Dangerous North American Predators – P1

These are both from the canine and feline species. And here they will be limited to those that are potentially dangerous for attacks on humans. And I will not be speaking of rabid animals that in a healthy or normal state shy away from humans, such as the fox.

In general, I’m writing about those of the North American varieties, such as bear, wolves, coyotes, wild dogs, cougars and potentially bob cats. There are, of course, other dangerous animals in North America, such as adult moose and feral hogs, but this will be limited to those known as predators.

Africa, of course, has its own kind that are generally known to those who’ve had the privilege of hunting there, but usually in combo with a hunt of other species that may be non-dangerous. These, of course, include two of the “Dangerous Five”, the lion and leopard, as well as a few others that under certain conditions may become a threat to humans such as the hyena and the African wild dogs that go in packs. These are, of course, predators of other animals and may become a threat to humans. While I have opinions and have watched many videos and read literature, I’ll make no further comments here. But I have been exposed to, or in close proximity to, the North American varieties mentioned above, so I’ll limit my discussion to those creatures of which the bear is unequaled in strength and ability to take down the largest antlered species North America has to offer by a single blow to its neck! Since predatory bears act solo, versus the wolf and coyote that act in teams or packs, I’ll nominate the bear as No.1 in predatory ability.

So in order of the most dangerous to humans:

The bear is No.1: In terms of the number of official fatal attacks, the bear is the apex predator! Of course, there are three main species of bear in North America, and not all historical attacks on humans, both fatal and non, have been recorded.

< There were four and now there are three horses. The fourth was killed by the bear my partner and I were hunting. That happened in a ravine beyond the trees in the background.

< It’s partially consumed carcass was found here.

My personal experience, of course, has mostly been with this top predator as recorded in many of my blogs.

But my nomination for No.2 in potential threat will likely surprise you!

The EASTERN coyote-wolf is No.2!

This creature is part wolf and part coyote, but sometimes listed as “wolf” in parts of Ontario, and in other parts as “coyote”. All I can say at the moment is that politics is involved, without any doubts whatsoever! There has been an ongoing “battle” in our area between those who own sheep or cattle and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry over the designation of this particular canis species. What are they? DNA research has confused the issues because of disagreement over methodology and interpretation. Some suggest them to be hybrids with a mixture of wolf DNA and coyote DNA while the Government insists the “Algonquin Wolf”, so-called, is a threatened Eastern wolf species! Lynda Rutledge, who has done DNA work at both Trent University in our area and Princeton, in collaboration with others, has without doubt greatly influenced the main wildlife biologist in the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry within our Provincial Government. But other independent tests (from the Government) have not shown them to be “pure” Algonquin wolves” that are threatened. They are, without much doubt “Eastern wolves”. Such an “official” position doesn’t bode well with the herders and ranchers, as you can well imagine, since they lose both sheep and/or cattle to these wolves.

<Tracks of the “Algonquin wolf,” or “brush wolf”, or “Eastern wolf” — all three, or any one of the names could now be applied to the same animal that I was hunting. They were minutes ahead of me.

I’m now more limited as to where I can hunt either wolf or coyote since the MNR, in their “infinite” political wisdom, must protect the “Algonquin Wolf” that has been decreed such by a particular wildlife biologist – Lynda Rutledge. Is she an anti-hunter of both species? And, if truth be told, of all hunting? It’s parallel to the fox guarding the hen house! In this case, it’s the antithesis of that – it’s the dog in the hen coup protecting them from the owner!

And that’s the shared view of some farmers who face the possibility of ruin due to Provincial politics, essentially the result of one wildlife biologist’s personal conviction that has influenced others! And, of course, the liberal (read: left leaning) media is sympathetic and the politicians are well aware of that! As proof, just ask your local politician what he/she knows about “The Algonquin Wolf”, that supposedly is “threatened!

Whatever the case, I’ve come to not trust every opinion of wildlife biologists. Why? Because they’ve been wrong too may times, and are on a “learning curve” themselves. Plus the fact (according to a close friend who should know) they spend too much time at the office “studying” the opinions of their peers and NOT in the field!

And I’ve also had personal reason to seriously “doubt” their so-called expertise. A former, now retired, professor of wildlife biology at our local college “authoritatively” argued with me over the presence of cougar in Ontario. When he denied their presence, and I asked why, he said “Because the snow is too deep here for tracking and catching game!” How then, do they survive in Montana with deeper snow and colder temps? Or British Columbia? He apparently doesn’t know! And New Brunswick, my home province, where I’d seen one, and my son another a few years later, and a close friend another, and another friend who had been a guide for hunters, and the N.B. Provincial Government finally acknowledging their presence 20 years before my argument with the “distinguished” professor? I’d been a pastor in central New Brunswick where we had at least three feet of snow annually, and my field covered 3000 sq-kms! Plus, here in Ontario, I’d seen their tracks in snow in late March just a few years prior to this argument, not far from a winter residence where both the man and wife had witnessed a pair outside their window. This residence was on a frozen lake where I’d hunted wolf in the winter. Canine and feline tracks of these predators are distinctly different, and altogether distinct from bear tracks.

< bear tracks<wolf or brush wolf or Eastern coyote? Algonquin wolf?

<Cougar tracks, nearly identical to what I saw in snow. (Borrowed from the Internet as “Mountain Lion tracks”.)

So, I don’t trust the “wisdom” that comes from the mouth of someone, anyone, who is ignorant of the facts, but pretends to “know it all”, whomever they might be! And that includes some government officials and elected representatives of “the people”, who mostly look out for themselves!

One time, when I was a mere youth, my dad helped a local get elected as a Federal Member of Parliament for our county. He disappeared for four years in Ottawa (that’s our Federal Capital in case some Americans don’t know)). He never showed up in the county until the next election in which he sought help from my father once again. I was there when this happened: On the fishing boat dock, a few hundred yards from our house, my dad turned and walked away from him! After the election that man was sitting at home sucking his thumb!

If I had my way, and rural Ontarians had their way, half the elected reps would be sitting at home sucking their thumbs! But it’s the Big City (Toronto) that elects the majority and they know little to nothing about wildlife, except for the infestation of coons and coyotes that no one can get rid of because that might harm the ecosystem!

The facts are these regarding the “Algonquin Wolf”, ” coy dogs” , “brush wolves” and the Eastern coyote: They can go in packs, have killed moose, deer and lesser game, killed and ate part of Taylor Mitchell, a young lady and musician on the Skyline Trail of Cape Britain a few years ago, and have caused solo hunters to climb trees. A pack of eight to ten were driven into by a truck owned by our good friend Mr. Wallace on his way to our remote camp in New Brunswick that he made available to my brother and I. On arrival he told us (my brother and I with our wives) about it with a warning to evade them if possible as they were aggressive and dangerous — THAT WAS BACK IN THE LATE 1980’s! That man knew of what he was speaking because he owned a lot of remote land with wildlife, and had collected dozens of trophies that he showed to my brother and I with our wives in his own trophy room! Apart from dealings in real estate, he was a guide and outfitter in New Brunswick! Hello! Lynda, where are you?

So, who do I believe? Not the political lackeys, but real hunters and those who spend their lives in the outback!

Therefore, I list the “eastern coyote” or “eastern wolf”, so-called, as No.2 on my list of “Dangerous Predators” of Eastern Canada.

It is nearly as big as a grey wolf – at least the two that I’ve seen close up but not in a hunting context. And they are aggressive — not in the least shy! I saw loners, but they do hunt in packs as well.

I’ve also seen a “grey wolf”. They look very similar except for these distinctions: The eastern wolf/coyote has a variety of colours from near red to off-white, and an individual specimen may have mixed colours or mottled. They are also smaller on average than grey wolves — but some are as big as a mature male German Shepard, 75 to 90 lbs, and at least 2- ft. tall. A friend’s neighbour shot one that weighed 90 lbs.

The one that visited our property – here in Ontario – was estimated at 60 to 75 lbs. We live in a constantly developing area of a mid-sized town that dates to the late 1700’s. The growth around us right now is phenominal. People are getting out of Toronto due to immigration and Covid-19, and moving to towns like ours about 1 and 1/2 hours away. In consequence, the price of housing has quadrupled in the last 30 years! But about 20 years ago there was only vacant fields behind our property. One morning in late March, with a few inches of freshly fallen snow, I was in the kitchen preparing breakfast when I looked out the back patio door and there standing broadside to the right of the shed was a beautifully furred coyote – or was it a wolf? It simply stood there looking in the direction of the fresh rabbit tracks. I didn’t have my camera handy, so just watched. Then it left in the direction of the rabbit tracks. In hindsight, I believe it could have been a so-called “Eastern Coyote” and/or an Eastern wolf, or both. As stated, I estimated it at 60 to 75 lbs. After it left, I went to the front of our house, looked out the “picture window”, and there were its tracks coming over the front lawn in brilliant daylight following the rabbit tracks. To the north of us, at about 100 yards is a local farm and it came from there – fearlessly! NO! It was NOT a local dog!! I knew every local dog in the community

< This is a fair representation of what I saw, only in fresh snow. And the second was larger still.

The second occasion was early Fall, again in bright sunshine in early afternoon. I was travelling east on a major highway through farm country, slightly going uphill when “out of nowhere” a large, beautiful furred, grey, black and white “canine” ran across the highway a few yards in front of my vehicle. It was larger than the first mentioned — close to 100 lbs, or more. My immediate reaction was, “That’s a wolf!” Was it a wolf or eastern coyote, or a wolf-coyote? I’ve tracked a real wolf in snow in the area where I do most of my hunting on Crown Land, and did it for 3 – 4 years in winter.

My friend and fellow hunter, Ken, who was also a Conservation Officer with the MNR, were hunting wolf in the Haliburton Highlands in January – February several years prior to that trail becoming an official snow machine trail. I had hunted wolf in that area for a few previous years, and very well knew the trail of a particular solo wolf. On that particular day, I invited Ken along and mentioned I knew where a particular wolf was travelling, having followed its tracks in snow for a couple of seasons, at least. One one such occasion, I went to the same trail that had about three inches of fresh snow cover over a hard crust. I didn’t take my snowshoes because the crust under the fresh snow was supporting me. I soon came across fresh wolf tracks that had been made just moments before. So, I continued on across those tracks to near the bottom of the ridge, rested against one of the huge snow covered boulders of the area and began my simulated wolf call – no, it wasn’t a bought one! I used my hands and mouth! I waited for only a couple of minutes and decided to return to those tracks and follow them. The wolf was breaking through the crust every third or fourth step! I was not! Using my rifle I measured the forward steps from the rear. The wolf was only walking, not bounding or running. The space between front are rear prints in the snow were six feet! Add the tail and head, and that beast was about NINE feet from snout to tail tip!

Getting back to my hunt with Ken a year later: Again, there was several inches of fresh snow, and it was still snowing. We were slowly increasing our elevation over a tall ridge when we came to a sharp right-hand turn that increased the degree of difficulty. On several occasions at that corner I’d seen where the wolf came up from a ravine and crossed the trail and went into the hardwood above. I knew the area well having hunted whitetails there for several years, as well as black bear. But on that day, due to fresh snow and early in the morning, there were no tracks of any kind, anywhere! We continued on over the ridge down to the bottom on the far side where I wanted to call wolf. This was at the end of Koshlong Lake that was frozen and snow covered. We were on snowshoes, stepped off the trail into very deep snow on the edge of the lake. The plan was to wolf call, hoping that the lone wolf would respond in coming across the end of the lake. After about 1/2 hour of calling, and snow coming down continuously, and getting into late afternoon (3 pm), I said to Ken, “Perhaps we should get out of here before we’re unable to!” He agreed. We got back onto the trail and within 50 yards there were the fresh wolf tracks that had crossed behind us while calling! It went down into the ravine on the opposite side and from there I knew its route! It would come back up over at the corner on the other side of the ridge. The ravine was chocked with blowdowns covered by over two-feet of snow. I removed my snowshoes thinking I might go in as far as possible and catch it going up on the opposite side. Ken decided to backtrack to find where it had come from. We decided to meet up on the trail in ten minutes. I had no luck in trying to navigate the blowdown chocked ravine, so returned in time to meet Ken returning with a black hair in his mitt. The wolf hair was a black one and he found it on the frozen carcass of the deer it had been feeding on. (Later, another hunting buddy, told me he’d seen a black wolf in that area. And, the following spring as I was returning to my van from putting bear bait in my favourite site, the driver of the grader who had been smoothing out rough spots and pot holes on the dirt road, stopped, asking if I knew there was a black wolf in the area? I said “yes, I’m aware of that”.)

Back to the hunt with Ken: After a brief discussion about Ken’s findings, I said, “We need to try and intercept the wolf that will most certainly be coming back onto this trail on the other side at the corner!” So, Ken went up on top of the ridge into a small cluster of young hardwoods, and I continued down around the corner for about 35 yards beyond it to a big maple where I hid myself and could still see the corner that the black wolf hadn’t yet crossed. The snow was still coming down and it was late afternoon (4 pm) with darkness beginning to set in within an hour. I didn’t want to get stuck in snow back there in my vehicle. So, I left my spot, went past the corner (still no wolf tracks) uphill and whistled to Ken. He turned and greeted me. We had a very brief talk about needing to leave. So we did. At the corner, 50 yards from where we had our brief talk about leaving, there were the fresh tracks of the wolf crossing into the hardwoods above. He knew where we were at all times and waited me out until I met up with Ken 50 yards away! Then he crossed, and we could clearly see his tracks up through the hardwoods! All within 7 – 8 minutes from the time I left my post behind that big maple, went past that corner, uphill about 50 yards to talk in low whispers about leaving our hunt!

< This pic was taken from that trail near the corner which would be a bit further along.

How well do we know wolves? Loners? Black ones? And what about the MNR, what do they really know from their conflicting DNA studies?

Such wolves are no threat. They are loners and try to evade humans – which that one always did. Not so the “brush wolves”, or coy dogs, or the “Eastern coyote”. There were at least three involved in the killing of Taylor Mitchell. One was still standing over her body in a defiant mood (something like a bear claiming its property) when an officer shot it with a 12ga slug. Another was shot that had human flesh in its gut. That was considered the matriarch. Another killed had the same DNA as the female. The one standing over the body had a slightly different DNA that was considered the male partner of the female. They were the leaders of the pack.

If you should be an eastern coyote/wolf hunter as I am, or just a hunter for small game in Ontario and east of here, and run into a pack of “eastern coyotes” or “wolf-coyotes”, that appear aggressive, don’t run, but start firing, especially at the leaders of the pack. Safety first! Questions later!

The use of DNA testing has significantly altered official views of the Ontario coyote and wolf, and those east of here. As pointed out, however, it has been known by hunters in Ontario, as well as the Maritime Provinces, that the so-called “coyote” of these areas was often wildly different, not only from those of the west, but from each other. Some appeared to be “normal” coyotes, while others were non-descriptive. Unusual. Therefore the alternate “handle” of “brush wolves”. I knew a man whose brother, with fellow hunters, hunted them, and was shown some photos. That’s where I saw, for myself, the extreme variations of fur colours and sizes. These were mostly designated differently than mere coyotes. When questioned, often there was uncertainty of how to designate them, but “brush wolf” seemed the appropriate term.

