I'm 74 and have lived and hunted in Northern Michigan Most of my adult life. I remember when the go to Caliber was the 30-30 . Lots of black bear fell to the Old time favorite.

For bear protection a 308 still beats a handgun

@sparky_-mf2cs

2 жыл бұрын

Forsure... its funny when people say you need a 44 mag or a 480 ruger or even a 50 smith but then say a 308 is not enough 😂

@reefread1234

Жыл бұрын

@@sparky_-mf2cs they obviously cant do the math

@blueduck9409

Жыл бұрын

Especially a HIGH CAPACITY .308

@workct4102

Жыл бұрын

​@@sparky_-mf2cs I've always made a funny face when trying to figure that out as well

@Trumplican

Жыл бұрын

@@sparky_-mf2cs well I'd take a 10MM Glock with a 13rd mag over a bolt action .308 any day for a charging grizz. A semi-auto high capacity .308 is a different story. Most recommend handguns over a rifle because they are hikers and the weight of a rifle is too cumbersome. Saying a pistol caliber is enough and a .308 is not in general is very stupid but I can't say I've ever heard anyone say that.

Best explanation why predator hunting makes sense ever. Applies also for Germany, where the general public does not understand why predetor hunting is a good thing for nature. Thank you for the video.

Alot of people don't know that the rifles that homesteaded Alaska and have killed more Grizzly than any others are the Enfield in 303 Brit, the Krag in 30-40 and the 03A3 in '06. The rifles and cartridges may still hold the record so a modern .308 technically can take even the largest Browns.

@jaydunbar7538

2 жыл бұрын

308 will easily kill anything on the continent, wouldn’t be my choice for an expensive hunt traveling across the country but if elk or grizzly were local id have no issue using it. If I’ve got 10 grand into the hunt I’ll be bringing a bigger rifle just for the increased range to maximize the chance of filling that expensive tag.

@fnkdtnk

Жыл бұрын

The problem is people think they need the same, super tough, super deep penetrating bullets that are used on other “dangerous game”. So grandpappy shoots a bear with a 30-06 loaded with a bullet designed for buffalo, gets poor results, and blames the 30-06 instead of the bullet. Tells his son horror stories about using 30-06 on bears, so his son takes a 300 win mag loaded with the same, overly hard dg bullet, gets poor results, and now here we are, a generation of people thinking bears require copper solids being pushed by Weatherby magnums, and anyone using .308 is nuts. Truth is, .308 with a nosler partition, or a winchester ballistic silver tip will pulverize a bears vital organs.

@RonSpomerOutdoors

Жыл бұрын

@@fnkdtnk My AK interior griz fell to two 180-gr. Barnes TSX bullets. The first penetrated the heart and off ran the bear. The second hit the spine and killed him instantly. I found that one in the snowbank beyond the bear. Slug weighed 180-grains. Cartridge was Bordens 300 Caribou, an improved 300 Win Mag.

@tonycollinsworth7393

Жыл бұрын

Yes and there’s some Indians that’s crawled into the den and shot them on the 22 pistol I don’t care too and as far as 308 I consider the bear has to eat too so get after it

@sman3569

Жыл бұрын

@@jaydunbar7538 keep in mind I mean the .308 for DEFENSE against a sudden grizzly attack. In semi auto rifle. For a hunt certainly I would use a heavier caliber in a bolt action, as long as I am not alone, and am accompanied by at least 1 more adequately armed person whom I trust. I say "trust" because rangers report that in most instances when there is a party of only 2 and 1 gets attacked by a grizz, the other person RUNS AWAY ! Surprising, but in most cases, that's what happens !

Here in Sweden we shoot big brown bears with 308 Win. No problem with for example with Norma 180 grains Oyrx or Alaska. Also with 30-06 and 6,5x55.

@georgemcarthur488

Жыл бұрын

My first rifle was a Carl Gustav sporterized carbine 96 Mauser. I took it's penetration capabilities for granted until I shot a few deer with a 30-06. 156 grain Norma round nose soft point (the old stuff with a cupronickel jacket) would shoot through any deer at any angle and deep into (sometimes through) the tree behind it.

