Moose-size game cartridges compared – P1

Moose-size game cartridges is our current topic, and will extend over a month or more. At our range there are quite a few members who hunt moose annually and will be preparing and practising over the summer for that upcoming event in late September through early November, depending on what region of North America or Europe.

But this is about “moose-size game”, not just moose! Alaska-Yukon moose can attain 3/4 ton, while some Canada mature bull moose have been recorded at 1400 lbs, and usually a mature bull can easily attain 1100 -1200 lbs.  A Shiras moose from the west is generally smaller at around 800 – 1000 lbs for a mature bull. Scandinavian moose are usually in the class of the Shiras.

In the west, southwest and northwest of North America, elk is often sought by sportsmen. Some exceptions are noted but elk are mostly smaller and lighter than moose, and cartridges for moose or elk are also suitable for African plains game — and obviously anything smaller or lighter among thin-skinned wild animals.

(My friend, Roger’s moose-size elk from northern Alberta – a 7 pointer)

Having thus established a general consensus of the cartridge class, we’ll begin our comparisons. However, keep in mind that it’s not possible to deal with every particular detail in finite degrees that will cover all possible experiences.

The parameters of this discussion will start with common deer cartridges that might also be suitable for elk or moose size game under particular circumstances. And we’re NOT accepting in THIS discussion anything that resembles STUNT shooting of large game. If it’s NOT a cartridge ordinarily used for soft-skinned game that might go at least 1/2 ton on the hoof under most conditions, then it’s NOT an acceptable cartridge as understood in normal terms.

Therefore in our first comparison there will be three contenders that I’ve met up with at the range in preparation for a moose hunt, or in the field in actual hunting of moose. But there’s a distinct difference between what might be chosen by a local hunter where ANY moose on license may become the target in a tightly wooded area, from that of a moose hunter who has to travel some distance from home to a remote north or northwestern area for a trophy bull. Nonetheless, the cartridges chosen MUST serve well under all conditions and circumstances when and where a shot is taken.

The first competitors are: a 7mm Remington Magnum, a .30-06, and a .300 Winchester Magnum. “Let the games begin…” — err, no that’s the Olympics! “Drivers, start your engines!” — sorry, that’s NASCAR! “Hunters, start yer arguments!” — hey, that’s it!

The 7mm Remington Magnum:

On my second hunt to the “Far North” of Ontario for moose — I’d previously done a few moose hunts to the “Near North” of our Province — I was showing my son, Phil, the country with dozens of logged-out areas on both new and old logging roads. It was the day before the hunt could start and we were scouting. In the process, we came across a camp of moose hunters about 10 km (6 miles) from our camp. They had high-walled tents, wood-burning stoves with smoke pouring from their pipes, neatly stacked piles of wood, several ATVs and 4 x 4 pickups. And beyond belief, among their seven or eight hunters was a sportsman from a street next to mine 1600 kilometers away! We had never previously met! Currently, I routinely walk that street in my physical workout and have yet to meet up with him again though I’ve chatted with a fellow hunter on that street making enquiries.

But the real point is that the moose hunter I met 1600 kms/1000 miles from home had a new rifle chambered in 7mm  Rem Mag that he wanted to introduce to me and my son– he was very proud of it, stating it should be better than what he’d previously used during a few moose hunting adventures in that area. Whatever he’d toted in former seasons was believed to be improved on by the magic of this new stainless 7 Rem Mag. And if I’m not mistaken, his former “thunder” was a .30-06! And he’d yet to shoot a moose with his new-found toy, using store-bought ammo!

That’s not to pass condemnation, as the majority of hunters are like that — they believe the hype! So, having spent some years handloading those three, I’ve gained some knowledge as to their ballistic potential without having shot “a ton” of game with either of them. So, we’ll stick with ballistic facts and not arguments based on subjective experiences or Internet claims. No doubt, some claims are objective realities, but it’s impossible to verify actual physical circumstances unless an objective video was made without editing. And even then, the guide, outfitter, PH or bystander might present a more objective view of what really happened than the shooter whose claims might exceed reality by more than 100 yards!

In my experience, and view, the best weight bullet for soft-skinned game that could go to, or exceed, 1000 lbs is a premium 175-gr, which was the original bullet weight promoted by Remington for large or dangerous game. Without being picky in the extreme, my findings are that no other 7mm weight bullet can match 175-gr in end ballistics for large game at up to about 400 yards from that particular Remington Magnum cartridge.

I’ve had no problem attaining 3015 fps from the 175-gr Nosler Partition from the 26″ barrel of my Ruger No.1 using Remington cases, WLRM primers and 72 grains of RL-22. That’s pretty close on the heels of a .300 Win Mag firing a 180-gr Partition, and has a better BC and SD.

From my 24″ Remington 700, I could quite easily get 2940 fps from 175s using the same brass, primer and powder. So let’s consider these potential results:

Bullet: 175-gr NP

BC = .519

MV = 3015 fps/3532 ft-lbs/69 MTE

100 = 2830 fps/3112 ft-lbs/61 MTE

200 = 2651 fps/2731 ft-lbs/53 MTE

300 = 2482 fps/2394 ft-lbs/47 MTE/1175 lb game optimum

400 = 2317 fps/2086 ft-lbs/41 MTE/1025 lb game optimum

500 = 2158 fps/1809 ft-lbs/35 MTE

Recoil = 30 ft-lbs from an 8.5 lb rifle

Speaking personally, I’d consider a 7 Rem Mag (or equivalent) a 400 yard moose cartridge, maximum. And I’d really want to be closer.

The .30-06 Springfield:

If I chose the .30-06 as a moose gun for Northern Ontario, the 200-gr Nosler AccuBond would be my choice, hands down.

Bullet: 200-gr Accubond

SD = .301

BC = .588

Barrel = 24″

MV = 2700 fps/3237 ft-lbs/72 MTE

100 = 2544 fps/2874 ft-lbs/64 MTE

200 = 2394 fps/2394 ft-lbs/53 MTE

300 = 2249 fps/2246 ft-lbs/50 MTE/1250 lb game optimum

400 = 2110 fps/1977 ft-lbs/44 MTE/1100 lb game optimum

500 = 1974 fps/1730 ft-lbs/39 MTE

Recoil = 26 ft-lbs from an 8.5 lb rifle.

I fail to see enough distinction between optimum handloads for the 7 Rem Mag and the .30-06 to choose one over the other. The .30-06 shows a slight advantage in MTE from 300 yards on, but not enough to quibble over, whereas the 7 Rem Mag shoots somewhat flatter at all ranges.

Those optimum loads are for those particular bullets at what I’d consider max MV. In addition they’d need to be placed into vitals. So I’d prefer to be closer.

The MVs are from a 26″ Rem Mag and a 24″ .30-06, respectively. In my view, both are at their best at less than 400 yards on game between 1000 to 1500 lbs.

The .300 Winchester Magnum:

Barrel = 26″

Bullet: 200-gr AccuBond

BC = .588

SD = .301

MV = 3000 fps/3996 ft-lbs/89 MTE

100 = 2833 fps/3564 ft-lbs/79 MTE

200 = 2674 fps/3175 ft-lbs/71 MTE

300 = 2519 fps/2818 ft-lbs/63 MTE/1575 lb game optimum

400 = 2370 fps/2494 ft-lbs/56 MTE/1400 lb game optimum

500 = 2226 fps/2200 ft-lbs/49 MTE/1225 lb game optimum

Recoil = 36 ft-lbs from an 8.5 lb rifle.

< 1600 kilometres from home!

I’ve made it clear in several previous blogs why MY choice for game of that nature would be a .300 Win Mag over anything less. And that’s NOT to say it would be my premium choice for DG or game that exceeds 800 lbs. But it would be hard to argue against a .300 Winchester Magnum as an all-around choice for North American game, or soft-skinned animals of that size anywhere else in the world to +400 yards. But to be brutally honest about it… there are better for that size game to 400 yards and beyond… IF recoil is NOT the main focus!

And let’s face it – today’s hunters want and choose light-weight rifles and then complain about recoil! Plus the fact that the majority live in or around cities where a good day’s work consists in sitting before a computer for 8 hours! So to be used to a rifle that has proper weight for shooting moose-size game under all conditions means work of another kind – get a rifle that weighs at least 9 lbs ready, and carry it around for at least two weeks in rough conditions. Then recoil will be a faint memory! Or — if not a REAL rifle, carry weights or a bar of at least equal weight for a month or so… or work out in a gym on a regular basis… or as I do — walk a mile down hill, up hill, down hill and up hill, swinging 4 lb weights in each hand in rhythm to my steps (2200 of them) back to my front door. Three times a week. In between, I work out in my room with 15 lb weights in each hand (total 30 lbs) doing a series of exercises for 20 minutes, including pushups and squats. Then, when I bring my 10.3 lb Ruger No.1 in .458 Winchester Magnum to the range (or in the woods for a workout) it seems just right!

(The “Far North” with my CZ550, .458 Win Mag for moose — weight +11 lbs.)

Next up are some mediums compared: the .340 Wby Mag, .375 Ruger and the 9.3 x 62 — optimum handloads for each in typical rifles for large soft-skinned game. I don’t have experience with the .375 Ruger but I do with the other two, and also with several .375 H&H’s.

MTE = Mitchell Terminal Effect — It’s how I calculate the terminal effectiveness of ballistics at impact.

Let the arguments continue… but to argue against hard facts is an exercise in futility.

Shalom

BOB MITCHELL

BEAR bullets – P5

The second wounded bear was similar to the first in several respects — only about a decade later. The location was the same and the caliber rifle, but the cartridge was a .350 Rem Mag instead of a .35 Whelen. And the range was about 30 yards rather than 100. Also, I had a partner by my side, Ken.

I’ve told that event again recently so will spare too many details. We were hunting from the blind near the top of a ridge in the Haliburton Highlands which was my primary baiting location, with this distinction: the bait was 35 yards closer in front of one of the typical large boulders scattered throughout the region. So it was originally 65 yards from blind to the bait barrel. A dominant bruin was visiting the bait, but when we were not there. Getting late in the season (late October), with the leaves of the hardwoods falling, exposed our location that the bear was familiar with. He’d not come to the bait if we were behind the blind. But he came up through a finger of conifers, and in behind us silently to check us out — when we were there he’d try to spook us by approaching silently within 10 feet at our backs, then suddenly go crashing off like a transport truck in a wreck on Ontario Highway 401 (The Trans Canada Highway). He did that once when Ken and I were both there, and again the week following when I was there alone. (Left click on pics for a better view.)

<This pic was taken the week I was there alone. The rifle was my Ruger No.1 in .45-70 LT loaded with the 350 TSX at 2470 fps/4740 ft-lbs – not max. The bear was in thick bush within 8 – 10 feet behind the chair I was seated in. I stood to take this photo, and when I moved to return to my seat he did his “crash test” through the bush for about 30 yards, and then dead silence. By the way, notice the hole, rips, tears and bites — all done by dominant black bears!

We decided to move the blind downhill closer to the bait and make it a part of the forest. That worked. He came in about 5 PM from behind the big boulder. The boulder was 30 inches high and I saw his back above the boulder by at least 6″ – 8″ just before he completely emerged. But he didn’t go directly to the bait. Instead, he went behind the only mature tree, facing me from about 25 yards! I could only see his sides and ears. He stayed there without flinching for what seemed like a couple of eternities while I had my Remington M673 up, pointed in his direction with safety off, and chambered with a 250gr Speer GS that would leave the muzzle at +2700 fps. Ken had his rifle “up” too and ready, but it was my shot, and he was wondering why I didn’t shoot as he had a better angle about five feet to my left. Finally, the bear decided to leave in a flash… he turned 180 degrees and started to make a beeline for cover directly away. I had a mille-second as he swung, and I fired at his shoulder as he switched ends, making his move. He  turned on the afterburners  and disappeared into the brush in less time than it takes to tell it. Ken unleashed his .270 Win and the 150 Federal Partition load found dirt well beyond the bear. Mine took off a piece of fur and hide from his left shoulder. Then it got dark and the chase was done.