If wildlife biologists would only become aware of what real hunters experience in their trips, I think at least some of them would begin to question some of their “book-learned” assumptions! But, apparently, most of them consider themselves better informed than the hunters “who really didn’t see what they thought they saw”, according to the arrogance of these so-called “professionals”. It appears that a majority of them who received their education a number of years ago have not yet caught up with more recent conflicting DNA research and uncertain conclusions. There are still varied opinions over those findings! In my research I’ve discovered that there may well be several hybrid coyotes and wolves, and wolf-coyotes in this area alone, as well as in the north and northeast of our province. I usually now have a tag in my wallet designated “Wolf/Coyote” for certain areas where a tag is mandated for Fall and Winter hunting.

Concerning cougar or the “mountain lion”: I came within six feet of a black cougar in New Brunswick while driving the Nashwaak River Valley late one night. It was silhouetted against the ridge that went steeply upward behind it. I slowed nearly to a stop beside it before it slipped into the ditch and disappeared. I questioned a well-known local guide and hunter, who also was a former friend, and he said: “Yes, they are well known here (among woodsmen, hunters and farmers) as “Devil Cats”. I did the necessary research and found that a black sub-species of cougar had migrated north out of Florida into the Appalachians, just a hop, skip and a jump into Northern Maine and New Brunswick. Ten years later our eldest son and wife saw another in plain daylight crossing the highway in front of them, not far from our lake property. They were travelling by auto down the “three-mile hill” and sighted what they at first thought to be a black bear until they got closer and saw the very long black tail! Prior to the New Brunswick MNR giving official recognition to the presence of cougar in the province, a co-worker witnessed another in the outskirts of Fredericton, the Provincial Capital, late one night.

Cougars are predators. The same animal is often referred to as a “mountain lion”, which is a misnomer, but are they dangerous to humans? What is your experience or the experience of those known to you that you trust — not just in theory but in truth and reality! Personally, I have no experience other than those mentioned – the sighting for perhaps a dozen to fifteen seconds from about 50 yards down to 2 yards in which I nearly stopped beside it. And the tracks in the snow that were definitely a BIG cat, but too long from front to rear to be a bob cat or lynx. It had to be cougar. And then… not much later, a friend (a Boeing test pilot) cited that he and his wife saw a pair of them outside their window in the snow on the shore of a frozen lake (They weren’t ready to go outside to feed or pet them!).

That’s all for now, until the next when we’ll discuss cougars, real wolves so recognised historically, wild dogs and bob cats… and being prepared for an unexpected confrontation with any of them.

And lastly, the APEX PREDATOR – the bear!

Shalom

BOB MITCHELL

Does Ignorance of certain Big-Game Rifle Cartridges Matter?

The obvious answer is: It depends. Yes, and it depends on what is understood or implied by the question. So we’ll have to elaborate on the parameters. I could, for example, pose a slightly different question that has the same intent within a more narrow context that might give an idea of how far reaching the original question turns out to be.

For example: How much do we really know about America’s most common big-game rifle cartridge, the .30-06 Springfield? That’s one cartridge that “everyone” knows something about, but few have ever explored more than a few factory loads, or even very many handloads. Usually, contentment with a few is “more than enough”. And that’s one cartridge only! Do we know in practice what a good handloaded 220gr might be on a variety of big game at varied ranges and conditions? And what is meant by “a good handloaded 220gr” in the thousands of .30-06’s used annually during hunting seasons?

Therefore, when we begin to explore the full range of possibilities for this one favourite cartridge only, we begin to realize something about what we don’t yet know! It appears to me that knowing what we yet don’t know about what we thought we knew, might serve as a lesson in humility. Have we got the significance of the original question yet?

Instead of what we think we know, how about choosing a small handful of rifles that shoot different cartridges and become intimately familiar with them instead of going out to buy a “new rifle” just to say we have one of those also?

<I’ve owned a few 1895 Marlins in .45-70, not as a collection, but each one replaced another. There were legitimate reasons for that, but never “just to have one”. The first was chosen for a particular bear hunt, and all since have mostly been for the same reason, NOT for image sake or “I’ve got one of those too!”

That’s not to condemn buying a new rifle “just because”; God knows I’ve been guilty of that too, but hopefully we learn from mistakes and experience. Thankfully, I think that I can now say that as far as finding pleasure in a particular rifle is concerned, I want it to be a very good one (not necessarily estimated by dollar value), accurate, reliable, tough, accepting of variable loads and conditions, and non-offensive to the eye or shoulder. Over the years I’ve learned what I want in a BG rifle, and what I don’t want! It must take good glass and fit like a glove, and it must prove its companionship — I would like it around like a good friend who understands me… and accommodates our friendship. Sure, it can have a few blemishes as all friends do, like a few too many pounds or a bit underweight, but they go unnoticed because we fit comfortably together. But a 200 lb friend that should loose 20, is a mere 10%. Ten percent off of a 9.5 lb rifle is a mere 0.95 pounds, making it an 8.55 lb rifle. Would we reject it for that reason if all else was near perfection in our eyes? How much difference would that really make if it were only 90% perfect in weight? In recoil a loss of 1 lb would amount to 42 ft-lbs vs 38. Can your shoulder tell that difference? Not mine! Some prefer a heavier rifle to help with a bit too much felt recoil, while others prefer a lighter rifle for toting purposes — You know, “We carry more than we shoot” sort of thing. Two other things: It must still challenge me after a lifetime together – I’ll never get bored with a lifetime of friendship. And last, but not least, it must never let me down in a crisis situation.

How much do we really know about our rifles?

< I was 78 when this 6-footer was flattened by a 465gr hardcast from my NEF single-shot .45-70. It left the muzzle at about 1900 fps and impact velocity was over 1700 fps. Recoil was calculated at 47 ft-lbs from the 8-lb rifle with scope, one in the chamber and five on the stock in a cartridge holder. I was in a tree stand and the range was about 70 yards. The recoil was surprising but not hurtful.

That .338 WIN? Do we complain about its recoil, so it sits lonely in a safe?

That .223 Rem? Have we explored its full potential from all possible handloads, so that now we’re unhappy and want a 22-250?

Today, I’m left with two big-game rifles: the Ruger No.1 in .458 WIN that I need more time with to say “we’re friends”! And a 9.3 x 62 that satisfies many challenges for handloading, and has exceeded expectations in that department, but I’ll not live long enough to fully explore its potential. I’ve loaded bullets from 232gr to 320gr with fine accuracy. But, so far, only a 250gr AccuBond, a 286 NP and a 286 Hornady have tasted flesh and blood. In the hands of another, younger man, what could be its destiny? Well, there’s Africa and Alaska!

This is where I’m coming from when I asked the original question!

I’m certain, as I write this, that you have your favorite rifles. Why? That depends on what they have done in your hands: Are they reliable, sturdy, accurate, friendly and companions? Have you explored there full potential? Not likely. Not yet.

All of that depends on available resources, as well as time, money, other commitments, health and places in which to do it all. But depending on when, where and how, it takes time and availability to build friendships. How much that matters to us will determine our commitment to know and be known.

Currently, as you’re probably aware, the historic and still very healthy sixty-five year old .458 Winchester Magnum is again shining in the Sun… many of us feel that there is yet much to be learned about its versatility and prowess. Maybe you’d like to give one a try! It might become a lifetime friend as it can accommodate whatever we want from a good companion!

<Scouting for bear sign in October, 2020 with the Ruger No.1 in .458 Win Mag. The load was a 405gr Remington at about 2085 fps. That mimics a load I had used in an 1895 Marlin in shooting a bear at 100 yards from a ground blind. That 405gr was a pass-thru from left flank to behind the right shoulder and flattened the bruin on the spot.

As to commitment for my friendship with the Ruger No.1 in .458 Win Mag, I’ve put together what I deem a suitable black bear load: a 350gr Speer FT bullet at around 2350 fps. The goal is decent accuracy as I know that load is friendly in recoil and plenty in power for the largest of black bears within practical ranges. Physical recoil from the Ruger will be a modest 32 ft-lbs. But more importantly the velocity of recoil will only be 15 fps compared to an 8.5 lb .300 Win Mag firing a 180gr at 3150 fps creating 35 ft-lbs of physical recoil at a velocity of 16 fps. So all matters considered, the 350 Speer load would be similar to that .300 Win Mag load in physical effects, though a tad slower in ” felt recoil”. I’m not as young as when I was shooting thousands of rounds through various .300 Win Mags, but I found them to be mild in comparison to several others like a 340 Weatherby and various .45-70s. And I’ve already experienced what a CZ 550 in .458 can dish out in heavy recoil: like 500 grains at 2283 fps (66 ft-lbs of “free” recoil), so 32 is about half of that. The former Ruger No.1 in .45-70 LT attained 77 ft-lbs from some loads, so 32 is still “mild” by comparison. Still, I’m not as young as I used to be in my 50s and 60s. And, I’m recouping from a serious setback from several months of severe arthritis. I’m not trying to prove anything to anybody other than to myself!

Another projectile that’s become a project for acceptable accuracy in my Ruger No.1 in .458 WIN is a 465gr cast bullet at around 1400 fps. In my gun the recoil would be like 17 ft-lbs in physical recoil, but more of a mild push of about 10 fps. Say, is that good for a big bear of 600 lbs at 75 yards? TE = 93, and 73 TE at 200 yards. I’d have no reservations using that load on the biggest bears of Alaska at up to any reasonable range! For a charging big bear inside 50 yards there’s little doubt it would penetrate from frontal chest to the hams – and likely exit! I’m beginning to like that idea — little “kick”, and a bullet that will take down the largest game North America has to offer within the danger zone!

< Three years ago I fired a 54-caliber Hawkins BP for the first time. It belonged to a Vet of the Canadian military just a few years younger than I (I was 82 at the time). He was into vintage military stuff and BP. He wanted me to “give ‘er a try” to notice the “heavy recoil”. The ball was a conical 385gr cast at about 1100 fps. The Hawkins was relatively light for a 54-caliber, but “felt” recoil was very mild. My Ruger No.1 Tropical shooting the 465gr hardcast at 1400 fps will be a bit more in “felt recoil”, but not by much as it’s about 2 lbs heavier. At the time, I had just been introduced to my “new” to me Ruger No.1 Tropical firing 500s at around 2200 fps… hardly a comparison for the Hawkins!

I’m still making friends with my Ruger No.1 in .458 WIN. And that’s NOT to suggest it’s a difficult companion to like — on the contrary, I love the Ruger No.1s, especially in .458″ caliber – both in .45-70 and .458 WIN.

“Strange”, you say? No, what I find “strange” are hunters and shooters who stop trying something “new” or different when they reach 60 or 65 years, and are content not knowing what they don’t know, but could if they tried a 220gr in that .30-06 they’ve owned “forever”! I’m sure some Alaskans have, like Phil Shoemaker! I get it… you don’t guide or hunt Alaskan grizzlies or brown bears! Have you lost your imagination at 65? Go, shoot one of those 600 lb behemoth blacks of North Carolina! That would get the juices flowing again… and do it with a 220gr from your bored friend and faithful companion. She might surprise you!

Cartridge: .30-06 Springfield

Bullet: 220gr Nosler Partition; SD = .331; BC = .351

MV = 2600 fps/ 3302 ft-lbs

50 yds = 2485 fps/ 3016 ft-lbs/ 74 TE (Plenty good for a 600 pounder that’s “upset”)

100 yds = 2370 fps/ 2744 ft-lbs/ 67 TE (almost enough for that 1100 lb black bear killed in my home province way back in the “Dirty ’30’s”! — as long as it wasn’t charging!). And with recoil that’s only 40% more than my 465gr “big-bear” load from the Ruger No.1 in .458 Winchester Magnum! Yes, that was 40% more recoil, NOT less from a rifle that’s a mere 2 lbs lighter. I work out with a 15 lb weight in each hand in doing my exercises before retiring! That’s 30 lbs extra weight! Do you think I’m gonna consider an extra 2 lbs in rifles some kind of great “burden” when it reduces recoil by 40%! Well, maybe if I were climbing mountains all day! But that VERY MILD LOAD from the .458 Win Mag is potentially more effective at 200 yards than a max 220gr load from the .30-06 at 100!

Question: So, how much do we NOW KNOW that we didn’t when we thought we did?

Til next time

Shalom

BOB MITCHELL

These BIG-BORE-Rifle articles – for whom?

< Preparing for a bear hunt requires some strength and lots of strategy. This bait barrel will be stood in place in this niche of trees in a field not far from thick woods directly behind and to the right. Within a couple of kilometres is a Provincial Conservation Park with lots of wildlife, including bears. The strategy was to attract some of those bears to the bait. I managed to take three bears on this property and a young friend shot two.

I write these big-bore rifle commentaries for whoever wants to read them. But, of course, they are not reserved to BIG BORES only. I’ve expressed my experiences and views on MEDIUMS and even SUB-MEDIUMS from time to time since there is only so much to say on big-bore rifles for hunting purposes. Even so, the point has been made more than a few times that those of .458-caliber, namely the .45-70 and .458 Winchester Magnum, are arguably the most versatile big-bore rifles for big-game hunting due to the vast array of component bullets and powders available to the handloader. And there’s no shame in employing the .458 WIN in lieu of a BP rifle. I was informed by the manager of the shop where I purchased my Ruger No.1 Tropical that the former owner mostly shot cast bullets through it. The bore is pristine.

Nonetheless, where I’m coming from is the middle of middle men. In other words, perhaps the average hunter, so those are likely the ones who identify most clearly with my prose. Educationally, I’ve completed five years post secondary. Those are facts only, never intended as boasting or demeaning in any sense of others. It’s also a fact that I identify with the “common man” as that has been my heritage from birth – being born into a small fishing community on the East Coast of Canada next to the American border.

Adventure and hunting was inbred. I make no claims to superior knowledge or experience, though I might legitimately be described as a “specialist” in a few areas as there are those who have made comments of that nature in regard to the .45-70 and black bear hunting. While I sincerely appreciate such “comments”, my goal has never been to be other than honest and factual in my experiences, however that might be taken by others.

Therefore, I write for the “common man”, the average hunter who may never have his or her name made public. I think that I know what I know as well as knowing what I don’t know. If I don’t know “It”, I’ll say so. No pretence will be made here that I “know it all”. That’s for others who have a name and status to protect.

Some of my hunts have been cheerful and satisfying even though I shot nothing. I suspect you have experienced the same. As the saying goes: ” It’s not always about shooting something… It’s the total experience that matters”.

Rarely have I used a pro guide, though I did for eight tries early in my bear hunts. My outfitter/guide was known as “The Bear Man”, and I really, really appreciated those experiences in the northeast of our province as that educated me about black bears and primarily hunting them over bait, but not exclusively. I learned their habitat, habits, dispositions and intelligence – though learning their intelligence is still ongoing. When you think you know bears, there will be surprises because, like humans, they are individualistic in behaviour and therefore in thoughts and reactions. It has been said: “If you know what a bear is going to do next, you know more than the bear does”! Some apparent truth there but, of course, fallacious. A bear has been programmed to react in certain ways, but NOT necessarily in predictable ways.

One bear might take flight while another might stay for a fight! Or “shoot first and ask questions later” – the equivalent of a human reaction – known as “a charge”. So, the first lesson for the rookie bear hunter is: DON’T ASSUME TOO MUCH! JUST BE READY FOR THE UNKNOWN, AND, IF POSSIBLE SHOOT THEM BEYOND 30 YARDS. That’s because they can cover 30 yards in less than 2 seconds!

<Friend, Dave, shot this 300 lb class bear at about five yards from a tree stand using his .35 Remington and a 200gr Rem Cor Loc bullet. It went nowhere. After lots of research and experience he knew what he was doing!

