So… You Want Something really BIG?

To catch up on what big-bore enthusiasts like, shoot and hunt with, I’ve had to research and read a lot of “hum drum” on Internet “BIG BORE” forums…. usually by the same few. And, of course, I’m one of those “few”! In plain english, “few” is an apt designation!

I’m fully aware that a blog with the sub-title of “A blog about BIG BORES” will only attract a “few” to begin with, and if that’s limited to .40 caliber to .458 caliber, soon few of those “few” will continue to be entertained by it. So, necessity, and to keep my own interest from fadding, has mandated that I’ve included “mediums”, or what I originally referred to as “Light Big Bores”, in which I also have a profound interest, proven by heavy investment in more of those than in “BIG BORES”. Then I’ve also ventured into writing on “sub-mediums”, which have also involved hundreds of hours in handloading and hunting.

While I’ve periodically made refererence to the .577 double and others of that genre, I’ve neglected to write in depth on BIG BORES beyond .458 caliber. Likely, that’s because I’ve little interest in them or see little practical value for anything larger than .458″. Perhaps some readers could be justified in accusing me of being somewhat short-sighted and/or selfish! The problem with that being that BIG BORES for me isn’t a passion but pragmatism for particular animals and conditions in hunting them. Therefore, I don’t need, or even want, a .577 double for anything, including nostalgia. And I’m not that curious to try one! And, neither does a 600 Overkill do anything that can’t just as certainly be done with a .458 Winchester Magnum! So that’s my problem… I’m NOT a Macho Man that has to prove something to myself or others. < My long-term BIG BORE… My Ruger No.1 in .45-70 with an improved long-throat. There it was close to my favorite bear-bait setup. The scope was a Burris Safari fixed 4x by 20mm with a long 5.5″ eye relief. I don’t recall that particular load, but the rifle was fully capable of +5000 ft-lbs at the muzzle.

BIG POWER is attractive… to a point, beyond which I don’t NEED to prove I’m fully a man! (Are the woke officials watching… reading this?). Same with horsepower. I like enough to pass a line of slow moving cars and trucks safely, with some reserve. And I also like sportscar and motorcycle races on a track… not far from here. Yet the 401 major highway passing through Toronto as part of the Trans Canada Highway system – sixteen lanes in places – sometimes feels like a racetrack, especially going east around 4 pm with commuters heading home for supper through the various townships as the last extension of the GTA (Greater Toronto Area). It’s common for traffic to be moving at 140 km/ 86 mph with heavy pickups crowding your rear bumper until you can safely move over to let them pass at about 160 KM/ 100 mph! I don’t live in that area but have to travel it from time to time, and I’m surely not a wimp when it comes to speed. But travelling on a major highway at +80 mph bumper to bumper, three abreast, is only a breath away from disaster! It’s a miracle that it doesn’t happen more often than it does! Cops? They never show up till there’s a pileup! After all, how could they stop 3 – 4 lanes of traffic moving at 90 mph in one direction bumper to bumper? And who could they charge in a pileup? And, of course, they don’t want to be involved in such a mess themselves!

Recently, I was watching the NASCAR race at Darlington, TX. During the last lap, four abreast at nearly 200 mph, one of the 40 vehicles was bumped in the rear as everyone was trying to pass something in front… and yep, it happened! A pileup with some of the traditional “leaders” involved! “Why do I watch this stuff?” , I asked myself!

It is said of the human experience in regard to politics: “Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely!” That’s why only God can be trusted with absolute power, because He’s not competiting with anyone or trying to get something He doesn’t already own – and that’s all that exists! Satan, of course, is always attempting to steal from Him – people and property!

Not so with humans, who are weak in character and morals, who want more power for the wrong reasons – self and ego – and more often than not, at the expense of everyone else… Putinism!

All that to point out the fallacy of wanting the most powerful guns, position, cars, trucks… whatever! Is it because we want to look great in the eyes of others who fight and scrap for prestigeous positions? Or because it’s beneficial in some way?

God tells me to check my own motives in this!

To “have to” experience something that could become dangerous to one’s health and welfare is often a great temptation to youthful minds and appetites, specially for those who want acceptance by their peers. Yet those “appetites” yielded to can haunt them for the remainder of their days… IF they survive!

I’ve mentioned that BIG POWER can also be, or become, addictive in rifles (or handguns). For some that holds NO attraction! For others it’s like street rods with blowers on nitro… 1000 hp is never enough!

While I’ve been somewhat addicted to sportscar and motorcycle races at Mosport International Racetrack 45 minutes south of here, I’ve never attended races at a dedicated 1/4 mile track for “street rods on nitro with blowers”! A friend was into that! As the sayin’ goes, “To each his own”! And without too much doubt, it has to do with each person’s level of testosterone… or is it brain cells? In my forties, I did a 1/4 mile race from stoplight to stoplight in one of the Toronto burbs! My weapon was a 750 Honda on two wheels, and my contestant was driving a Corvette… It was a tie!

“Testosterone”? There… I’ve said it, even though the WOKE humanoids are watching!

There’s some political figure in the USA who has publically declared that “men have too much testosterone”! And he looked like a “male” to me! Huh? These days ya never know!

A couple of decades ago BIG BORES were the “in thing”… just look at what Hornady was up to: Reviving BIG BORES, building reloading components and ammo for them! In less than a dozen years the opposite was happening! How many (I’ve lost count) 6.5s, and smaller, are dominant? Are “we” a fickle bunch, or what? Maybe reactionary? When some person, thing, product or culture becomes too dominant, do we react against it, crusading for change? After all, no one can stand out in a crowd where everyone is the same in culture, looks, position and thinking! Yet for the less secure, there’s some kind of false comfort in that! But that belies the image of a “free society”, does it not? Yet Jesus said “The one (genderless) who lives only to please self is a slave… If the Son (of God) sets you free, you will be free indeed.”

Anyways, I’m all for testosterone! And I need all I can get these days for toting that heavy 10 and 1/2 pound .458 Win Mag, and shooting it straight! I surely don’t need a “T-Rex”! Bigger ‘n .458 ain’t needed!

Till the next…

Shalom

BOB MITCHELL

Two Oldies Compared… The .375 H&H and 9.3 x 62

…out of the same era and primarily aimed at African fauna – including the DG. 1905 for the naissance of the 9.3 x 62 in Berlin by gunsmith Otto Bock for German settlers in East Africa, and the competition was created in Britain by Holand and Holland in 2012 as the .375 H&H. Yes, there are other details regarding their histories, but it’s of little value to a current day analysis unless the reader is someone who must have the full and complete story in finite, boring detail. But that doesn’t fit my purpose in a relatively short blog. History has some value… occasionally for the more nostalgic or curious. And I’m not one of those! Sorry… (I think). No offence intended, but frankly I’m just being honest! I know enough history of each cartridge to know they’ve been eminently successful on their intended African game. And the consensus of two legendary PHs, Drs Kevin Robertson and the late Don Heath, is that they couldn’t honestly discern any meaningful difference in effect on the likes of lion, Cape buff or elephant with proper bullets placed correctly.

Since I’ve shot none of those big, bad African creatures, I’ll take their word for it! But where I’ve lived, and have hunted, the most dangerous, and perhaps hardest to kill, are big bull moose and big-bad black bears. And since I’m inclined to like more powerful rifles with larger holes in their barrels, I’ve owned both.

In fact, I still own both… A recent acqusition of another .375 H&H (my third – the last departed in favor of a .340 Wby over 1/4 century ago.) and my one-and-only 9.3 x 62 – I’ve never felt the urge to own another.

They are indeed so similar in ballistics it would be nearly impossible to make a hunting choice for a particular hunt based only on ballistics. Yes, I know that certain African countries mandate a .375 H&H as minimum for DG, but not all. Nevertheless, as to practical ballistics, the one is as good as the other when each is given their best components in powder and bullets. And many safari hunters with experience in each cartridge have testified to that fact as well.

For the past dozen years as a handloader and hunter using the 9.3 x 62, my claim was that it had replaced all my “mediums” – which was true. And on paper I had compared it with the .375 H&H, .338 Win Mag, .35 Whelen, .350 Rem Mag and .340 Wby – all of those having experienced my top handloads.

But the truth became evident that it was so perfect in everything: handling, power and accuracy, that I became bored with it! No challenges left! I had to try some others again to maintain interest in handloading and hunting. Strange perhaps, but I had NO interest in some of the “new” offerings like the latest Nosler magnums, but what I wanted was a renewed interest in some from the past that I really liked, and try new bullets and powders in them raising their profiles beyond “traditional” views. After all, that’s what I did for the .45-70 and .458 Winchester Magnum (before the latest renewed interest in the great .458 Winchester Magnum). That personality trait was discovered sometime ago in Pastoral ministry – improving the old, not replacing it. That’s my motivation… bringing matters not only “up to date”, but making improvements not only for the present but on into the future as well.

So that was my goal for the 9.3 x 62, sharing loads that are safe but well beyond traditional ideas and book stuff! I did that for Marlins in .45-70 ten years before Brian Pearce pubished his in HANDLOADER. Then it was the Ruger No.1 in .45-70, etc, and more recently in the 9.3 x 62.

< A 9.3mm 250gr AB from my 9.3 x 62. (Add 9 fps for correction to MV). One of these killed a good bear.

After some research and testing, I’ve used, promoted and published a load for the Traditions G3 single-shot in .35 Whelen that rivals some .338 magnums…. a 225gr AccuBond at 2850 fps/4059 ft-lbs.

All of that past experience to say that I’m confident that the “ancient” .375 H&H will experience the best possible ballistics while under my care. At least two “new” powders will find testing through handloads – the same favorites for the 9.3 x 63 and .35 Whelen.

The advantage my 9.3 x 62 has had over the .375 H&H is its compact design and weight, a relatively new powder, loading it to modern psi, and bullets with higher B.Cs. A 286gr Nosler Partition with a .482 B.C. makes 2640 fps/4427 ft-lbs. According to Nosler, its S.D. is .307 rather than .305 that is assigned to other 285 – 286s – I’m not yet aware of Nosler’s physics. At 2640 MV it is making over 2900 ft-lbs at 300 yds and just over 2100 ft-lbs at 500 yds. It does all that while having enough velocity remaining at 500 yds for expansion on larger big game like elk or moose, and PG in Africa. The TSXs can’t compete with that due to the extra length of equivalent weight bullets that rob powder space, and poorer B.C’s that slow those bullets more quickly than Nosler’s 286 Partition, resulting in far less velocity and energy/momentum at impact. So, for the 9.3 x 62 at least, I much prefer the Nosler over the TSX, which I’ve mentioned several times in my blogs on that remarkable cartridge; reloading books do it no favours!

As to my current .375 – that has yet to be fired, though several handloads are ready as soon as April appears on the horizon, here are some data points:

• It doesn’t appear to have been previously fired by the original owner…
• It’s a Zstava with a Mauser 98 action (that’s a bit rough, but I’m working on that with improvement already).
• 22″ barrel.
• 9.75 lbs with a new 3-9 x 40mm Bushnell Trophy, no frills scope. Have had them on past magnum rifles without issues. Lifetime warranty, including replacement if necessary… and relatively close in the GTA.
• Left handed action.
• Magazine holds three cartridges.