@stevenbodum3405

Жыл бұрын

yes, everthing between 6,5x55 and 9,3x62 is more or less good. i would prefer 8x57is

Ron, you are spot on with prey predator relationships.

Speaking for the Norwegians here. We often use even a 308 win for small birds such as ptarmigan, full metal jacket so we dont ruin the meat, and it works great. I am hunting birds with both 308win fmj and 223rem fmj. I do switch to a .22lr for the ptarmigans however, but that is for precision reasons, and follow up shots is easier. For larger game birds the minimum caliber we are allowed to use is a .22WMR, so the 22lr is mainly for the smallest birds and game here. The law specificly says that with a 22lr you are allowed to hunt species up to the size of a hare, but not hare. anything bigger needs more velocity from a bullet that is .22 or bigger. The aiming point you mention for the birds are spot on! FMJ is the key her to not obliterate the bird. The capercaille has a white spot that almost works as a target to aim for (but only directly from the side)

You are spot on Ron. It’s up to us to be good stewards of the land and animals.

bullet placement is EVERYTHING

That's what we used in the Navy in the 1980s for polar bear defence. M-14 w m80

Say what you will. 308win and 338win are probably some of the best cartridges for game in the north. If i had to recommend any cartridges it would be those 2. But if only 1 it would be 308.

@horse.395

Ай бұрын

Oh yes you quite right.😊

@horse.395

Ай бұрын

Humans screw up everything.

@Scroooge

Ай бұрын

+ .308 is ubiquitous, never have to wrry about runnig out on ammo

Thank you Ron for another informative Q&A. Best wishes for a great week.

I used a 338 win mag with 225 grain tsx bullets to take my brown bear on the Alaska Peninsula. 9'3" bear.

@georgemcarthur488

Жыл бұрын

Can't beat the TSX

PO Ackley Book is the world's best book to this day explaining case powder capacity as related to velocity performance and bore size. I read the covers off this book literally. I have to remind myself that bigger is not always better when it comes to cartridge case capacity and refer to PO Ackley oftentimes.

325 WSM for bears, compact rifle firing a powerful cartridge.

After seeing my test results from 308 and 30-06 with a 168 grain TSX, I can't imagine anything could survive it. That being said, I hunt whitetails in Michigan 😆. A few of the guys if talked to that have hunted Alaska say that the 300WSM with either a nosler partition in 180gr+ or Barnes TSX in 180gr is the bread and butter up there. I definitely agree with the choice of 338 win mag for and overall rifle. Abundance of ammo for it there.

Well he seemed confident hunting in grizz woods when he hunted all his other game why change now? A 308 with a good penetrating bullett under 300yds will do the job, if he puts it in the right spot.

@christopherrowley7506

2 жыл бұрын

Well sounds like he's going on a destination hunt to an area with a high density of large coastal brown bears. And him saying he's used to hunting caribou and sheep I'm guessing he's more used to hunting the interior with lower numbers of the smaller inland grizzlies. Up until the 1970s coastal brown bears and inland grizzlies were considered separate species because of the difference in size and behavior, and still today many alaskans distinguish between 'brown bear' and 'grizzly'. My guess is he's intimidated by the reputation of the coastal browns, and that isn't unwise

@MrJtin69

2 жыл бұрын

@@christopherrowley7506 better have to much power and not need it than to need it and not have it tis why i use 338-378weatherby or 378 weatherby 🙂

@jk-kr8jt

2 жыл бұрын

Longtrailside, how dare you apply logic and reason on the internet?!?! Everybody knows that a big brown bear can only be taken with a 50 BMG (minimum), better with a 30mm cannon. Actually it sounds like he has opinions. As good as a 308 can be, if he has bigger, that he is comfortable with, why not give it a whirl. A 180gr or 200gr bullet in a 308 will do a browny, under ideal conditions. But what about under less than ideal conditions? Have a great day and please stop using common sense, logic and reason. 🙂🙂

@Longtrailside

2 жыл бұрын

@@jk-kr8jt There used to be an oooooold youtube video of a hunter with 3 friends hunting 1 guy filming brown bear in alaska. One took a shot at a grizz from a good distance. The bear immediately started to charge at the hunters full bore. They all opened fired at the bear and hit the bear multiple times over and over again, reloading with large caliber rifles. The bear finally collapsed feet from where the hunters stood. That video taught me 2 serious lessons. Shot placement for a charging bear is the brain or upper spine to stop a charging bear. And the second lesson is magnum calibers dont mean shit to a pissed off charging grizzly, unless you packing a full auto 50bmg. Ive seen videos of them killed with simple recurve bows, 308, 300wm, 375 hh, ect, practically dropped on the spot. They are not hard to kill generally, buuuuut if its a bear with a will to live or a pissed off bear that wants to fight, and you shoot it. Juat be prepared for it to fight back. Seen similair with black bear also, but nothing ever like ive seen in that video! It was unreal...!