What is the best weapon? Recently, I wrote a few articles on that, but it amounts to familiarity with your weapon – it needs to be handy and ready, and powerful enough to STOP a bear, not just kill it! Beyond 30 yards, if a bear isn’t charging, a .30-30 might suffice depending on bullet selection and placement. In other words, the bear must be still and unaware of your presence for careful shooting. If thick brush is handy, or it’s a thick timbered area with deep ravines, I’d never knowingly go to such an area with a .30-30, or something akin, because of the strong possibility of wounding or needing to follow up. If you have a skilled partner with adequate firepower, who won’t panic, your .30-30 might be adequate but there’s still higher risk involved than if you’re toting a .45-70 with good loads, for example. Much better than a .30-30 would be a handy medium like a .350 Rem Mag in a 660 type of thing. And a handy .350 Rem Mag loaded with quality 225s, or preferably 250s, makes a handy firearm for most other North American big game including grizzly. So does a .35 Whelen, .338 Win or 9.3 x 62 Mauser if they are kept relatively light and handy.

Because of costs today, the average hunter will pick and choose his/her annual hunts carefully. It’s likely he’ll never make it to Africa or even Alaska. But there’s still lots of local hunting available in states and provinces. My wife and I were recently invited by our oldest son and wife to visit them this fall in their new home in the Province of New Brunswick, our native province – where we grew up and where I was born. They were living on the lakefront of downtown Toronto in a condo until the end of May. It was sold to another couple who have already moved there. But they have one month left before they both retire so have rented “space” until they move at the end of June. The moving van has already taken their “stuff” to N.B.

Brent, who has been involved in missions, with his wife, in Africa for two decades, then as a rep for another mission that took him to most of the worlds troubled areas for another decade, has more recently been VP of Operations and Personnel at the famed Yonge Street Mission in Downtown Toronto (200 employees and 600 volunteers under him) until he retires the end of this month. He now wants to do fishing, hunting and painting in their new location on an island in the Passamaquody Bay, an inlet off the famed Bay of Fundy. Access to the N.B. mainland is via government ferry that is only a few hundred yards across salt water. There are scores of whitetail deer in the area, and he has invited me to hunt with him this fall, acting as my guide. I will use a borrowed rifle. He has inherited several from his deceased FIL, as well as the one I’ve handloaded for him – a Winchester M94 XTR in .356 Winchester. I’ve loaded it with the 220gr Speer over 47.5 grains of W748 at about 2200 to 2250 fps. That’s somewhat better than the .30-30 from his FIL that I may end up toting! Any black bear in New Brunswick? Tons! Will I get a license? Probably. And factory loads only, but I’d choose the 170gr over the 150. Typically, the 170 leaves the short 20″ barrel around 2100 fps. A male black bear in N.B. should go on average around 350 lbs, though it’s possible for a monster bear to show up. The largest from that area was shot back in the 1930’s and estimated at 1100 lbs. And that was less than 100 miles, as crows fly, from where I grew up! What would that factory load in the 30-30 look like at 60 yards? Brent would likely offer the .356 Winchester, but I think I’d stick with the .30-30 for educational purposes (for myself).

< Brent’s .356 Winchester.

Rifle: lever action M94 in .30-30

Barrel = 20″

Bullet: 170gr RN

SD = .257

BC = .304 (Speer)

MV = 2100 fps/ 1664 ft-lbs/ 31 TE/ -1.6″

30 yds = 2022 fps/ 1543 ft-lbs/ 29 TE/ -0.19″ (With a “good hit” in heart-lungs should put down a 230 lb bruin that’s charging.)

60 yds = 1947 fps/ 1430 ft-lbs/ 27 TE/ +0.45″ (A “good hit” in heart-lungs should do for up to a 480 lb bear at rest.)

90 yds = 1873 fps/ 1324 ft-lbs/ 25 TE/ +0.26″ ( A decent quartering away shot should handle a 300 pounder walking away.)

Who says we need more than a .30-30?

At 60 and 90 yards are what might be described as normal hunting situations of bear that are NOT agitated or charged with adrenaline. When a bear (or other larger game species) is upset, angry or in a predatory mood it’s often charged with adrenaline as in the 30 yard scenario — THAT bear is a different animal than one that’s relaxed or just curious! I recently watched a video of a 400 lb calf moose that revived after it had been sedated for study and examination of its physical status by Conservation Officers and wildlife biologists. Rather than running off, as expected, it viciously attacked the CO cameraman several times! He was knocked to the ground and severely beaten up before the beast fled! All that from a 400 lb calf moose!!

So, what about a 400 lb black bear than can kill a 1000 lb moose?

I had a close friend, who deceased a couple of years ago, who owned in his younger years to retirement a honey business with apiaries scattered around the countryside on private farms with woodlots. Often they were dismantled by bears, and he would usually await a troublesome bear near darkness in some brush nearby. His firearm was a trusty .30-30 with factory ammo. He did in more than a few.

And there’s an interesting story about the .30-30 inherited by Brent from his father-in-law. It was told to me directly, firsthand. And you’d really have to have known Mr. Braun to fully appreciate the story because he could keep you rolling on the floor! In his youth he was a poacher with his brothers living in rural N.B. They lived amongst the wildlife: bears, bucks and moose. Later, after marriage and family life he became an entrepreneur par excellence! He built his own home and worked with wood as few can. He had heavy machinery along with a mill for making lumber. He also owned other properties. On one of them he built a cabin for hunting and fishing. On that property he often had visits from bears. One day as he was out scouting amongst the trees he literally came face to face with one. They stood facing each other on opposite sides of a young fir tree… eyeballing each other. The bear, standing on hind legs, sniffed him as he raised his .30-30. He said “I didn’t really want to shoot it, but figured that maybe I should just in case it decided to attack! My rifle’s muzzle was about on its nose when I squeezed the trigger! Nothing happened! The hammer crawled slowly toward the firing pin while the bear blinked, dropped down and walked away!” Then Mr. Braun gave one of his memorable belly laughs! That .30-30 was special as it was one of the Centennial editions. But for some reason on that occasion some dirt had collected around the channel for the hammer that prevented it from firing. In some peculiar way he was relieved! That .30-30 was to him enough for any beast in New Brunswick. Of course, ranges were short at best.

So, if I get to use it this fall, it will bring back a flood of memories. While living in Ontario for the past forty plus years, we shared ownership of a lake property with my brother and wife in N.B., not far from the Brauns. Often we had visits with them and greatly appreciated their hospitality and his story telling that would bring you to tears of laughter. And, by the way, he became a Christian in later life, and a good one that delivered him from a life of alcoholism. <This is Lindsay Sporting Camp in New Brunswick, Canada, almost directly across Indian Lake from our property that we sold several years ago. It’s the dark spot on the opposite shore line just to the right of the pine tree. If you’re interested in a bear hunt there (there’s also moose, deer and small game) I can send more information. The border is now closed due to Covid-19 but may be opened by the fall. They have both spring and fall bear hunts.

So he was one hunter that I personally got to know rather intimately, and respected his character, testimony and savvy as a hunter, though his main firearm was that .30-30 Winchester. He also owned some old shotguns and, if I recall, a Brit .303.

He was about a year younger than I but he deceased about ten years ago due to an abuse of alcohol in his younger years – to his mid forties when he became a Christian. Through our daughter-in-law, I came to know him shortly thereafter, and my wife and I became friends with Ron and Elizabeth Braun. He was a successful business man and highly respected in the area, even getting government contracts. But alcohol took its toll in later life, cutting it short by at least ten years. A lesson for all of us. Though he never completed high school he was unusually intelligent and could discuss many topics with knowledge and insight. His wife is still living in N.B., sharing a home with her sister. Their son has a doctorate in aquaculture, living and working in one of the Maritime Provinces.

Til next time…

Shalom

BOB MITCHELL

Comparing Rifle Cartridges – How that can be done – P2

Please note that I’ve slightly changed the title from “How that might be done” to “How that can be done”. “Can” is more explicit whereas “might” is more suggestive.

As an example of “can” let’s go along with noted author, rancher and gun guru, Brian Pearce who claimed in an article that the .44 Rem Mag in a rifle was as effective on elk (not being specific as to sex or size — but assuming he meant same sex and size) at 150 yards as a .30-06 (again assuming he meant appropriate loads in each). Since Brian has been both a student and user of multiple firearms (both rifles and pistols) for testing and hunting purposes, I have confidence he wasn’t blowing “hot air”. If any writer can be trusted in their statements and analysis of firearms in the field, I’d personally put Brian Pearce near the top of that list.

His statement was not a suggestion, but a statement of fact, a bold declaration based not on theory but experience. So what I want to do here is test that by my formula and based on my knowledge of both cartridges having handloaded each.

< In scouting with my Ruger 96/44, I came across these fresh tracks in wet mud!

For the .30-06 I’ll choose a standard profile 180gr NP at 2750 fps with a BC of .474 which I’d consider a “normal” or average load for any elk. And for the .44 Remington Magnum I’ll go with what I have experienced from my former Ruger 96/44 lever action with an 18″ barrel. A 300gr Hornady XTP at 1650 fps with a BC rating of .245. (I’m aware of Hornady’s MV for the Ruger Carbine of 18″, but that was a semi-auto, not the lever action). I also attained a maximum of 1700 fps from both the 300gr Hornady and Speer 300gr but 1650 was more accurate. Though I considered the Speer a better choice for tough game, the Hornady has a better BC rating and I shot a couple of crows with that bullet giving better accuracy.

I think we all should be aware by now that the famed .30-06 Springfield is more than adequate for a mature bull elk of 700 – 800 lbs at up to 400 yards with a good hit from a good load. We’re not comparing a .44 Rem Mag with that but, rather, at 150 yards which could be somewhere close to average for a mature bull elk. Apart from Brian, how many elk rifle hunters would choose a .44 magnum? There’s little doubt that many American hunters have done so with a handgun in .44 mag… but in a rifle? At 150 yards? Well, it’s obvious to me that Brian has.

< My friend Roger’s elk from N. Alberta.

The point of these analyses and comparisons is to confirm that a large-bore rifle shooting a heavy bullet at modest velocity can be as effective within most realistic hunting ranges, or more so, than more modern high-velocity cartridges in use today for most common big-game hunting.

Without giving the data for the .30-06 load, which we’ve already assumed to be more than adequate for elk at 150 yards, what about Brian Pearce’s claim for the .44 Rem Mag? In reading the piece, the first thing I did was to test it by my formula… or maybe to test my formula by Brian’s claim.

Rifle: Ruger 96/44

Cartridge: 44 Rem Mag

Bullet: 300gr Hornady, .245 BC

MV = 1650 fps/ 1813 ft-lbs/ 61 TE/ -1.6″

50 yds = 1524 fps/ 1547 ft-lbs/ 52 TE/ +1.1″

100yds = 1408 fps/ 1321 ft-lbs/ 44.4 TE/ 0.0″

150yds = 1304 fps/ 1132 ft-lbs/ 38 TE/ -5.5″

I multiply TE (terminal effect) by the following values to get an estimate of animal size/weight: 12.5 for going away shots; 18.5 for quartering shots away or toward; 20 for heart-lung shots; and 25 for shoulder and CNS hits.

Kenitic Energy at Impact x Sectional Density x Cross-sectional-area in sq-in = TE (KEI x SD x CSA = TE)

Assuming a heart-lung shot on an elk at 150 yards, 38 TE x 20 = 760 lbs; a CNS/shoulder shot, 38 x 25 = 950 lbs.

I claim no magic for this as there are many variables, but it has been tested against many reports where adequate detail has been provided, and my own experiences as well as similar formulas – notably by the late John Wootters — and it therefore seems a reasonable concept in preparation for field work and analysis.

Based on these concepts, I’d have to agree with Brian Pearce’s claim that “a .44 Remington Magnum is as adequate for elk at 150 yards as a .30-06.”

The end result is kinetic energy modified by bullet cross-sectional-area and sectional density. John Wootters used classes of game and nominal bullet diameter. I use animal size and cross-sectional-area of bullet instead of bullet caliber.

In terms of momentum, a 300gr at 1500 fps is equal to a 150gr at 3000 fps. And a 500gr at 2000 is equivalent to a 250gr at 4000 fps. In the rush for kinetic energy figures (velocity squared), momentum (force= velocity x mass only) is regarded as irrelevant. However, in practice, it has been proven too many times that momentum is a vital factor that can’t be ignored, especially in big-bores with heavy bullets. Of course, bullet construction must match the desired effect whether in high velocity or low and anything between.

Let’s take two more rifle cartridges having different kinetic energies (KE) at impact at the same distance on a 2200 lb bison, and decide which of the two we’d choose for the job, and why. The two are: a Ruger #1 in .458 Win Mag firing a 475gr cast bullet (#2 Alloy) at 1623 fps. Range to the bison is 200 yards. SD = .322, and BC = . 477. Those numbers are from Lyman’s 48th Edition and 40.5 grains of 5744 at very low pressure. – page 296. The test rifle was like mine on the header.

The other choice is a typical .338 Win Mag with a 26″ barrel. Its ballistics are a 250gr NP at 2750 fps from the muzzle. SD = .313, and BC = .474.

We assume that accuracy is adequate for the task in each.

First up:

The .338 Winchester Magnum (based on the .458 Winchester Magnum necked down to .338-caliber.)

MV = 2750 fps/ 4197 ft-lbs/ -1.60″/ 118 TE

50 = 2656 fps/ 3917 ft-lbs/ +0.75″/ 110 TE

100= 2565 fps/ 3652 ft-lbs/ +1.85″/ 102 TE

150= 2476 fps/ 3402 ft-lbs/ +1.64″/ 95 TE

200= 2388 fps/ 3165 ft-lbs/ +/- 0.0″/ 89 TE (Estimated maximum weight = 2225 lbs – rounded to 2200 lbs)

Next:

The .458 Winchester Magnum

MV = 1623 fps/ 2778 ft-lbs/ -1.60″/ 148 TE

50 = 1557 fps/ 2556 ft-lbs/ +2.64″/ 136 TE

100= 1493 fps/ 2352 ft-lbs/ +3.27″/ 125 TE

150= 1433 fps/ 2165 ft-lbs/ +/- 0.0″/ 115 TE

200= 1375 fps/ 1994 ft-lbs/ -7.50″/ 106 TE (Estimated maximum weight = 2650 lbs – rounded to 2700 lbs)

** This is not an endorsement of that particular cast bullet, as its hardness and actual diameter are both critical to its accuracy and performance — and that depends on the knowledge and skill of the one who casts them, as well as the mould itself.

It is to show the potential of a BIG BORE, notably the .458 Win Mag, in using a relatively cheap, low-pressure, heavy cast-bullet load for large game at practical ranges. Of course, the same has been accomplished in generations past by the 1873 Springfield (.45-70) using BP.

My analysis:

The .338 Win Mag would be marginal for a 2200 lb bison at 200 yards from a single maximum load fired. Recoil from an 8.5 lb rifle = 40 ft-lbs. In a case of needing a second shot, that’s 40 ft-lbs recoil x 2 (or more).

The .458 Win Mag load would be more than adequate for a 2200 lb bison at 200 yards from a single very mild load fired. Recoil from a 10.5 lb rifle = 23 ft-lbs. With Mag-na-ports = 19.5 ft-lbs (Mine is Mag-na-ported) or about 1/2 the physical recoil of the 8.5 lb .338 Win Mag.

The pros and cons:

Cons: – The .458 is 2 lbs heavier but 6″ shorter. It’s a so-called “single-shot”, though multiple cartridges can rest in a buttstock holder making it a “repeater” of sorts.