It comes to the shoulder nicely, fits perfectly and settles down quickly due to its heft (with 3 cartridges = 10 lbs exactly – 1/2 lb lighter than my Ruger #1H in .458) without any shakiness.

While my 9.3 x 62 has equivalent ballistics, yet there are significant differences between the two:

• Weight: 8 lbs for the Tikka in 9.3 x 62, ready to shoot vs 10 lbs for the .375 H&H. The Tikka now has a muzzle brake and the .375 doesn’t.
• Calculated recoil: 37 ft-lbs using a max load of RL-17 under the 286gr NP in the 9.3 x 62 at 2640 fps, with the brake, and 46 ft-lbs without the brake. (along with the brake, I’ve reduced the load for the 286gr by 2 grs to 2585 fps… not expecting to be in the Far North of our province for a future moose hunt).
• Calculated recoil: 41 ft-lbs using a max load of CFE 223 under the 270gr TSX at 2800 fps from the .375 H&H – wishing that TSX were a TTSX for improved downrange ballistics – but .375″ bullets are scarce in this area, so we buy what’s available.
• In momentum the two bullets are about equal at the muzzles of the two rifles, but the 286gr from the 9.3 x 62 soon passes the 270gr from the .375 due to a much better B.C. of .482 for the 9.3 vs .326 for the .375.

Why then, the .375 H&H? Well… let’s see… hummm… a .35 and a .36, why not a .37 caliber?

Ballistics isn’t the only reason for the purchase of a particular rifle. A friend, who has spent many working years in Alaska, and builds many of his own rifles, said he’d willingly spend the amount paid for that rifle on the action alone! It’s an investment piece that may be kept if it proves worthwhile to do so. And it’s a fresh experience. It will see a lot of range work and, if all goes well, will also see where I’ve spent years in chasing various fauna.

While some may question my suggested 2800 fps MV for the 270gr TSX, especially from a 22″ barrel, yet check out Barnes #4 from the H&H: 2824 fps from 80 grs of Win 748. Yes, from a 24″, but I’ll be using CFE 223, a tad slower than W 748, but also a ball powder that has already shown great results in my .35 Whelen, and the higher the psi, the better the results! So, I’ll start at 80 grs and go from there.

But also check Barnes numbers for the 235gr…. OVER 3000 fps! Even with the rather poor B.C. of .270, that bullet’s results are still impressive to 500 yds. 87.5 grs of Win 748 gave 3092 fps/4990 ft-lbs at the muzzle! Using an equal amount of CFE 223… What? 3050 fps from my rifle? Maybe more…

Bullet: 235gr TSX

S.D. = .239

B.C. = .270

MV = 3050 fps/4853 ft-lbs/ -1.75″/ 76.5 TE

100 = 2719 fps/ 3856 ft-lbs/ +1.5″/ 68 TE

200 = 2411 fps/ 3033 ft-lbs/ +0.0″/ 60 TE

300 = 2124 fps/ 2353 ft-lbs/ -7.5″/ 53 TE

400 = 1857 fps/ 1800 ft-lbs/ – 22.8″/ 46.6 TE – adequate for a Canadian bull moose from a single shot to the vitals.

• That would be an adequate load for anything in North America, PG in Africa and most other world wide game. Yet, if I were hunting trophy moose in particular, or brown bear, I’d go with something like a 300gr Partition at 2600 fps or the 270gr TTSX at 2700 – 2800 fps.

• DISCLAIMER: Of course, if someone choses to start with top loads from BARNES or any other reloading book, or Bob Mitchell’s loads, that would be stupid! I assume NO responsibility for what some other handloader does! Period!

Till the next…

Shalom

BOB MITCHELL

The Unique .458 Win Mag compared to the .416s – P2

P1 was a brief overview of the .458 Winchester Magnum – its history and my relationship with three of them: a Ruger 77, CZ550, and my current Ruger No.1H.

P2 will pit the .416s against the Ruger No.1H – each in handloads. Mostly, this will involve ballistics and versatility. As stated in P1, we’ll compare a 400gr in .416 with a 500gr in .458 because those are the “normal” heavyweights for each caliber. Then a 350gr vs a 400gr for the likes of Cape Buffalo, big bears, lion and moose size game. Unfortunately, I couldn’t find a current production 300gr .416 to compare with a 350gr in .458″.

SPECIAL NOTE: For the ill informed or unaware, the ballistics for the .458 Win Mag are based on COLs permitted by the long SAAMI throat of all .458 Winchester Magnums at up to 3.78″ in the Ruger No.1H and long action Mausers such as the CZ 550 that I previously owned, allowing the power space of a .458 Lott, at the Lott’s PSI of 62,500.

Let the games begin…. As previously suggested, there are these four common .416s: .416 Rigby, Taylor, Remington and Ruger. That is, more or less, the order of their appearance in time, though the Taylor was a “wildcat” till sometime after the .416 Remington came to market. And I’m aware of several other .416s that were “cats” or even “legit” at SAAMI but have since dropped out of sight. Even the .416 Chatfield-Taylor is no longer offered in most handloading journals though one is owned by hundreds of sportsmen, if not thousands. Being a .458 Win fan, I’ve been tempted to own its closest decendant in ballistics, the .416 Taylor. That was a favorite of the late author and African hunter, John Wootters – he liked it for lion and Cape Buffalo. And as an addendum, I’ll even pit the.416 Wby Mag against my Ruger No.1H in .458 for the likes of elephant, Cape Buff and lion.

FIRST up: the .416 – 400gr

Bullet: 400gr Hornady DGS

Sectional Density = .330

B.C. = .319

MV = 2500 fps/ 5553 ft-lbs/ 163 TE/ -1.6″ (some will give more, others less – this is average) Zero at 100 yds. Elevation = 1200 ft. Temp = 70 F

50 yds = 2374 fps/ 5006 ft-lbs/ 155 TE/ +.030″

100 yds = 2253 fps/ 4506 ft-lbs/ 147 TE/ +0.0″

150 yds = 2134 fps/ 4036 ft-lbs/ 139.5 TE/ -1.7″

200 yds = 2020 fps/ 3623 ft-lbs/ 132 TE/ – 5.3″

250 yds = 1909 fps/ 3236 ft-lbs/ 125 TE/ -11″ (TE is a product of momentum, sectional density and caliber)

NEXT the .458 Win Mag

Bullet: 500gr Hornady DGS

Sectional Density = .341

B.C. = .295

MV = 2300 fps/ 5875 ft-lbs/ 214 TE/ -1.6″

50 yds = 2170 fps/ 5229 ft-lbs/ 202 TE/ +0.13″

100 yds = 2045 fps/ 4644 ft-lbs/ 190 TE/ +0.0″

150 yds = 1925 fps/ 4112 ft-lbs/ 179 TE/ -2.2″

200 yds = 1809 fps/ 3631 ft-lbs/ 168 TE/ -6.8″

250 yds = 1698 fps/ 3200 ft-lbs/ 158 TE/ -14″

Quick analysis: In elephant and hippo hunting, solids would likely be used. Therefore the comparison above is fair, I think.

• For Cape Buff and lion, either a 450gr soft of 400gr expanding bullet would be near ideal in the .458 and a corresponding 350gr or 300gr would suffice in the .416’s. These could also be used for PG. To be as equitable as possible, I’ll choose the 404gr Shock Hammer in .458 (Thanks to the good work of Dr Ron Berry in convincing Hammer Bullets that such a bullet for the renowned .458 Win Mag would be a great idea.) for said soft skinned DG. In .416 the choice will be another great creation by Barnes: the 350gr TTSX.

FIRST up the 350gr TTSX in .416 caliber

Bullet: 350gr TTSX

Sectional Density = .289

B.C. = .444

MV = 2600 fps/ 5255 ft-lbs/ 130 TE/ -1.6″

100 yds = 2415 fps/ 4532 ft-lbs/ 121 TE/ +2.2″

200 yds= 2238 fps/3891 ft-lbs/ 112 TE/ 0.0″

300 yds= 2068 fps/ 3323 ft-lbs/ 103.5 TE/ -9.1″

400 yds = 1906 fps/ 2822 ft-lbs/ 95.5 TE/ -26.4″

< Since we don’t have many lions in our back yard, how about one of these?

NEXT the 404gr SH in .458″.

Bullet: 404gr Shock Hammer

Sectional Density = . 275

B.C. = .419

MV = 2550 fps/ 5832 ft-lbs/ 154 TE/ -1.6″

100 yds= 2356 fps/ 4982 ft-lbs/ 143 TE/ +2.35″

200 yds = 2171 fps/ 4228 ft-lbs/ 131.5 TE/ +0.0″

300 yds = 1995 fps/ 3569 ft-lbs/ 121 TE/ -9.7″

400 yds = 1827 fps/ 2994 ft-lbs/ 111 TE/ – 28.2″

Quick analysis: The .350gr/ .416′ shoots a bit flatter, but lags behind the 404gr SH in both energy and TE.

• The rifles should be similar in weight but the .416s will burn more powder to achieve their ballistics than the .458 Win.
• Recoil will also be similar with the .416s averaging about 51 ft-lbs and the .458 Win about 54 ft-lbs with each weighing around 10.5 lbs ready to hunt if a scope is used.

LASTLY, a bullet for each in general hunting of PG and North American big game.

• Unfortunately, Barnes has dropped their 300gr and 325gr in .416″ which means if a .416 owner wants to shoot “deer size” game and hogs he’s stuck with Barnes’ 350gr TTSX which is really a buffalo and brown bear bullet on this side of the pond!
• Fortunately, the .458 Win Mag owner is never poor in choices for smaller big game like whitetails or coyote! There are too many to count, depending on what and where, but I often load mine like .45-70 factory loads: a 300gr FT at 1800 fps, or a 300gr TSX like a .375 Weatherby or .378 Weatherby. Right now my deer and bear load is the 250gr Hornady MonoFlex at 2680 fps. That’s a tough bullet and retained 94% weight when shot into very tough media at ~2700 fps. The versatility of a .458 Win Mag has few peers due to the scores of bullets available off the shelf – most of which were made with the .45-70 in mind. Of course, there are also myriads of moulds on the market for making your own, and you can even custom order moulds.
• So on that basis, I declare it a NO CONTEST in our comparison of .416s with the UNIQUE .458 Winchester Magnum.

The Addendum: Compared to the .416 Weatherby:

• The Weatherby can shoot a 400gr at up to 2700 fps/ 6476 ft-lbs. As intended, those are intoxicating numbers!
• But there are other ways and means of evaluating such a concoction! For example:
• By momentum:
• By caliber:
• By S.D.:
• By TE:
• Let’s do that in comparing apples to apples – the 400gr DGX in .416″ at 2700 fps with the 500gr DGX at 2300 fps… OK?