@bobgordon1754

Жыл бұрын

It would be best to hold the range to under 100 yds for both bullet placement and retained energy. Most guides don't like hunters taking long shots on dangerous game.

Ron has the absolute most polite and respectful burns of all time. From now on, he should be referred to as The Legend.

I have no experience myself but here in Finland popular cartridges for all kinds of rifle bird hunting are 222, 223, 243, 6,5x55, 6,5 creedmoor and 308, but i have even heard of guys shooting black grouse with 9,3x62. With a fmj bullet it seems to make no difference what cartridge you use. Also 22lr is legally too small for black grouse here, the minimum seems to be 22magnum or 22hornet depending on the load.

@sherlockbonez

Жыл бұрын

I shot a ruffed grouse with a 375 hh once. Took its head off and no meat damage.

@hinkrakagaming5532

Жыл бұрын

Chiming in as a Swede here, it's allowed to hunt Ptarmigans and Hazel Grouse, however Black Grouse and Capercaille is considered needing more performance. So that's the 22 Hornady, 22WM and up. And just like you say Eero, it's very much a wide variety what caliber is used. Expanding bullets are not required, and often not wanted, because of the meat-destroying effect. What is popular around here is late early winter and throughout parts of winter is skiing through the woods, seeing Capercaille or Black Grouse perching on top of pine and fir trees, trying to get close enough for a shot, but shots are often taken from 200m+, so 22lr or 22wm wouldn't be my choice of calibre any way.

From England. Wow! This presenter is the ultimate communicator.

Wouldn’t think twice about .308 for bear.. I had zero issue killing elk with .308 at 400 yards. Taken moose with .270 as well.

@jaydunbar7538

2 жыл бұрын

I think people worry to much about having a big rifle, personally I prefer a bigger cartridge for expensive hunts I’m traveling for but if it’s a local hunt and you can wait for a good shot then it’s just not an issue.

When I lived in Montana, I elk hunted in grizzly country. Always with a 338. Never had a problem, but I was prepared none the less. I did take a brown bear 10’6”. Probably a thousand pounds. 338 was enough gun. I would have felt better with a 375.

From somebody that grew up on the Alaska Peninsula with lots of brown bears. I have no problem with carrying a .308 as a defensive weapon for a brown bear. If I was specifically hunting them I wouldn’t plan to go less than .338 caliber rifle. (There are exceptions)

@dangerousfreedom4965

Жыл бұрын

I’ve heard of some people carrying A.R. 15‘s with green tips for defense from large animals?

@connorl.2170

Жыл бұрын

@@dangerousfreedom4965 for defense only you can put down a brown bear with it due to sheer number of bullets on target. With a 30 round standard capacity magazine with 556 the rifle will penetrate a brown bear, but it won’t put it down in 1 or 2 shots, which would be preferred if hunting, as less bullets means less wasted meat and a better skin, and a more clean kill overall. Purely for defense it will do the job but isn’t the best for hunting AR-15 vs AR-10 for defense id choose the ar-10 though, because it has all the same benefits as an ar-15 (semi auto and larger ammunition capacity than a bolt action) but with the larger caliber. 20 rounds of 7.62 nato will kill most all large game in North America

@paraglidingnut26

Жыл бұрын

@@connorl.2170 Be sure that ar10 platform is reliable. Have seen my share of ar10's in action shooting events having reloading issues. My Vepr .308 in an AK platform hasn't been as accurate at distance compared to ar10's, but it's always been reliable.

Excellent forearm veins, Ron. A medics dream!