The next day we were there for followup. Ken with his only centerfire — the .270, and I with my Marlin in .45-70.  And again, I went where the bear would go… into the thickest tangle of bush. There I again found a patch of blood where he spent the night watching his back-trail. Eventually, Ken was on hands and knees following droplets of blood into the thickest brush imaginable. I stood guard during the two-hour process. It led to a game trail and then off the trail into an impenetrable tangle of alders. We abandoned the chase at that point.

There were, as in the first case, several lessons taught and hopefully learned. More than the rifle and load, it concerned knowledge and patience. The load was excellent and the rifle had superb accuracy shooting that load into 1/2 MOA.

Knowledge: 1) The habitat. Knowing bear habitat — where they come from, how they live and where are keys to baiting them, or, on the other hand, finding and stalking them.

2) Game trails. What kind of game is in the area? Signs and evidences, not merely wishful thinking. Scratches on trees and scat. How high on the tree(s) and how large the scat?

3) A dominant bore bear will claim a bait site, berry patch, corn field or fruit tree as his! And he will stay in the area until he believes it’s finished — done — kaput! Just like a Kodiak bear on a moose carcass!

4) A bait site must have a source of natural water nearby — a stream, pond, lake or river.

Patience:4) A wounded dominant black bear will not leave the country! If the shot is a complete miss he’ll wait in a hide until it’s “safe”. If wounded, he’ll wait in a hide to discover what caused it with a spirit of revenge!

5) Never do a followup on a wounded bruin alone, unless there is no other recourse. Even then, we must know the terrain and a bear’s nature.

6) Know when “to fold ’em”.

7) Don’t wait until dark before leaving the woods or bush, the bear might have circled behind you!

8) Don’t be naive and “trust a bear”… even a “dead one”.

9) Don’t be naive and “trust a bear”… even a “fed one”.

10) Don’t be naive and “trust a bear”… even one that ran from you.

11) Don’t be naive and think that because you’re carrying your favorite rifle with its favorite load that bear hunting is not dangerous.

<(That was my CZ550 in .458 Winchester Magnum in sneaking through the bush.)

Any predator that can run up to 35 mph/57 kph and weigh between 150 to 650 lbs, and has a record of killing humans, IS DANGEROUS GAME and not to be taken lightly!

MY FIRST BEAR FOLLOWUP was when I was still a novice at this game. I had been spring bear hunting in May for a few years with the same outfitter in the northeast of our province not too far from the Quebec border. My outfitter/guide was Norm from that area just southeast and east of Algonquin Park. He was the only legal outfitter of that huge region. Often, he had as many as 85 baits set out throughout that BMA. So each time I went it was a new-to-me location. I enjoyed that for eight full seasons and saw a lot of mountainous — lake strewn — rivers and streams, rugged country.

<(This was my first bear from that area.)

That is where I learned bear hunting over bait. Norm involved me and was a good teacher — more by actions and example than by words — though he answered all questions and explained why he did matters in a particular way — or why he felt that a particular spot was good for a bait setup.

On one such excursion, it was of course new to me but also a relatively new location for Norm. Only one hunter had preceded me there and that was one of his guides who had hunted a good bear with a bow. He shot it in the rump on the edge of darkness and the arrow went through the plastic milk container (for toting milk to customers, that covered the bait) and attached the plastic box to the rump of the bear as it departed into the darkness! That was the last he saw of that bear.

I was the next hunter to that spot. Norm had to leave for the Pearson International Airport in Toronto to pick up his daughter for a wedding… he would be gone for the day. I was entirely on my own, driving his three-wheeler over a tortuous trail to the location from my parked vehicle a mile away.

When I arrived, there was no stand or blind as he had warned… but lots of natural ones behind boulders or dead-falls on the opposite side of the trail uphill on a ridge. I found a suitable spot with a smallish boulder (compared to most) for a seat and a small fir tree in front as a blind. The bait was downhill and across the trail, into a ditch about 65 yards away. I was ready with my 300 Weatherby Magnum loaded with 220-gr Hornadys at 2800 fps/3829 ft-lbs at the muzzle and around 2650 fps/3430 ft-lbs at impact. I could peek around the smallish tree to check the bait every 30 sec. or so. And I found a branch on the tree that could serve as support when and if I fired a shot.

That briefly sums matters up! It became a waiting game for the next three hours or so. As 8 pm approached, I looked around the tree more often as the time for big bruins was drawing near! My handsome Weatherby Vanguard, with Claro walnut stock and white-line spacers, dark walnut fore end tip and pistol grip cap, and 24″ barrel was as accurate with my handloads as any I’ve every made from home-brewed loads — at sub-moa. And that 220gr load was no less accurate at 2800 fps MV.

The rifle was slipped onto the chosen branch of the small fir tree which created a small gap between the branches for clear vision of the bait setup about 65 yards downhill from me. Without pre-announcement the bear — and it was mature in all respects — quietly appeared in a standoffish position to the right of the bait. It was being cautious! Just as I squeezed the Timney aftermarket trigger the branch supporting my rifle (about 8.5 lbs total) decided to take a nap or fainted, whatever… anyway it collapsed under the heavy burden of 8.5 lbs and the bullet hit somewhere other than the target!

Have you ever witnessed a big buck take off from a standing start when spooked? Well… a big bear could catch it in a couple of bounds! He took off to my left — the direction he was headed — like a rocket! I mean, you would have had to witness it to believe it! He was hitting 30 – 35 mph in his second bound and fully disappeared into hair-thick foliage where he leapt into a ravine never stopping until he bulldozed through some underbrush left by loggers — then all fell silent as though he’d been taken into space by some aliens!

I didn’t know the ravine was there as it was shrouded in bush! But the bear did! He landed on his front paws that sunk into moss covered ground a couple inches never losing stride! In my followup I quit at the top of the ravine that was straight down! And I wasn’t about to slither down a vertical rock cliff only to be met by 3 feet of broken timber left by loggers… alone! Remember Norm was in Toronto at the airport!

Rule No.2 > never search for a wounded bear ALONE! But I had to make sure there was no evidence that the 220-gr had hit the bear in any part of its anatomy! After a meticulous search on the ground, branches, and at the bait site, and my instinct from the failed branch fiasco, all together told me that a search for a non-wounded bear in unfamiliar physical conditions would not only be futile, but foolish!

The following day I informed Norm, and he moved me to a new location.

Oh! By-the-way, what’s Rule No.1?

Summary: BEAR bullets

1> To be fired from a suitable rifle.

2> Suitable for all bears and any bear.

3> Under any and all conditions.

4> Larger is better than smaller.

5> Construction suited to muzzle velocity.

6> Construction suited to impact velocity.

7> Not too hard and not too soft.

8> Not a FMJ.

9> Not a varmint bullet.

10> Not a target bullet — most game bullets are accurate enough if the rifle and hunter is.

Recoil management is another topic. But Rule No.1 is shoot a rifle you are both comfortable with and familiar with.

Til the next… Some cartridge comparisons.

Shalom

BOB MITCHELL

BEAR bullets – P4

<The 400-gr Hawk is 2nd from left in this pic. Left click on the pic for a much more detailed view.

All had been tested at the same pressure for hardness in a vise. The toughest was no.1, a 400-gr Colorado Custom (formerly Barnes – then later sold back to Barnes) with a .049″ Jacket, RN with minimal lead exposed. Unfortunately, I used them all up (50) in testing. So no game was shot with that one. They were old stock in a gun shop I used to visit. A co-owner of that shop was murdered when gangsters burst in to rob the store of handguns. The co-owner resisted and was shot dead in cold blood on the spot. He was well known to me. Years later, his oldest son was part owner and the shop was moved to a new location. I walked in one day browsing for anything in .458-cal. As I came to the checkout the son was there and recognized me. He said: “I’ve got some bullets that I’ve reserved for you.” He left the checkout for a couple minutes and then returned with a box of 400-gr Colorado Custom bullets. I was about to pay him when he said they were a gift! The current 400-gr Barnes FP is a travesty compared to that perfect bullet for either a .45-70 or .458 Winchester Magnum in hunting large game.

The others in that lineup are to the right of the 400-gr Hawk: 350-gr Speer, 400-gr Speer, 405-gr Remington, 465-gr hardcast, 470-gr Custom, 338-cal., 250-gr Speer GS, and 300-gr .44-cal Speer. The latter two for comparison purposes.

As mentioned in P3, my 1895 Marlin Classic with a 22″ barrel was loaded with the 400-gr Hawk at 2100 fps/3916 ft-lbs at the muzzle. That was the load and rifle in the followup of the wounded bruin into thick underbrush in mid-May, 1996. At 7 am of the following day of the hunt, myself with two friends were on site in the followup.

I circled the thick bush at the bottom of the ridge and came through the “back door”. My two buddies were at the “front door” should he try to leave in that direction.

My thought process which dictated the plan of action and emotions began immediately following the escape of the bear into the darkness the previous evening at about 8 pm. Actually, earlier. In preparing for a bear hunt, all possibilities are carefully planned for, including a wounded bear at closing light. But when approaching the “back door” I had prepared myself for a potential charge at very close quarters — that’s why I told my friends to “stay put”. It was my bear, not theirs, so my responsibility. I wasn’t afraid, but prepared mentally for “whatever”. I entered the thick enclosure and before me was a “room”, a grass covered space about 12′ x 8′, and off to one side was matted-down grass with an eight inch patch of blood, and pin-pricks of blood leading out the “back door” where I’d entered. The bear had fled literally seconds before we arrived.

Not minutes before, but when we got too close and he felt outnumbered, he  left for the top of the ridge. We did a followup for the rest of the day and went where I expected, across the dirt road on the other side of the ridge and back into the interminable tree-filler swamp on the far side — from which I knew he’d come to my bait. That’s where they all came from. We lost him in there and couldn’t continue. He stayed just out of sight — about 50 yards ahead of us.

How did I know that? There are ways. But I left my friends and cut ahead to the dirt road looking for any signs of the big bruin having crossed it — there were none. On the far side of the ridge, at the bottom was a stream, he’d crossed it (paw prints in the soft edges of the stream), then crossed the newly graded road leaving clear paw prints, then over some bare rocks with pin-points of blood, and descended into the forbidden swamp. He survived! But for how long?

A day later and alone, I was at the site of bullet impact to discover why the bullet didn’t hit where aimed. In the flight of that 200-gr X-Bullet, it had clipped off a hardwood sapling, over an inch thick, a little past 60 yards. These saplings are scattered throughout the region and grow very tall. It didn’t appear in my scope that was struggling even to show cross-hairs against the bruins black fur.

< The top of that ridge to show how thick and dense the forest is at that location in the spring before the foliage has developed in early April. You can see some of those small hardwood saplings. Left click for an enlarged view.

But did that bruin return 5 months later after his initial fright? More than a “maybe”…

Five months later, my friend Mike who had assisted in the spring followup, asked if he could hunt the same bait site during the fall season. Since I had filled my tag with a much smaller bear in the spring at that site, I agreed, and did the baiting protocol and was nearby to lend a hand if he shot a bear. Also, the moose season was coming up in about a week and I was interested in harvesting a calf. So on the first afternoon/evening of Mike’s bear hunt, we travelled in separate vehicles and I went off in another direction – about 3 kilometres – to look for moose sign. I also did some calling hoping for a response that would indicate moose were in the area for the upcoming season. Of course, I was without a rifle since I’d already filled my bear tag.

<The trail to the bait setup which I used in baiting as well as being a game trail, especially for bears.