Pros: – It’s obvious to aficionados that the .458’s potential ballistics are superior on both the high end and the low end. Try loading a .338 Win down to about 35,000 psi for a bison hunt at up to 200 yards and we’ll soon realize why Big Bores have the upper hand in versatility! That is ONE Big Bore in particular, being the .458 Winchester Magnum due to the great proliferation of ready made component bullets, and myriads of moulds to make your own.

Cartridge comparisons? That’s for losers to bet against the .458 Winchester Magnum! It’s versatility has yet to be fathomed. 250 grain projectiles to 600 grains — at MVs from 1000 fps to 3000 fps! What other nominal cartridge can boast that kind of performance for the dedicated handloader?

From my Ruger #1 in .458 Win I’ve attained approximately 3000 fps from the 300gr Barnes TSX, though I load it to about 2750 fps for hunting purposes. That load shoots into sub-moa. The Ruger has a 24″ barrel that about equals a 26″, .378 Weatherby firing a 300gr, but using only 2/3rds as much propellant. On the other end, a bullet that weighs twice the 300gr can attain 2100 fps. I’m quite sure of that from my former Ruger #1 in .45-70 LT with a 22″ barrel easily attaining 1900 fps from the 600gr Barnes Original without any appearances of undue stress on the rifle or cases.

< Yes, from this rifle the 600gr Barnes made 1900 fps.

Hey, I know that I’ll never get to use all that a .458 Win Mag can deliver other than in range testing, but that experience has had its own rewards in its uniqueness… sort of like the finding of a rare gem. To a gemologist that would be the experience of a lifetime. Again, similar to a unique piece of art to an artist. In either case, the joy is in the finding and possession of something rare and beautiful in their eyes, not just the potential monetary value. For myself, the personal discovery of the .458’s potential, without and before the findings of others that I was aware of, has been like an astro-scientist discovering secrets of the universe that hadn’t come to light previously! Especially is that so when so much denial and negativity falsely surrounded the history of the .458 Winchester Magnum so that lies were manufactured to justify the creation of “new” Big Bores such as the .416 Remington and .458 Lott. Not only so, but a resurrection of “old” Big Bores were flooding the market, such as the .404 Jeffrey and .416 Rigby that were said to be The Answer to the failure of the .458 Winchester Magnum. Talk about a rush by authors to deal a death blow to the .458 WIn, as well as digging holes to bury it! Ross Syfried, noted gun guru and author, predicted it’s demise as soon as the .416 Remington was announced! Not that there’s much wrong with the .416 Remington, which I’d prefer over the Rigby, but it isn’t a .458 Win Mag in versatility!

Then there are those spokesmen and authors who have done harm to the perception of the .458 WIN with faint praise, and in making excuses for it! If anyone NEEDS more than 5000 to 6000 ft-lbs of muzzle energy from a 300gr to 550gr/.458-caliber for any earthly creature, then they need to be excused!

.458 Winchester Magnum owners are now coming out of their closets, no longer needing to be embarrassed for owning one! Rather, they can hold their heads high knowing they have the finest of all BIG BORES!

Check out the 24hour campfire forums: Express Rifles and Big Bores Only/ The great .458 Winchester Magnum. Dr. Ron Berry (Riflecrank) is now the chief “scientist and engineer” in demonstrating the greatness of the .458 Winchester Magnum. And all that in full colour with a dash of Irish wit!

Shalom

BOB MITCHELL

Comparing Rifle Cartridges – How that might be done – P1

< A couple of firearms of a by-gone era owned by my friend Roger Pilon. There are those who still appreciate their artistry and history.

The Spanish American War of 1898 became the final push for transforming American thinking away from straight-wall BP single-shot rifle cartridges to smokeless powder, high pressure bottleneck cartridges as in the repeating rifles used by the Spanish. It was hardly an even contest between the 1873 single-shot BP .45-70 service rifle and the Spanish Mauser repeating rifle that used smokeless powder, but in 1892 the American government authorised the Krag-Jorgensen .30-40 bolt-action repeating rifle, using smokeless powder as their new small arms military weapon. Production was begun in 1894 at the Springfield armory. But continued use of the historic .45-70 was necessary in that war because only about 30,000 Krags were initially produced. It was not that the BP rifles lacked any killing power, but they were slow by comparison in getting off multiple shots, and Napoleonic tactics were still employed in range fire. Not only that but the Spanish Mausers were more accurate with a flatter trajectory and longer effective reach. So the Americans moved to their own versions of smokeless powder, repeating rifles, some employing bottleneck cartridges. The .30-40 Krag of 1894 replaced the .45-70 and, itself, was later replaced in 1903 by the Springfield .30-cal (.30-03) and three years later to the .30-06 Springfield as the new small arms service cartridge that endured right up to and into the Vietnam conflict. As was the case (pun unavoidable) with the venerable .45-70 Springfield, it was inevitable that it would sooner or later be adopted as a sporting rifle cartridge by several sporting rifle manufacturers, notably by Winchester and Remington, so that today it has become one of the most famed and popular sporting rifle cartridges of all time.

Of course, during the late 19th century there was a plethora of single-shot and lever-action repeating rifles that still used BP as propellant, as well as a few bottleneck cartridges, the first of which that never used BP being the .30-30 Winchester chambered for the Model ’94, still being very popular today despite higher pressure and faster “deer cartridges”.

Thus, viewing a rifle cartridge’s shape — how it looks — is often the first clue that impresses the mind as to its capabilities. Straight wall vs bottleneck, and especially with today’s modern magnum fat bottleneck cartridges with sharp shoulders, speaks “fast and lethal” to a younger generation — and to some no longer of a younger generation.

Apart from the history involved, there are still a few hangers-on from the BP era of straight-walled cartridges. Notable among them is the .45-70 that dates to 1873. And it appears more popular now than ever. But the modern era .45-70 using smokeless powder in strong actions, either single-shots or the 1895 Marlin since 1972, is hardly the same weapon as in 1873! There are even special factory loads designed for and capable of taking elephant! And it has been done! And it was the various iterations of the (then) ubiquitous .45-70s that nearly wiped out the American bison! So, obviously, there’s little left to be discussed in regard to it’s popularity then or today, or its power to knock over the biggest and meanest of creatures left on this planet!

Then upping the ante, there are the more modern straight-wall cartridges for the really big stuff: the .458 Winchester Magnum and Lott (which in handloaded form is just a later .458 Win Mag with a slightly longer case).

And how do we evaluate the tiny .22LR ? It’s a straight-wall cartridge that barely uses one or two grains of smokeless powder (some say 5, 6 and even 7 grains of BP) to power a 31 – 40gr bullet at up to 1500 – 1600 fps depending on actual weight of bullet. My CZ 455 bolt-action repeater will shoot five of the 40gr HP CCI Velocitor at 1400 fps into MOA at 100 yards… quite enough for not only a groundhog, but a fox or even a coyote with a head shot! Then there are the shotguns from .410 to 12ga and larger! Are they not straight-wall cartridges?

The obvious point: While there’s a lot of redundancy, there’s a place for most of them. The .303 British hangs on in the former British Colonies, though it started life as a BP cartridge! In North America it has been effective in taking all legal game up to giant moose and grizzly. Yet it doesn’t look modern with its rimmed case and slanted sides before the shoulder. Are there more modern cartridges that are more effective? More powerful, yes, but more effective? Conditions and expertise determines that!

But in any evaluation, it’s the end result that should be the main factor. And the main, unknown factor, is the shooter under variable conditions of stress and personal expertise when all matters don’t align perfectly. Is a .22LR cartridge capable of killing a groundhog under all conditions? No. Is a .22 WMR a better choice for longer shots, and even a good choice for coyote within 100 yards?

The point being, we must know a rifle’s ability as well as it’s ballistics. Back-in-the-day, I found the .22LR ammo capable of killing groundhogs — that weigh 4 to 8 lbs — at 100 yards with head shots. Today’s ammo is quite a bit better, but in my view body shots are still not reliable for quick kills past 100. The .22 WLR, on the other hand, is effective to 200 yards with good hits. The .223? I’ve cleanly killed groundhogs past 300 yards, but it depends on the bullet used as well as placement.

Is the .223 Rem a good coyote cartridge? Under perfect conditions, yes. But many conditions aren’t perfect! I’d choose a .243 for Eastern coyote that can go 35 – 40 lbs! And then we have a half-breed coyote-wolf or wolf-coyote that can attain 90 lbs! Those are the ones I like to hunt, and they are killers of sheep and cattle, and larger mammals as they can go in packs! Two killed a young woman out jogging in a national park on Cape Britain Island, NS, a few years ago. Often, they are known as “brush wolves” or “coy dogs” depending on the province. DNA tests reveal they are part coyote and part wolf.

< This is a stark reminder of what a very strong .45-70 is capable of with safe handloads in a modern Ruger No.1. That number was recorded from a 500gr Hornady RN Interloc that became a standard load in that rifle which was given a long throat (LT) for seating the bullet to 3.19″ COL. Correction to MV = 2210 fps/5422 ft-lbs.

In essence then, unless I depend on the results and advice of others I trust, I quantify potential results by the formula I’ve published here several times, but it has been modified and refined over time. A reliable computer ballistics program is essential as well as external known physical conditions such as: elevation, relative humidity (RH) and temperature. Of course, we can’t know exactly the RH and temp of each day of a hunting season, so I choose as close as possible the averages. But temperature is a variable that significantly affects long range shooting, and elevation should be known as that factor alone can dramatically influence a bullet’s trajectory and velocity at impact, especially in mountains or longish ranges. The inputs I give to the formula is rather consistent as to elevation and ranges. But the big variable is change in temps from spring to summer, summer to fall, and fall to winter. We have a distinct four seasons with temps that can vary from summer to winter that amounts up to 55*C, or +35*C in summer heat to – 20*C in winter ( 95*F to -6*F). Granted, those are the extremes, and you won’t catch me ” out there” in those extreme temps, at least not at this stage of life.

In the Canadian Prairie Provinces, as well as the states south of the border, and in the Rockies, or other mountains or foot hills, ranges can be long, so having knowledge of ballistics, including trajectories, is of paramount importance. But then, so are relative short ranges over bear baits (an example) if using a shotgun slug or even a .45-70. A miscalculation of even 25 yards can result in wounding or a complete miss!

I’ve done my homework for using an 1895 Marlin in .45-70 for moose, and I did take that rifle as backup for a moose hunt in the Far North. A ballistic profile revealed it could be effective on a mature bull at up to 350 yards with a holdover of 1-foot above the hump. Now that’s a LOT father than most “pundits” ascribe to this ancient warhorse! About twice as far, as a matter of fact, as “they” would begrudge even 1/2 that at 175 yards! And yes, to answer the questions: 405gr at 2120 fps and 43,000 CUP. The net result was 70 TE, with trajectory at slightly more than +4″ at 100 (certainly not too much for a moose) and -33″ at 350 yards. One foot over the hump would put it in the “boiler room”! As it turned out I shot the moose at 165 yards! At that range the 405gr would have hit with more force than the 250gr from the .340 Weatherby. The Weatherby had a 112 TE at impact vs a potential 116 TE from the Marlin in .45-70!

Who would have guessed? Certainly NOT the “experts”! After the fact, I actually thought the .45-70 would have done the job more efficiently!

Less powder and less recoil! What’s not to like? And the bullets were MUCH cheaper!

Comparing rifle cartridges… There you have one comparison. No doubt, the .340 would shine past 400 yards, and that’s why I chose it, as clear cuts allowed viewing of a potential moose crossing to well beyond 600 yards. Some time ago I decided to not attempt a shot at moose beyond about 500 yards assuming a solid rest and a broadside stance of the animal. The Marlin in .45-70 would be well outclassed at that range in trajectory as well as TE (Terminal Effect) At 500 yards bullet drop would be nine feet below point-of-aim but TE would be adequate at 50 in the Marlin. The .340 would have the same drop at 500 as the .45-70 at 350, and the same TE at 500 as the Marlin at 350 yards. I replaced the .340 with my current 9.3 x 62. It’s ballistics in both trajectory and TE could be effective on a large soft-skinned game animal, like a bull moose, to my self-imposed limit, and a bit more. That’s why I have it. It burns less fuel but its recoil is similar to the 340 being quite a bit lighter. It’s simply a handier package for the same purposes, except it’s doubtful it will see the Far North. Instead, it has become a favorite for bear having taken three so far.

So in comparing rifle cartridges, the rifle itself: it’s condition, accuracy and barrel length is the first consideration because that defines its true ballistics. You may have a very powerful rifle for big game, that theory says is more than adequate at 500 – 600 yds, but if three shots at those ranges are 2 MOA or more under bench-rest conditions there’s obviously a serious problem in hoping for a clean kill shot under field conditions at those ranges.

The rifle itself should leave no doubts as to its functional ability to place shots where intended whether at 50 yards or 450. And that can only be determined at a range, whether personal or public.

Then I do ballistic profiles of every cartridge after tests using a chronograph, and targets at various ranges, depending on what I need/expect from each bullet load. Also, the size of holes in targets, depending on cartridge caliber, gives a visual impression of holes in flesh. Not that holes in muscle will compare to holes in thin paper targets, but a .458″ hole in a paper target is much more impressive than a .223″ hole. And there is a correlation, other things equal. I like big holes in big animals — the bigger the animal, the larger it’s heart and other organs. We’re not killing “the whole animal” but a relatively small part that’s vital to it’s life! The brain and heart are relatively small, but I’m sure you’ve seen photos or real life animal hearts with 2″ or 4″, or more, holes through them. I’ve seen some that couldn’t be recognised as a heart — they were a mass of jello! But the bullet has had to penetrate adequately and forcefully enough to destroy the heart! Same with any other vital organ. I hit one going away bear in the liver, the bullet continued on through lungs, finally taking out a big chunk of spine and back of the head — it was still going off into timber where it was lost! That was a 350gr Speer from my first .458 Win Mag leaving the 22″ barrel of the M77 Ruger at a very modest 2345 fps/4273 ft-lbs — that is modest for a .458 WIN. Range was 70 yards. No animal will have enough “guts” left to argue that you used a .458 instead of a .243!

< The Ruger No.1 Tropical in .458 Winchester Magnum (also on the header). My current .458 WIN.

More comin’

Shalom

BOB MITCHELL

BEAR Defence Weapons – P3

Do you believe in a sixth sense – in humans? In some it seems well developed while in others it’s non-existent or dormant. In P2 I suggested that if one hunted long enough, they’ve somewhere had the experience of awareness of some creature’s presence nearby without any physical evidence. I shared the incident involving the mature bull moose watching me from twenty yards behind my back when I heard nothing, saw nothing or smelled nothing while watching a bear bait sixty-five yards out front while seated behind a deadfall. The eerie feeling compelled me to turn and looking over my left shoulder, there was the bull.

Believe it or not, I had a similar incident involving a very sneaky mature boar bear! If you are committed to hunting bears, sooner or later you’ll have experiences that don’t fit status quo expectations — i.e., a mature bear coming to your bait, standing broadside long enough for careful aiming before taking the shot — as in my first bear.

The Sneaky Bear Incidents – Situations No.2 and 3: I’d been hunting this bear from a tree stand over bait for most of the fall season. All of the sign said he was smart and big! My ladder stand was chained to a good size maple tree because this was Crown Land (public land) and in my favorite location where most often I used ground blinds near the top of a ridge with the bait setup at the bottom 100 yards away.

(Right click on pics for “Open in new tab”. Then left click on “new tab” for larger images.)

< Pic taken from blind at 100 yards to bait barrel.