• <In a late fall test in tough media (November, 2022) these four .458″ bullets from my Ruger No.1H in .458 Win Mag were retrieved : L to R: 250gr Hornady MonoFlex, 450gr Swift AF, 500gr DGX and 550gr Woodleigh Weldcore. (The two separate pieces belong to the Woodleigh). The Hornady 500gr DGX out-penetrated all others by a significant margin.

At the muzzle:

Momentum: 154 M for the .416 Weatherby, and 214 M for the .458 Win Mag!

Caliber: 0.1358 sq-in for the .416, and 0.1647 sq-in for the .458.

S.D.: .330 for the 400gr and .341 for the 500gr.

TE: 176.5 for the .416, and 213.8 for the .458.

At 300 yds:

Momentum: 112 M for the .416 Weatherby, and 132 M for the .458 Winchester Magnum.

TE: 128 TE for the .416 Weatherby, and 147 TE for the .458 Winchester Magnum.

A long time ago, I did these anaysis and came to the conclusion that the .458 Winchester Magnum was the best choice of a BIG BORE when all that mattered was accounted for!

AND, by the way: Recoil from the .416 Weatherby when shooting a 400gr at 2700 fps = 80 ft-lbs vs 66 ft-lbs for the .458 Win. That’s at 10.5 lbs weight each and sans muzzle brakes.

A bit late this week as on Saturday morning our clan (or a part of it) was at STACKS celebrating a birthday for our daughter, Colleen. That included her husband, my wife and I, a son with wife and two kids, and a son-in-law with their daughter (Colleen’s daughter was sick with a flu so she was missing). It was a hoot! We enjoyed our time together – as we always do, with our great-grandkids present (we’ve many others elsewhere) they had a good time enjoying their cousins.

Just though you might enjoy knowing something about us!

Till the next…

Shalom

BOB MITCHELL

The Unique .458 Win Mag compared to the .416s – P1

Several fitting adjectives could be ascribed to the .458 Winchester Magnum, such as: Wonderful, Great, Historic, Powerful, Famed, Practical, Useful, Superb, Exceptional… etc, but for this article I’ve chosen “Unique” because that seems best fitted to its timing, design, purpose and character.

< My former CZ 550 in .458 Winchester Magnum in a bear blind.

Post war Americans were not only emerging as the most militarily powerful nation but in economics as well. Many sportsmen were wanting to venture abroad to hunt the world’s largest and most dangerous game – which meant African. To that point in time, the most powerful and readily available made in America, by Winchester, was the British .375 H&H which had released its proprietary status to the public sector. And the big English cartridges loaded with cordite for large and dangerous African game were no longer in production due to the ravages of the war, thus the timing and economics were ripe in 1956 for Winchester to introduce an African model of its famed M70 in .458-caliber, the .458 Winchester Magnum.

It was destined to become the most popular and useful Big Bore in the hands of both clients and PHs alike in pursuit of Africa’s largest and most dangerous game.

A lot of water has flowed under many bridges since then, while both advocates and adversaries have picked their sides of a dispute over what in this article I’ll refer to Winchester’s 1956 creation as: “The Unique .458 Winchester Magnum”. Where it stands today, as a creation of one of the world’s most recognized and prolific rifle manufacturers, it is UNIQUE. There are competitors but none like it in it’s combination of universal acceptance, longevity, versatility, and with more than adequate power and manageable recoil. It stands alone when all that matters in this type and purpose of rifle are objectively weighed.

When I started writing blogs back in 2008, the .458 Winchester Magnum was compared with all other Big Bores still being manufactured or having reloading components available. The .458 Win Mag was near the top of my priorities. Now, with a clean sheet and a lot more experience with two distinct .458 Win Mags, I’ll venture again, but this time only in comparing the “Unique .458 Win Mag” with the .416s found in current reloading manuals.

Followers of these blogs already know that the two models of .458 Win Mag rifles to which I’m referring are a CZ 550 and my current Ruger No.1H. Of course, the CZ was a magazine rifle that held five down, plus one in the chamber, and it sported a 25″ barrel (like the original M70 by Winchester). The Ruger No.1H is, of course, a single-shot. You’ll probably want to know which is my favorite of those two.

The first edition of my reloading manual on the .458 Winchester Magnum was in 2008, and largely based on my reloading experiences of the CZ 550. The CZ was my second rifle in .458. Several years earlier I’d owned a Ruger 77 in that chambering with a 22″ barrel that only saw my first experiences in handloading a .458 Win Mag. The CZ took another level and taught me the full potential of that magnum cartridge in a Mauser magnum action and 25″ barrel. In 2011 the 2nd edition appeared with updates from an additional three years experience with that rifle in both handloads and hunting.

The Ruger No.1H has fired a greater variety of bullets and loads than the CZ, and that is ongoing. The CZ was sold in 2011.

In a comparison of the two there are these similarities and distinctions: Their ready-to-hunt weights would be close. In the CZ 550, there was a slightly longer but slimmer 25″ barrel. Then, of course, the true magnum Mauser action which together with the longer barrel made it six inches longer than the Ruger No.1H in OL. Also, the CZ could hold five down, plus one in the chamber. All that and yet it wasn’t heavier than my Ruger with one in the chamber and three in a stock cartridge holder. So the Ruger No.1H, as a bare-bones rifle, was actually slightly heavier than the CZ stripped of hunting essentials (ammo and scope). In plain enough language, that is telling me that the Ruger No.1H is more sturdily built. It does have a significantly heavier barrel. And the action of the Ruger No.1 is renowned for it’s strength.

Knowing what I do from hunting experiences and hundreds of handloads in each, if I had to pick one over the other it would be the Ruger No.1H

<This one, and also on the header.

But some will think, if not outright saying it, “But it’s a single-shot!”. No it isn’t! I have actually fired more handloads through it than the CZ which holds a pocket full of cartridges! A so-called “magazine repeating rifle” has the potential for a second shot somewhat faster than a so-called “single-shot”, depending on WHO the operator is of each! Personally, I’m not less at ease in hunting with a “single-shot” than a “repeater”. To each his own, of course. Ideally, if I lived in Alaska and had to deal with truculent bears on a semi-regular basis, I might prefer my old Ruger 77 bolt-action. But I don’t live in Alaska and the bears I hunt usually show up at baits at a reasonable distance with adequate time for a careful well-placed shot – which if well-placed ends the story right then and there! On the other hand, if I run into one unawares at very short range, I’ll get a “single shot” so I much prefer that one shot to stop trouble from happening! What about nerves? If I get a negative “case of nerves” at this stage of the game, I’d better quit while I’m ahead… don’t ya think?

It’s my strong opinion that a .458 Winchester Magnum, suitably handloaded, can handle any situation, good or bad, if the operator has the composure and experience fit for the task confronting him/her. That could be a brown bear at five yards or an elk on the side of a mountain at 400 yds. And all that from a single load: a 404gr Shock Hammer at 2500 to 2600 fps. Split the difference… call it 2550 fps. At 5 yds, impact velocity would be 2540 fps/ 5789 ft-lbs/ 154 TE. Cape buff have been dropped with far less! At 400 yds = 1810 fps/ 2940 ft-lbs/ 110 TE. Enough for a freight train! Seriously… that’s equal to an 1895 Marlin .45-70 at the muzzle! And that’s from one bullet and load only! There are literally scores of .458″ bullets and thousands of potential loads!

<These are a few: L to R: 500gr Hornady RN, 500gr African GS, 500gr Hornady RN, two 480gr Hornady DGX, two 450gr Barnes TXS, and a 450gr Swift AF.

How, then, does that compare with the most common .416s? (We’ll not include the .416 Weatherby as it stands apart from the others, though I did include it in my initial blogs that compared all common Big Bores with the .458 Win Mag.)

Generally, the .416s make between 2400 and 2500 fps for their heavyweight 400 grainers, so I’ll be generous in granting 2500 fps, though for long distance shooting a 350gr is much better. So, we’ll do this: The best weights for dangerous mammoths from the .416s vs the same philosophy from the .458 Win – which would be a 500gr and a 450gr vs a 400gr and 350 from the .416s. Finally, a 350gr – .458 vs a 300gr .416. That’d be fair, don’t ya think?

P2 – hopefully, I will answer any objective questions with objective answers.

Till the next…

Shalom

BOB MITCHELL

The Super .338s – How do they Compare?

The USN has multiple Carrier Air Wings. They stand prepared day and night for war. Even in “peace time”! Why?

Not because of theory but due to reality that was born from war. For example: The current Russian invasion of an independant democratic country that was uncalled for.

I’ve been preaching for some time that hunters need to be fully equipped and prepared for “war”! Especially if they want and intend to survive in any country or territory where “the enemy” has stealth, cunning, craftiness, speed and power that far outclasses any human, Thus he/she needs the right equipment for compensation. But equal force may only result in an eventual truce – but not before losses to both sides in personnel and equipment that not only could they ill afford to lose, but NEVER replace leaving both sides vunerable to lesser powers!

I’ve read accounts, and likely you have also, where both the animal and hunter died. No winners, only losers! So to insure that the hunter returns home healthy and in good spirit, he must go into battle with overwhelming force or power, or however we may want to put it, that ensures he/she is the victor – no ifs, buts or ands! Sure, there have been heroes in war times – but most died in battle! I have no intention to become a “hero” in attempting to kill a dangerous animal while armed with inferior weapons !

< At 1000 miles (1600 km) from home, I had a bull moose tag and also one for black bear. There were fourteen-inch wide bear scat “pies” throughout the area! That’s a .458 Winchester Magnum over my shoulder – too much gun?

I didn’t think so!

Therefore, there’s surely a place for the likes of the Super .338s !

Do they have a niche in the theory of rifle ballistics in modern “warfare” with creatures that are, as described above, more stealthy, cunning, crafty, faster and far more powerful – that outclasses our own natural abilities?

Evidently such a place in rifle ballistics has proven its worth to many or there would be little to no interest by various companies in developing and manufacturing them. And the manufacturers need dealers and the dealers need buyers. And apart from the resurrection of 6.5s, .338-caliber of the “hot” variety is selling like “hot cakes”! Just look at the number and variety of bullets available today in .338″! And they are not specifically made for the .338-06 or .338 Win Mag, but for those with extra power and reach, like the .338 Lapua.

So, my nominations for the “Supers” to be compared are: .33 Nosler, .340 Wby, .338 RUM and .338 Lapua. Yeah… there are some obscure others (the .338 Edge, etc) that don’t appear in typical reloading manuals, but the 4 mentioned will suffice, plus the .338-378 might interest a few as well, so I’ll acknowledge that one too, making a total of 5.

But the first thing is: What can they do that other .338s can’t, and secondly, who has interest in them, and why?

< My .340 Weatherby Magnum at 1600 km from home.