Ron, I really enjoy these Q&A videos. I play a bit of a game with them. I listen to the question, hit pause and answer it myself. Then I hit play (or whatever it's call on these darn smartphones) and listen to your answer. You're from South Dakota (originally) and I'm from Illinois, but I swear we must be related. Keep 'em coming. I think, could be wrong, the twisted tubular magazine you're thinking of is the old Remington pump. Might be the model 14. It was the home of the 25, 30, 32 and 35 Remington line of cartridges. Sadly only the 35 Rem soldiers on in the Marlin levers. There may have been other twist tubular magazine rifles, but that the one that came to mind first. Please let us know how you like the 270 gr in your 375. I like the 375 and never had a problem with 300 gr pills. That served me fell and has accounted for hundreds of animals. Just my experience. A couple of years ago I did use a friend's 375 with 270 gr cor-loktd Remington ammo to take several elands, kudus, zebras and giraffes, those old cup and core preformed fine. All the best to you Ron. Cheers, Jeff.

When I lived in Alaska my choices were 35 Whelen 338 win and 45-70. When out fishing it was a 12ga pump

@danhiggins5393

2 жыл бұрын

I carry a 12 gauge at work (land surveying) because a rifle seems to offend clients. Even with slugs a shotgun doesn’t measure up to a .308, especially a 10 shot “scout rifle”

@christopherrowley7506

2 жыл бұрын

@@danhiggins5393 depending on the exact load, a 3in slug has about 15-20% more energy at the muzzle than a 308

@christopherrowley7506

Жыл бұрын

@@briant7652 I don't know if we have enough statistics to definitely say that "rifles are typically better for large bears". I've only seen one study going over all historic bear attacks where firearms were used for self defense, and every bear that was hit by any bullet at all stopped its attack. The most common used was 9mm. Now I wouldn't trust a 9mm personally. My point is the data set is small so it's definitely a debatable topic. I'm sure 308 does well, and probably has a lot better penetration. 20% more energy in a slug can't be a negative though, and you're less likely to get a pass through (so all of that energy is dumped in target). I think the reasoning goes both ways

@christopherrowley7506

Жыл бұрын

@@briant7652 you didn't engage with what I said at all. I, like the guide, also suspect rifles penetrate better. But then the other reasoning is that if you get a pass through, and you didn't hit a vital organ, then that icepick wound cavity may be useless. Even a bear shot through the lungs or heart would still have enough time to close distance before expiring. The 12ga slug would be unlikely to have that problem. But then what I was saying before: this is all academic because we don't have enough information. And the main study we do have suggests it doesn't really matter what you use, as long as you are able to get shots on target.

@TerryLee04950

Жыл бұрын

The best advice I was told years ago. When it comes to bears. and no matter what you have. Keep shooting until it goes down. I have seen a bear outrun a squirrel, and the squirrel had a ten yard head start. Also witnessed a good friend of mine get mauled, so I have a lot of respect for bears.

For capercaillie I'd advise for using a 22 Hornet or WM or a 17 HMR. If one uses a too fast and powerful caliber the exit hole is a real challenge for any taxidermist. Same goes for bullets that fracture into small parts. Old hunters sometimes used FMJ .222Win, though that needs a very accurate shot, as it will punch a straight hole without expansion, which risks long searches for the shot animal.

@mattdg1981

Жыл бұрын

This comment put a smile on my face. I almost forgot about the old 222. Good stuff man god bless.

@sepehr8711

Жыл бұрын

my friend in Finland use 6.5x55 with 140gr fmj bullet and achive good result on capercallie.

Regarding coyotes its important to point out that they were not trully a wood species. The woods were the domain of the wolves(well all the american continent to be fair) and the coyotes remained in the savanas, the plains, etc. But now that we have devasted wolves population AND we cut down most forests to live there or to farm the land, we have artificially created the perfect habitat for coyotes. They also use our forest roads system here in Quebec to travel great distance and find new farm fields to live nearby. They have really benefited presence.

@newerest1

Жыл бұрын

Good information man

@dabisnit

Жыл бұрын

The best way to reduce coyote (aka Prairie Wolf) numbers is by introducing wolves

@eliinthewolverinestate6729

Жыл бұрын

We have wolf/coyote mixes. The 75/25 are long legged wolves western great lakes making them bigger. The 60/40 wolves of eastern great lakes have a lot of coyote looks to them. More red in the fur.