This location had been scouted and hunted for a few years already, and was always undisturbed by other creatures (except by one ) including human activity. It easily conformed to all criteria as excellent bear habitat, based on eight previous seasons with Norm Easto as my outfitter, and I’d already taken a few bears here along with a younger friend taking a very good bear over my bait. Also, it was a few years prior to my ownership of the CZ550 in .458 Win Mag. But, seeking new and different experiences with rifles for bears, and by times getting bored with the same equipment, I left my Marlin in .45-70 G behind for a Remington M673 in .350 Rem Mag on this hunt. I’d owned one of Remington’s Classic series in .350 Rem Mag previously. Apart from disappointment with ballistic results at the time, it was one of the best overall bolt action repeaters I’d ever owned, and would still qualify as such even today a quarter century later knowing what I now know about the .350 Rem Mag. The Model 673 had a heavy 22″ barrel and a heavy laminated wood stock making recoil more than pleasant. Plus the fact, it was unbelievably accurate with 250-grainers at .338 Win Mag speeds from a 22″ barrel!

Aside from being a bit too heavy (That was an important criteria for Remington, as the first iterations of the M600s and M660s were obnoxious in recoil according to some due to being too light and handy — which wasn’t so in the Classic.) the 673 was worse than the Classic in ballistic results. Even factory ammo showed signs of over-pressure while not attaining proclaimed factory velocity. Something was amiss. So off I went to Mr. Von Atzigen for analysis. I showed him some factory ammo cases that clearly revealed machining rings around the cases, which I saw for myself in extracting them from the chamber. The action was the short action of the M7. “Eddy” tried to chamber a test gauge and it was a “no go”. The chamber had been “roughed out” only and not finished! So Eddy finished the chamber and polished it so it gleamed like a mirror. And what a difference that made! That rifle became the most accurate bolt action I’d ever owned, or have since owned including two .223s! I’ve published this previously: The last group fired from that rifle was a 3/8″ (.375″) three shot perfect triangle (one-hole group barely over .358-caliber) into a target at 100 yards — And at an MV (corrected to) of 2736 fps! No! That wasn’t a 225gr but the 250gr GS! The Nosler Partitions were not far behind at just shy of 2700 fps and less than MOA!

So that’s the rifle and load of the 250gr Speer GS that went bear hunting from a tree stand in my favorite spot.

By then I knew the Sneaky Bear’s route to the bait and moved my tree stand much closer to the bait setup — at only 35 yards away, the closest I’d ever been to watching a bear bait (a result of analysis of that bear’s strategy). He was coming from the same area where most of the bruins came from: a tree-filled bog on the far east side of the ridge, over the top and into the downside of the ridge on the west where mostly I used blinds, but this time I ventured with my tree stand. But when my stand was closer to the top he simply put a growth of fir and spruce between us — he on the north side and I on the south. So I never saw him come to the bait as he waited me out. But I clearly saw his trail in scouting. I knew, therefore, that I had to move my tree stand closer to the bait and below the coniferous trees that blocked my view. I did that, of course, earlier on a day when I knew he’d not be close by.

So the very next day I was seated in my tree stand by around 3:30 pm which was an hour or so earlier than usual (during September we could hunt bear until about 9 pm). I knew that could mean a rather long stint for sitting (and standing) quietly in a “cramped” tree stand for up to five and one-half hours! But that bear was mature and SNEAKY! He would try to out- maneuver me by changing his strategy! Which he did!

I had an excellent view of the bait area even though there were some large maples in the area as well as shorter firs and spruce and brushy material scattered about over which I could see perfectly. As said, my stand was attached to a large maple about 18-inches thick at the point of my stand’s attachment (where I was seated). Then there was a brace from the ladder stand to the maple at about four feet from the bottom. It was 12 feet to the seat and then another 18-inches to my shoulder from which the rifle would be fired. I shoot from my left shoulder so couldn’t turn very far in that direction, though that was also taken into consideration as I figured he would pass somewhere on my right. All well and good… but bears rarely cooperate!

<Same tree stand higher on the ridge, earlier in the season. The rifle was not the .350 Rem but a single shot NEF in .45-70.

It was a very nice afternoon with no wind and the sun shinning nearly overhead, leaning slightly to the west. Some birds were singing…. Then I heard the telltale chatter of a red squirrel, up and behind me somewhere… was it giving me away? Or revealing the bear’s presence? For good reason the red squirrel has a reputation as a revealer of something big on the move in the forest! I knew it was THE bear! Then silence for how many minutes? Ten maybe, maybe less. Then squirrel chatter up a few notches and longer this time! A dead giveaway! I knew THAT bear was on it’s way! Then dead silence again for fifteen minutes… By then it was somewhere between 6:30 and 7 pm.

Without a sound, or even a smell (I often pick up a bear’s smell before seeing them), I “sensed” I should look as far behind me as possible! I leaned to my left and could peak past that side of the maple just enough for my head to be exposed to the bear, and sure enough the big bruin was making a sneak on me trying to figure out why the tree’s shape had changed — being wider at twelve feet than what he knew it should be! When I looked up the hill he was definitely sneaking among the big trees with eyes fixed on my tree and headed in that direction at about 35 yards distant. When he saw my head, he froze with a glare into my eyes as we met! Then he made a swift dash to his right into thick bush, and even if I’d turned to my right he was hidden by the tree I was attached to. But I knew the game of cat ‘n mouse wasn’t over! He never ran off to hide, and I was aware of his presence still in the thick bush not more than twenty-five yards away.

My very obvious handicap, compared to the bruin, was immobility and limited vision. A ground blind is much better in regard to both of those restrictions. The obvious advantage is having a better panoramic view for slightly more than 180 degrees. But this time I waited the sneaky bear out. He was big (about 350 – 400 lbs), a challenge and determined to drive me away — and he wasn’t the first to do that! I sat quietly with the rifle across my lap looking over to the right as I was certain that sooner or later that’s where he’d make his stand. And I had the mobility in that direction to hold the rifle steady, aim and fire.

After another ten minutes or so, he appeared on my right coming up from the southwest on a game trail that I was familiar with. But there was brush between us. He stopped, as though calculating his next move. I could easily have fired having him dead in my sights from about 25 yards, but hesitated due to the brush. It was a standoff for about 30 seconds, then he made a quick dash for 7 – 8 yards behind twin maples with a gap between that revealed his right side, but a bit too far back for my liking. He stayed there with head and right shoulder hidden for what seemed forever. My arms grew weary from holding the 9 lb rifle in the ready to fire position, and I had to give them a rest because by then the crosshairs were making little circles on the side of the animal. I could have fired if he’d moved forward 1/2 his length… but no, when he left it was a calculated leaving in another dash into the same tangle of bush he went into about 1/2 hour earlier. Another cat – n – mouse wait! I knew he was there not more than twenty to twenty-five yards away – and he knew where I was! The game now was “chicken”! I waited until I had to leave with the knowledge he’d see me “out the door” and then lock it… he won, and in his experience just another victory!

I went to check on my buddy, Ken, to pick him up 3 1/2 kms away. It was pitch dark when I drove to the “parking lot”. There he was, and did he ever have a tale to tell! One of the best in memory, and I could even share it because he made a video! Would you like a glimpse? Sure you would! He said “I’ll drive and you can watch the video as I describe the events of the evening!”

Ken had already had more than his share of excitement at that site the year previous, of which I’ll not go into details here, but among other things his rifle had misfired on a huge 500 + lb bear at 35 yards. However, this time around he had to deal with a momma bear with two cubs that put on a show for an hour that also nearly put “momma” into his lap! Being a CO he wouldn’t shoot the sow mother bear unless he had no other alternative!

< Ken’s blind, but this is a few years later when I was using it with my CZ550, .458 Win Mag.

Her two cubs were misbehavin’ so she swatted one, cartwheelin’ it into the bushes, and sent both up tall white birches behind the bait while she ran off with the bucket of bait. Later she returned and called them down from swinging in the treetops like monkeys as she did increasingly larger search and destroy circles that nearly landed her in Ken’s lap. But the sturdy ground blind separated the two of them. Eventually they left down over the ridge where Ken was hearing noises from what he really wanted to see — a large boar bear. But darkness intervened. Then I arrived with my yet untold adventure of the afternoon-evening. All in all, it had been a truly exciting bear hunt for each of us!

As to the weapons: I’ve already described mine, but what if I’d fired through the brush when that bear was only twenty-five yards away? Would the 250gr Speer GS have veered from it’s intended shoulder shot? Or, if I’d fired when I thought the exposed body part was a bit too far back — what if the bear had run off, seriously wounded or perhaps from a fatal shot that might take many hours for final effect? A followup on that bear alone with the 350 Rem Mag in thick brush? Not the best strategy in my view.

It so turned out that the following year at the same location I was using the same rifle and load on a very sneaky bear — very likely the same one! But Ken was with me in a blind this time near the top of the ridge with the bait at 65 yards down hill and closer than the normal 100 yards. It is also later in the season with the leaves quickly departing from the hardwoods, potentially exposing our position. But the bear knew our whereabouts and would not approach the bait when we were there. In fact, he sneaked in behind us on a few occasions, within ten feet, in that thick timber and brush mentioned previously when the “Sneaky Bear” used it to hide from me in approaching the bait until I moved my tree stand below it and closer to the bait. This sneaky bear — I assume to be the same one — was so close behind us I could smell him! But Ken heard him and silently using his head, he turned slightly in that direction and using his eyes he indicated the bear was just behind us at not much more than spitting distance! I turned, looking quickly over my left shoulder and that triggered a mad and reckless dash through the trees and brush that sounded similar to that bull moose I mentioned in P2! Of course, that was part of the “Sneaky Bear’s” strategy! It was to intimidate! A week later he performed the same act when I was there alone!

<This is the same blind but an earlier date. Note the hole near bottom right. More on that in a moment. Not sure what rifle that is… It’s not a .45-70 nor the Rem 350, so likely my 35 Whelen. Sometime before this I was bringing in two five-gallon buckets of bait – one in each hand – at 8 am, thinking no bears would be around at that time (I’ve since learned, in the use of trail cams, that they can and do show up whenever they decide to do so — including any night hours or early morning and mid-day!). I had a .45-70 along but it was left behind in my van. When I entered from the narrow game trail through some trees to a more open hardwood area, there above me at 40 – 50 yards was a big bruin standing on the torn-down carpet remnant! Not only that, but he stood there looking down on me with a defiant look and mood! I put the buckets down on the spot, backed out quietly (didn’t run) to my van and retrieved the Marlin in .45-70 – loaded. When I returned the bear was gone — but how far? Anyway, I put the buckets in place, one at a time with the Marlin in the other hand. I went back to the van and waited for about another half-hour, returning the second time for repairs to the blind. A number of years ago I removed it and put a smaller one in from brush, branches and poles from the area. The remnants from that were still in place when I last visited. Most of my bear hunting since those times have been on closer private property.

Despite this sounding like fiction (to the less experienced around mature bears), before God I’m telling it like it happened without any kind of embellishment!

We changed our strategy at my suggestion, creating a blind closer to the bait at about 35 yards and making it a part of the thick bush on the opposite south side. Knowing the smart bear would check the usual carpet blind to see if we were there, which we left in place, and which he always did when we were not there before approaching the bait, he was fooled in thinking “Hey, they’re not here today, great I can now go get my supper!”.

And that worked — at 5 pm he sneaked in from the bottom, behind the large boulder in front of which was the bait barrel. But he was very cautious! There was one tree large enough to hide him, off slightly to the left (my right) between me and the bait… and he went directly behind it facing our direction! All I could see was a bit of fur on either side of the tree. Talk about a bear’s smarts! (No, don’t unless you’ve experienced it!) My Rem .350 was up and ready to fire as soon as he moved.

And he did… in the blink of an eye he switched ends to hightail it out of there! I fired and the bullet nicked his shoulder. Ken fired and hit dirt. It was 6 pm and late October with the sun setting in the west. Ken found a morsel of fur with hide attached and I found where the 250gr GS had hit bald rock leaving a clear .358″ imprint revealing that not enough flesh had intervened to give any expansion. But I knew where the bear would go, so called a halt to the endeavour til early the next day. Early morning I headed to where I thought Sneaky Bear would go. Within 75 yards from the bait barrel I found where he’d spent the night. Sure enough, there was a patch of blood and matted down wild grasses. I called Ken over (he’d gone in another direction) and…

On hands and knees Ken was crawling through the thickest tangle possible in following pinpricks of blood. I was standing off to his right, not with my Rem .350, but with another Marlin Classic in .45-70, primarily for his protection as well as my own. I knew we weren’t dealing with anything less than a very smart and dangerous bear… after all, he’d spent the night watching his back trail, perhaps hoping we’d continue the follow-up into darkness!

We never caught up with him and the small droplets petered-out in a thick and impossible tangle of thorns and brush not fit for human penetration or safety… the “Sneaky Bear’s” victory No.2 over hunter’s wisdom, strategy and experience!

< This was the day I was there alone, a week following the incident of the “Sneaky Bear” trying to intimidate Ken and I – before a new blind was constructed further down the ridge, leaving this one in place. I stood to take this photo late in the day. As I started to move back to my chair “Sneaky Bear” took off with crashing through the hair-thick softwood behind the chair less than 15 feet from me! The rifle for that day was my Ruger No.1 in .45-70 LT. The load was a 300gr TSX at 2650 fps/ 4678 ft-lbs. It’s very likely that Sneaky Bear made those holes in the indoor-outdoor green carpet remnant. It was also torn down a couple of times! This was his territory of which he was the dominant resident!

I suspect he’s lived a very productive and satisfying life since. I hope he has… Let’s see, that would make him over twenty years old! I wonder if he’s smiling in recollection of those adventures, as I am?

Wan’t some excitement in your life? This is not the kind where you pay to shoot a fenced animal with a pro guide at your side!

In summation: You may have noted that I make a distinction between a bear hunting rifle and a bear defence weapon. In the case of the 1895 Marlin in .45-70, they may be one and the same, or the .450 Marlin properly handloaded. You may also have observed that I’ve mentioned several rifles/cartridges I’ve used in baiting, scouting AND hunting bear, but in the cases of followup or hunting a known aggressive dominant bruin I always chose one of my .45-70s.

There are many good rifle cartridges for hunting bears, especially among the mediums, and if you hunt with a partner or guide then that may modify your choice as well, but for scouting alone in a remote area I’d always choose something with a big hole that under the most dire circumstance I know it would be more than able from the first shot – because that’s all you’re gonna get – unless you’re Phil Shoemaker!

In that last pic of my single-shot Ruger No.1 in .45-70LT – that was an issue of confidence… but I made a serious mistake in moving away from that rifle with the bear only 10 feet behind the chair — I never heard him nor smelled him, so wrongfully assumed he wasn’t there!

How many wrongfully assume no bear will harm them when alone in whatever they’re doing in bear country? How could that trapper get killed by a bear when checking his trap lines?

Til the next

Shalom

BOB MITCHELL

BEAR Defence Weapons – P2

Having experienced every possible physical hunting condition offered in Northern, Central and Southern Ontario over a total period of four decades, I think I’m safe in saying those conditions would represent a majority of conditions in Canada with the exception of the open plains of the Prairie Provinces, the Rocky Mountains and the frozen Far North of the Territories. In other words, that would be typical of most hunters experiences from Central Canada to the Maritime Provinces and The New England States south of the border. And in that vast arena black bears are plentiful and increasing in number. But most of the printed media focuses on the Western States and Provinces, including the south west, central and North West. Be that as it may, we have over 100,000 resident Ontario hunters that annually chase any land mammal on license as well as various bird populations. I say “over 100,000 resident hunters” as that number is representative of moose hunters alone. And black bears are increasingly popular among resident hunters as targets of opportunity while pursuing deer or moose, or as a preferred target. Wherever I’d choose to put in a bear bait, with permission on private land or in season on Crown Land, I’m virtually assured of it being “hit” within a few days. Of course, when I say “wherever I’d choose to put in a bear bait” is NOT intended as random choosing, but rather with knowledge and experience of hunting them over baits for three decades.