WHAT CAN THEY DO? According to the Nosler 9 manual, all from 26″ barrels, the .340 Wby and .338 Lapua made OVER 2700 fps shooting their two 300gr hunting bullets (AB and ABLR) with very high BCs of .720 (AB) and .735 (ABLR). The .338-.378 made over 2800 fps. The .338 Win Mag will make those same numbers but only from 250s. That’s 20 – 25% more at any range for the “Supers”! At long range of 600 yards the .340 and Lapua would be making 2900 ft-lbs. The .33 Nosler falls behind that to 2540 ft-lbs, the .338 RUM at 2740 ft-lbs, and the .338-.378 at 3150 ft-lbs. What could one do with all that power at 600 yards? Hmmm… Well, for one thing, it would make a great moose load at 600 yds! Where I hunted moose in the far north of our province, the potential was there as I stood in a clear cut where moose had been crossing. I could see for well over 600 yds. 2800 to 3000 ft-lbs at impact isn’t too much for a big bull that might go over 1200 lbs! I ended up shooting a good bull (1100 lbs) at 165 yds with my .340 Wby, but I was fully prepared for a 600 yd shot.

WHO MIGHT BUY THEM?

Those who want and can afford them! No doubt, among that group are those who just want one to “play with” – to see what it will do. That’s legit in my book… I’m also guilty! But my main interest in the .340 was for hunting moose in Northern Ontario. In the meantime I learned a whole bunch about potential .340 ballistics, and using it as a hunting tool in the ecosystem of the Far North. If not for my current age and the challenges of getting there, getting it done and out again, I’d be interested in another on sale at my fave gun emporium – a used Sako in that number with a McMillan 25″ ported barrel. (Likely, there’s somebody reading this that will pick it up as they know my “fave gun emporium” – it’s happened in the past! Looks like a good deal…)

NOW, TO COMPARE THEM

Going by Nosler’s 9, the .340 Wby and .338 Lapua are comparable, depending on which bullet is compared – sometimes the Lapua passes the .340 in a particular matchup, at others it’s reversed by the .340 surpassing the Lapua. The .33 Nosler fell behind the others as the bullets got heavier. Of course, the .338-.378 Wby is always a step in front of the others due to its mammoth case based on the .378 Wby Mag. The .338 RUM is close to both the .340 Wby and Lapua, again depending on powders and bullets in the comparison.

A few things worth noting:

• Case volume doesn’t always determine the result of which will be fastest with the same bullet. It was evident that sometimes a faster powder was used for a heavier bullet that gave the best results instead of a slower powder that might have been expected.

• Case shape and the powder used were also major factors in the final results of Nosler’s tests. Case volume was a factor but not a major one, except for the outsized .338-378. And I doubt that Nosler was making any attempt to showcase one cartridge over another since their own .33, on the whole, gave inferior results to the others. From careful analysis, it is certain that the “perfect” powder was often wanting for best results. By that is meant that when top velocity is from a powder that is less than 100% load density, or more than 100%, the ideal powder hasn’t been used or is lacking. Then, of course, there’s no way of knowing what the psi actually was unless it was revealed – which mostly is missing in all manuals because we (the handloader) can’t replicate it for several reasons well known to astute and experienced handloaders.

• There’s no question, from the same seven types of .338″ Nosler bullets used in the production of data for Nosler’s manual 9, that bullets from the 180gr AB to the 300gr RDF (7 types and 16 total in .338-caliber) gave significantly different results from cartridge to cartridge, and not always as might be expected since, for example, the .340 Wby gave best results from a faster powder (75 grs of IMR 4350) under the 300gr at 97% load density, at 2727 fps, only 24 fps less than the .338 Lapua that used 98 grs of RL33, 102% load density at 2751 fps. Obviously, the .340 would produce significantly less recoil for the same down range effect.

• The biggest is not always “the best” as measured by a reality check: The .338-.378 Wby holds 113.1 grs water when the 300gr AB is loaded to a 3.75″ COL. It’s best MV was 2831 fps from 115 grs US869 at 104% load density. In comparison, the .340 Wby -as stated – used 75 grs IMR 4350 for 2727 fps (104 fps less) at 97% load density at 3.7″ COL. It’s capacity is 82.5 grs water with that bullet seated in a Nosler case.

• We must assume that Nosler was aware of SAAMI standards in psi and case dimensions but did not necessarily regard SAAMI in COL. The .340 Wby could act in the stead of both the RUM and Lapua, being somewhat superior to the .33 Nosler, but not in every loading. The .338-.378 is definitely superior in ballistics but not as much as might be expected. When we take into account the amount of powder burned to produce those .338-378 ballistics, and the subsequent recoil, (I know a brake will be used – or should be) that, no doubt, has caused even some of the bravest to have second thoughts! Consider this: Even at nearly 6000 ft-lbs, how much powder has to be burned to make 2935 fps/5738 ft-lbs from a 300gr? In dividing that number by 119 grs we get 48 ft-lbs KE per grain (according to another source). The .340 Wby using 75 grs got 4953 ft-lbs = 66 ft-lbs per grain! That doesn’t matter to some, but it does to me! And, .340 brass can easily be made from .375 H&H brass, at pennies compared to that humongous .338-378! And recoil? 46 ft-lbs vs 70 ft-lbs!

All matters considered, take your pick! Any of them is capable for any game in Alaska-Yukon, and anything in Africa that’s legal at extra-ordinary ranges. Adding reason to the equation, finances and other needs like physical fitness, including the hunt itself in the larger picture – any of these isn’t a poor option to have around if bigger and badder might decide to go to war with us. If I were younger again, of these five, I’d choose the .340 because I’m familiar with it and know that a good condition .338 Win Mag could easily, with little cost, be made into a functional .340 Wby.

< But there are alternatives to the powerful Super .338s that are more versatile. This one replaced my .340 Wby. It’s shorter, handier and lighter, and can do anything a Super-.338 can do to 500 yards. It’s my TIKKA T3 Lite in 9.3 x 62. It will safely fire the 286gr Nosler Partition at up to 2643 fps/ 4435 ft-lbs (average) into sub-moa, and the 320gr Woodleigh Weldcore PP to 2474 fps/ 4348 ft-lbs. After a severe bout of arthritis for a couple of years, I toned down the 286gr load by a couple of grains of RL17 to 2583 fps/ 4236 ft-lbs, and minus one grain to 2436 fps/ 4216 ft-lbs for the 320 because it was more accurate. Yet the 250gr AB flies flatter for anything moose size to 500 yards.

Till the next… The Unique .458 Win Mag compared to the .416s.

Shalom

BOB MITCHELL

Managing a Hunting Rifle – P2

The HUNTER

His PURPOSE: to use a weapon suitable for the hunt. Since the topic is hunting rifles, we’ll not be discussing handguns, bows, shotguns or other possible means for success in the field. Rifles for hunting are numerous. Without going into the details of each one, usually they fall into five groups: bolt-actions, lever-actions, semi-autos, doubles and single-shots. Depending on the type of hunt, the species persued and the environment, certain types of rifles might be more suitable than others. For example: In a mountain hunt for goats in the Rockies…

Having never personally hunted the Rockies, that eliminates personal experience of all species hunted there. So I’m not about to write anything on such an expedition. Yet I’ve watched videos and read stories of how difficult and even treacherous such a hunt can be in any mountainous terrain. So I have some second-hand knowledge but I’d want to check it out with some who have real experience. I know that O’Connor was a “great” mountain sheep hunter (not on “sheep” farms) and often used numbers like a .270 or .30-06. I’d, therefore, would likely choose a .300 Win Mag for myself, but would still want to hear from someone I personally knew who has had ample experience.

Why would I choose a .300 Win Mag and not a .270 or .30-06, or some other number of that class? The answer is simple: I have a lot more experience with numerous .300 Win Mags than any .270, .30-06 or .308 Win. I know what I can do with one and have more confidence in a .300 mag than the others mentioned in more challenging circumstances. In fact, I’ve only owned one .270 that was an investment buy, and did one (unsuccessful) deer hunt with it. I started handloading with a .30-06, having owned a total of two, and moved on to a .300 Win Mag of which I’ve owned eight. So that may answer any questions as to preferences and confidence… which a hunter MUST have in his weapon of choice no matter the game or terrain.

Then, a .300 Win Mag (or Weatherby, and others of their ilk) is less limited and more versatile than those three common deer rifles when conditions, range, angle of the shot and game sizes are uncertain.

<This bear was taken near the southern border of Algonquin Park, Ontario. A 175gr Nosler Partition at 3000 fps from my 7mm Wby Mag between neck and shoulder flattened the bruin.

That’s given as an example of:

The hunter’s PERSONALITY:

BEST = better in my view of the world! That’s not to suggest that perfection is always possible, or EVER possible, but I think we should aim for, at the very least, the BEST possibles. Anything that’s inferior is…. well, INFERIOR! And I’m NOT talking ART here, but CHARACTER.

I don’t want inferior tools in the fair chase of live game of any DIMENSION or DISPOSITION, and in particular ANY that can turn on me and do me harm! So… as one example: I believe a .338 Win Mag is a BETTER choice than a .270 for where I”ve hunted moose in the Far North of our Province. I recommended that to a fellow range member who annually moose hunted in the mid-north of our Province when he expressed some frustration with the results of his .270 on big moose at ranges beyond 300 yards (Where their group had permits to annually hunt could take in ranges beyond 500 yds.). He relunctly moved on to a 7 Rem Mag and found it not a whole lot better than his “beloved” .270 – which was expected in my view. Finally, he agreed (but never admitted it) that a .338 Win Mag might be a better solution. A couple of years later he was jubilant in meeting me – he had shot and killed two bulls: one at nearly 400 yards and the other at over 400 yds using the 210gr Nosler Partition at 3000 fps from his new M70 in .338 Winchester Magnum!

A testament again to my personality: Better IS best. And best may at times be too much, but nothing is lost! But too much is better in the long run than not enough! Which would you rather have: too much money in your bank account or not enough to pay your bills?

I apparently have the mindset of Bob Hagel. I never knew or heard of Bob Hagel until I purchased a book with this title: Game Loads and Practical Ballistics for the American Hunter by Bob Hagel. I’ve read sections of the book multiple times and have to agree with him… or found that he agreed with me!

Enough for the average situation may NOT be enough in different and more demanding situations. The main problem is knowing in advance which of those kinds of situations may confront us!

So (like Hagel) I always go prepared for the worst possible and not the best possible, because only God knows what lies ahead, and He has told me to prepare by prayer and prudence! (Ecclesiastes 7: 11 ” WISDOM IS A SHELTER…” , ” WISDOM PRESERVES THOSE WHO HAVE IT.” – King Solomon)

The hunter’s PROGRESS

In every stage and experience of life there should be progress or further development. That’s ideal, but many get “stuck in the mud”! There are diverse causes, no doubt, some of which may be outside the pail of personal fault… BUT, from sixty-plus years as a pastor-counselor I firmly believe that at least 50% of any blame for lack of progress in a person’s personal life – intellectual, maturity, achievements, rising above any negatives, etc…, must be owned by the individual himself/herself! And the same for myself after eighty-seven years on this earth living with the times and conditions delt to me.