@tigerstallion

Жыл бұрын

nobody ever did a genetic test on an pre-colonial Eastern red wolf. Canines have been in the Americas, from FL to AK including the forest, throughout all of recorded history, except for places where theyve been eradicated by man.

In Germany they liked the 22 hornet and 222 and Remington did the twist magazine in the 141. I was going to say, you dont need antimony in black powder and a lot of guys are going to powder coating. A mixture Tin and lead makes good bullets for low velocity, like black powder and hand guns.

27:04 With as much as you know, still happy to admit where your knowledge/experience stops. I assume that's why you still have the respect of the community all these decades later. Keep up the good work, Ron!

22 Hornet is a great oldy. Takes over from the 22RF and is still quiet. Cheers

Close range/brush, the .45-70 cures all ails. Not too fancy, not too sophisticated, but by golly she gets it done.

@blueduck9409

Жыл бұрын

Even a 500 grain lead bullet with 70 grains of black powder will blow a hole straight thru the biggest North American buffalo. It will do the same on the biggest bears.

@brucepk631

Жыл бұрын

OR... get a 450bushy in an AR15 and have fancy AND sophisticated all at the same time along with 45-70 like ballistics...

@whiplash8277

Жыл бұрын

@@brucepk631 I indeed have that very setup...also have a .458 SOCOM upper as well, but the .450 and .458 are very similar in ballistics and the SOCOM ammo is damned hard to find.

@JuliaBerezkin

24 күн бұрын

​@@blueduck9409I'mjkj h fdui

Great commentary. I just picked up the P.O Ackley book. Although somewhat outdated. Its a very interesting read.

I do not care about anyone elses advice. Ron Spomer is the advisor to go with!!!

The 17 Rem is sometimes overlooked. I would try that for grouse. Ammo might be rather hard to come by. Fun round and packs a lot of punch and the rifles I have shot have been really accurate.

@parsoncolt

2 жыл бұрын

Love your thunderbird. Wore that on my shoulder in the 70s.

This was one fun video. I was really impressed with your bird imitation.. wow that was so real I ran and got my gun!!!,very informative Thanks again from N.E. Utah.

I love your videos. I have learned a lot.

There are coyotes in my neighborhood in town, just south of Tampa. I can hear them at night. I've seen a dead one on the side of the road near the main drag during rush hour. My inkaws have seen them on the luxury/Beach islands that are often akin to tourism resorts.

For the birds use a 308win with lapua 123gr fmj. Smal hole in and out. No meat damage and they die fast. And aim at the white spot

@danbowen5106

Жыл бұрын

How far out are the birds usually?

@aigabaljo

Жыл бұрын

@@danbowen5106They sit in trees that have a good overview on open areas in the morning. You can get to about 300m before they fly away if they see you.

Wool and polypropylene are a great combination. Wool insulates even when wet.

@ulflyng

Жыл бұрын

Nylons starts stinking heavily after just a day.

Lead styphnate is also used for primers. Old potassium chlorate is no longer used because they were corrosive.

It may not be the most affordable way, but a 45-70 is the sexiest way to take a bear just saying

@blueduck9409

Жыл бұрын

The 45-70 govt is one effective way to take down even the biggest bear inside 150 yards. The 500 grain bullet from buffalo bore is devestating.

Hi. Top bird hunting with a rifle has been successful in Sweden with a fully jacketed 6.5 round nose. Good precision and adequate knock down with a round nose. Since one needs a light weapon after long ski trips after birds, single shot rifles 22 Hornet or 5.6x52 have been popular.

@hinkrakagaming5532

Жыл бұрын

Adding in here that the shots are often taken from distances of 100m+, often 200m+, so 22lr or 22wm would neither be feasible nor 22lr allowed. At least in Sweden

All hail!! The one true ammo God, our Lord Ron. Top bloke. Fact.

I went to Alaska on a guided hunt with my cousin's guide company, they used 12ga shotguns. I went out 20 years later they used 12 gauge shotguns and 308, a few used 30-06 or 338 federal.