As hinted at in P1, I’ve learned a lot through those experiences, including some drama that has caused me to weigh carefully what firearms and cartridges to employ. As pointed out in P1, handguns are not permitted and bows/crossbows are not practical for scouting alone or coming to baits to check them out. So that leaves me with either a rifle or shotgun. In either, I want a bit more than adequate “power” for the eventual bear charge, surprise event or a known circumstance that will expose me to a potential threat. Some of that has been suggested in P1 but this time more details will be presented.

A few years ago I did a series of blogs on “Are Black Bears Dangerous”, and shared a few instances. This time around I want to go a bit more into details and depth of insight from a few of those experiences.

Have I ever been charged by a bear? No. Have I ever been followed by a bear? Yes. Have I ever been exposed to dangerous situations? Yes.

So lets begin:

The bull moose and the .45-70 showdown – Situation No.1: In P1, I mentioned having been exposed to a confrontation with a creature that may have been more dangerous than a bear, while at the same time a known aggressive bear was hitting my bait!

That was when I was still hunting with Norm Easto as my outfitter near the northeast corner of Algonquin Park in the northeast of our province not far from the Quebec border. That’s very rugged country with sparse human population. The Madawaska Highlands are a few minutes to the east, and east of that is the Ottawa River that separates Ontario and Quebec. On the Quebec side are mountains that come up from New York state – the Adirandacks (In Quebec, the Laurentians).

The location assigned to me and my close friend, Bob Allen (not the one of fame), was barely outside the northeast border of Algonquin Park that sticks like a finger south into the Madawaska region. East of that, within a 1/2 hr drive, was the Algonquin Lodge where we and a number of American hunters were housed.

< My friend, Bob, is on the far right and I stand next to him with the orange hat. This was a later bear hunt with Norm in which my son Brent (on far left) and a younger friend were all after an Algonquin bear!

This particular site contained a one-mile long marsh that bordered the Park on its south side. At each end of the marsh/bog was a bear bait setup, and an aggressive boar had claimed both as his property. When a dominant boar bruin claims an area as his own it’s persona non grata for any other creature, including humans — unless they have big sticks that spout fire! I’ve been around a few of those! Anyway, one of Norm’s guides had a confrontation with one at the north end bait that he was checking. My friend, Bob was assigned to that bait, and I was assigned to a new bait at the south end, one mile away — as mentioned, that bear was hitting both on alternate days. Norm dropped both of us off at the north end where Bob Allen was to be on watch with his .300 Win Mag (Bob was older than I by about six years – a retired school principle). I had my trusty 1895 Marlin Classic along (the same one that I’d shot my first bear with a couple of years earlier), but with a better custom 400gr at increased velocity than the 400gr Speer I’d used on my first bear. But the old logging road ended at the north end of the marsh where Mr. Allen was keeping watch. To make it to the south end of the marsh, I had a one-mile trek over rough gravel that was a new extension to the old logging road. It was “rough walking”. I was told that eventually the new-rough trail would take a sharp turn to the right where it would end at the Park border. About 50 yards around that corner was a large spruce deadfall on the left side that would serve as my blind. It had an old rickety kitchen chair as my seat! Diagonally across the trail, at about 65 yards, was the bear bait. A line of softwood timber separated it from the south end of the marsh. The bear was expected to show up — if it did — on that side somewhere near the bait, so my shot would be under 100 yards. So I settled in behind the fallen spruce that still had branches with needles, and about 18 – 20 inches thick at that point, and about 15 feet from the trunk that still had the roots where it had made a shallow cavity just inside the tree line when felled by strong winds. Passing by the root-end of the tree was a traditional moose trail littered by dried-out moose scat… it passed behind me within five feet. I noted that with a little concern — It wasn’t moose season and I didn’t want to deal with a moose out of season (it was the month of May) when on a bear hunt.

Well, it turned out that matters didn’t depend on what I wanted or didn’t!

I arrived at the site around 4 pm, and nothing was stirring “not even a mouse”. But that’s the norm in waiting for a bear to make up its mind on what it wants to do! So I wasn’t taken aback by that! You put in your time in fighting black flies (in a spring hunt) with headnet and repellent. You look through your scope a million times… You break out a chocolate bar, etc. You take some pics. And then, out of nowhere a very black back of a big animal is moving in my direction among the trees! A bear? No, it would have to be a very tall one! A moose, silently moving toward me out of The Park, down to my left and disappears. Through the forest of trees on my left, the deciduous ones among the spruce and fir have not yet produced full foliage so I can discern a lake. Ah-ha, he’s headed that-a-way! But I must be vigilant because of the moose trail beside me! And it’s 6 o’clock PM – time for serious bear watching! I hope the moose doesn’t spook the bear — of is that the other way ’round? A confrontation between the two would likely be more than interesting! An almost silent “tic”… the moose is below me to my left.. then total silence again. Ten minutes pass, or was it that long? I’ve settled on watching the bear bait at 65 yards. But then I have a spooky feeling! I hear nothing, see nothing and smell nothing, but yet there’s this sense of being watched! If you’ve hunted long enough you understand.

I turn in my chair, and there 20 yards behind me is this monster of a bull moose with huge antlers (in May), head lowered trying to figure out what this animal is in his path behind the fallen spruce! It’s bear time, not moose time! Yet, amazingly, I’m neither overly concerned nor afraid… just a quiet assurance as the rifle between my hands is this Marlin loaded with custom 400s at about 2000 fps. I stand to my feet, turn toward the bull, raise the rifle with both hands over my head and firmly shout at the moose, “GET OUT OF HERE!” The bull freezes, raises its head, swings like a huge Clydesdale, and trots away from me to the ridge seventy-five yards distant. Half-way up he stops and turns, looking at me — what a magnificent beast! He was a larger one than the one in the pic at the top that went 1000 lbs or better. I point my rifle at him… he snorts and takes off, up over the ridge, crashing through trees like a bulldozer in the process and disappears. How could a large bull moose have been so silent in sneaking in on me just moments before and now sounds like a big logging machine at work? By then, of course, my person and location had been compromised to any bear nearby, so I knew the hunt was over but stayed till darkness settled in – just in case!

I had yet to make that 1-mile trek in pitch darkness to where my friend would be waiting to be picked up by Norm. Neither of us had fired a shot, so I assumed the bear had been spooked by all the commotion. But walking out that 1-mile, my Marlin was at-the-ready fully loaded, with a flashlight in the other hand.

Question: Would I have been as confident with a .308 Winchester as my companion in that encounter? I’ve considered all that and came to a firmer conviction than ever that a meaningful Big Bore is the best choice when the unexpected happens! What if that bull had charged when I stood with the rifle? At 20 yards I know that load in that rifle would have been devastation – for the moose! And I was confident and mean in disposition through it all!

And what if that aggressive bear had shown up in the midst? The moose? Well over a thousand pounds! The bear? Probably over 400 lbs.

< This is a rug from a 400 lb black bear shot by my friend and hunting buddy, Ken. I helped dress it out and in skinning it.

Then, if it were today in the same place and circumstance? One of my BG rifles is a 9.3 x 62 Mauser bolt action repeater. How many shots could I get off at a 20 yard charging moose or bear? NO MORE THAN ONE, a SINGLE SHOT! At 30 mph it would have taken either of those potentially dangerous creatures 1.36 seconds to hit me! A single shot from my 9.3 might slow or turn them, but should I count on that? I can tell you this with utmost assurance, it would be my Ruger No.1 “Tropical” in .458 Winchester Magnum! Two of my current favorite bullet loads are a 300gr TSX at 2760 or 2950 fps, or a 480 DGX at 2100 or 2350 fps. Likely the latter. At either MV that DGX would go through a big bull moose from stem to stern – or visa versa! And then exit! A .308 Winchester? Forget that! And that’s why I have! And I know from experience the 9.3 x 62 Mauser, as much as I like it, is NOT a stopper unless the CNS is hit! It will kill, but it won’t stop an aggressive bear that’s charging frontally unless hit in the head! And the way I load it, it’s the equal of a .375 H&H!

A few days ago, I read a piece by a former outfitter/author that in all his years of guiding and hunting he’d never seen any animal dropped in their tracks unless it was a CNS hit! I guess he’d never used, or seen used, a .45-70 or .458 Win! I’ve dropped bears where they stood without a CNS hit from .458-cal bullets! Of course, they weren’t wimpy loads! From my Marlins some loads were making 4000 ft-lbs at the muzzle from 400s – 405s. And the .458? Well, there’s 6000 ft-lbs on tap if you want from several weights including the 350 TSX! But if that’s too rich for your appetite, then drop down to 3500 ft-lbs from a 400gr. I’d have no qualms facing off with that moose on a frontal hit from such a load… Hey, I did that! The bear? He’d have no recollection of ever harassing Norm’s guide! A 400gr or larger .458-cal bullet of the right construction will hit like a 10 lb mall – not only like a “big hammer.

< External appearances don’t tell the whole story. On the left of the 450gr TSX’s, in the middle of the pic are two .458 Win Mag cartridges loaded with the 480gr DGX with their flat tips. They have thick steel jackets which are copper clad, and hard lead cores. These were not bonded, though later Hornady did bond them, which I doubt they would need for any soft-skinned large animal. As mentioned: One fired into my test-media system went completely through and was lost. A 500gr Speer GS (second from left; on the far left is a 500gr Hornady Interloc) was stopped by the same media after only 6.5″ of penetration and lost it’s front core at 62% weight retention. Those were fired from my former Ruger No.1 in .45-70 LT at near identical MVs.

In this pic, the 500gr Speer GS was making about 2300 fps from my .458 in the Ruger No.1, and the 480gr DGX about 2350 fps. Note the cannelure for the 480 is closer to the tip than the 500s. That’s because the 480s were made by Hornady for the 450 NE. That’s a moot point, however, for my Ruger as I can seat any bullet longer than so-called “specs”. And so it’s the same for most bolt action .458s as well, depending on the length of their actions – and more specifically due to the long throat of all .458 Winchester Magnums.

More coming…

” Our help is from the LORD, who made the heavens and the earth” – Psalm 124, vs 8

Shalom

BOB MITCHELL

BEAR Defence Weapons – P1

There was a young married man, with a wife and baby, who chased a black bear out of his kitchen at 3 a.m. It went through the screen door without opening it, across the deck taking out spokes from the railing before landing in a flower bed with the garbage bag firmly clenched in its teeth, while being pounded by the broom in the hands of a very angry twenty-something year old. Most professional sportsmen writing on this topic would suggest his tactics were inappropriate at the very least! Others have opined on bear defence that didn’t include a broom, and without doubt many have much more experience than I have. I wrote that story several years ago shortly after it happened. I knew the young man who operated a deli on the side of the highway that I travelled to and from my bear hunting sites. Yet, there are still questions being asked on Internet forums with a great variety of opinions expressed. While I have previously given my thoughts and shared some experiences, this is the first blog I’ve written uniquely on this theme.

Many like to debate this topic from a “what if” encounter with a bear, and it’s a natural concern for those who may spend some recreational or vacation time in bear country, as well as for sportsmen and women whose lifestyles may involve hunting, fishing, camping, ATV-ing, hiking, or other outdoor activities such as making trails, logging, or involved in some research project or educational studies.

And there are differences in the laws of various jurisdictions related to such activities. For example: In Canada we’re not allowed to carry a handgun for self protection (only under special permit) or hunting purposes. And this essay isn’t uniquely related to hunting bears, though bear defence should not be an afterthought while doing so. Hunters too have been killed or seriously mauled by bears.

What bears do we have in mind? Any bear is omnivorous and a potential predator, so ALWAYS a potential threat. Grizzly and Brown bear are often singled out by writers of this theme as being the greatest danger, but that’s obviously not so based on statistics. Then, a lot of harm has come to humans and livestock that doesn’t always make official records. Of course, grizzly are on average larger than black bears, so any encounter with a large grizzly may impose a greater sense of danger than with a black bruin 1/2 its size. But a black bear of 300 – 350 lbs that has become predatory can take down a mature moose of 1/2 ton! And black bears are much more numerous and wide spread than grizzly/brown bears. They also may become more familiar with humans and their activities to the point of showing up in their corn fields, orchards or even driveways and garages!

< This 400 plus pound bruin was on private property less than 200 yards from the family residence!

Let me say it one more time: I NEVER go into “bear country” without a means of self-protection! And where we live there’s a conservation area within a 10 minute drive with resident black bears! I used to walk there about once a week, but no more since they’ve posted warning signs of the presence of black bears – and I can only carry a big stick or “bear spray” as a defensive weapon!

For those readers who may be unaware of who I am and what I do, here is a brief sketch: I’ve now 85 years plus a few months and have been a pastor for 64 of those years as a professional. For approximately the same period I’ve been a hunter of game from small to big, including groundhogs on the one end and moose on the other. But for the past 31 years I’ve focused largely on black bears, mostly hunting them over bait, but not exclusively. During those three decades I’ve missed a couple of years but when we had both spring and fall seasons, I often hunted them during both seasons.

But it hasn’t been in just hunting them. Scouting, finding best sites, setting up blinds or stands, locating suitable baits and transportation of bait to sites have all been part of the adventure. In brief, it has involved hundreds, if not thousands, of hours of observation, hard work and experience.

So what I have to say about defensive weapons for bears has not eliminated those experiences. Otherwise it would simply be what others have already said or written, and that’s not to downplay the experience and advice of those “others”… far from it! But it’s also clear (to me at least) that theory has often dominated some of that advise. Theory is good if sound and proven. For example: To recommend a 12ga with 00 buck shot in the magazine exclusively is not wise in my view. 00 buck shot may not penetrate adequately at ten yards to reach the vitals. It may deter a bear bent on mayhem, and seriously wound enough to get in more shots, but is it a stopper? Bird shot in the bears face will certainly have a discouraging effect if charged by a bear while grouse hunting, but I’d have a DG slug in there somewhere if in known (or unknown) bear territory. That’s’ just one example regarding the use of shotguns, but more on that coming up shortly.

At issue then is the question of defensive weapons for bears, not necessarily all offensive weapons that might be used in hunting them under particular conditions as in bait hunting. A bow or crossbow in the hands of a hunter experienced with such a weapon is legal and appropriate within a limited range, but would be a very poor choice at ranges beyond about forty yards, or in self defence in close quarters. In recreational or work activities within thick timber or brush country where bears make their living, I’d recommend what others have: a pump 12-gauge with an 18″ to 22″ barrel, a lever action or bolt action rifle in a Big Bore with barrel shorter than 24″, or a big-bore handgun where legal. And, I’d have an in-season bear license in my wallet when and where possible. In Ontario we just can’t tote a big rifle or shotgun around in forests without a sound reason or game license of some sort.

Let’s examine the suitability of those three: a 12-gauge, a big-bore lever gun or a suitable rifle with a big hole in the barrel – with some details added — and a handgun with “big-bore” attributes.