In all of this, as hunters we must accept personal responsibility for our degree of expertise! True, many – perhaps even a majority – have had it “dumped into their laps”! That is, they grew up at a time and place where hunting activities was a fact of every day living.

The University of New Brunswick (located at Fredericton, the Capitol) gave two weeks off, during the deer season, to any students so interested. I was a young pastor of four country churches located from 25 to 60 miles northeast of UNB. Two brothers at UNB took that time off for deer hunting. They invited me to join them. Their father was a woodsman and hunter. The area I worked in was farming and logging, and many men (young or old) bought annual deer licences. But that was not my background. Mine was on the east coast in a fishing community, so I got a late start, and my “job” wasn’t in farming or lumbering… and with time I ended up in the “big cities” of Eastern Canada (Montreal and Toronto) that didn’t lend themselves to thoughts of hunting and the outdoors, though it was always in “the back of MY mind”.

That’s cited only as a hint of the challenges that might have to be “overcome” by the majority of our populations that are NOT rural dwellers but urban or suburban, who still love the outdoors and fishing/hunting. Such was my case.

<The 1895 Marlin in .45-70 became a “love affair” as I learned through development of handloads that it was more effective and “powerful” than many “magnums”.

Nonetheless, when the time came, as well as the economics, I unleashed the pent-up desire for the outdoors through handloading and hunting while still living in urban and suburban conditions. And for the past thirty-five years, my wife and I have lived in the same home on the edge of rural Ontario. An hour’s drive to the NW, N and NE puts me in prime semi-wildness areas, some of which is true wilderness. We’ve lived the longest here than on any other part of this planet, which has handed me ample opportunities to develop skills in handloading multiple rifles (bolt-actions, lever-actions and single-shots) and using them in hunting experiences.

The point? Make good use of every opportunity to explore our God-given intelligence, aptitudes, interests and physical abilities for our own welfare, the benefit of others, and the glory of God as we give Him praise and thanks for making us who we are, and the privileges we enjoy for expressing them and knowing Him! After all, we didn’t choose to be who we are or the conditions of our birth! That was not our wisdom and choice! But what we do with it is related to our choices! Or, is it HIS?

The hunter’s POWER

Our mental and physical powers are puny/minuscule compared NOT to “a higher power”, but to GOD ALMIGHTY (“I am God Almighty”, said by God himself in Genesis 17:1, plus scores of other biblical references!) Some poor souls imagine that SCIENCE is almighty god! But so-called “science” (knowledge) is still in it’s infancy! Almost every day scientists fall upon something “new” that startles them which not only changes what thay have believed from past “knowledge”, but REVERSES IT! Some of Newtonian physics has been turned upside-down! And that’s not the end of matters either! More on the way… I’ve, personally, no doubt that GOD, the Only One, will be vindicated at the end of time, and “little” man will be left looking foolish! Time is a creation with the universe (or universes). GOD IS TIMELESS! Outside of time, since He created it!

The biggest and most powerful rifle we could ever tote into a hunting situation is puny compared to missles, rockets and cannons that are being used in wars today, as in Ukraine! And even the “greatest” of men in their fields of influence, command and control, are impotent without the “breathe of life” that is in GOD’s hands! Let’s NOT forget that! Otherwise, God who is timeless, may catch us unaware like a lion from a thornbush!

Many have thought themselves “mighty”, like Putin, and they turned out to be “paper tigers”… they met their Maker when they believed He didn’t exist! I wonder… what did they have to say then?

No “man” is God, he/she, whomever they might be in their own eyes, or the eyes of others, will fail and return to dust! So stop putting trust in mortal, frail human beings, who are weak and sinful at best, and evil at worst!

And let’s stop judging God on the basis of the short-sighted views of theologians, historians and athiests who know neither God nor His power!

And inasmuch as God permits us to own and use rifles as sportsmen and women, let’s be wise in their choices and use.

With my personality and love of the outdoors which takes me into big game country, I have chosen rifles that in themselvs are capable of fulfilling my expectations, dreams and practical hunting excursions into the rough and rugged Algonquin Highlands of Ontario. There, I have encountered both sexes of moose, bear and whitetails, as well as coyote and wolf, and tracks of mountail lion… not even to mention lesser creatures like birds, rabbits, squirrels, etc.

My purpose is to tote the most powerful weapon I’m intimately familiar with and suitable for any creature on my licenses, under any and all circumstances… Period!

Therefore… given nearly four decades of experience in those areas and much farther north, I favor Big Bores and Mediums.

<As recently published, that rifle is my “much loved” Ruger No.1H in .458 Winchester Magnum. It was being used to test some heavy bullets in that box of tightly compressed dry-glossy magazines from close range. Such a Big Bore can be useful for testing purposes as well as for hunting.

Till the next… (Comparing the Super .338s)

Shalom

BOB MITCHELL

Managing A Hunting Rifle – P1

< That was my .340 Wby in hand.

Even a .22LR is used for hunting, as well as a .17 Hornady, so we’ll start there and go all the way up to my favorite, a .458 Winchester Magnum in a Ruger No.1H. There are, of course, some beyond that with which I’ve no experience. But the first “real” firearm I owned, that burnt powder, was a single-shot .22LR, and I currently reserve and use two for hunting and target shooting.

At the top end is my Ruger No.1H in .458 Win Mag. In between those two are about thirty (without counting) other cartridges that have been handloaded for hunting purposes in a variety of rifles – mostly in magnums, mediums and big bores – and in more than a single rifle per cartridge for a majority of them. That doesn’t make me an “expert”, but should reveal that I may have some “expertise” about “Managing A Hunting Rifle”.

Rather than random comments, we’ll break it down this way:

The RIFLE -P1

A – Its Purpose

B – Its Production

C – Its Personality

D – Its Power

The HUNTER – P2

A – His/Her Purpose

B – His/Her Personality

C – His/Her Progress

D – His/Her Power

That’s the carcus that goes into the oven, now for the stuffing…

The HUNTING RIFLE’S PURPOSE

Note the emphasis on HUNTING rifle in contrast with a TARGET rifle or just a “shooting rifle”. Those are distinct purposes. But many who are members at ranges may ascribe all three activities to their generic rifles. My observation: after +30 years as a member of the same range, a majority of those in attendance on a given day are NOT dedicated hunters, but casual to dedicated “shooters” who want to determine how accurate their rifles are in using particular handloads. Those using factory big-game hunting loads don’t show up every week, but a few times yearly and are firing their rifles in practice for an upcoming hunt.

The hunting rifle may be used, and often is, for developing a variety of loads to see what they “can do” under differing circumstances, but usually end up with a “hunting load” for a particular hunt. That’s a handloading-hunter who’s main purpose is to use its best loads for specific animals.

Its PRODUCTION is usually (but not exclusively) made by a particular manufacturer of rifles, such as Winchester, Ruger, Savage, Remington, Browning, etc, including some foreign models. Some hunters are particular about the brand while others are more particular in looking for a certain rifle-cartridge combo with an excellent reputation and readily available components for handloads. Like all manufactured machinery that’s mass produced today, barrels and other rifle parts are turned out on CNC equipment where specs can be both more tightly controlled and consistent. That’s good news as in times past such was the lucky hunter that came home with what he hoped would be both an accurate and a strong rifle. However: In my experience (as recently reported) most NEW in box rifles had to have work performed on them by gunsmith VonAtcheson, or myself, to make them function as intended, or ultimately returned to the dealer who had to do what he had to do… And the only brands spared those comments were Savage, Tikka, Ruger, Traditions (so far) and one .300 Win Mag custom built on a military Mauser 98 action.

Some faults were minor while others were major, and a custom creation wasn’t necessarily “better than” some run-of-the-mill rifles either!

What do such matters have to do with “Managing a Hunting Rifle”? Well, enough that could cause misfires, no-fires, lever-actions refusing to raise cartridges into battery, sights falling off, stocks splitting, bores off center, weak firing springs, trigger pulls of 10+ lbs, poor fit of stock, poor fit of action to stock…. want more?

THE POINT: before going afield to shoot game (of any species) we need to be certain that both AMMO and RIFLE are ready and SAFE to do so! When I was about to unload my CZ 550 in .458 Win Mag at the end of a long day, I pointed it at a gravel/dirt embankment eight feet away, took off the safety and it went BOOM! The safety had to be moved forward to the “off” position in order for the action to be opened!

< No flaws in this one that I’ve owned since 2011. It’s a TIKKA T3 Lite in 9.3 x 62.

Its PERSONALITY

Or character. As with humans, rifles have character or personality. How so? In looks/appearance. Black hunting rifles were anathema not too long ago! But today? I only have two rifles with wood on them. The X-generation and younger have made black military-style rifles popular and functional. Personally speaking, I don’t like the looks of ARs, as I never was in a military uniform. In Canada, enlistment is voluntary and for development of certain skill sets after completion of a number of set years. So I was never exposed to a military environment, though two of my BG rifles have black polymer stocks. Yet they have other redeeming qualities. And wood is as wood does. Over the years I’ve owned several with walnut or birch stocks – some were very attractrive, and others… well, not so!

But character is deeper than external appearances in rifles as well as in humans. “Safe Queens” see the light of day when we want them to impress art lovers. But rarely are they ever “thrown” (or dropped purposely) into the bottom of a canoe or back of a pickup! What are the rifles (or rifle) we gravitate to naturally for a tough or rugged hunt? Character speaks of dependability, toughness, security and compatibility! Artful rifles may have character, but if they are “Safe Queens”, who knows?

Again, as in humans there are “styles”, and names have been given to us: Sanguine, Choleric, Phlegmatic, Melancholy, etc. So also for rifles: “Ole Ugly” as an appearance name for a famous .458 Win Mag belonging to a legend: Phil Shoemaker, Alaskan Master Guide, author, pilot and hunter.

The name chosen for my Ruger No.1H in .458 Win Mag is “Grace”. In appearance that’s it! But don’t let appearances fool you, as in “Ole Ugly”.

< Phil, with “Ole Ugly” in his left hand and a new “Ugly” under his right hand!

But personality, character and style are mostly what we have come to appreciate in the rifles that have “stuck”… we still have ’em! They are like part of the family! They’ll be the last to go, and with regrets. They have become not just a reflection of us, but an extension of us.

We’ve become true companions, and we know how they “feel” in certain environments and under particular circumstances. And… they seems to know how we are feeling in certain situations, and do their best to calm our fears and fulfill our goals.

Those are signals that a rifle has taken on a personality.

Its POWER

From pipsqueaks like the .17 Hornady to armbreakers like the .458 Winchester Magnum, we need to know what niche they are designed to fill and for what reasons we possess them. No one takes a .17 Hornady on safari to shoot warthogs, or a .458 Win Mag as a squirrel gun (though I’m sure it’s been done!). Each rifle cartridge was created for a purpose, even if only to sell more rifles! Many have become obsolete, some obsolescent, but many remain, or are newly created, for serviceable purposes.

