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?

 

[muskeg]

I would not adjust my line of sight in anticipation. Just put the cross hairs in the right spot.

 

[#1Predator]

It might be 50-75 yards. Same thing?

At 50 yards, the bullet has just about hit its apex (maybe 2" high???) and beings to drop into the target zone. No need to hold over/under at 50-75 yards. Two inches high won't matter. "Aim small, miss small". Look for a specific small target on the animal (a patch of dirt, any fur discoloration, etc.) and hold your aim on that small point on the animal inside the kill zone. To give you an idea of what I'm talking about (kind of morbid, especially since Charlie Kirk), but it's generally the top button of a shirt. BTW - my favorite Barnes bullet for the .308 is the 150 grain TTSX - BT.