Bear Rifle Distance

[americanmade91]

Follow up question from a NEWBIE hunter: These bears will be at 15-30 yards and I am using a rifle sighted in at 100 yards. Would I need to aim low or is that distance not applicable for any type of bullet drop? Could I also use a slug (I don't know if they make steel shotgun slugs- to be CA compliant).

 

[#1Predator]

Follow up question from a NEWBIE hunter: These bears will be at 15-30 yards and I am using a rifle sighted in at 100 yards. Would I need to aim low or is that distance not applicable for any type of bullet drop? Could I also use a slug (I don't know if they make steel shotgun slugs- to be CA compliant).

Generally, depending to some degree on the cartridge and its velocity, you would not need to hold over or under at 25-30 yards as the bullet will hit at point of aim/point of impact. With a 100 yard zero, the bullet trajectory will cross your line-of-sight at about 25 yards, rise above the line-of-sight then drop to impact the target bullseye at 100 yards.

Secondly, yes, you can use slugs for bears but they must be non-lead (Federal, Remington & Herter's make copper slugs for shotguns). These copper sabot slugs need a rifled shotgun barrel to have any kind of accuracy. Rifled barrels sell for anywhere from $300 to $800, not cheap.

 

[americanmade91]

Thanks! Its a .308 Ruger Gen 2 (130 grain) TSX- Barnes Copper bullet.

 

[americanmade91]

Generally, depending to some degree on the cartridge and its velocity, you would not need to hold over or under at 25-30 yards as the bullet will hit at point of aim/point of impact. With a 100 yard zero, the bullet trajectory will cross your line-of-sight at about 25 yards, rise above the line-of-sight then drop to impact the target bullseye at 100 yards.

Secondly, yes, you can use slugs for bears but they must be non-lead (Federal, Remington & Herter's make copper slugs for shotguns). These copper sabot slugs need a rifled shotgun barrel to have any kind of accuracy. Rifled barrels sell for anywhere from $300 to $800, not cheap.

It might be 50-75 yards. Same thing?