The 12-gauge pump with an 18″ to 22″ barrel: There are many makes and models, but it would be wise, I think, to choose a security or home defence type with a 3″ chamber and a magazine that will take at least two + one in the chamber. Mine is a Savage 320 with an 18.5″ barrel, smooth bore with cylinder choke at seven pounds without ammo. It also has a peep rear sight (“Ghost Ring”) that’s adjustable and a green-glowing blade front sight that’s protected by “wings”. A police or military style pistol grip with button-type safety stands rear of the trigger guard. The ammo I’ve chosen has yet to be sighted-in for 50 yards. The magazine holds 5+1. The Challenger brand of 12ga slugs out of Quebec is 492 grains at 2.75″ and referred to as “Magnum”. From my former bolt action Mossberg, they left the barrel at a recorded 1620 fps at 15′ from the muzzle. I expect somewhat less from the 18.5″. The slug itself is made in Italy and known as the DGS (Dangerous Game Slug) and used internationally by several military and police forces. I’ve yet to use it on game, but it shot very accurately from my 24″ Mossberg with the Polychoke set at Improved cylinder. In the interim, I owned a 535 Mossberg with three interchangeable barrels, one being a rifled slug barrel. I tried various sabot slugs in it with disappointing results as to accuracy, so it “went down the road”.

< The Savage 320

My purpose for this 12-ga is in scouting, backup for bear hunting and followup on any wounded bears. It’s short (39″), light and handy, but the physical recoil will be about 32 – 33 ft-lbs shooting those Challengers. The stock shape with the pistol grip fits perfectly for alignment of sights and should assist in the management of recoil. The pump forearm is also ideally suited for my relatively short arms. I’m hopeful of getting it to the range soon, and I purchased my bear tag a few days ago to be ready for some scouting sometime by mid May.

Obviously, range is more limited than my former 1895 Marlins in .45-70 due to not having a scope and slugs with relatively poor ballistic coefficients (BC) compared to 350 to 450gr bullets from a .45-70 or .458 Win. So it will not likely be used over bait hunting bears beyond 50 yards. Most of my bear baits have averaged 65 yards with some exceeding 100 yards, with a couple at 35 to 40 yards. It all depends on location, prevailing wind and where the sun sets. But too close is too close — making it too easy for a smart bear to discover your presence. If I’ve learned anything about bears that stands out above all other features, it’s how smart they are!

Having such a firearm at the ready would suite the bill perfectly as a defence weapon for any bear — black, brown or white — in particular circumstances such as in woods hunting of any game, or marking logs as a Log Scaler, or beaver trapper in thick brush that often forms a border between a stream or lake and forest — while interest and thoughts are focused on what they’re doing instead of needing to be aware of the presence of bears. I know of a least one trapper who never returned home from checking his traps. A search was made and his body was discovered partially consumed and covered by leaves and other debris from the forest. He lived in Sudbury, Ontario, about a 3 – 4 hr drive from here. No mention was made of a firearm, and his ATV was still idling on the trail. Apparently he was getting ready to leave or stopped for the bear when it got him! Ontario bears have ambushed mature moose and killed them. A Quebec man was killed by a black bear while hunting!

< This was my Ruger 96/44 chambered in .44 Rem Mag. It had an 18″ barrel, a rotary clip that held four, and was used while I was baiting bears and scouting. The load was a 300gr Speer or Hornady at over 1600 fps. I had no doubts as to it’s ability to deal with an agressive bear. It also was the fastest handling centerfire rifle I’ve ever owned for multiple shots. The lever throw was only about 45*. Recoil was modest, yet the load was much more powerful than a .44 mag handgun and was my companion for many walking miles in the Haliburton Highlands.

A short-‘n-handy BIG BORE lever gun: I’ve owned four 1895 Marlins in .45-70, one of which had the 18.5″ barrel with the ports — due to which it stayed about a year and was traded for a 22″ Classic Marlin in .45-70, which I firmly believe is ideal in dealing with truculent bruins when given appropriate handloads. And several short-barrelled bolt action big-bore repeaters have appeared at the hands of custom gun makers as well as hobbyists. To get in on the action, some major gun manufacturers have followed suite with their own versions as in Savages short-barrelled .338 Win Mags and .375 Rugers; and Ruger’s own Alaskans in .375 Ruger and .416. Then Browning followed Marlin’s popular Big Bores with their own version of Big Bore in their .450 Marlin BLR with its short barrel. It’s all good!

The only possible fault with my current Ruger #1 in .458 is in being a single shot for follow-up of a wounded bruin, which always goes into the thickest tangles possible. But even then a single well-placed shot would settle any possible disputes. It could also lose a pound, but at 40″ in length it nearly qualifies as a carbine. I’ve written previously on the advantages of single-shot rifles that includes the discipline of the mind and emotions to make the first shot all that’s needed. There’s usually ample time for paying the insurance.

The goal in all this is a handy, fast and powerful weapon at relatively close range. Of course, the chosen bullet and load must withstand the forces imposed at spitting distance when bullet collides with a big harry beast that wants a taste of your flesh! Most of this genre of firepower came from Alaskans who had to deal with big, nasty bears on a too-frequent basis.

< This was my first 1895 Marlin Classic in .45-70 that took my first black bear. The load was a 400gr Speer at an MV of 1865 fps. Range was 100 yards.

A big-bore handgun: Note the emphasis on “big bore”in all of this dealings with mean bruins! There’s logic involved. A “big-bore” any firearm makes a BIG hole followed by BIG trauma! In handguns we’re thinking +.40-caliber. Again, bullet weight and construction is the key, plus velocity, especially in a handgun!

I have little experience with handguns having only owned one, but before it was fired it got traded on a shotgun or rifle. I did fire my son’s .357 revolver a few times, and a friend’s .22 semi-auto a million years ago! But… if Canadian laws permitted, I’d own a big-bore revolver for hunting particular species under certain conditions. They’ve been used on everything from rabbit to elephant! I’d forego the eles… But for bear defensive purposes in a holster across the chest, they might be the best deal as long as you can adequately handle them and practice, practice, practice! A .454 Casull isn’t necessarily the best choice but simply to illustrate what some use or recommend. There are several others that may work best for you of course. Phil Shoemaker has used a 9mm semi-auto pistol with a clip in the grip, holding multiple rounds of custom ammo specifically designed for penetration as a defence against brown bears while guiding fisherman. And having used it on one occasion that has become somewhat famous, he killed a charging bear at close range from several shots into the chest of the animal that was apparently coming for his clients, a husband and wife team. But that’s definitely NOT recommended unless you are Phil Shoemaker who has won many awards as a marksman with both rifles and handguns — and lacks no courage in facing off with big bad bears!

< Freedom Arms 454 Casull

But for my purposes a rifle or shotgun would suffice. Truth be told, though, I’ve much more experience with rifles than shotguns using slugs.

In bear encounters, and where I’ve felt the need for a big-bore rifle, has been while scouting in bear territory and while hunting other species in those same areas. The other more real aspect of needing a defensive weapon has been in exiting a bear blind or stand when darkness was settling in, knowing either a bear was approaching the bait setup or already in hiding nearby awaiting my departure. Then, of course, the followup of a wounded bruin has its own forebodings. And while bear hunting in a very remote area I was confronted by what could have been a more fearsome creature while also being aware that an aggressive bruin was in the area. All of that I’ve experienced and will share in P2.

“Our help is from the LORD who made the heavens and the earth” – Psalm 124, vs 8

Shalom

BOB MITCHELL

Comparing Bullet Weights in the same Rifle

Let’s keep in mind that apart from bullet construction and impact velocity, sectional density (SD) drives penetration. The question then is: How much penetration might be needed on a certain hunt for a particular species in order for the vitals to be sufficiently damaged or destroyed to insure a clean harvest. On the same 1000 lb animal that could mean 2 ft or 6 ft depending on angle of presentation. That’s a significant difference in challenge for the same bullet!

When I killed a 1000 to 1100 lb bull moose with my .340 WBY, the load was 250gr Nosler Partitions at 3000 fps. Range for the first shot was 165 yards broadside behind the shoulders midway up. Penetration was complete with blood and lung tissue splattered across bushes for 20 yards or more. To the moose it was like a Mike Tyson punch to the gut! The bull staggered but didn’t go down. Then it saw me and started to swing away. I gave it another in a quartering away shot and it went down where it stood. That bullet stopped under the hide making an obvious bulge about 4 inches from the first exit wound but had penetrated at least four feet. A third shot from my rifle at about 35 yards into it’s rump put it down to stay after it staggered back to its feet when approached by my son. That third 250gr Partition had penetrated at least 6 feet when found by the butcher in the front part of the chest cavity.

The first 250 Partition was lost after complete penetration. The second (far left of pic) was retrieved by my son just under the hide next to the first exit wound and retained 71% of initial weight, and the third (in the middle) was retrieved by the butcher after penetrating about 6 feet and also retained 71%, but is shorter than the other because of more stress at a much higher velocity from relatively close range. (The bullet on the far right was from a black bear shot frontally from 68 yards from my 9.3 x 62 and an MV of 2630 fps. It was sticking through the hide in front of the right hip. It retained 210 grains of the initial 286, or 73.4%. Penetration was about 32 inches.)

Let’s have a look at some other potential scenarios:

The rifle is a .308 Winchester and the game animal a mature bull elk at 350 yards. Assuming this to be the only possible shot before the elk disappears, which weight bullet would you choose knowing; a) The animal could be quartering away, and b) It is within the realm of possibility, with the region having multiple ravines, that if the elk runs after the shot it could fall into a deep ravine? The bullet choices are: 1st- a 150gr Nosler AccuBond @ 2950 fps/ .226 SD/ .435 BC; 2nd – a 165gr Nosler AccuBond @ 2820 fps/ .248 SD/ .475 BC; or 3rd- a 180gr AccuBond @ 2700 fps/ .271 SD/ .501 BC.

All bullets have the same construction, and are bonded, but the only distinctions are weight and velocity. Bullet weight, caliber and shape determine ballistic coefficient (BC). These three are a product of the same manufacturer having the same build and basic profile to ensure best down range performance and with good performance at close range.

The MVs were chosen based on the Nosler manual and I think they’re reasonable from a good rifle with a 24″ barrel using the best powders. The .308 Winchester is very popular as a whitetail, mule deer, pronghorn, predator and target rifle. It’s accuracy is also renown. This is a typical modern .308 Winchester in a bolt action M70 Featherweight.

Let’s compare the results of those three Noslers in trajectory, downrange performance, wind drift and recoil from an 8 lb rifle ready to go.

150gr Nosler AccuBond @ 2950 fps/ 2898 ft-lbs/ zero @ 250 yards/ Elevation: 1000 ft./ Temp. 70*F/ RH @ 65%

100 – 2747 fps/ 2513 ft-lbs/ +2.6″

200 – 2553 fps/ 2170 ft-lbs/ +2.2″

300 – 2367 fps/ 1866 ft-lbs/ -3.6″

350 – 2277 fps/ 1727 ft-lbs/ -8.7″ ( 28.9 TE) For a quartering away shot the 150gr is not a good choice on a bull elk that could go 700 – 800 lbs.

Physical recoil from an 8lb rifle: 18.3 ft-lbs

165gr Nosler AccuBond @ MV 2820 fps/ 2913 ft-lbs/ zero @ 250 yards (Same conditions as above)

100 – 2639 fps/ 2551 ft-lbs/ +2.9″

200 – 2465 fps/ 2226 ft-lbs/ +2.4″

300 – 2298 fps/ 1934 ft-lbs/ -3.9″

350 – 2217 fps/ 1800 ft-lbs/ -9.43″ (33 TE)) Still coming short for a 700 – 800 lb animal quartering away. A couple of shots might do it but what about those ravines?

Physical recoil from an 8 lb rifle: 19 ft-lbs

180gr Nosler AccuBond @ MV 2700 fps/ 2913 ft-lbs/ zero at 250 yards (Same conditions as above)

100 – 2535 fps/ 2567 ft-lbs/ +3.2″

200 – 2375 fps/ 2255 ft-lbs/ +2.6″

300 – 2222 fps/ 1972 ft-lbs/ -4.2″

350 – 2147 fps/ 1842 ft-lbs/ -10.2″ (36.9 TE) Marginal. There’s likely a good enough reason why 2000 ft-lbs at impact on a mature elk has been recommended as minimum under all conditions.

Physical recoil from an 8 lb rifle: 20.7 ft-lbs (Keep in mind, however, there may be a significant difference between physical recoil and “felt” recoil that involves things like stock shape, overall fit of the rifle and how the hunter is “feeling”.

< How far is 350 yards? There are three moose in this photo, a bull, cow and a calf – I know because I took this photo. How far in your estimation? What rifle cartridge and bullet would you choose if you decided to shoot? (Right click on pic for “Open image in new tab”. Left click on new tab for a better view.)

Some takeaways:

1 – It’s fairly obvious that there’s a positive progression in terminal effect (TE) from the 150gr through the 165gr to the 180gr.

2 – The MVs are also what might be used in a 22″ .30-06. Though, if I were to use a .30-06 for such a hunt in the described physical conditions, it would be the 200gr AB at about 2650 to 2700 fps. But then in .30-caliber, mine would be a .300 mag shooting a Nosler 200gr AB or Partition at over 2900 fps.

3 – Though the 180gr Nos AB has slightly less wind drift, I doubt it would be noticeable in the field.

4 – Again, there is incremental increase in recoil from the 150 to the 180 but not enough to make a difference for hunters who are not into competitive shooting.

5. The .308 Winchester is certainly a worthy general purpose elk rifle, even a mature bull at closer range on a broadside hit. BUT! Can we guarantee those conditions before the hunt?

My oldest son’s FIL killed moose (any size or sex) with his .30-30, but he lived where they lived – they were in “his kitchen”, so to speak! And shots were about 30 – 50 yards on average into the “hump” – the spine! So physical conditions matter in the choice of a rifle and it’s bullets for big game.

Here’s another trial for that same bull elk using a more appropriate cartridge in my view. But then there are also multiple choices when it comes to choosing the best bullet.

The rifle cartridge is the .338 Winchester Magnum with a 26″ barrel in a Browning A-Bolt SS. I saw one for sale a few days ago, and it was identical to the one I bought in 1999 to be ultimately rechambered to a .340 WBY. But I shot many handloads through it prior to its surgery.

The .338 Win Mag… but what bullet and load for a mature bull elk at a potential 350 yards quartering away?

In my view the choices are between these Nosler Partitions: a 210gr at about 3000 fps, a 225gr at 2875 fps and a 250gr at 2842 fps. Those were realistic velocities from my .338 Win Mag with a 26″ barrel. The powders of choice were RL-19 and RL-22 ignited by a magnum primer. Of those Nosler Partitions: 210gr, 225gr and 250gr, which would you choose?

210gr (SD = .263/ BC = .400 @ 3000 fps/ 4196 ft-lbs (recoil from an 8.75 lb rifle = 38 physical ft-lbs

225gr (SD = .281/ BC = .454 at 2875 fps/ 4129 ft-lbs (recoil from an 8.75 lb rifle = 39 physical ft-lbs

250gr (SD = .313/ BC = .473 at 2840 fps/ 4477 ft-lbs (recoil from an 8.75 lb rifle = 45 physical ft-lbs

At 350 yards the 210gr hits at 2265 fps/ 2392 ft-lbs (56.4 TE)

At 350 yards the 225gr hits at 2238 fps/ 2503 ft-lbs (63 TE)

At 350 yards the 250gr hits at 2232 fps/ 2765 ft-lbs (77.6 TE) That’s good enough for an approximate 2000 lb eland at the same distance (350 yards) with a perfect shot through vitals.

Any of the .338 Win Mags loads should be more than adequate for a quartering 800 lb bull elk at 350 yards with a hit to vitals. Penetration is the key factor and the 250gr would be best in that regard.