Less than an hour went by from when I’d left Mike at the bear bait site when I heard a clear shot from about 1 and a-half miles away. It was from the right direction so I knew Mike had fired at a bear. Quickly, I climbed up from a stream about 150 yards to where my van was parked, and drove to where Mike’s vehicle was parked just in time to meet him coming from the trail that led to the bait site. He said “Yes, I fired at a bear but haven’t located it yet”. He returned with me to the site about 200 yards away, downhill from the side of the ridge, all the time describing what happened. The bear ran past the bait barrel, but picked up a honey filter from a branch and dove back  into the thick woods without stopping. A few minutes went by and the bear performed the same feat and Mike fired his .338 Win Mag loaded with the 210-gr Nosler Partition at 3000 fps just as the bear was disappearing again. So he never looked for it alone. Our agreement was to not look for a wounded bear alone! He was unsure of its direction after the shot, and didn’t know the country as I did. So I immediately looked where I thought it might be if dead.  Sure enough, I found it dead about 40 yards behind the bait barrel as the ground continued to slope downhill toward the bog, about 35 yards from escaping thereto. The first thing I saw was it’s head peaking over the hill towards me. It was a big head! And it’s body was complementary. I called Mike: “Over here Mike, I’ve found it — it’s a good bear!”.

It had a large frame but was thin for a fall bear. In field dressing, we found a strange wound in a strange place! I would estimate the bear to weigh nearly 300 lbs as it was. When properly fed and healthy, it should have gone over 400 lbs! There are three reasons for thinking this was “my bear” that had been wounded in the spring: The strange wound, its unhealthy weight, and it’s nervousness in running past the bait in two tries of catching a morsel in its teeth.

That experience highlites this adage, I think by John Wootters: “A missed shot or wounding a deer will result in the animal leaving the country, but the same thing in a bear hunt will often result in the bear returning to steal your lunch!”

After Mike’s experience in the spring hunt, he decide to load up his .338 WIN MAG for the fall hunt… just in case.

And, “just in case”, don’t skimp on caliber or bullet selection while in bear country!

Continued…

Shalom

BOB MITCHELL

 

BEAR bullets — P3

OK, so we’ve looked at a few bear bullets in P1 and P2 under particular circumstances, but what if you (or a partner) have wounded a bruin and it’s leaving at 25 to 30 mph? What would you like to have in your hands at that moment — for it will only be a moment before it disappears into the unknown where you might have to go in and find it? Obviously it will be the same rifle and load you brought to the war zone! War zone, you say? Yes! It might become that serious before the day is done!

It is believed by those with lots of DG hunting experience in Africa, in particular by PH’s, that a wounded leopard is the most likely to “get you” of all the big five or six. It might not kill you but may leave you wishing it had! Though infections from bites and scratches may prolong that ordeal. A big leopard might weigh 130 lbs, so it is the quickest in counter-attack! To compound matters, it usually attacks from unseen in tall grass without a sound. PH’s often use 12-ga shotguns with buckshot in such near encounters.

This bear was a regular at my 2015 bait setup. He often came at night. On September 30, 4:07 pm he attended, but other bears had preceded him. Unfortunately, I was not in my tree stand 85 yards to the right. He was at least 400 lbs.

A black bear may be three or four times the weight of a mature leopard, so not as quick but still lightening fast! I’ve witnessed it! They are not slow and ponderous in a life or death situation, as many imagine. A mature one is stronger than any leopard, and five times as strong as a mature man of their own weight!! Can they climb trees and mountains? Faster than you could run on a flat track! They are the number one killer of humans by predators in North America.

All that to put matters into perspective in following up a wounded black bear in rough terrain or boreal forest.

Again, take the rifle and load you would use in a follow up on a wounded, desperate bear that has gone for safety, and possible revenge,  into the thickest mess he can find — watching his back trail, the same as an African dugga boy! It might be into a tree filled swamp, bog or rocky cliff with a cave! And keep in mind that he knows his terrain as well as we know our kitchens!

For such a possible encounter I’ve toted a Marlin in .45-70 with 400-gr to 405-grainers at over 2000 fps. That was when I had it available as a backup. Let me explain…

I mentioned in P2 that on  two occasions I had wounded a bear that needed followup, but darkness forbade an immediate chase into the unknown. On a third instance, which was my first followup, I missed a shot on a good bear but had to insure it was a clean miss and not a wound. Only on one of those incidence did I have a partner by my side. In order of those encounters my rifles were a .300 Weatherby Magnum, .35 Whelen, and a .350 Rem Mag.

Those happenings have been presented in years past with particular details but not with emphases on my frame of mind.

Thought process determines attitude or frame of mind. Always. Often, in emergencies it goes unrecognized, and is mostly credited to a spontaneous action where emotion takes charge. That could be like an animal’s “instinct” of fight or flight. But there are preconditions to an animal’s “instinct” as well as to our own reactions under stress or immediate danger, real or imagined.

There are several aspects to an animal’s “instinct”, as well as to our own reactions whether inbred or learned. Or both.

From the birth moment til a black bear is driven away by its mother, usually in its second year, the cub becomes a yearling and then an adolescent. It will be both protected and trained by its mother how to protect itself during that formative period. Then it is driven away and becomes most vulnerable to being killed by a car or truck on a highway, or by a larger bear, and lastly getting shot as a nuisance bear — usually NOT by a hunter as they’re likely after a larger, more mature bear.

And bears rarely die of disease. In the case of an old bear — thirty years or more — they didn’t get to be that age by being dumb! Rarely are they ever seen by humans — even hunters. But when their teeth are worn out and they can’t catch or kill smaller game any more, starvation or accident will get them. Or, on the other hand they might show up at a bait in hunger desperation, or being chased by hounds where that sequence is predetermined — they just can’t outrun trained dogs anymore.

So “instinct” for survival becomes the main motive of an aged bear — and keeping that in our psyches should be the main drive in choosing our firearm. If such a bear in its prime has a few notches in its moose belt, on the verge of starvation do you think it would be afraid of a relatively small two-legged creature — unless it has had a previous painful encounter? Most long-lived bears live in wilderness areas and have had no previous encounters with humans.

Cubs will not survive into their second year without the mother’s protection, care and teaching. Then it goes into the den with the mother in October – November for its second winter. When it emerges again with its mother, usually in late April, early May, depending on outside climate conditions and availability of “food”, it’s a yearling — not a cub. It will appear with it’s parent at bear baits if the mother is so inclined. Sometimes, of course, there may be as many as three or four yearlings! While they are legal “game” in the fall, in the spring with their mother they are NOT! But I’ve seen many with their female parent in fall hunts but never pulled the trigger on one. Some, closing in on two years old by the fall, can weigh nearly 100 lbs!

By their third season the males can procreate and think themselves quite capable — much like our mid to late teen young men! Female (sow) bears can usually get pregnant their third year but a lot depends on the wild berry and nut supply that coincides with mating in late May into early July. Conception may happen but if the natural food supply is limited the fetus will not be implanted into the uterus but will be absorbed back into the blood stream. The sow may have mated with several boars in the process.

Male bears emerge from their dens in mid to late April, before females with cubs, depending on region and outside conditions.  If snow is still quite deep with temps below freezing he may return to his den for a short period until exterior conditions improve. On the other hand he may wander a relatively short distance with hopes of something edible. He has new pads on his feet so they are quite tender and he’s looking for sprouts of green grass to assist the digestive track in removing the plug at the exit of his bowel.

<This was a 2-year old, then on its own and alone.

The point I’m making is that food is the dominant motivating factor in any bear’s life, not play or socializing. Food for the male in May is carrion and moose calves. Or, any denned animals’ newly born, including bear cubs or even their mother!  Bears, when active, apart from a brief mating period of about a month and a-half, have one thing in mind — that’s food! They are predators in nature and have no prejudice against eating their own kind!

As stated, food in the spring when they emerge from their dens consists of carrion, moose calves (and even the cow moose if she tries to intervene) or any other live or dead meat! That also includes beaver kits, beaver in the fall on land while gathering branches for winter food storage, rabbits, birds, wolf pups — anything they can catch and kill that in some cases involve mature bull moose! In other words, a bear will chase, harass, injure, trap and kill any living creature (including two-legged ones) that it considers no threat to itself. The only predator of black bears is larger black bears or grizzly in the North West. They evaluate by size and habit. If the prey runs the bear will chase — so its wise to keep that in mind in a black bear encounter. Make yourself look as big as possible and stand your ground even if charged. But, of course, you will have a firearm so use it when the bear crosses a particular line you’ve fixed in mind — that may be a rock, branch, tree, bush or other landmark.

During the summer months — actually about six weeks — bears in the wild will feed on berries and nuts from trees. During the fall til denning again, it will be meat: fish, fowl, various deer species and anything else it can catch. A relatively slim younger bear in their prime is very fast — up to 35 mph/56 kph. An older, heavy bear will be slower. They will kill moose or elk while they’re lying down, resting or sleeping. Bears pick up the scent of “food” (carrion and sweets) from miles away. Their two strongest senses are smell (5x stronger than a dogs) and hearing. Eyesight is as good as humans and in colour. Perhaps better because they can forage and find their way on trails and in the bush at night without artificial light that humans depend on.

In as few words as possible, that’s the creature we hunt with firearms and bows. However, this topic excludes bows and their projectiles; it concerns firearm projectiles.

In a personal followup of three bears, two of which had been wounded but only discovered so the following day, and one that evaded any bullet contact. I knew these incidents to be very serious and no joke!

As previously indicated, I’ve narrated these historical events in past blogs so will spare some of the details and only present the salient points.

The second (the first will be last in these presentations) occurred nearly one-quarter century ago, on May 9, 1996 when we still had a spring bear hunt. A big male black bear was attending my primary bait setup on Crown Land in the Haliburton Highlands of Ontario. Range from the blind near the top of the ridge to bait barrel near the bottom was 100 yards. The barrel was located at the confluence of three game trails, plus the line of sight from blind to barrel that had been trimmed of branches and small bushes that could have deflected a bullet in its flight.  A bear could only be seen when at or near the barrel. Also, bait morsels, such as pastries, corn, apples, etc., were scattered on the ground around the bait setup. The barrel was located about 75 yards in the bush from a large bog that surrounded a lake. Lots of wildlife traffic in the area including small, medium and large game.

On the edge of darkness in mid-May, the big bruin appeared out of “nowhere”, coming from the right of the barrel just as I was bent over to pick up binoculars and remnants of a snack. I was seated on a sturdy plastic combination seat-backpack. I partially stood to lift the cover (I was seated on) to place those items inside because I was preparing to leave due to hunting light being nearly finished according to Provincial rules. And because of the location in dense forest and brush, it got too dark to hunt even before the legal limit. When I was unable to detect the cross hairs of my scope against black fur, I wouldn’t shoot. So, I was actually preparing to leave about ten minutes prior to “closing time”.

When I’d finished that brief chore, I sat again on the seat and looked in the direction of the barrel one more time… And, there he was seated in front of the bait barrel with his back to me. I quietly reached to my right for the 7400 Remington (semi) standing against a small fir tree, placed in on the prearranged natural 2″ diameter hardwood pole found in the surrounding timber, aimed, took off the safety and the bear got up and moved behind the big boulder (seen to the left of the barrel in the pic — left click on pic for a better view). Then he turned around and moved back to the front, where I expected him to stop. Instead, he continued on his way up the trail to the left (that I used for bringing in bait). Then I had to wait for him to clear a cluster of white birch, and fired a 200-gr Barnes-X (prior to the TSX’s) at 2850 fps from the 22″ barrel of the .35 Whelen. There was a bright muzzle flash in the near darkness, then a crash, crash, crash, followed by dead silence!

<Not the same season but the exact same location

And I had to follow up that shot while it was getting darker by the second!