Ergo: We need to know what our rifles are best suited for in hunting action. As recently pointed out, some are powerful enough for dangerous bears at relatively close ranges, but lack punch at longer distances for larger game. On the other hand, some sub-mediums, with modern powders and bullets are capable elk cartridges at over 300 yards, but not recommended for dangerous game up close. A 6.5 Creedmoor might be one example.

So we depend on knowledge, experience (of self and/or others), reports, recommendations and commonsense in our decision making process of what rifle-cartridge to use on a particular hunt.

Knowledge: knowing the ballistics of a rifle and load.

Experience: knowing from an objective evaluation.

Reports: Reading, researching.

Recommendations: by those WHOM WE TRUST with knowledge and experience.

Commonsense: don’t try to invent a square wheel!

Generally, there are six classes of game: non-dangerous small, non-dangerous medium, dangerous medium, non-dangerous large, dangerous large and pachyderm. As to suitable cartridges, many are crossovers, and some are not. A crossover is one that can adequately deal with several classes of game, such as: non-dangerous medium, dangerous medium, and non-dangerous large. But we should ALWAYS keep in mind – and therefore be prepared – that most any wild animal (and some domestic ones) can become dangerous under particular circumstances – such as a rabid fox.

AND: there are great variances of range: Short, close, medium, long and far.

Short: in your face, 10 yards or less!

Close: less than 100.

Medium: +100 to about 250.

Long: +300.

Far: 500 to 700, or more.

< A 9.3 x 62 loaded cartridge for my TIKKA T3. The bullets are the 250gr Nosler AccuBond that leave the muzzle of the 22.44″ barrel at 2700 + fps.

It’s my studied opinion (In general, I rarely rely on opinions – even my own as with more time and experience they may change or be modified!) that medium-class cartridges are best as crossovers. That would involve numbers like – but NOT exclusively – the .338 Win Mag, .35 Whelen, .350 Rem Mag, 9.3 x 62 and .375 H&H at the upper end. In other words: capable of ~ 4000 ft-lbs at the muzzle. They can be tempered by handloads or used full force, and the rifles need not be too bulky and heavy for general purpose work.

Attempting to shoot a trophy bull elk (800 lbs) at 250 yards with a good 140gr projectile is one case, and attempting to do the same thing at 600 yards is totally another from the same rifle and load! KEEP SUCH IMPORTANT DISTINCTIONS FIRMLY IN MIND WHEN GOING AFIELD for any game! In other words: we need to know our practical limits as well as that of the rifle and load.

Finessing shots is NOT ALWAYS POSSIBLE in the real world, and RARELY POSSIBLE for the average hunter. Terminal shots on large game like elk and moose at long range are rarely staged – that’s “rarely”, not never. A hunter who has the time, economics and right equipment, must spend ALL to qualify for pulling the trigger on one at +600 yards! We hear about it, but from only “the few” (who love to reveal their expertise).

Championship shooting of targets by pros at 1000 yards from a rifle capable of +4000 ft-lbs of muzzle energy from a medium to large bore is as uncommon as a new teen driver having just received keys from his daddy to drive the family 2L non-turbo Nissan and the next day qualifying for a LeMans track race! There are reasons for each related to MANAGEMENT or CONTROL of power! There are a rare few, especially trained and experienced .338 Lapua Magnum shooters who can pull it off, but usually have a military background as a sniper… More or less the same idea for a racecar driver who competes at LeMans and wins!

<At the Mosport International Racetrack, 50 km to the south of us, (a 2.5 mile road circuit) multiple types of races are conducted annually, including a 12hr LeMans in which this racecar has participated. Because of its potential speed, it was restricted to about 200 mph. I talked with the manager of the team and he filled me in on the details of it’s construction (European) and motor (supertuned Corvette). It won two races in it’s class.

So is finesse the answer or power… or a certain combination of each?

And whatever the rifle we take afield, it must fully qualify for its task, and we are to manage it without questions or doubts as to its CHARACTER or OUR OWN!

Till the next: The HUNTER and intimacy with his/her rifle.

Shalom

BOB MITCHELL

REAL BALLISTICS

What are REAL BALLISTICS vs published ballistics or hearsay ballistics – are there any differences that matter? To sum it up, it amounts to the ACTUAL bullet velocity at the rifle’s muzzle till termination at impact, whatever the distance between MV and IV – and this has reference to external ballistics only.

Recorded at 15′ from the muzzle of my former Ruger No.1 in .45-70 LT. The bullet was a 350gr TSX – not a max load. Corrected to MV = 2480 fps.

Then the weight (mass) of the projectile at impact determines energy and momentum. Additionally, the true ballistic coefficient (BC) of the bullet – it’s shape and construction are involved in its ultimate effect. And all that’s assuming “the nut behind the butt” does his/her job in aiming, as Phil Shoemaker put a fine point to it.

Real ballistics – NOT fanciful or supposted ballistics – determines the outcome, assuming proper aiming and the right bullet for the job.

To illustrate, let’s do a comparison of “book” or “hearsay ballistics” with ACTUAL ballistics using my .458 Winchester Magnum as a platform to show that there may indeed be a difference that matters. There are still sources of information readily available on the Internet and popular rifle and shooting magazines that reference outdated material, as well as recently published handloads for the .458 Win Mag in Nosler’s #9 that comes short of 2100 fps as a top load for their 500gr soft and solid which leaves a lot of unanswered questions. Then there are hunter/writers like the late Jack Lott (who changed his story several times) who was tossed by a Cape buff, and laid blame on the .458 Cartridge as a justification for his “creation” of the .458 Lott. Also, once again (despite much better ballistics being available), I read a recent article published by a well-known writer-hunter, that the .458 Lott was a better choice for African DG because of much superior ballistics than the .458 Win Mag. He then proceeded to amplify that distiction by saying the Lott has an advantage of 300 fps over the Winchester in shooting 500gr bullets, granting 2300 fps to the Lott and 2000 fps to the .458 Winchester.

So BAD information is still out there, and a shooter/hunter who only reads one source of information might report it as pure gospel on the Internet or to an inquiring mind.

< Recorded by a 500gr Hornady RN in May 2019 at our range. Corrected to MV = 2317 fps/ 5960 ft-lbs. Load: 81 grains of H4895, WLRM primer and Winchester brass. COL = 3.56″. Rifle: Ruger No.1H in .458 Winchester Magnum – 24″ Mag-Na-Ported barrel. (Pic on the header)

In this blog I’ll present my results in sharp contrast, and there are credible others who have experienced the same or moreso.

HEARSAY BALLISTICS

.458 Winchester Magnum

Bullet: 500gr Hornady DGX – bonded; .458-Caliber

SD = .341

BC = .295

COL= 3.34″

MV= 2000 fps/ 4440 ft-lbs

50 = 1878 fps/ 3915 ft-lbs/ +2.7″

100= 1761 fps/ 3443 ft-lbs/ +3.5″

150= 1650 ft-lbs/ 3023 ft-lbs/ +2.9″

200= 1545 ft-lbs/ 2650 ft-lbs/ -2.8″

250= 1447 fps/ -11.1″

300= 1355 fps/ 2039 ft-lbs/ -23.7″ (126 TE) – not a poor result as it trumps even a .375 H&H at that range shooting a 300gr NP at 2600 fps. At 300 yds = 2004 fps/ 2675 ft-lbs = (82 TE).

*******************************************************************

REAL BALLISTICS from my Ruger N0.1H

Handloads

MV= 2300 fps/ 5872 ft-lbs

50 = 2167 fps/ 5215 ft-lbs/ +1.3″ (293 TE)

100= 2040 fps/ 4618 ft-lbs/ +2.4″

150= 1917 fps/ 4071 ft-lbs/ +1.4″

200= 1798 fps/ 3589 ft-lbs/ – 2″

250= 1685 fps/ 3153 ft-lbs/ -8″

300= 1578 fps/ 2765 ft-lbs/ -17.2″ (147 TE)

This is a comparative analysis with any other cartridge at 300 yards. For example: a .300 Wby firing a 200gr NP at 3000 fps MV would have an approximate 2482 fps at 300 yds = 2734 ft-lbs and a 63 TE. While KE is not far behind the .458 at 300 yds, yet the great difference in Terminal Effect is due to a much greater momentum over the 200gr/.308-cal by 59% and 2.23 times more in cross-section-area of the bullet. Surface area of the bullet is a major factor in terminal ballistics, not only in bullet expansion at the front end.

Hornady 500gr DGX bonded factory load:

MV = 2140 fps/5084 ft-lbs (Actual results as tested by Dr Ron Berry that equals Hornady’s promotions)

300 = 1448 fps/ 2377 ft-lbs (135 TE)

NOTES:

• In actual field results, it has been demonstrated too many times that kenetic energy numbers (KE) alone do not correlate across the board in terminal effect with every other cartridge that may produce equal KE at impact. Assuming equal construction in each, and placement, the larger bore bullet will have greater weight and momentum if producing equal KE -or even less in many cases – thus producing a greater TE (Terminal Effect). Entirely apart from other aficionados, I’ve proven that to myself. But that is NOT a significant result from a minor increase in bullet diameter, but a real distinction in the class of cartridges from MEDIUM bores to LARGE bores, or even stepping up from SUB-MEDIUMS to MEDIUMS, all else equal as in bullet construction and placement.
• < From this rifle (Ruger #1 in .45-70 LT), the 500gr Hornady and 450gr AF were making +5000 ft-lbs at the muzzle.

• Some are VERY potifical about such matters and declare that “S.D. has NOTHING to do with terminal results!”. For them the “proof” is that a particular bullet (with a flat tip) of lesser weight can out-penetrate a heavier one of the same caliber that may be producing more momentum and KE at termination. Of course, in such a scenario, they are comparing “apples and oranges” without admitting it! A lighter solid that doesn’t deform at impact may very well “out-penetrate” another from the same rifle that expands and loses some of it’s weigh (or not). Expansion is like “putting on the brakes”, but in the meantime doing a lot more damage than the “solid” that sails on through without creating as large a permanent wound cavity! In my media tests, I’ve seen all that. For example: a 330gr Barnes Banded solid in .458 completely passed through 15.5 inches of very tough media leaving a bullet diameter hole at exit. It may still be going! Compared to a 350gr TSX expanding bullet that was arrested at 15.5 inches at the last panel of box 2 having retained 100% of original weight, total destruction in its path was more than twice that of the 330gr solid with a flat tip that didn’t deform while giving greater penetration. The 330gr solid had slightly less SD at .224 vs .238 of the 350gr TSX and gave greater penetration with far less damage. But it only matters IF we compare apples to apples as in :

A 150gr/.308″/NAB at 3420 fps MV/ 3895 ft-lbs (BC = .435/ SD = .226) from a .300 Win Mag that “correctly impacts” a 1250 lb bull moose at 2160 fps/ 1554 ft-lbs at 500 yds compared to a 200gr/ .308″/ NAB at 2960 fps MV/ 3922 ft-lbs (BC = .588/SD = .301) that “correctly impacts” the same 1250 lb bull moose at 2221 fps/ 2190 ft-lbs at 500 yds.