@Vikingocazar

11 ай бұрын

12 gauge is so underrated. A slug hits like a dump truck…

@troy9477

27 күн бұрын

338 Federal needs much more use

I hunted turkey for years and use a 22mag fmj reliably inside of 75 yards and shot inside 100 without losing one. No meat damage and accurate enough for a head shot if you wanted to.

@airbornesoldieramerica7125

Жыл бұрын

In my state by law we are only allowed to use a shotgun or crossbow or bow or muzzleloader for turkey.

Good call on that 22Hornet suggestion. A friend of mine uses that for Turkey.

Another option for a powerful load (im not reccomending to anyone for dangerous game its just an observation of mine) without going to something huge is a 300 win mag with 220gr woodleigh weldcore RN bullet. Plus there is a 300 win mag in almost any rifle type. The recoil is still stout, but less than real big loads

For black grouse and capercaillie I’ve used .22 WMR, 6.5 Creedmoor, .308 and .30-06. Here in Finland also .222, .22-250, .223 are also often used. Usually the birds are shot from tree tops. As they can spot the hunter far away, shooting distances are often 150-250 meters. Therefore flat shooting rifle and high bc bullets help. Bullet should be fmj if you want some meat to cook after succesful shot.

@lassevatto7164

2 жыл бұрын

Finnish hunters hunt big birds. We mostly use calibers/cartridges that are common here and easy to get. Ron Spomer once called me pragmatic and that is a good word to describe many hunters in Finland. Years and years .308 has been the cartridge to go to. It can handle everything from birds to bears, it has a huge variety of factory ammunition and prices are also reasonable(our market is not huge). In the old days many hunters had only one rifle so it had to fit most(all) game you wanted to hunt. I don´t think that hunting and gun culture differs too much in Nordic countries. I think it is good to think about what kind of rifles are you going to get in future. Are you going for only one rifle to do it all or are you going to get many for different game.

@Wildwestwrangler

Жыл бұрын

​@@lassevatto7164are there a lot of grizzly in Finland? Do you have black bears?

@lassevatto7164

Жыл бұрын

@SuperCamper , hello, we don't have grizzly bears here, but brown brears we have. It is almost the same. Population size is different from place to place, but there are enough that population must be controlled by hunting. We don't have black bears in Northern Europe.

308 works just fine for bear. 22lr is about all i use for any small game. I dont think i would have ever considered using a center-fire cartridge for bird hunting. But if it works go for it! Its pretty cool hearing from people from all around the world! 👍

Your videos are wholesome and informative. I'd love to see you do a field video with Paul Harrell. Your videos and humor are similar and would have a large over lap of interested viewers

I love my Ruger#1 in 375 ruger, I shoot hornady 300 grain DGX.

Given the right distance and shot placement, a 308 winchester will kill just about anything in North America! It's my favorite round of all time, as I find it personally more versatile where I live then any other caliber. And I only like it slightly more than the 30-06 because of its more mild recoil! But overall, if I was hunting a Grizzly Bear, I'm taking something like a 30-06 or bigger!

@victoryengineer

Жыл бұрын

.308 WILL kill anything in North America with ease.

@Wildwestwrangler

Жыл бұрын

Maybe a 30-06 Ackley improved?

@BaconSlayer69

Жыл бұрын

.308 is fine for grizzly just use a 180 gr cartridge

@Wildwestwrangler

Жыл бұрын

@@BaconSlayer69 nosler partitions handloaded to at least 2600fps in your 308!!!

@BaconSlayer69

Жыл бұрын

@@Wildwestwrangler I don’t care you replied too late

Great show Ron 👍👍👍👍👍👍

I think the first two say about what I was thinking. Not my 1st choice for big ones but I'd feel pretty good about having a .308 if I ran into one unexpectedly. Anything much smaller and you might want to shoot to miss.

@jk-kr8jt

2 жыл бұрын

Dead is dead. Never shoot to miss. 223 to 500 A-square are all better than getting chewed on.

@Tensioner

2 жыл бұрын

@@jk-kr8jt If your about to get chewed on sure, if it's pretty calm you can sometimes scare them away by shooting. But do what you want of course. shrugs

@thestcroixkid

Жыл бұрын

@@jk-kr8jt WORD!