I had a partner who was attending another bait a mile away. So I thought. Actually, he was on his way out of the woods when he heard my shot, and showed up within ten minutes, calling my name. I was already at the bottom of the ridge checking any black thing, including boulders and dead stumps. But I KNEW where the bear came from and where he’d be heading for. We did a brief check along the trail to the right of the barrel, from which he’d emerged, and I called a moratorium until daylight the next day.

At 7 a.m., the following day, three of us were at the sight of bullet impact, if there was any. There was. Friend Dave was the first to spy a morsel of black fur attached to a small strip of bear hide. But no blood to follow. Nonetheless, I was certain that I knew where the wounded bear would go. So, with my partner of the previous evening, Mike, in the middle as primary spotter of spoor, Dave on the left towards the bog/marsh just in case the bruin went that-a-way, and myself on the right of Mike as spotter of any movement in front or off to the side, we very slowly proceeded along the dim trail towards the north. Still no blood, for the first 75 yards or so.

Mike had his trusty BLR in .308 WIN, with handloads he’d built for the hunt. I’m honestly uncertain of Dave’s weapon, but in my hands was my bear thumper, an 1895 Marlin Classic in .45-70, handloaded with a 400gr Hawk at 2100 fps/3916 ft-lbs. — three shot into 1″ at 100 yards. Ironically, the propellant load was the same as for the .35 Whelen: 60-grns AA2015, both ignited by WLRM primers. But I felt, with good reason, that my “thumper” was a better stopper and finisher than the Whelen even though it was a semi. The Marlin lever gun was no slouch in repeat performances if push came to shove! The Whelen was making a tad over 3600 ft-lbs at the muzzle, while the Marlin was making over 3900 ft-lbs, and 47% more momentum, plus 63% larger cross-section-area of the bullet. That ALL counts, no matter how we measure matters — if the bullets are up to the job at hand. Then, the SDs of the bullets favor the .458″ over the .358″, .272 SD vs .223 SD. That’s why I toted my Marlin in .45-70 as backup and often as primary weapon.

(The 200-X was a much harder bullet — better for high velocity. I killed a 3-year old boar the following week with the .35 Whelen and the same load. The location was the same and the hit was behind the right shoulder and took out the opposite shoulder leaving a massive wound and bone fragments in the wound channel. That bear went 10 yards, bawled once and died before I reached him.)

The 400 Hawk was a softer bullet with a .035 pure copper jacket and pure lead core, and minimum lead tip exposure. I think it would have done that big bear no good!

After about 75 yards or so, Mike abruptly stopped in his tracks and softly spoke “BLOOD!” That got our attention, and Dave and I stopped in our tracks too! With gestures and softly spoken directions I told the men to stay where they were as I moved into the thick “bush” (alders, brush and small conifers) just ahead of us at the base of the ridge.

Continued…

Shalom

BOB MITCHELL

 

BEAR bullets – P2

In bear hunting we all hope for success. Of course, there are many styles of hunting under a variety of physical conditions while employing differing strategies and using weapons of our choice.

For example, a bear hunt may be under the guidance of a pro guide. The hunter has chosen a crossbow, and the location is on the edge of a forest that breaks out onto a stream that ambles through mixed timber, marshland and bogs. It’s a guided hunt searching for bear sign. What has that to do with bear bullets? Nothing! But exchange that crossbow for a rifle when the terrain opens up, and a good bear is sighted on the far side of the stream slowly climbing higher on the side of a ridge or mountain. With each step the range increases and waiting for a good presentation only increases the distance.

Finally, the bear stops at a ranged 410 yards and gives a halfway decent angle for shot placement. There is no hope of shortening the distance, and it’s the best bear you’ve seen in a hard week of hunting. What cartridge and bullet would you want in your hands at that moment when you’re tired and need a quick improvised rest for your rifle… perhaps even from a prone position? Is it the rifle and load in your hands that you’ve staked a costly bear hunt on under uncertain conditions?

Actually there are numerous choices in cartridges, rifles and loads… but which one?

I’ll tell you mine, and they would be one of several that I’ve had experience with. Some being capable for any reasonable challenge, while a few were adequate for challenges that might be considered by some as unreasonable.

<(That’s 400 yards from where I stood to take this pic to the farthest point at the center of the pic. Left click for a better view.)

410 yards is a long shot on an animal that might go 400 lbs at 6.5 ft from snout to tail. The main thing is to intimately know the rifle and load as well as bear anatomy. On top of that is the possibility of atmospheric disturbances. There are rifles and loads that I’d not shoot from prone, and if such were indeed the case, I’d have to find a suitable rest. Shooting sticks might be the best option if toted by the guide. Yet movement must be restrained to not spook the bear. A mound, bolder or even a tree, or one of its branches have served well in lieu of mechanical devices. Assuming a solid rest is achieved, then what? Oh yes, the scope, since we must be prepared for any possible shot. What’s best in size and power?

<(The scope on my former CZ550 in .458 Win Mag was a fixed 4x by 21mm Burris. It was bright and tough, and eye relief at 5.5″ removed any concerns over “magnum eyebrow”.)

As in rifles and cartridges, debates are never ending over rifle scopes. Because of the physical conditions described, I’d choose a good variable. Again, depending on hiking conditions and the overall health of the hunter, as well as how late in the afternoon/evening one intends to hunt, these should determine the overall weight of the rifle ready to shoot. A compromise might be a 2 – 7 x 35mm. My Ruger No.1 in .458 WIN has a 2 – 7 x 32mm Nikon. It has bright optics, is tough and relatively light. My Tikka Lite has a heavier 3 – 9 x 40mm Bushnell as it’s extra weight helps deal with 40 to 48 ft-lbs of recoil. My only experience with a Leupold was on the 7mm Rem Mag in the BAR. My son, Phil, also had a 3 – 9 X 40mm Leupold on his Remington Mountain Rifle in .338 Win Mag. But for servicing of any faults or repairs, Bushnell has a main distribution and service center in Toronto, one and a-half hours away. Leupolds must be sent to the USA, and the Nikon has never flinched under recoil in the 40s to 70s ft-lbs range (so far).

So, now we’re ready to shoot all +/- 400 lbs of Mr Bruin at 410 yards away on the side of a ridge/mountain with brush and timber within two bounds. And the angle of the shot would be + 15 degrees into a 3/4 bear profile.

What rifle?

What cartridge?

And which bullet?

It would not be one of my Marlins (past tense).

Would a .30-06 do it if you expect a dead bear right there? If you believe in miracles, maybe. Then again, even if you place the bullet in the on shoulder (right side) it will miss the heart due to the angle. If it’s a 180gr TSX at 2700 fps MV from a 22″ barrel, and placed with precision behind the right leg and into the heart, what then? According to my calculations the bear would be killed with over 1500 ft-lbs of smash still left, but how far might it travel before quitting? A .30-06 would be the least I’d choose under such conditions, shooting a good 180gr. But precision shooting is called for. At that range, with the rifle sighted at 200 yards, bullet drop would be more than 2 feet. That’s why I mentioned that the hunter must be intimately familiar with his rifle and load — AND WITH HIMSELF! Can he pull it off?

Personally, knowing the possibilities for matters going wrong, I’d choose at least a .300 Win Mag, and better still a .338 Win.

And what about the .35s? If it were a .35 Whelen, I’d use something like the 225gr Nosler Partition at 2750 – 2800 fps MV. Why? At 410 yds it’s still making about 2000 ft-lbs at nearly 2000 fps. That’s quite an improvement over it’s ancient parent, the .30-06 at 1535 ft-lbs, while still having equal or better trajectory! And the .350 Rem Mag would be a copy of that. Depending on overall weight of the setup, recoil would be less than a .300 Win Mag. The .300 Win would shoot flatter but the Whelen would have more momentum.

In the .300 I’d use the 200gr Nosler at nearly 3000 fps, MV; the .338 Win with a 250 Partition at 2700 MV, giving it a similar trajectory as the .30-06 but about 2110 ft-lbs at 410 yards. That’s better momentum than the Whelen and slightly more energy.

In 9.3 x 62, would I attempt such a shot when “pundits” have pontificated that a shot on big game a 250 yards is stretching matters? I think they got their data from 1905 in Berlin! Not from a Canadian in 2020! If I would attempt such a shot from a .35 Whelen or .350 Rem Mag, or better still from a .340 Wby Mag, surely +2700 fps from the 250gr Accubond would hardly be a mistake, would it? Yet, in truth my load would be the 286 Partition at 2631 fps MV — that’s average for that load over ten years, and 1967 fps/2456 ft-lbs at 410 yards. The trajectory is within 1.5″ of the .338 Win Mag firing the 250gr Nosler at 2700 fps, or the .35 Whelen shooting the 225gr Nosler at 2750 fps. And the heavier bullet will drift the same as the .338 Win in a 10 mph crosswind , and a little better than the 225gr from the Whelen.

So, yes, I’d not be lacking anything in toting my 9.3 x 62.

But for someone who may have a sore shoulder, or arthritis, or shy of 40 lbs recoil, they should never attempt shots on larger bears at such ranges. Instead, they should limit range to no more than 250 to 300 yards in shooting something like a handloaded .358 Winchester employing a 225 gr Partition at around 2500 fps MV/3122 ft-lbs.  At 250 yards that load would still be making 2029 fps/2056 ft-lbs — plenty for a 400 lb bruin at a 3/4 angling shot.

While I’d still choose a Nosler Partition over a TSX or Hornady in those calibers, yet the others will work but their BCs are not as good as the Partitions. Then the TSX is a longer bullet in same weight due to being all copper. That eats powder space.

I also know from experience that the heavier Hornady Interlocs in medium calibers are very good when velocities are kept at no more than 2600 to 2700 fps. I’ve witnessed that on both bear and moose.

Of course, there are other common sources such as: Sierra and Speer, not to even mention some special boutique solutions. Yet some are not available in Canada, and as to Speer and Sierra, for bear or moose, with caution I’d go with heavier bullets in mid-bores, the same as for any non-premiums at less that optimum velocities. But there are special exemptions: The 200gr Hornady RN in .358″ and the Remington Coreloc in the same type and weight. At short to modest ranges they seem to work well above their design.

Speer’s 250gr SP Hot Core has a decent reputation on bear and moose (and most things between) from the .350 Rem or Whelen. But should heavy bone be hit they’ve been known to “come apart”. Some calibers by Woodleigh and Cutting Edge are available in Canada but not always what you want or need. And North Fork has gone out of business in North America and GS Custom is unavailable in Canada.

In lesser calibers than .33 I’ve listed my favorites on May 16 in an article: “HANDLOADING — When and Why I got into it – P3”, so will not reiterate here, other than to say that we need to do serious research on the potential circumstances of our bear hunts, rifles, cartridges and bullets. Again, much will depend on whether it will be a DIY hunt, or if a partner will be present or even a professional guide. Think and evaluate all details carefully, because not only will success or potential failure depend on those details, but possibly your very life!

So, what would you want as a companion rifle in the case of a late-in-the day wounded bear departing into the unknown at 25 – 30 mph? I’ve witnessed that on at least three distinct occasions — twice on a wounded bear and a third on a missed shot!

Those narratives next time…

Shalom

BOB MITCHELL

BEAR Bullets – P1

A number of years ago while chatting on the phone with a Hornady Rep, we discussed bullets for bear. Actually, I was making inquiry about their Interloc bullets suitable for black bear, specifically in 9.3 mm if my recollection is correct. But we did discuss other calibers as well. At the time they were producing one bullet only in 9.3 mm (.366″), a 286-gr Interloc SP-RP.

(270-gr Speer on left, and 286-gr Hornady)>

In the course of our discussion, mention was made that he’d hunted black bear in Saskatchewan and was successful in harvesting “not a big bear”. I asked its weight. “About 300 pounds”, he said. “What were you shooting?”, I asked. “A 25-06” was his reply. I don’t recall the exact bullet weight, but it was, of course, one of the Hornady brand — one or other of the 117 Interloc in RN or BTSP. I don’t believe (from memory) that it was the 120-gr HP. Range would have been less than 100 yards.

