If it cant be done with one shot, it shouldn't be done.
"grab large claw hammer - put against butt cheek , pry head out of ass with claws...then go back to school..."
30cal 165gr bullets would do fine job on black bear. My 308win "truck" gun is set up with 165gr accubonds for anything I encounter in BC within reasonable range....
I will probably watch my kid drop another with his .243. I will likely stick with my .308 and 150 grains just because its my newest rifle, but thats a game day decision. Bears aren't hard to kill, just let the air out and they don't go far.
I'll be using my ole Lee Enfield with a 150gr interlock at about 2500fps on mine and my son's spring trip. I've used it for all my big game so far.
It all depends which firearm I decide to pack, 300 win. mag with 180gr. Nosler Partitions spitzers, or 338 win. mag with 225 Nosler Partitions spitzers. Shot placement? Close range I'v taken two with 1 to the neck, they don't go very far. If they're out there a ways, say 50-75 yds. double lung them. I don't believe in shooting bear at long range, if you play the wind you can get very close.
Last spring was the 6.5 Grendel with a 115gr Barnes. This spring might be the 22 Creedmoor with 77gr LRX
"If you ever go into the bush, there are grizzly bears lurking behind just about every bush, waiting to pounce, so you need a powerful gun, with huge bullets" - Gatehouse ~ 2004
I've only dropped one. But the 145g .270 sure did the trick. This year, if I can get my 308 dialed in I'll be carrying that. But, just because my fancy new BLR is light and easy to carry, that's what I want to use.
Possibly a .308, but I have a 45-70 that I've never harvested an animal with. 300gr TSX sound good.
Check my Youtube Channel for fishing and hunting videos https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjN...AEGjPIUba3pn9g