15 in the bag. My backup gun, will be a Roy Stroh .62 fowler 70 grs 2f .600 ball. I never go on a remote hunt with just one gun. This hunt is in Andover maine. I live 3 hours east. See you at vous.
Like has been said they are not hard to kill. No harder than a deer. Behind the front leg when he reaches foward. Or the last one I shot I put it in behind his ear. He was DOB, dead on the bait. I hate chasing them I hate dragging them even more. P.S. HI BJ :hatsoff:

 

[Rev_William]

The only bear my dad or I have gotten so far outside of archery was .45 prb over 80 gr ffg

 

[rijerolmon]

Thanks to all of you! I believe that it will be the .62 with the .50 as back-up. Shine, glad to see that you are going with your brother, NitWit and friends...MAKE MEMORIES!!

 

[Shine]

We do every year you should come with us next year