Still, I was surprised that a Hornady Rep would go to Saskatchewan for a black bear that could easily surpass 400 lbs with a “puny” .25-caliber! So I did the math, assuming it to be the 117-gr BTSP:

BC = .391

MV = 3200 fps

50 yards = 3076 fps/ 2458 ft-lbs

75 yards = 3015 fps/ 2362 ft-lbs

100 yards = 2956 fps/ 2269 ft-lbs

According to my calculations, at 100 yards (the actual range was less) 2269 ft-lbs should be more than adequate for a 300 lb bear from a .25-cal, 117-gr bullet. But for a 400 lb bear, I’d want more – much more – than a .25-caliber for reasons that I’ll explain. Presumably, the Hornady bullet, whether it was the 117 BTSP or the 117 RN, or even the 120-gr HP, worked as intended, which was good news for the shooter as well as for the Hornady Manufacturing Company.

Personally, as suggested in my previous blog, if I did choose a .25-caliber for a bear hunt it would be the 120-gr Nosler Partition, and I’d wan’t to be prepared for a much longer shot — in which case it would likely be a .257 Weatherby that could move that bullet along at 3400 MV.  But it is still only .25- caliber, and looses 255 fps at 100 yards, dropping KE well below 3000 ft-lbs. Nonetheless, at 100 yards the 120 Nosler from the .257 Weatherby is quicker than a .25-06 firing the same bullet at muzzle speed. The .257 was one of Roy’s favorites, thinking it adequate for The Big Five of Africa!

Regardless of his credentials, I disagree! Even on big black bears I’d disagree!

Why?

I’ve written on this numerous times, but “all” have not become acquainted with my experiences or philosophy. And there are “surprises” that happen that even very experienced bear hunters have not expected or been prepared for. The “norm” is like “normal weather” conditions! Average circumstances and conditions include variables that at times may verge on extreme!

I didn’t expect, and was not prepared for, a mature, 25 lb female turkey to fly across a highway and into the windshield of my “new” (to me) Ford Escape as my wife and I were taking a Sunday afternoon drive to visit a bird sanctuary one week ago! It was a first, but it HAPPENED! Yes, the windshield has been replaced. The turkey? Nada!

The point?

The following adage has been correctly assessed by others, I believe: “Don’t take the rifle cartridge that will work when everything goes right, but take the one that will work when things go wrong!” – or a philosophy to that effect!

In a “any bear hunt” – black, brown or white – we’re dealing with potentially dangerous game, or in the words of wisdom that still echo from Elmer Keith: “Remember, dangerous game is not really dangerous until it is in close proximity to the hunter, and when that is the case he doesn’t need high velocity but rather a big caliber with a heavy bullet that will penetrate well and also deliver a heavy knockdown wallop.”

Of course, many have taken a negative view of Keith and his “heavy knockdown wallop”, thus dismissing his views as antiquated. Keep in mind, however, that Keith used a lot of “modern” magnums, many of which were “wildcats”, and others over .500-caliber! The above article was written about 1950 and published in the 1951 Gun Digest, so he was not living in the Dark Ages of ballistics when expressing his views based on solid experiences in Africa as well as the Rocky Mountain States!

The “heavy knockdown wallop” was an artistic description of results rather than a technical one.

As mentioned in my last blog, it was ole’ Elmer who convinced me of the real potential of an 1895 Marlin in .45-70, NOT the wimpy loads found in ALL handloading guides of the ’80s and ’90s! A full decade AFTER publishing loads in my “SUPREME LOADS for the .45-70” manual, involving the Marlin and Ruger No.1, which included 405s from the Marlin that exceeded 2100 fps, Hodgdon published a single load that slightly passed 2000 fps from a 400-gr using H4198! Then, a few years later, Brian Pearce, of Handloader magazine, also published a few loads that attained about 2000 fps from 400 – 405s!

A good friend said, “I think someone is reading your stuff.” True or not, I’d been publishing a manual for 10 years before anyone, other than myself, took Elmer Keith seriously! So, he was an “old crank” was he?

Actually, in practice, I’ve found “bigger” kills “faster” than smaller on bears unless it’s a clear central-nervous-system hit! Over bait at close range you can “pick your shot”, maybe! Yet not always if you want a particular bear, because very rarely do they pose for that perfect shot. If the site is set up by an outfitter, usually it takes into consideration the closest and clearest shot possible from a tree stand, that a “little ole’ lady” could make! Unless you specify otherwise.

But what if…

You stumble on a bear, or into one, while hunting deer, elk or moose? Or a DIY without bait, as in a stalk, call, or search for, or….

What then? A .25-caliber? In timber or thick brush? I’ve done a lot of that kind! The lightest I’ve carried for that kind of scouting is a Ruger 96/44 rifle loaded with 300s at 1650 fps. Those were 300-gr Speers made for big game, more potent than a .30-30 at close range and even a .35 Remington firing a 200-gr at 2100 fps – not in KE but in KO! Would a big-bore handgun get the job done of stopping a big bruin dead in its tracks? Of course, if it’s big enough and you can shoot it well enough, with a consideration of the range involved.

But there’s a multitude of other considerations:

An incoming 200 lb+ bear… FAST! At less than 20 yards! Even a 200 lb bear is no lightweight, and it will hit harder than a linebacker with a helmet at 35 mph! How long would it take from 20 yards at 35 mph? LESS THAN A SECOND!! Or, to be more precise, 0.855 seconds!! It takes at least that long to BEGIN to realize what’s happening… unless we’re already prepared from hearing or detecting movement in the brush, and the rifle is on the shoulder, chamber loaded with the safety OFF!

Unless it’s a frontal head shot, a .25 caliber will allow the bear to hit, maul, chew, and perhaps kill it’s assailant! Same deal with an arrow or medium bore rifle. But a true big bore is a STOPPING RIFLE and not just a killing rifle.

As much as I love my 9.3 x 62 (.366-caliber), it is NOT a stopping rifle. I’ve killed three bears with mine, and only the first one was “stopped” because it had been seriously wounded twice by a young friend and I finished the job with a going-away shot that took out 3 to 4 vertebrae. The other two went at least 20 yards from shots that took out lungs and heart. The same shots from my .45-70s would have dropped them where they were! Do you wonder how I know that?

Of course, good bullets are always assumed! And what are those “good bullets”?

Here are some that I’ve used in .458″, and one to avoid:

1) My first bear was shot using a Classic 1895 Marlin in .45-70 with the Micro-groove 22″ barrel. The bullets were  the 400gr SPEER FP at around 1865 fps/3089 ft-lbs muzzle energy. Range was 100 yards. The 7 yr-old trophy male was hit broadside, midway up, just behind right shoulder. Impact velocity was about 1535 fps/2092 ft-lbs. The big bear reared up and went over backwards, took off on a dead run for 10 yards into an alder patch where he went down on his back with all four paws pointing heavenward. I stood on the moose-hunting platform, and gave a finisher between neck and shoulder that wasn’t needed. He was eviscerated after dark and it took four of us to load him onto the back of a pickup. The first bullet was never found as it likely came out with the innards in the darkness. The second (finisher) was found in the offside armpit and weighed 90.5% of original weight at 362 grains, fully expanded with one side of the “mushroom” sheared off. (see pics)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2) A 350-gr Speer Hotcore FP, fired from my first .458 Win Mag at 2345 fps (reduced load) stopped a going-away young male at 75 yards. It took out his liver, several inches of spine and the back of its head. The 350-gr was never found having departed into the thick timber beyond.

3) A 405-gr Remington FP flattened a medium male at 98 yards. It too was a going-away shot that hit the flank on the left side and made exit just aft of the right shoulder. Bullet was never retrieved after three-feet of penetration. MV was 2110 fps/4003 ft-lbs from my Marlin Classic in .45-70, and impact would have been about 1835 fps/3028 ft-lbs. (405-gr Remington 5th from left)>

4) A 500-gr Hornady RN Interloc was fired from my Ruger No.1 in .45-70 LT at 2185 fps/5300 ft-lbs. Impact was on a quartering-toward dry 165 lb sow bear. Impact was behind the on right shoulder and took exit in the offside flank. Range was 40 yards and the bear made tracks for 20 yards, bawled three times and died. I didn’t know it was a female as it quartered toward me. There’s ample reason to believe that the bullet did NOT EXPAND! I wanted to try it on bear and I cannot recommend that bullet for medium, soft-skinned game — but it will kill!

(500-gr Speer AGS loaded for my Ruger No.1 in .45-70 LT, 3rd from L)

5) A 465-gr hardcast from my single-shot New England Firearms (NEF) in .45-70 literally flattened a 6-foot bear at 70 yards as it faced me. MV was 1900 fps/3727 ft-lbs, and impact was approximately 1735 fps (depending on actual B.C.) and 3108 ft-lbs. It was in tall 30″ grass and completely disappeared therein when my rifle came out of recoil. It thought for a moment… Did it evaporate? No, I saw a faint shade of coal black hidden away in the tall growth of dried grass — something the color of African dry grass. The bullet completely penetrated from frontal chest under the chin to just below the sternum. It was lost somewhere in the dry grass, soil and blood. I made a brief search, but the call was to finish field dressing before lights were out!

(Here that bear has been field dressed and measured 41-inches around his chest just behind shoulders. He should therefore have weighed 240 lbs. But he was like a fast growing young-adult male, tall and lanky with little fat.)> 

Those are only a few examples of bullets that will work well enough on medium to big game of the soft-skin types. But bullet construction, profile, and impact velocity are all key issues as well. More to come in our next blog.

A wounded, departing bear at 25 – 30 mph… That is a different scenario that we’ll discuss next time.

Shalom

BOB MITCHELL

 

 

 

Handloading — when and why I got into it – P3

The BAR in 7 mm Rem Mag had a serious problem. In developing and shooting various handloads for it, I noticed the ejected cases were very hot — too hot to handle! These were book loads that fed and ejected in a normal fashion. From a bolt action, I’d always ejected the empty cases rather slowly, and never were they too hot to handle — they’d be slightly warm and that was it. I thought hot empties was very strange… That is until I started to reload those same cases, which I didn’t do immediately as I was still using new (unfired) brass for several sessions  over a period of a few weeks — I was only going to the range once per week. During that initial period, using new cases each time, I adjusted loads downward thinking that the “book loads” must have been too hot for that rifle being a semi. Remember, I didn’t own a chronograph at the time so was guessing muzzle velocity.

The light came on when I started to reload some of the cases that were once-fired. Initially, in resizing, I thought it a bit strange that there was more resistance at the start of each case than I’d experienced with the .30-06, but passed it off as just “one of those things”. But creeping into my mind was a doubt about neck tension before resizing. I tried a BT bullet and it wouldn’t fall into the case! It was like the case had already been resized! I then tried several bullets with the same effect — they would only go into the case if the bullet seater was used in the press,  trying several cases with the same results!

As good luck would have it, I’d picked up a Wolfe publication (Rifle or Handloader) when Wolfe himself still owned the business. There was a corner store in Halifax called a “Smoke Shop”, that had excellent magazines for shooting, hunting AND handloading. That particular edition had a lengthy article on the 7 mm Rem Mag BAR, and that’s why I’d bought it around the time of exchanging my .30-06 for the 7 BAR, but I’d not read the article until after the described problems. In that piece (a lengthy one — unlike most short pieces in gun rags today) the author (don’t recall his name) gave a description of the exact same problem I was experiencing! I couldn’t believe it! I mean, I did believe him, but it solved my dilemma. He went on to talk about his investigation of a problem that was being experienced not only in BARS in 7 Rem Mag but bolt actions as well! That brought about a change at SAAMI of CUP for that cartridge from 54,000 cup to 52,000 cup (Later writers gave other reasons.).

