Bear

Chris

Well-Known Member
Along the lines of previous thread "why do we do this to ourselves". Shot just before dark maybe 2.5 miles back. Need to go back after church and cut it up and carry out.

.358 Hornady 250 RN over max charge 2015 at 50 yards, you couldn't buy a faster kill. Kinda irritating, I spent 5 precious minutes as the woods grew dark looking for the Lapua case. Maybe tomorrow. You know what those cost...


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Ian

Notorious member
Well congratulations....I think! 2 1/2 miles is a LONG way to pack anything over about 80 lbs, I don't envy you. Hopefully some of your congregation will offer to help in the morning!
 

Chris

Well-Known Member
Already had two offers to help. Nice folks. I'll probably just go get it myself, maybe take my son and hunt for a while. Wish somebody could use the hide, it is beautiful and I hate to waste it.
 

uncle jimbo

Well-Known Member
"I spent 5 precious minutes as the woods grew dark looking for the Lapua case. Maybe tomorrow. You know what those cost..."

Small price to pay for what you got. Good hunting.
 

fiver

Well-Known Member
that is a nice thick coat.
I don't think Hornady makes that bullet anymore you might wanna meter them out.
 

Chris

Well-Known Member
that is a nice thick coat.
I don't think Hornady makes that bullet anymore you might wanna meter them out.

Yeah, I got 20 left. Just put an ad in the want to buy section, so if anybody could spare me some I will galdly pay and consider it a favor. It is my game load in this rifle.

So my way to budget rounds is I only carry two shells in the woods, the one is in case I lose the other.;) I get a depression-era mentality with game rounds.

Listen to this: I hunted with a guy, a really good deer hunter from PA. He killed a bonafide 14 pointer up here with a .280 pump. Well, it wouldn't die so he strangled it with his dragging rope rather than spend a shell for mercy. Unreal. never had any use for him after that.
 

Chris

Well-Known Member

I have plenty. They shoot ok and I have killed deer with them, but my sense is that they don't expand as quickly... there seems to be a difference in terminal performance. Also they don't shoot as well, the 250 RN make bugholes.

I really need to work up a load for the NOE 230, doesn't that look like a heck of a game bullet?
 

Chris

Well-Known Member
Yes, got some cast. What a beautiful mold! Just couldn't get to the range work for this year, will next year make a hunting round. Also got the 3589 I have shot for years but never hunted with. That is a bullet with potential.
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fiver

Well-Known Member
that NOE sure looks like the 8mm bullet I have.[not NOE]
only with a touch more meplat.
 

Chris

Well-Known Member
I'm hoping to get it to 2200. I like the looks of it though. Anybody shooting .35's, I could send you some to try if you are interested. My guess is .358 Win. and up, too heavy for .35 Rem?
 

RicinYakima

High Steppes of Eastern Washington
Bear hide looks nice! Wish I could get it here, but it is 3000 miles. Hope you find a home for it. Best wishes, Ric
 

Brad

Benevolent Overlord and site owner
Staff member
I have a couple black bear rugs. Mine were shot with a healthy charge of H322 under a 420 plain base in my Marlin 45-70. Runs 1600 fps and does lead after a dozen shots or so. Not enough to be an issue in the field and the accuracy was there. Longer of the two shots was around 20 yards.

Nothing better than a large diameter cast bullet at reasonable velocity for hunting.
 

Rally Hess

Well-Known Member
Nice bear Chris and nice shot. I'm also admiring the length of the fur on that bear. It looks exceptional for a fall bear. Any one of the claws would pay for the lost brass also. Can you legally sell bear claws in NY?
 

S Mac

Sept. 10, 2021 Steve left us. You are missed.
Don't think you mentioned what your rifle is chambered for Chris, curious minds and all. Nice bear.
 

Eutectic

Active Member
Good job Chris! I'd take it out in pieces if it was me.... Maybe have your son have the heavier pieces??;)

Another day may just "shed a new light" on the Lapua brass I'm thinkin'.......

Pete
 

Chris

Well-Known Member
Don't think you mentioned what your rifle is chambered for Chris, curious minds and all. Nice bear.
Yeah, it's a Ruger 77, one of the old ones with red pad and tang safety in .358. It's got an 18" barrel. Ruger made a limited run of these, I owned another within 2 serial number digits but like an idiot I sold it.

Here's the rifle:

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Chris

Well-Known Member
Good job Chris! I'd take it out in pieces if it was me.... Maybe have your son have the heavier pieces??;)

Another day may just "shed a new light" on the Lapua brass I'm thinkin'.......

Pete

It got real stormy here, high wind and snow, so I slept in. Starting to die down now. The boy and I will shortly go in with frame packs and cut it up and carry it out. Brass may be a lost cause due to snow, but i'll dig around, might get lucky.
 

Missionary

Well-Known Member
Good morning and Congratulations !!! Nothing wrong with that caliber or cast slug.
That is a fine looking Blackie ! Thanks to God for sending it along and good hearted "Brothers" who will help ya with the real work.
No one have a ATV that can cut down some of those steps ? No tractors ?

Brass... I hear your desire to find that case.. I feel bad loosing any brass that works well. When does the snow melt up there... it will still be there. Just drive a limb into the dirt and flag it.