Black Bear Hunt

[TCB]

Thought I was going to take a bow for a hunt next month in Manitoba but a herniated disk in my neck to going to push me to rifle hunt. The outfitter says shots will be <100 yards for rifle hunts. I'd really like to use a carbine 7x57 Mauser dad had custom made with a 175gr Federal.

Any issues with that set up for a black bear? I have a couple 30/06 that I could take but want to make a decision before wasting time dialing in one gun only to switch.

[Walker]

7x57 is a mostly forgotten but very capable round. Go for it.

[canny]

Plenty of gun for black bear

[retrieverman]

You were going to take a bow but question if a 7x57 is enough?!?🤣

[diamond10x]

Thin skin and bones. Their hair makes them look deceivingly bigger/heavier than they actually are.

6.5x55 Swede is a very popular moose cartridge, a 7 mauser will be more than enough for a black bear. Just make sure your shot placement is in the vitals and not the void, as they are different than deer. DO NOT shoot too far forward.

[geezer56]

You may want to back bullet weight down a bit. Black bears are pretty lightly constructed. If you don't hit major bones most of a 175 gr. bullets energy will be spent on the landscape. German military tests found that a 129 gr. bullet weight was optimized for the 7x57. A 140 would also work well, use a copper or bonded bullet if you are worried about penetration.