It seemed (according to that article) that a bunch of reamers sent to manufacturers, or made by them, had the wrong specs for the neck! And the same results I was getting was being experienced by many others.

Whatever the case, I now owned a new 7mm Rem Mag in a Browning BAR that I considered “dangerous”! What to do? To make matters worse, there was no gun smith in the Halifax region with the credentials to “improve” the neck situation of the rifle as any reamer that might have been available would only conform to what had already been done in manufacturing. The local “smith” wouldn’t touch it!

So it went back to the dealership where purchased with a full explanation. The shop manager was very apologetic, and said the best he could do to resolve the problem would be in a new M70 with a new scope to replace the faulty BAR with the new Leupold. Seeing that they didn’t have any Leupolds on hand, they’d have to be ordered from the USA — and that might take 6 months to a year for actual delivery. Since this was the gun department of a large Canadian Tire store in Dartmouth, and any orders of one-of-a-kind was rare or never, I’d be well advised to accept the finest scope they had in stock — which was a Bushnell    3 – 9 x 40mm. So I accepted a new M70 Winchester XTR in .300 Win Mag (closer to the ballistics of the 7 Rem Mag) with the new Bushnell mounted in place.

Then we moved back to Ontario without ever having fired the .300 Win Mag in Nova Scotia. We’d been in Halifax for four years and received a call to become pastor of a significant church in the Kawartha Lakes region of Ontario. When we left Ontario for Nova Scotia four years earlier it was with the intent to return once our “mission” was done there. So here in The Kawartha Lakes region we’ve resided since 1987. It’s been an ideal area for outdoor living, and hunting/fishing in particular.

This was a much larger church with several pastors and a Christian school, so I wondered how much time might be available as Senior Pastor for the pursuit of outdoor activities. Nonetheless, since it’s largely an agricultural – recreational – cottage country – vacation area, initially any concerns over that seemed unfounded. Along with a decent salary and benefits, plus a month’s vacation whenever suitable allowed possibilities for some hunting.

So my first vacation period that seemed “appropriate” was a full week in the second year of our tenure. I wanted to hunt a bear (for the first time), so that week was dedicated to such an adventure. By then the .300 Win Mag had been to the range a few times, but never hunted. It was mandated that after moving to a different province we must wait a full year before purchasing a hunting licence, or we could hire an outfitter as a non-resident prior to that. My wait was one and a-half years.

During that period the M70 XTR in .300 Win Mag was traded for a SAKO FS in .338 Win Mag. I didn’t like the heft of the .300 as it would have been more suited to a .375 H&H. Because of its total weight — over 9 lbs with scope and 44-inches in length — I wanted something shorter and lighter… enter the .338 in the SAKO FS carbine at 40-inches and 8.6 lbs ready with scope, ammo and sling. The Bushnell scope from the .300 went onto the .338. And I must say that the Bushnell never failed, or gave a moments concern after hundreds of handloads through the .338 and then onto the M70 .375 H&H that came later. Bushnell, at that time, was made by B&L.

By the time of the bear hunt in the spring of ’89, I’d had a lot of handloading experience with the .338 from 200gr to 275gr, which also included 225s and 250s. I certainly had a few loads suitable for bear. By then, however, I had a thirst for a larger bore rifle and had been reading up on the revival of the ancient, but impressive .45-70, especially in the renewed 1895 Marlin. I wanted to give it a try on a black bear — my first!

That story has been told a few times in former blogs so I’ll not go there again in this piece, but the point I’m making is that the .45-70 was my introduction to Big Bores. Though other small bore, sub-medium and medium-bores have had a place in my handloading and hunting experiences, big-bore rifles have dominated my interest in hunting, handloading and shooting activities — especially in .458-caliber. That, of course, being the time-honoured .45-70 and formidable .458 Winchester Magnum.

Even though this has been the theme of many of my articles, once again (for those who have forgetful minds or are only now being introduced to http://www.bigbores.ca ), I’ll boldly affirm that no cartridge that I’ve made handloads for, small to large, has the versatility — when handloaded — as .458-caliber, and in the .458 Winchester Magnum in particular. That audacious claim can easily be justified — and has been! With a little ingenuity, yes that’s “little”, it can effectively be used on woodchucks to Woolly Mammoths (if they existed today)! And the .45-70 could do the same if you leave out the Mammoths!

All that has to do with the caliber (.458″), cartridge, bullets and powders readily available today — not even to mention the rifles — ahem, we do need rifles for such don’t we.

<(The CZ550 in .458 Win Mag)

Since I’ve previously written extensively in justification of such claims, I desist from doing so again. However, the projectiles available in .458″ are nearly infinite, including moulds for making your own. Anything from 250gr to 600s can be fired from 1000 fps to over 3000 fps! (Not the 600 at over 3000!). I’ve owned a couple boxes of Barnes Originals in 600gr, and I’m unable to find the few unfired that remain. Those fired were done so in my Ruger #1 in .45-70 LT at 1900 fps – and that wasn’t max! I figure that a .458 WIN could improve on that by at least 100 fps. The problem with that bullet in the .45-70 Ruger was the rate-of-twist at 1 – 20. They were accurate at 100 yds but some made slightly eccentric holes in the targets. That twist rate couldn’t completely stabilize those long bullets. I believe that the standard 1 – 14 twist rate of the .458 Win Mag would. At one time I plugged the data into a program and that bullet would have been fully stable from a .458 Win Mag with a 1 – 14 barrel. The 600gr Barnes Original bullet had a 0.05″ jacket and a round nose. A 600gr at 2100 fps is doable from a 24″, .458 Win – I’ve no doubt!

Going on record, I’ve stated that a premium 400gr SP would be ideal for the .458 Winchester Magnum as an all-around choice. However, Barnes dropped their 400-X from inventory and failed to introduce it as a 400 TSX when changes were made to that format. The 400 X-Bullet was a favorite of several big game pros, including Phil Shoemaker who lamented its loss. Though I make no claim as a pro, I protested its loss as well, and still don’t accept Barnes’ rationale for doing so.

Others in .458 as some of my “likes” are included in the following pics:

 

 

<Img.1 – L to R: 3rd= 480gr Hor DGX; 4th = 450gr Swift AF; 5th = 405gr Rem; 8th = 350gr TSX; 14th = 300gr TSX.

 

 

<Img. 2 – L to R: 2nd = 465gr hardcast; 10th = 350gr Speer

 

 

In 9.3 x 62 I’ve stated numerous times that I prefer the Noslers: 286gr Partition and 250gr Accubond.

In .358 caliber: Nosler Partitions in 225 and 250gr; Hornady 250 SP, Barnes 225 X or TSX.

In .338 magnums: 250 Partitions

In .300 magnums: 200gr Partitions or Accubonds.

In 7 magnums: 175gr Partitions.

In 7-08: 162gr Hornady.

In .270 Win: 150gr Partitions.

In 6.5: 140gr Partitions.

In .25-06: 120gr Partitions

In .223: 53gr Hornady HP.

In .44 mag: 270gr or 300gr Speer.

In .375 H&H: depending on application, 300s.

In .30-06: 180s.

In .308 Win: 165s.

In 7.62 x 54R: 180s.

In .444 Marlin: 265s.

In .356 Winchester: 220s (plus a bunch of light pistol bullets)

In .375 Winchester: 220s.

And that’s all I know!

Shalom

BOB MITCHELL

Handloading — when and why I got into it — P2

Please read P1 at the bottom of this page, if you’ve not done so, as it’s the background for this page. (Left click on pics for a better view)

At the end of that four-year stint as pastor in the wilds of New Brunswick, I felt the need for a break. That’s not to complain against God’s call on my life, or that I was fed up, but I weighed less than 140 lbs and needed a complete renewal in body and spirit. By then we had two small boys and my wife at 5′-8″ weighed less than I did! So I had resigned as pastor and we returned to Campobello to live with my parents and I worked on the 70 ft. dragger for the next 4 months. In the meanwhile I’d applied to a mission organization with headquarters in New York City.

I’d worked during summer months as a crew member on my dad’s fishing boats since I was fifteen, but had been away from that for the last four years. So I had to get my sea-legs back again. Well, that opportunity came in a hurry as the first trip in early May, after a bad spring storm, was to a fishing grounds somewhere between the New England States and Nova Scotia. After a storm with 60 mph gale force winds the Atlantic Ocean doesn’t suddenly become calm again. It takes days for the whitecaps and 20′ waves to become mere 8′ rolling swells. After twelve hours of an 18 hour trip to get there, I was seasick… and I mean never had I been as sick before in my life. In fact, I’d never been previously seasick in my life to that point… and it was for the whole week! Yet by the end of that first week I was over it and had my sea-legs again.

(My cousin’s lobster boat in the foreground which he gave to his son. Pic on our visit to Campobello in summer of 2018)>

By the end of the summer we headed for New York City in my British Consul, a 4-banger, loaded with my pregnant wife, two small boys and everything we owned. That also included a roof rack with a huge box-shaped container that allowed a top speed on the super highways of 60 mph, max — that was with the gas pedal nearly floored !

From September to a few days before Christmas we were introduced to big city living in Brooklyn, just off Flatbush Ave.  Classes from Monday to Friday were attended. Saturday was for ourselves, and Sundays I was sent to preach in various churches of the greater New York area. That was interesting since we were in the process of becoming acquainted with The Big Apple. One Sunday I was the preacher in a corner store converted to a church in a black community. Another in a black community with a white pastor! It was a huge church, all black, and the pastor was away for the weekend. I was on my own preaching to several hundred, and often heard, “Preach it brother!” But the one church I spent most Sundays in was on Long Island in a very wealthy, sophisticated all white community.  The congregation was several hundred Presbyterians who were without a pastor at the time. It was suggested that I might consider becoming their pastor — and I was in training for missions in another language!

The followup to all that was 18 years of missions work, including ministry in two languages — French and English. Eventually, that led to becoming director for Canada, which involved speaking engagements in both languages and International travel for the same purposes. I was rarely home. We then had a growing family with three teenagers and one preteen. When I was home, that meant a lot of administrative duties. I was responsible for the home office, meetings with the international committee, and representing the mission that sometimes meant conferences with other mission leaders, etc. We were a member mission of the IFMA (Interdenominational Foreign Missions Association) which numbered around 100 mission organisations scattered around the world, that in turn was in a working relationship with another +100 evangelical denominational mission organisations (EFMA). We were non-denominational (not supported by any particular church affiliation such as Methodist, Baptist, Nazarene, Pentecostal, etc.).

But I had to make a decision regarding our future as a family. I needed to be home more to support my wife in looking after a family of teenagers. And I was not really cut out for hours of administration when home. My heart was in people work, not in numbers and finances. So while in the Alps of France in meetings with fifty coworkers, God gave me peace to accept an invitation to become pastor of a Toronto church. That was in the fall of 1977.

During those two decades of missions work, I hunted once in Quebec, and that was it. I gave my 12-gauge to a couple headed to Northern Canada for missions work. All that was early on in years living in the Montreal area. I didn’t have time for a break. Starting a new church in the French language, training a pastor to succeed me, attending conferences as speaker, travelling internationally, etc. was my life. Guns and hunting were the last thoughts on my mind.

