Bear loads...

[Critterslayer51]

This past season was my first bear hunting...what a blast it was! I was just carrying my 30-06 I use for deer season, which i'm sure will do the job...but why not have a reason to buy another rifle right? I saw a few of the guys were shooting .444's and .450's...some people like the .45-70...anyone know the pro's and con's of these calibers? I'm very sure they are all so very very close...just seeing if anyone had a prefference

[waterfowler1183]

I know im headin out with something with open sites for sure.  Shots were close and anything under 150 or so is easily makeable with open sites.  On some of those drives the gun took some abuse so im thinkin either slug gun or 44 mag

[BigBlue]

My choice would be and is the 45/70. It's much more versatile than the other two choices.
Don

[uncle buck]

Do you know why they use bigger bullets like the 4570, 444, or the 35 Whelen for black bear?...Because when  bear are hit, their fat can plug the hole and your blood trail would be less with a 243 or 30/30.  Don't get me wrong they, 243 and 30/30 will kill a black bear.. However maybe that will give you a reason to buy a bear gun...You need a bigger bullet so it does not get plugged with BLUBBER!!!!!!!
I would love to hunt black bear some day. If I was going to go...I would use a 45/70 Encore.
Me thinks you need to tell the wife you want a 4570, 444, 450 Marlin, 35 Whelen as a bear gun so those holes don't get plugged up!!!!