So…. what just happened there? They started out with nearly the same KE but ended up with the 200gr having gained 61 fps more velocity than the 150gr while starting 429 fps SLOWER, making 636 ft-lbs more energy at 500 yds in the process!

IF SD doesn’t matter, it CANNOT BE EXPLAINED because SD determines BC if bullet profiles have the same form factor. There’s simply no way possible to make a 150gr/ .308 caliber to have an SD of .301 and a BC of .588! But even a 200gr Nosler Partition RN will still have an SD of .301 but a BC of “only” about .351 due to its “form factor” – it’s more “blunt”.

In shooting that 200gr AB from a couple of 24″ Savages in .300 Win Mag – mine and a young friend’s – using 1/2 gr more of RL-22 – they about duplicated Nosler’s results from a 24″ test barrel, so that’s close enough to claim REAL results. Having not fired the 150gr AB, I can only assume that results from my Savage would have been close to those of the Nosler test barrel. But we just can’t pick a load from any manual and assume our results will be the same. We must do the test, and there will be variances based on powder lot and the rifle itself. Some have “tight” bores which create higher pressures/ velocities, and some “loose” barrels that cause less barrel friction, and so reduced psi and MV.

The subject of adding more powder to compensate for “a loose barrel” is another subject for another day. We need to keep in mind these two factors: 1> The professionals setup cannot be duplicated by ours, and 2> Our factory rifles are subject to manufacturing tolerances that may, or may not – mostly “not” – correspond to professional test barrels that usually are on the “tight” side of matters. That could create another obvious problem for the average “Joe”, who may use several manuals that disagree in results (as well as barrel lengths in tests). Then some bullet companies choose to use longer barrels than normal for some data when a “normal” length for most hunting rifles would fall between 22″ – 24″. For example: According to the NOSLER Reloading Guide 9, they used a 26″ Pac-Nor barrel for their .375 RUGER tests. They can do what they want, for whatever their reasons, but there are NO Ruger factory rifles for the .375 Ruger cartridge with a 26″ barrel – they are either 20″ or 23″! So their results from a 26″ Pac-Nor barrel are practically useless! For whom were those results done? Less than a few who would order a custom built .375 Ruger with a 26″ barrel? This point is made only to say “buyer beware” of “fake news”! Production models of a 20″ Ruger .375 will not come close to 2941 fps from handloads of their several 260gr as published in manual 9! Neither 2715 fps from their 300 grainers! Expectations should be in the neighbourhood of a loss of 150 to 180 fps from those published.

The point of all this is that we can only get the best REAL handloaded ballistics from our rifles if we know:

• Their potential from research and experience – lots of data out there that needs intelligent and careful analysis by making comparisons between sources.

• The barrel length. There are expected differences if the barrel is 20″, 22″, 24″ or 26″. Claimed results vary depending on several factors such as: the barrel itself – some are “tight” and others are “loose”. A tight barrel bore will create more friction on the bullet, hence higher pressure resulting in greater velocity, and so on.

• The powder: some new powders and bullets are game changers – we need to keep up!

For a couple examples: a 180gr from a 22″ barrel in .30-06 is capable of 2800 fps using some of today’s powders. According to Nosler, a 24″ H-S Precision barrel gave 2819 fps for any of their 180’s using 62 grains of RL-22 – their most accurate and fastest load. RL-22 has always been the best powder in my .300 magnums – giving highest velocity and best accuracy. There may even be a newer powder that improves on that.

From my .35 Whelen, I’m getting 2850 fps/ 4057 ft-lbs for the 225 Nosler AB using CFE 223, and into sub-moa. That’s from a 22″ Traditions G3 barrel. Remington factory ammo for their 200gr is still advertised at 2675 fps/ 3177 ft-lbs, and 2400 fps from their 250gr from a 24″ barrel, while it’s possible with some “knowhow” – from some powders – to extract 3000 fps from 200s and 2700 from 250s. Even in early June, 2010, my Chrony recorded 2984 and 2982 fps (avg. 2983) for the 200gr Hornady SP from my H&R .35 Whelen with a 22″ barrel at 10 ft from the Chrony. Corrected to MV = 3017 fps/ 4042 ft-lbs – and that from H4895, which has been around for a long time…. with all “signs” indicating safe pressure. Yup, REAL ballistics – nothing phony about that!

So, do you think that an additional 342 fps/ 865 ft-lbs from a 200gr in the Whelen might be a game changer for some game under extraordinary conditions?

<The H&R .35 Whelen… note the stout 22″ barrel.

And so on…

Till the next…

Shalom

BOB MITCHELL

BLACK BEAR Hunting over Bait – P5

Have you done a solo hunt for black bear, or with a partner or guide? If none of these, what would be your preference?

In this space I’ll share some of my experience and insights from all three models, preferences, positive lessons/advantages and any negatives.

UNIQUE SITUATIONS

Since there are unique conditions that characterize any individual’s life, no two hunter’s situation will be identical. Hence, my purpose in sharing will be to highlight certain principles related to safety, confidence and relationships.

As I’ve aforementioned on numerous occasions, my first eight bear hunts of thirty-five were with the same outfitter/guide in the vast semi-wilderness areas of NE Ontario, SE of Algonquin Park. Since that time, I began the baiting process on my own, closer to home, in the Haliburton Highlands on Crown Land. From time to time I’ve had different apprentice partners (no former experience in bear hunting) but a couple with some wilderness and/or hunting experience.

But those initial eight successive seasons with the same outfitter/guide in the same type of wilderness were like a degree course on bear habitat and culture. After that, I was very confident in continueing on my own in similar habitat. Instinctively, I knew what to look for in type of terrain, natural growth forest and bush, and water sources. In addition, I’d had some experience in deer hunting that area, only an hour’s drive NNE from my house.

Then, of course, the curriculum on black bears, their habits, habitat, characteristics, etc, has no end and continues till this day…

< At 8 o’clock one morning in early spring as I was lugging two buckets of bait – one in each hand – I cleared the brush and trees and came into an opening and looked up and ahead to the blind that was a relatively new piece of indoor-outdoor green carpeting. It was torn down with a good size black bear standing broadside on top of it. He fixed me with a stare that said “This is my turf, don’t mess with me!” I didn’t have a rifle in hand, so I dropped the buckets of bait, backed out to my van and waited awhile before returning with rifle in hand. The pic above was taken the next year in October with a dominant bruin still in the area and attempting to intimidate. The day of this pic I was alone and the bear snuck in behind my seat to within 3 yds. I stood to take this pic without knowing he was there. When I started to return to my seat (out of picture to right in thick bush) he took off like some sort of logging machinery, crashing through bush and young conifers like they weren’t there!

< A tight shooting lane from blind to bait barrel at exactly 100 yds downhill from the side of a ridge.

HUNTING SOLO – it’s ideal (for me)

Hunting styles may legitimately differ: some like still hunting, others prefer spot and stock, etc, but as I’ve already stated in a former piece in this series, those styles rarely work in thick bush, remote wilderness areas or rugged timber terrain – without a very unusual degree of luck! In deer or moose hunting those types of terrain, it’s possible to run into a bear or see one… but if you’re hunting bear in those conditions without bait… “Good Luck!”

So the baiting process is best! And if doing so alone, you need very careful planning for a food (bait) source, transportation of it from vehicle to site, etc. Believe me on this one… that alone is a LOT of work! Then, the finding, field dressing and retrieval of the carcus to your vehicle is ponderous as well.

The point I’m making is that a SOLO hunt for bear has obvious dangers associated! One needs to be physically fit and capable. That’s apart from the inherent danger of pursuing DG anyway – especially on your own!

Having said that, it’s still my preferred method.

Why?

Because one has to be self-reliant, independant and confident! It challenges your self-respect and fears! It also means one has to master knowledge of all that’s required for safety and success. It means you will not have someone else to lean on and tell you how to find your pickup in darkness…. and so on.

Before venturing alone we are FORCED to acknowledge the potential dangers, such as a bad fall, a knife cut, a sprained ankle, etc., so we then KNOW we must be well prepared in advance, and proceed with great caution under particular physical constraints, such as crossing a stream or climbing a steep, rough ridge.

It also means we need basic survival skills and equipment! I’ll not detail all of that here, but I think you understand what’s being emphasized!

At my present age, I’m less inclined to tackle BG hunts solo, but a “modified” version I’ll undertake come spring. As always, we inform others of where we will be, AND carry a WORKING cell phone.

But my nature is still loving SOLO hunting! But I’m never alone…. “My help comes from above, the Maker of heaven and earth” -so wrote the Shephard-King of Israel.

WITH A PARTNER(S) – it’s practical

Some partners are truly a blessing, others may become a burden.

Those who become “a burden” aren’t necessarily apprentices, but mostly those who think they know more than you do – but don’t! I find that type a “burden” because they like to talk but don’t listen! They’re often “undoing” what’s been “done”, claiming they’re improving a situation revealing a lack of respect for the leader. It’s a “one-upmanship” attitude that destroys healthy relationships.

But… thankfully, I’ve had few of those, and most have been genuinely “a partner” who listens and helps not only with physical tasks but shares valuable knowledge and insights. Such partners are invaluable!

< The same two amigos were a great help in my 2015 fall hunt – Brian (a sheep farmer and hunter – in red T-shirt above; and Ken, a long-time partner (in camo) and a retired CO.

Some recommendations:

1> Decide who is the senior partner of a duo of trio. That may be obvious or not. Usually one will emerge as the leader of the pack. Though quite often with a friend it’s shared work and responsibilities, with one tending to some matters and the other to different matters. That’s when the two get along well and have been friends for a number of years.

2> Otherwise, if it’s your hunt and you’d prefer to have a helper-partner, then the rules change. You’re in charge and must carry the heavy end of the load.

3> Have a clear understanding as to what may be required of your partner, and he/she needs to be made aware of what you will assume as your responsibilities.

4> Also, depending on whether you will be hunting over the same bait, or separate locations, there should be a verbal or non-verbal understanding as to who has any priorities.

WITH AN OUTFITTER

As stated, I learned “bear hunting over bait” from a master. He was a woodsman who worked as a scaler for a large lumber company, and during summer months he became a sport fishing guide for a lot of American sportsmen. Some wanted to see black bears so he took them to a local dump where they saw some that went over 500 lbs! They asked about shooting them! So a year later he got a guide’s license and started a side business to his work at the lumber mill. And he also was a deer and moose hunter who knew the area well SE of Algonquin Park because that’s where he lived. When I first met him he’d already been written up in some American sports magazines by some of their staff writers. But I didn’t know any of that… I only had heard of him through a young man at a local gunsmith’s shop while there on business. That young man was so enthusiastic about his experience with “The Bear Man” in NE Ontario, I asked for the telephone number of this outfitter, and the following spring I had my first attempt to “catch a bear”. That led to seven more with a few bears in between. Then… on my own since 1997.