But my hobby — yes, I did have one — was astronomy and telescope making. I became a member of The Royal Astronomical Society of Canada, joined a telescope making club with a colleague. This club was associated with the RASC of Montreal. I made five personal telescopes, starting with a 10″ Newtonian. Then another 10″, and finished the 10″ mirror of my colleague-friend’s by correcting it from a 10″ sphere to a 10″ paraboloid. (A telescope mirror – reflecting type –  after the front surface has been ground and polished to a perfect spheroid, must then be corrected to a perfect paraboloid for all light rays to focus properly to within at least 1/10 wavelength of light. Otherwise a concave spherical mirror of less than f10 will not focus light rays from an image to the same point.) I also made a compound 12.5″ reflecting telescope (that’s the diameter of the mirror, not length of telescope) with a total of three mirrors — one convex for increase of overall F rating. That was the best telescope I ever made but too heavy to be toted. It eventually became the property of a grandson. But any of the 10″, and the 12.5″ in particular, was optically superior to my current commercial 8″ Celestron that is worth 4x what they cost! (That was a gift from a friend with mobility problems)

I had learned from my experiences as a young pastor in New Brunswick that long-term ministry, and its success, depends not only on sweat and tears, but also on rest and relaxation. A complete break from our “work”.  And that rest is primarily in God Himself as we learn that He is not expecting us to self-immolate (self-inflicted martyrdom), but to rest in Him by trust and hope for Him to do what we cannot. I’m still learning that.. by leaning on my Heavenly Father in a relationship through Jesus Christ.

So a hiatus of nearly two decades intervened between hunting in New Brunswick in my twenties and becoming a pastor in Toronto in my early forties.

No call to be a pastor in a city like Toronto will be “a piece of cake”, but I was home with my wife and two teens — our daughter and youngest son. The two older boys were in college “Down East”! The daughter and youngest son were in high school at a campus just behind our home, literally, with only a line of mature trees between.

A good salary with benefits, and a month’s vacation whenever I wanted was graciously provided. Plus, I had a lot of weddings, several of whom were motorcyclists — and they got me into that at age 45! And then our two sons, coming back from college, were excited about hunting “down east”, and that stirred the embers of the fire in my own soul again.

Not long did it take for the purchase of a rifle at an army surplus store in downtown Toronto. That was a military Brazilian Mauser in 7 x 57 still in its grease. Once I cleaned it up, its beauty and craftsmanship were stunning!

Yes, it went hunting, but when I missed two shots on a bounding buck through forest and brush, I realized that with only one good eye, wearing glasses (for protection and minor astigmatism) and unable to focus on both front and rear sights at the same time, I needed a scope. But the 7 x 57 Mauser had a bolt handle that stuck straight out horizontally, and when lifted to eject a cartridge it went straight up vertically! Not good! So, I made a choice to change that situation by returning this elegant piece of wood and beautiful metal to the same dealer for a well used military Mauser ’98 with laminated stock that had been converted to a .30-06. The bolt was “bent” down so it could be manipulated in a familiar fashion without interference with a scope. I purchased a scope (3 – 9 X 40mm “something”) and a “contraption” for mounting it. I also bought a Lyman manual, some .30-06 brass, powder, primers and bullets! I was on the road to becoming a “handloader” in 1979 — forty-one years ago. I never shot anything live with that rifle but I became active at a range north of Toronto with one of my sons (Phil). In producing .30-06 ammo, and being frustrated with that rifle and scope setup, the next year it got traded at a west end Italian, upscale, gun shop.

I forget the exact number, but I think the owner/manager gave $75 credit on a slightly used M70 Winchester in .30-06 Springfield.  The owner and dealer said the former owner of the M70, .30-06 decided for a new .300 Winchester Magnum.  I now had a REAL rifle in .30-06! Shortly thereafter a series 340 Winchester semi was added in .22LR (sometime later that became a collector’s piece). It was later given to my son, but it had knocked-off quite a few woodchucks prior to that. After the gift-giving, I purchased a bolt-action .22 Win Mag, and that one was really awesome on chucks! Later still came my first center-fire single-shot for which I also developed handloads in .22 Hornet — that eventually became the property of Phil (that was not a donation!).

I was learning the handloading game — about powders and bullets. That meant more books, manuals and magazines. I had swallowed the hook, line and sinker! That also meant visits to gun shops and auctions. But deer are not usually hunted on Bay Street, Toronto — I obviously needed a place and permit to hunt big game.

Back tracking a year or so: It happened that an elderly bachelor member of our church told me of an older couple living far- northeast of Toronto, who were relatives, and they might be willing to entertain son Phil and I for a week of hunting on their property. He was/had been a bee keeper, and they were childless. It was arranged for us by the elderly bachelor, and when deer season arrived in that area we headed northeast, about a two-hour drive from Toronto. It turned out to be within the area of my current hunting activities over the past thirty-one years! It was there that I fired the two shots from the 7 x 57 that missed the fast-moving buck.

Due to quick paced changes taking place with our two oldest sons, Brent leaving for Africa, and Phil going into training for same, our daughter getting married to a young man from our church, hunting (not handloading) took a back seat for a couple of years until we (my wife and I) moved to Halifax, Nova Scotia for pastoral work in a relatively younger congregation.

We’d been in Toronto for six years and two months. During that period our two oldest sons had finished college and both were married and headed for missions in Africa. Our daughter had also graduated from the same college with her fiancé, I’d married them, and the youngest was still in college. (All since have gone on to earn Master’s degrees in their fields, except Phil who is the head IT with the Salvation Army nationally.)

The four years in Halifax allowed me to deer hunt annually, and with some success using the M70 Winchester. But I’ve written in former blogs about the emotional loss of a huge buck while using that .30-06 with handloaded 165gr Nosler BTs. Because of shooting RH bolt-actions from the left side due to my blind right eye, I decided for a semi-auto to get off a faster second shot — it’s always bad timing to make changes when under stress!

In those days I didn’t own a chronograph nor a range finder, but the “book” said the 165gr Nosler BT bullet should be leaving the muzzle at about 2800 fps. At a paced off 153 yards it broke-up on the probable 400 lb buck’s shoulder. From the middle of a wood’s trail on private property, in one bound he was gone into the timber and brush where I expected to find it dead. Instead, I found a few droplets of blood that soon petered out. I followed it’s trail over piles of brush and dead-falls to a bog that it crossed. On the far side of that bog were rifle shots that I was certain would mean the finish of that great buck that I’d wounded.

I literally lost sleep as I rehearsed that scene and probable causes. I found a small pool of blood with some bone fragments, and that was it! To this day, I can still “see” that big buck as it appeared out of nowhere staring me down from the top of that hill 150 yards away.

The highly regarded M70 was turned in for a new BAR in 7 Rem Mag. It was a beautiful gun with a Leupold scope that someone ordered but never came to pick  up. The manager of the shop gave me what I’d paid for the M70 in Toronto. Then it was off to making  handloads for a semi in 7mm Remington Magnum.

I took it as a challenge and liked the BAR (Browning semi-auto) very much.  It was accurate and fast with any load. That is until…

More to come on this saga…

Shalom

BOB MITCHELL

Handloading — when and why I got into it — P1

In correspondence with one of my readers who has become a friend, he suggested that I write something about my favorite bullets. So I’m taking up that cause, er.. challenge, but not only MY preferences, but those that are favored by a significant number of other handloading hunters as well.

(“Handloading” or “handloader” are coined words not recognized (or is that “recognised”, Eng. sp.?) in a dictionary. Therefore, many write this as “hand loads”, “hand load”, or “hand loader”, probably using a spellcheck (is that “spell check” or perhaps “spell-check”?). You are intelligent, so I’m sure you get the point, eh? I had to get that “eh?” in there to identify myself as Canadian. By times my spelling is Brit-English, sometimes American, and at other times pure Canadian — a mixture of British-American and French. But Americans invented everything, including “handloading”, or “hand loading”, at least that’s the impression of Canadians who “handload”. So when I started the process of “handloading” four decades ago, that’s how the American writers spelled it — so I blame them for being on the horns of the proverbial dilemma for not getting “handloading” into the  New World Dictionary of The AMERICAN LANGUAGE – that being the well worn “Second College Edition” of my one and only two-and-a-half inch thick dictionary. Slightly more than 50% of my readership is American, so I tend to defer to their spelling in most things.)

Sorry for all that, but I had to explain this quandry — not even to mention the strange expressions of those who live on The Island Continent!

<(Shooting my son’s .17 Hornet.)

Now back to the main topic: Today we have an overabundance of “super” projectiles for any conceivable purpose from diminutive .17-calibers to the great Big Bores still in use for hunting the largest and most dangerous game on Earth. Then, on the other hand, there  is still a good supply of “regular”, or standard bullets for most needs, though sadly diminishing due to a majority of hunters/shooters having “deeper pockets” and buying into the idea that “modern is better”.

While I like and use some of the “premiums”, yet I’m increasingly turning to ancient concepts of cast bullets for many applications. When done right they work wonderfully on anything, including DG. While lead is now considered hazardous material to one’s health, a large number of hunters and shooters make their own from a variety of “molds”- Eng. Sp. American? “moulds”. (My dilemma again — sometimes I type “molds”, at others, “moulds”. Both are acceptable. Most fast readers will never notice!)

These blogs are mostly oriented toward Big Bores, and secondly Mid-Bores, as you may already be aware. But my experience in actual hunting, and producing handloads for the same,  isn’t limited to big game. I’ve actually shot far more small game than large, and hunted predators (fox, coyote and wolf) with several small and sub-medium calibers. So I have preferences in cartridges and bullets for those activities as well.

All of those went hunting with handloads I’d made for them. In all cases multiple bullets, powders and primers were tried to attain best results for hunting purposes. Then there were at times different rifles involved for a particular cartridge. Also, I made handloads for friends and family that were used in actual hunting.

When I began making my own loads, the likes of Nosler Partitions were scarce and expensive compared to Speer, Hornady and Sierra products. But Noslers eventually became my preference for bear and moose. They simply got the job done without complaints.

<(A 500gr, .458 cal, Woodleigh PP) Today there is a “super abundance” of so-called “super premiums”. All manufacturers of small arm projectiles have had to join that band or be left behind. And relatively small, novice companies have appeared on the scene with their own copies of the “best”, lacking anything that would make them superior to their predecessors. We have of course, bonded pure lead cores to pure copper jackets, bonded alloy-lead to gilding metal jackets, all alloy metal bullets, all copper bullets, some with cavities filled with lead, others with cavities with no lead, others with no cavities and flat tips while some have no cavities with round noses. Many having pointed plastic tips for better aerodynamics and protection from battering in magazine rifles. The latter has to be proven, as any high-powered rifle cartridge that causes fast and heavy recoil will damage the points of polycarbonite tips in a magazine rifle.

And on and on it goes with more being added with all possible configurations and structure. But the hype from manufacturers, and gun writers who promote them, would have us all believe that their’s is the “best” and absolutely indispensable for success in the hunting fields. “Everyone” seems to have their favorites.

So how do we make our choices? In my case it was a slow process over time. Forty or more years ago there was one “premium” choice with several trying to contend. That choice was Nosler Partitions that was actually started by John Nosler in the late 1940s. He made his own with a semi-partition after a failure of a “standard” bullet on moose. News got out and the Nosler bullet company was born. And the Nosler Partition bullet became the darling of gun writers who promoted them in magazines. After the WW 2, wealthy Americans bought and used them on their safaris AND on heavy North American game.

Back then I was dreaming of getting through high school and having a girl friend!

Moving quickly into the late ’50s, I had finished college, then worked for a month on my dad’s 70-foot dragger to have money enough to get married. Within a week of our wedding I had a job as pastor of three country churches. That was in mid-summer of 1957. And again nearly penniless! But my ownership of anything were my clothes and a single-shot .22 LR. Noslers were not even on the horizon! I borrowed bank money for a $600 Chev that had more miles on it than ten taxis combined! Having to travel 185 miles/300 k per week just to cover the territory twice weekly, the Chev made it through the first winter and then died from exhaustion! “Winters”! I’d never experienced anything like them, nor since! In one snow storm, after the LeTourneau earth mover cleared our driveway and the church parking lot, I had to use a shovel to let light into the church through its windows! And it was just under the house porch’s eves! And all that meant more “borrowed money” for another car. And so on…

Thoughts of hunting only returned sometime after our first son was born and some stability to our lives.