NOTES: Not all .338 Win Mags will make 2840 fps from the 250gr using a 26″ barrel. But Brian Pearce’s .338 Win was making 2800 fps from a 250 with a 24″ Winchester factory barrel, so I don’t think 2842 (actual) was off the mark from a good 26″. That was only 160 fps short of the same rifle rechambered to .340 WBY firing the 250gr Partition.

The physical recoil of 45 ft-lbs about matches my 9.3 x 62 Mauser with top loads firing the 286 Partition at 2630 fps. At this stage, I’m aiming to add about 1 pound to its current weight of 7.7 lbs fully loaded with scope, reducing recoil from 47 ft-lbs to 42 ft-lbs. That is on a par with a relatively light (8.7 lb) .375 H&H firing a 300gr at 2600 fps (45 ft-lbs physical recoil).

Comparing Partitions with the TSX’s: Why not choose the same weights, or even less, in the Barnes TSX’s for equal or better performance? For me the answer is simple — 1) Copper is less dense than lead so any TSX bullet of equal weight to the Partitions will be significantly longer taking up space in the cartridge case that should be reserved for power — in effect creating a situation that simulates a smaller cartridge. And 2) A TSX of equal weight has a lower BC (ballistic efficiency) due to the grooves. The addition of the plastic tip may help some but still never attains the BC of the AccuBonds of equal weight, in addition to which the plastic tip on the TSX’s only adds more length removing more powder space. If anyone really wants to make those comparisons, go check it for themselves from the two manuals. Those who don’t want to believe the truth will usually declare that the TSX’s work for them… KUDOS! Check the lengths of the .30-calibers and .338-calibers in TSX compared to their Partition or AccuBond equals and then we’ll have a talk. And I have some TSX’s on my bullet shelf, having hunted with them and fired hundreds in testing.

< To provide some examples of all copper bullets being much longer than their counter-parts in the same weight with lead cores, the 4th from left is a 450gr Barnes – X (replaced by the 450 TSX). The three on its left are a 480gr Hor. DGX, a 465gr cast, and a 450gr Swift. As well, notice the 350gr TSX, 6th from right, with equal weight bullets with lead cores on its left and right: a 350gr Speer and a 350gr Hornady. These are all .458-caliber.

Some say that they use lighter TSX’s than “normal” for the same effect as heavier bullets with lead cores. At relatively close range, maybe, but that can’t happen at longer ranges due to a poorer BC than their counter parts with a bonded lead core in the Nosler AccuBonds. For instance: compare the 225gr MRX BT in .338-cal, with a BC of only .443 and max velocity at 2791 fps with the 225gr Nosler AccuBond in .338-cal with a BC of .550 and max velocity of 2882 fps. That’s hardly a contest there, which will be won by the Nosler from the start and only increasing the longer the range!

Some reader doesn’t believe? Here are the worked out numbers based on the same conditions as given for the hunt:

225gr Nosler AccuBond at 350 yards = 2349 fps/ 2757 ft-lbs/ -8.62″ (69.5 TE)

225gr Barnes MRX BT at 350 yards = 2138 fps/ 2282 ft-lbs/ -9.96″ (57.5 TE)

Both are more than adequate, but the 225 AccuBond overwhelmingly so, just in case the bullet didn’t go where intended!

All of the above is to share some insights and methods that I use in preparing a chosen rifle’s loads for a particular hunt under all conditions. It’s still a fact that the highest SD per caliber will produce the highest BC assuming bullet profile is the same as the lesser weights. It will also maintain it’s velocity to target animal better assuming psi is the same as lighter loads, and penetration will be best from the bullet with the highest SD in a lineup of bullets from the same manufacturer with the same construction and profile — as in the case of the 250gr Noslers over the 225s and 210s. Therefore, as a general rule, use the heaviest bullets for the largest game, and the lighter bullets for the lighter game.

< This is how I loaded the 350gr TSX for my CZ550 in .458 Win Mag, and how I do the same in my current Ruger No.1 in .458. In practical effect it is like using a case whose length would reach the top groove (cannelure) in the bullet, or 1/4″ (0.25″) longer. In general, .458 Lott loading data from manual #3 for the 350gr FXB can safely be used for the 350gr TSX. They show 82 grains of H4198 but I use 81 grains for the 350 TSX for the same or slightly more MV in either the former CZ550 with a 25″ barrel or the #1 Ruger with a 24″. The Ruger actually gives the highest MV, but some of that could be from a different lot of powder.

Once again, monometal bullets have a place in hunting, but the heaviest of them per caliber have the effect of reducing available powder space thus negating their usefulness — unless the rifle action and freebore is longer than normal permitting the seating of bullets much longer than SAAMI. Some manufacturers have caught on to this, now producing rifle cartridges for long range shooting in rifles specifically made for this purpose. Of course, any single-shot rifle can have their throat extended, permitting the seating of bullets as long as practical, as I did with my Ruger No.1 in .45-70 LT… or as already possible without gunsmith work in the Ruger No.1 in .458 Win Mag.

Some choose to follow what others do or have done. Some go blindly hoping for the best. Others do their homework and if they come home empty-handed they have no cause to blame their rifle or it’s bullet.

Til the next

Shalom

BOB MITCHELL

Are BIG-BORE Rifles Outdated?

In a world of fantasy almost anything is acceptable. You can dream big dreams, experience some of it in a fantasy world and live happily every after. In the world of wildcatters, they have lived part of their dreams for something better while those of a more pragmatic bent have produced more practical firearms for real-life tasks. But some successful kittens have come from wildcats, like the .35 Whelen that has birthed some excellent bullets!

Are big-bore rifles practical in today’s world of shrinking hunting opportunities along with dramatically increased costs attached thereto? Added to that question is this: Other than the few – relatively speaking – who can afford decreasing opportunities for Africa’s Big Five, what justification could any practical-minded hunter come up with for owning something like a .416 Rigby, a .458 Win or .470 NE double? And then some claim that lesser calibers today can accomplish what was thought needed in days of yore.

Put that way — a need to justify rifle choices — could any of us justify something more than a .308 Winchester class of rifle cartridges? The first center-fire rifle that I almost bought in 1958-59 was a British Jungle Carbine chambered for the famous .303 British…. When I first pulled the trigger on it at a fence post twenty yards away its power seemed nothing short of awesome when compared to a .30-30! For decades that was the favorite Canadian rifle cartridge for ALL big game hunting, not only including some big stuff like moose, deer and bear, but the big white bears of the frozen North, as well as wolves in the tundra! So pragmatism is as pragmatism does!

As I wrote in the first edition of my .458 Winchester Magnum manual for handloading a dozen years ago: We all like some spice in our lives, and variety is that ingredient! Hopefully, we don’t get stuck on the same style and brand of sliced bread for our toaster that we accepted as “nouveau” ten years ago because it was the cheapest!

BIG BORES aren’t cheap! But then, neither is an Audi, but who wouldn’t like to own at least one sometime during a lifetime? Or maybe a Corvette, if into all-out sports cars? We buy things because of taste and lifestyle experiences. So BIG BORES will not be outdated until firearms, as we know them, will be. Or, more likely, draconian governments will ban them — except for themselves as in Communist dictatorships.

Long may they live!

< My former CZ550 in .458 Winchester Magnum on a moose hunt to N. Ontario in October, 2009. The load was 350gr TSX’s at an MV of 2700 fps.

Originally, I started to write this theme on: The APPEAL of BIGBORES, so I’ll continue with that as our current proposition.

A “proposition” is a position or argument based on perceived facts or truth. That the Earth is consistent in its yearly journey around the Sun is an argument that supports the Newtonian Law of Gravity, as one example. So why have I chosen “proposition” rather than “subject” or “topic”? Because I want to make factual statements, bolstered by physics and experience, of those proposed advantages! And that’s not to say there are no disadvantages such as increased recoil. But “disadvantages” isn’t the theme! And for those who, like myself, have chosen BIG BORES for a major part of hunting activities, have not ignored the disadvantages — we’re well aware of them, perhaps more so than those who are negative on this matter — but “all matters considered” the disadvantages are outweighed by the advantages, and many of the negatives can be cancelled by knowhow, experience and some work! But I’ll not go there this time.

So what is:

The APPEAL of BIG BORES

1 – Versatility

2 – No Fear or Doubts

3 – Proof of Identity

VERSATILITY:

I’ve stated numerous times, both vocally and in print, that the great .458 Winchester Magnum is the most versatile rifle cartridge extant. At least, I should know somethings about that since I’ve owned and handloaded a broad spectrum of rifles chambered from the tiny .22 Hornet on up to the .458 Win. And those numbers include such favorites as the .223 Rem, .25-06 Rem, 6.5 x 55, .270 Win, 7-08 Rem, 7mm magnums, .30-06, 7.62 x 54R, .300 magnums, .338 magnums, .35 Whelens, 9.3 x 62 Mauser, .375 H&H’s, .44 Rem Mag, .45-70s and three .458 Win Mags. And to those could be added work done for others, including: a .308 Win, a 444 Marlin, and a .356 Winchester. All handloads were the result of both intensive and detailed work that produced in most cases several useful loads. And, if you know me by now, none were “wimpy” !

Upcoming will be another comparison between the .458 Winchester Magnum and the one that attempted to replace it – the .458 Lott. For now, I’ll just say that the Lott has been trounced by the .458 Win in the hands of knowledgeable handloaders such as Dr. Ron Berry (see 24hr Campfire, Express Rifles and Big Bores/”What’s wrong with the .458 Win”)

My own experience with a CZ550 in .458 Win and my current .458 Win in a Ruger No.1 have proved their ability to at least match or surpass Lott loads in current handloading books.

< This from my current Ruger No.1 “Tropical” in .458 Win Mag from a 500gr Hornady RN at COL 3.56″, over 81 grains of H4895 fps. Rem brass, WLRM primer, in late May, 2019, temp @ 7*C. Chrony at 15′ from muzzle, corrected to MV = 2317 fps/5960 ft-lbs.

But the magic of the .458 Win is it’s long throat and the “endless” choice of bullets and suitable propellants available for both the .45-70 and .458s, from 250gr to 550gr. Beyond that there are multiple moulds readily available for making your own from pure lead to lead alloys. Your .458 Winchester Magnum can be anything you want or need from a plinker of tin cans to a cannon ball for elephants, and anything between!

I’ve owned my Ruger No.1 in .458 Win Mag since August 10, 2018. Out of a possible dozen acceptable loads so far, here are just three favorites, and a fourth that shows potential:

350gr Barnes TSX: Rem or Hornady brass, WLRM primers, 81 grains H4198, COL @ 3.46″, MV = 2782 fps/6014 ft-lbs KE

350gr SPEER: Hornady brass, WLRM primers, 73 grains H322, COL @ 3.25″, estimated MV = 2354 fps/4306 ft-lbs KE.

480gr Hornady DGX: Rem Brass, WLRM primers, 82 grains H4895, COL @ 3.585″, MV = 2353 fps/5900 ft-lbs KE.

465gr semi-hardcast: Hornady brass, WLRM primers, 75 grains RL-22, COL @ 3.308″, MV = 1580 fps/2577 ft-lbs KE. Recoil @ 22.5 ft-lbs from my rifle. (135 TE @ the muzzle compared to 64 TE from a 180gr @ 2800 fps from a .30-06 for the same approximate physical recoil. Of course, the Ruger #1 would be about 2 lbs heavier.)

If my current arthritic condition is diminished enough by summer, I have several other loads for development and testing.

The obvious point: near limitless possibilities are available to the handloader of the GREAT .458 Winchester Magnum!

NO FEAR or DOUBTS!

When famed outfitter and guide of Alaskan behemoths, like brown bear that can go to 1500 lbs, are hiding in thick alders and underbrush from wounding by a client, Phil Shoemaker must do a follow-up into this “pucker brush”. While he owns a variety of rifles, he prefers his favorite in .458, “Old Ugly” that has accounted for many kills, as well as many moose and caribou at longish ranges.

A few times I’ve had to go into or through thick brush in a follow-up of wounded black bears. My preferred firearm was a Marlin in .45-70, in my view the next best thing with good handloads to a brawny .458 Win Mag.

The point is that whether facing a charge by a bear, lion, moose or dugga boy, you want a rifle and load that gives utmost confidence, with no doubts or fears! The .458 Winchester Magnum has proven its metal in that regard. Sure, there are those who fear it’s recoil, and in a test of their “metal”, flinch! In such a scenario, I’d not recommend a .458 Win or Lott, or any other rifle cartridge that causes fear of squeezing the trigger more than they fear getting eaten by a large lion or bear, or tossed by the horns of a Cape buffalo! “Take the largest rifle you can handle without fear of its recoil”, is sound advice by outfitters to their clients of DG.

Having said that, better advice is to learn to shoot with confidence and without fear the best rifle/cartridge for a potentially dangerous situation. In my view, as well as that of many experienced hunters/shooters, a .458 Win Mag of appropriate weight and size that almost anyone can learn to shoot well in the face of danger is the better choice. That’s been proven too many times by professionals and amateurs alike to negate any excuses for not doing so.< Phil Shoemaker with “Old Ugly” in Africa and his recent Cape buffalo shot just under the horn boss!

PROOF OF IDENTITY:

The identity of anyone is found in their personal sense of successful living. In a relatively few cases they become famed, and that further secures their sense of personal identity. The worth to self and/or others of “who I really am” matters more than most people imagine. It is often magnified in the suicides of some who have lost their jobs or means of livelihood, or even in retirement if they have nothing else of equal value to replace it with. In counselling, I’ve often advised others not to retire too soon unless the have a hobby or other means of employment.

But, as in the case of Shoemaker in Alaska, the .458 Win Mag’s identity has in part been enhanced by Phil adopting it as his main weapon for big bear defence, and in turn, Phil’s own identity comes in part from his relationship to the .458 Winchester Magnum. Of course, he is also a writer of renown, and in the future will likely take up “the pen” once more to share his experiences in Alaska. If I’m still around, I’ll be among the first to purchase his book!

When we think of golf we think immediately of Tiger Woods. In boxing several names come to the fore: Louis and Tyson, plus others. In NASCAR, the Hendricks, etc.

In rifles, Col. Whelen, Ackley and Weatherby are a few among too many to mention. Some famous names come to the fore when Africa is mentioned: Harry Selby and the .416 Rigby; President Roosevelt and the 405 Winchester; Ernest Hemingway and the .505 Gibbs, and so on.

What’s your identity in the successful use of a particular rifle and cartridge among those who best know you?

Identity, persona, all bear witness of character. Facing a lion with a .458 tells us one thing while facing a lion with a .30-06 might tell us something else. The .30-06 might say that person is “stupid” or, on the other hand, “very courageous and experienced”.

But anyone facing “all comers” from hogs to elephant with one rifle reveals someone who is a disciplined student of firearms, courageous, skilled, and knows more than many might think. Of course, this assumes that all laws are obeyed.< In a bear blind, my CZ550 in .458 WIN, 35 yards from the bait setup. A huge 500 + lb bear was visiting there!

In my view an identity with the GREAT .458 Winchester Magnum, as it relates to our use of firearms, speaks volumes that a few words here or elsewhere can’t begin to fathom. The .416 Rigby has been eulogized… The GREAT .458 Winchester Magnum IS respected as the best of the BIG BORES by those who identify with it!

However, there is an identity far greater. I’m most happy and satisfied to be identified with Jesus Christ my Lord and Saviour, without that eternal hope all else is purely temporary and mundane.

Til the next

Shalom

BOB MITCHELL