My first bear was with an outfitter named “Norm, the Bear Man”. And the rug.

As related here and in several prior blogs, eight seasons with Norm as outfitter and guide (he had two additional guides), and never in the same location – each was distinct and different – and inviting me along to check baits and service my own (he had 85 bait locations in a 3000 sq-mile area), was like earning a university degree in bear habitat and culture. Then, I also had the privilege of sitting at breakfast with several American hunters who, on the most part, had hunted with Norm previously (for several of them every year) and had stories to share.

One American hunter, who had previously hunted that area with Norm, presented a video of his chosen morning hunt that evening after supper in the lodge where we were staying. I didn’t see the video but was told about it the following morning at breakfast. This American hunter was a pro videographer who published some of his material. Anyway, during his early morning hunt, a cow moose passed under his tree stand, stopped and gave birth to her calf! She got it up and going in a hurry because she was being followed by a black bear – the hunter got it all on his camera, plus the bear that he ended up shooting!

So there are many things to learn from an outfitter-guide, in that kind of environment that’s all inclusive in the cost!

Plus – of course the benefits of many hands helping with chores. I was involved not only in the baiting process, but also in the finding and retrieving of a big black bear in pitch darkness that the hunter wouldn’t search for after he’d shot it – and rightfully so! And I “barked orders” to the other voluteers (about six of us) to “bring A rifle” (NOT “rifles”!) with a commanding tone as none had thought of it, probably because of the law which says: “All rifles must be encased at sundown”! But you don’t go looking for a wounded or even a dead black bear without a light AND a firearm! And we don’t need or even want a “crowd” searching for a wounded or dead black bear in blackness! The bear was found dead under low lying branches of a fir tree, but safety mandates that no more than three are doing the search: One aims the light beam, another holds a firearm and the third is there as a helper/guide.

So whatever our choice in hunting a black bear – solo, with a partner or outfitter, we should only do so with some awareness of the potential positives and negatives of our choice, based on thorough research and recommendations of others with adequate experience.

Hoping this has been of some benifit to inquiring minds…

Till the next…

Shalom

BOB MITCHELL

BLACK BEAR hunting over Bait – P4

This section discusses RIFLES and their CARTRIDGES for BEAR HUNTING using baits. Of course, I’m aware of other methods and means: Shotguns, hand guns, BP, bows, and if one has Tarzan in their ancestry, even spears. But for my purposes, I’ve always employed centerfire rifles, so I’ll stick with that. Anything else in my view is both less versatile and effective. That of course depends on the situation and goals. For instance, if someone wants to us a BP rifle then they are choosing a less effective range, a slow second shot and the resultant smoke limiting vision of the immediate reaction of the bear. I was involved with a partner who used his BP and we ended up on a one-and-one-half-hour search in the wrong direction for a wounded bear! I didn’t witness the shot as I was in a different locaton, but I heard it and in meeting up with the shooter he said he couldn’t see where the bear went but thought it was in “that direction” which turned out to be 180* from where the bear actually went!

A powerful handgun (where legal) means limits from stand to bait. Same with a bow or crossbow as well as in using a shotgun. A few times I’ve brought a 12ga along, loaded with slugs as a backup, but never as my primary weapon.

Hence RIFLES and their CARTRIDGES as the best overall choice.

Internet forums aren’t the best source of information for this subject as everyone has an opinion, and often they can be contradictory and confusing. But, nonetheless, the Internet may still be a good source for finding books, videos and articles on the theme. For myself it’s been learning on the job type of thing, and having a very good professional guide/outfitter for the first eight seasons, known as “The Bear Man”. There’s really no good substitute for a good and experienced teacher. So, what I share in the following paragraphs will be from personal experience and observation of others dating back to a spring hunt in 1989 in NE Ontario, my home province, and every year since with the exception of a couple.

The RIFLE: There are several common types and they will all serve us well if we are familiar with the one we choose, and it agrees with us.

< My first bear and my 1st .45-70 firing handloads of the 400gr Speer at 1865 fps.

BOLT ACTION: This is perhaps the most common. In bear-worthy cartridges under all conditiions something may be found that is suitable for the hunter and the conditions of the hunt.

Their advantages are: familiarity, a simple mechanical device, accuracy, available at reasonable cost, built for scope accommodation, and suited to any power level.

Potential disadvantages:

1) If a lefty it may be near impossible to find the one you’d like in a left-hand action.

2) Or, the one you’d like doesn’t have iron sights as backup.

3) Location of and type of safety – personally, on any type action I prefer a tang safety.

4) And there may be other nuances about certain bolt-action rifles in the cartridge of preference that just don’t agree together as a well tuned unit, including the price!

For example, about a year ago I looked at a Savage chambered in .375 Ruger. The price was right, it had a laminate stock, 23″ barrel, muzzle brake, stainless action and barrel, but was too heavy, especially with a variable scope, and loaded it would make over 10 lbs – good for a .458 Win but not for a .375 H&H type ballistics. Then the store had neither factory ammo nor brass for reloads. So it was a pass. That’s just an example of a good idea that came short on adaptability for the type of hunts I’ve done from close quarter tree stands overlooking bear baits at +/-100 yards. Then not the most handy for close ranges in brush work in scouting bear sign. I had a similar Remington rifle in 350 Rem Mag with a short action but was just way too heavy for the conditions I’ve just described – so after about a year’s use it “went down the road”.

The point is: The rifle must fit and be comfortable to tote and shoot after a day’s hike in rough terrain, or sitting in a blind or treestand when, without notice, it is forced into immediate action without complaint or rebellion!

<My former CZ550 in .458 Win Mag. Yes, it got bloodied on a bear firing a 350gr TSX at 2750 fps.

And even if it’s a bolt-action, we make no excuses for it!

Ditto for semis, levers, doubles and singles!

SUITABLE CARTRIDGES

Because of great differences in the sizes and attitudes of bears, as well as their habitats, I want a STOPPING cartridge for the first well-placed shot, no matter it’s host… be that a bolt-action, semi, lever-action, double or single. In a bad situation we’ll get a single shot and it better hit where a bear’s life comes from! Don’t count on multiple hits! If the cartridge is more than capable to begin with, and the rifle fits like it has been your only for the past millennia, ten more in a clip will be of no help if a bear charges from 20 yards!

In black bear hunting I started with an 1895 Marlin in .45-70, and I took my first bear ever with that rifle! Yep, and I also had a Sako FS in .338 Win Mag in the locker… but the Marlin took that first hunt and the second that gave me a trophy bruin! If you reflect a half-minute on what I just said… that will tell you about all you need to know about my mindset, experiences and attitude. After thirty-five black bear hunts – the majority over baits – I have some rather fixed opinions on rifle catridges. And I don’t go into Ontario’s wildernesses looking for a 2-year old, but with expectatons that anything, even the “worst thing”, could happen! It’s called “being fully equiped AND prepared” for “whatever”!

No bear – including brown bears – are dangerous at 300 yards, though they could close that distance in less than a minute if for a reason known only to them they choose to do so. Or if they put a sneak on the unwary through thick brush! A female in particular with cubs may sneak away if unseen, OR she may charge the unwary from less than twenty yards! A mature sow or boar bear can cover that distance in three seconds – that’s 3 not 10! It may take most of that time if not all of it to get over the initial shock, let alone aim carefully at a 30mph charging ball of teeth, claws and muscle! Recenty, I’ve watched several videos of attacks on men and women by sow bears with cubs that was unprovoked. A few had near-death experiences, but as in many human experiences, the survivors later expressed the thought, “They were only doing what was natural for them”. So, in a sense there was empathy expressed for the bears! But many murderers also are only doing “what is natural for them”!

Without preaching here, we must resist, with any means available to us, anyone or thing that is making a deliberate attempt to harm or kill us. THAT is NOT the time to be merciful! And being fearful will not cause a Putin, or a bear, to be merciful to you! If you are bare-handed, punch the bear with all your might right on the end of its nose! With thumbs, goudge out its eyes! HAVE NO MERCY! But best of all, carry a firearm that you are very familiar with an use it! Save your empathy for your family, if you have one, or at the very least for your own skin! A 150 lb sow bear can do you a lot of harm, let alone a 300 lb hungry male!

In bear country I always tote a powerful rifle loaded with bullets that will work… every time! We must test bullets in tough media, or verify their credentials from trustworthy reports. I do a lot of testing… and will do more this spring, God willing.

I have confidence in the three big-game rifles that I still own, and have developed very effective handloads for each. A new bullet has arrived from Santa this Christmas for the .35 Whelen. Five have been loaded for testing of accuracy and MV. Later on in tough test media.They are the 180gr TTSX’s. Expectations from a full load of CFE 223 is around 3050 fps – 3100 fps, in the realm of a .300 Win Mag. And I’ll be loading up some 300gr TSX’s for my .458 Win Mag at somewhere between 2750 and 2950 fps. A bear hunt for the spring is being worked on.

Depending on expections, regions and seasons, some popular bear cartridges can be found from the .270 Win to the .375 H&H. Personally, I like powerful mediums (.338 – .375) in the magnums, but with the addition of my two favorites: the .35 Whelen and 9.3 x 62, they have replaced all others in that class. I consider “MEDIUMS” as starting at 4000 ft-lbs of kinetic energy at the muzzle using midweight to heavyweight premium projectiles. Then, of course, my favorite of favorites is .458-caliber in .45-70s and the mighty .458 Winchester Magnum. But the choice of bullets is critical.

< 350gr.458-cal fired from my Ruger No.1 LT at ~2500 fps at a 100 yard target and retrieved from the backstop: sand, gravel and mother earth, plus untold thousands of bullets and fragments buried therein. That is a tough test for any bear-worthy bullet!

In a hazardous encounter with a bear, elephant, hippo or wolf pack, the most lethal weapon we have is not in our hands but what’s in our head… the story of the native girl who killed the record book grizzly with her little .22LR single-shot rifle comes to mind.

A BLACK BEAR’S PSYCHOLOGY

How smart are they…? But, “How crafty and cunning?” might be a more apt question in a series on BAITING BEAR for Hunting…

Suburban bears can open the door of your Cadillac SUV, enter, steal your lunch, and leave after closing the door without you ever knowing what happened to your lunch! They can do the same at your cottage! But they can wreck havoc at both if they find some kind of evil pleasure for driving you mad and away from their comfortable and familiar settings! They have been tested and proven to be able to figure out solutions to problems, and considered near the top in animal intelligence – much more so than the moose or even the wolf! Maybe they could play chess with a chimpanzee and win! How do I know that? They’ve played chess with me more than once… and won! And I’ve played a lot of “chess” in my day…

Seriously…

There’s a correlation that exists between the bullet (it’s weight and caliber), its velocity at impact and its effectivness – assuming good construction and POI. It’s logical (logistics): bigger, tougher and more dangerous animals demand bigger, tougher and more dangerous bullets fired from cartridges and rifles with precision. It’s not “Pray and spray!”, but “Practice and prayer”!

Till the next…

Shalom

BOB MITCHELL