That came about when two brothers from the community invited me to go hunting deer with them. Noslers were still not on the horizon, nor Speers, Hornadies or Sierras. In fact I didn’t know of their existence.

The brothers were members of our main church, next door to the parsonage, or manse — as some denominations refer to the house provided for the pastor and his family. So also were their sister and parents. They looked like twins — but were not. Both over 6′, blond wavy hair and blue-eyed, they were handsome and athletic, and also very intelligent. Both were students at The University of New Brunswick at Fredericton (Provincial Capital) 30 miles away. They entered the Electrical Engineering course of studies, and years later graduated with PhDs. I went hunting with them after two years of pastoral work. The University of N.B. gave any students who wanted to hunt during the deer season, a week off to do so. After a week they had to return to their studies. I shot no deer, nor did they. But I’d caught the “fever”.

After their departure, their father showed up with his trusty .30-30 M94 Winchester in hand, inviting me to hunt with him. He had been a woodsman from young adulthood, and knew deer as well as he knew the forests from which he made his living. But his intent was that I should shoot a deer with his M94 with him acting as my guide. He took me to the forest where he would hunt and where he knew there were whitetails.

I loved hunting, especially grouse as I shot scores if not hundreds — and that helped with the food budget, plus rainbows from the local Cross Creek which lent it’s name to our town. My wife loved the trout and birds so there was no objection to my recreation.

My four years as pastor of those churches, scattered over an area of 1500 sq-miles/4000 sq-klm, was akin to a four-year intense post-graduate course with all of the above circumstances imposed!

<(Campobello in the background. Pic taken from Lubec, Me. in July, 2018.)

We’d been married for one week when I received a call to candidate as pastor in those churches. During our three days away to fulfil that, my wife’s father fell seriously ill. When we returned, he was in such pain that I had to drive him to the ferry that would take us into Maine where the doctor would meet us at 1 o’clock A.M. Except the ferry wasn’t running at that hour of the morning! By phone, we had to awaken one of the ferry’s assistants to row us across very fast moving water (like a wide river at flood time) as the tide was moving out in the Bay of Fundy, and the Narrows between Campobello and Lubec, Maine caused the Atlantic tides to be squished like water from the nozzle of a hose. But this man was capable for the conditions and landed me and my father-in-law safely on the Maine shore where we met the doctor who took us to his clinic. (The Roosevelt International Bridge, connecting Campobello with Maine was built since those events.)

That all resulted in an emergency ride back into New Brunswick at the Calais/St. Stephen border where the patient went immediately into surgery at the St Stephen hospital. Three weeks later he died at age 53. That left my wife (age 20) and her mother (age 51) without a father and husband! My wife was an only child! And I had just been elected as pastor of three scattered country churches (actually a forth that I visited once every month as it was so isolated to the north, and a railroad town). So it was a rough start to married life for a young couple who still looked like teenagers!

Consequently, guns and hunting were not on the horizon either, at least for a few years. And my wife became pregnant a month after we were married — and her mom wanted her home with her.

Two months later, we both came down with the infamous Asiatic flu! Very sick with high fevers we went to bed! That felt like a year-and-a half, though it was about ten days before we could begin to function in a semi-normal fashion.

Then, I received a visit from neighbors telling us that a 3-year old girl that lived with her family on the farm directly adjacent to the church property had died of the flu — I’d been requested to conduct the funeral in our church next door!

This was to be my first funeral, and the church was packed as was normal for such a grievous situation. I’d visited the family in their home (a farm house) and saw this beautiful blond-haired 3-year old little girl in the open casket prior to the funeral the day following.

So what does all of that kind of life and work have to do with “favorite bullets”?

As far as the Heaven is above the Earth, so far removed are thoughts of hunting from such life and death realities.

I conducted many funerals during that four-year period. That, along with witnessing the aftermath of a horrendous motor accident involving the deaths of two male teenagers who had been drinking and returning from a party, and hours in counselling other teens and working with them, was mentally, spiritually and physically exhausting! I was also speaking, preaching and teaching over a dozen times per week!  Hours of driving over treacherous roads, and by times “plowing” through high drifts of snow in winter, and ice when the snow started to melt in the spring. And dealing weekly with complaints that more needed to be done…

Hunting became my “break” time! But who made the bullets, and handloading as a past time, was still not on the horizon.

The saga continues…

Shalom

BOB MITCHELL

 

 

Hunting Fitness

This article is an overview of what the term hunting fitness suggests, and what it may mean to certain sportsmen.

As I’ve advanced in years, now into my eighties, my journey has been one of near perfect fitness in years past, to progressive but slow loss of some physical strength and mobility. That’s natural due to the ageing process. Then, if we add some deterioration due to a chronic illness, that might cause some ageing hunters to quit before it’s really necessary to do so.

<(That’s me at age 55)

What do I mean? There are several ways and means of not only maintaining good health, but improving it within certain limits, depending on age, physical condition to begin with, and any inherited illnesses.

But even with some chronic problems, the otherwise maintenance of good health and/or its improvement is not only beneficial for the body but also the mind!  If we feel well there is generally a more positive outlook on life. Or, the corollary of that being: If we have a positive outlook on life, we will generally feel better.

Of course, personality or temperament enters the picture as well. For some, if they sneeze a couple of times there’re sure that’s a sign of oncoming pneumonia! For others, if they have a broken leg they’ll get a cast on and hunt with crutches! Which one we tend toward will  determine our attitude about physical and mental challenges, and whether we will accept counsel to work toward improvement of health and physical conditioning.

<(At age 72) Some love to retire, sit around, watch TV or Internet videos, dream big dreams, but DO NOTHING! Others are activists and must always be doing something — repairs, going places, building, hunting… whatever. Most are less immoderate. So am I. I like to imagine what it would be like to… and within reasonable limits considering responsibilities AND abilities, do something about it. That means being physically fit and mentally alert.

With the current Covid-19, a reality that affects daily living, it’s not easy to prepare for a hunt that may not happen. Yet mental preparation that will lead to handloading some cartridges is never a bad idea, and it could improve our mental state and keep depression at bay. Then, it may well be that by this fall hunting will return. Just now our range is closed so I can’t test loads or practice. But that won’t keep me from preparing some test loads, or loads that I’m already familiar with for hunting purposes.

A hunting load that I put together last fall (2019) for bear and wolf is already sighted-in for my Ruger No.1 in .458 Win Mag. It’s not a “max load”, but one that will serve more than adequately for its intended purposes. How about this — a 300gr TSX at 2778 fps/5140 ft-lbs from the muzzle. The reason for that load last year was to test that 300gr TSX on a live bear. I wanted to insure expansion of the bullet since it’s a tough one.

<(The 300gr TSX fired into test media from my former #1 Ruger in .45-70 LT at about 2650 fps.)

Barnes, the manufacturer of the TSX bullets (Triple-shock-Xpanding), make the claim that these TSX bullets will expand in flesh down to an impact velocity of 1600 feet-per-second (fps). When started at 2778 fps (avg), it should therefore expand on big game (BG) at a maximum distance of 360 yards. But where I hunt in the Haliburton Highlands, 360 yards is out of the question — 150 yds would be a long shot. So that load is more than ample for anything I might have a ticket for, including moose. Yet 2945 fps for the same 300 TSX shoots into sub-MOA. That’s capable for moose (a big bull) to 400 yards.

See what I mean about “dreaming” of a hunt, and preparing for it, inspiring us to get into physical and mental condition? That will actually lift our spirits to move the body from sitting all day (or night) in front of a TV screen watching old sports’ reruns or really-old movies. And the same could happen from sitting in front of a computer hours on end.

The point being that we NEED to exercise the body and mind to establish good health practices. Yes we still take our meds, but working the body more and exercising the mind with challenging thoughts, questions, ideals, etc can help restore healthy living by a more positive outlook.

I find great inspiration of mind and spirit by the late R.C. Sproul in his lecture on “Eternity”- Does it exist? on YouTube. I Google it.

<(At age 80, that’s my wife Adrienne as we visited with a French Canadian couple — that I’d married and trained, he becoming pastor of the church in Montreal 40 years prior to this photo in 2017. They’d been retired for 5 years. Now living NW of Montreal.) If you left click on the pic it will give a better view.

Now, at ages 84 and 83 for me and my wife, we try to maintain a healthy lifestyle despite “everyone” telling us to “STAY HOME”! We’ve both been very active and involved with people throughout our nearly 63 years of marriage. We are now great grandparents of fourteen great-grandchildren, the latest a boy of less than a week old somewhere in Western Canada. So with an extended family (that’s become nearly a tribe), many of whom are within an hour to an hour and one-half’s drive from us, plus maintaining pastoral responsibilities, and chores around house and home (that we’ve lived in since 1987) we manage to get “things” done and be happy by the grace of God!

Don’t leave God out of your life! For that reason Jesus came, and will come again — of that I’m very sure. Those truths add hope and assurance to living. Without it life could get quite depressing in any bad circumstances we can’t control.

Positive thinking is not only a healthy habit, but comes from hope for the future.

Where there is no hope, people despair.

“May the God of hope fill you with great joy and peace as you trust in Him” – A prayer by the apostle Paul for the persecuted churches of his time.

A few days ago my wife answered the phone to hear a voice she recognised, though not having heard it for the past 60 years! It was from a 94 year-old gentleman who knew us when in our twenties! We were from the Province of New Brunswick and so was he. I was a young pastor in central N.B. and he was a veteran missionary representing his mission that worked in the Chad, Africa. After a decade of hands-on missionary work in the Chad, the mission asked him to be their Rep in Canada. He spoke in our church and stayed in our home during that visit. He also asked me to consider becoming a teacher/trainer of national pastors in the Chad. After serious and prayerful consideration of about six-months, we decided our work in those churches in N.B. was not done. Nonetheless, we followed his career as best we could, and were thankful for his trust in us, but lost contact sometime later. Now, at age 94 he got our telephone number from our son, Brent, who himself had spent two decades in Africa as a missionary.  “Jerry”, the gentleman, knew our son, and through him made a phone call to us. I wasn’t around when he called but my wife relayed the conversation. At age 94, his voice and attitude was still the cheerful Jerry we had known sixty years ago. He had married twice and lost both his wives in death. He drives his own car and walks with a cane, but NO complaints, only a cheerful disposition as he continues to be a blessing to others.

Why are we here? To gratify self and complain that life is miserable, or to praise God and be thankful? That gives a cheerful heart and makes us a blessing to others who need blessings.

So practically speaking, I do my walks with weights in each hand. If the weather is miserable, I work out in my room with heavier weights. This maintains muscular strength and cardio-vascular health. In addition I take my meds for blood circulation and diabetes. Thankfully, I’m very mobile and have few aches and pains. I also work out with the Ruger No.1 in .458 Win Mag. It’s done inside as we don’t have seclusion in our back yard from prying eyes that could result in an unwelcome visit from the police.

<(At age 83, six months ago.)

The rifle weighs 10.3 lbs with the Nikon 2 – 7 x 32mm scope, sling and stock cartridge holder. Depending on the weight of handloaded bullets, the weight goes up to 10.75 lbs with 4 in the holder and one in the chamber.

I work with it by carrying it in one hand and then the other as in walking in the woods. Or slung over my left shoulder. Or slung across my chest using the nylon sling over my right elbow ready to aim and fire within less than one second. The rifle is diagonal across my chest with my right hand gripping the Alexander forearm with sling between the wood and my grip. The left hand (remember I shoot from that side) grips the buttstock aft of the action in the pistol grip. I’m ready to lift the rear of the rifle into position in a split-second as the right hand is already in position to fire.

Often “muscle memory” is mentioned. I practice with my .458 WM so that when the time comes for using it in actual hunting it doesn’t seem too heavy, or like a stranger to me and unwieldy.

Be safe, stay healthy, and God bless,

Shalom

BOB MITCHELL