@sman3569

Жыл бұрын

Well if a brown bear is charging you at close range, you better have that .308 in a semi-auto and try to get at least 2 or 3 hits, or you will face the unpleasant experience of being EATEN ALIVE.

@Tensioner

Жыл бұрын

@@sman3569 Lol, I'll keep it in mind.

Rather than the Marlin express you can just get a Savage 99 in 308, 300 Savage, or 7mm-08. Rotary magazine, but still an excellent and superbly accurate rifle.

@mattdg1981

Жыл бұрын

Yeah sure. Theres a lot of savage 99's laying around. I'll just go pick one up at my LGS. In my 44 years on this planet I have only seen 2. Good luck.

@vinceblasco

Жыл бұрын

@@mattdg1981 I guess I’ve been fortunate? I encounter them regularly in TX. They made well over 1M of them.

@tims.5995

Жыл бұрын

I never saw a Savage 99 in 7-08 ?

@vinceblasco

Жыл бұрын

@@tims.5995 They didn’t make that many and they’re kind of expensive when you find them. The .300 Savage and 308 Winchester were way more common. But they also made them in 243, 30-30, and 7mm-08 and others.

@robertvasquez240

Жыл бұрын

The Savage 99C model in .308 WIN uses a detachable box magazine--carry an extra one when hunting just in case!

Oh please, use a 35 Whelen, a medium caliber size. It simply works !!!!!!

The spiral magazines were on Remington pump rifles before they transitioned to the box style.

The conservation information is excellent. I realized some of my assumptions were wrong

Just ordered my first TAG shirt. Thank you for the sugestion.

Black Grouse full metall jacket 6,5x55 is standard. 22magnum is the minimum legal cartridge in Sweden for tjäder and orre ;)

I had a .308 Marlin Express lever action in a 336 action. It came out with the .308 FTX bullet and still does. I sold it many years ago but I still see ammo on the shelves.

@HobbitHomes263

Жыл бұрын

307?

@larrysayers1377

Жыл бұрын

@@HobbitHomes263 the 307 came out in 1982 and the 308 Marlin Express came out in 2007 when Hornady developed that LEVERevolution ammo with the Flextip bullet to try and duplicate the 308 Winchester.

The 308 Marlin Express is loaded with a 160gr FTX (flex-tip) bullet that is constructed to not open as quickly as the same weight bullet used in 30/30 ammo of the same type. The problem is the case is truly unique, being loosely based on the 220 Swift. To further confuse the issue, the 338 Marlin Express is built on yet another case, the 376 Steyr, so despite the very similar naming of these two cartridges, their cases are not at all the same.

love the idea of running into Ron at Costco!

.308 gets alot of hate with the right bullet I wouldn't feel under gunned bullet like barens ttsx or prolly even a good bonded soft point Ron and his love for the .308 lol just kidding good videos Ron love watching

@DinoNucci

2 жыл бұрын

Correct

@dr.froghopper6711

2 жыл бұрын

And Nosler Partitions or Swift A Frame. They go deep!

@justinlloyd9342

2 жыл бұрын

I’m not saying it’s the best but Iike what was said before with the right bullet and a good accurate shot I think the 308 would kill anything. Ive heard stories about elephant poachers using far smaller rounds to down them for they’ve ivory so yeah I’d shoot a grizzly with a 308

Please let us know how your .375 H&H with the HammerHunter performs. Thanks Ron!

I crank out my reloads with a few proven recipes. They have generally the same characteristics. They shoot around 1 MOA, deliver good velocities and I use good bullets.

@HFSIR

2 жыл бұрын

What bullets do you use? I’m just starting to look into reloading and trying to get everything in line before I put my orders in. Any recommendations?

First and only bear I've shot was a 400# black bear with a 308 win. 180 grain, thru 1 shoulder, lung, heart, lung, broke other shoulder. It moved 5 yards only because it was on a slope and rolled.

Where I live, the big plummet in small game populations was from the federal rapier protection act. By the 80s small game (all species) was so much more scarce than when I was a youngster. See a Nothern Harrier and find a pile of pheasant feathers. See a Red-tailed hawk find jack rabbit fur. Two Great Horned owls completely wiped out my favorite cotton tail spot. The ground under where they roosted was littered with rabbit bones. Take it or leave it, my opinion.

@bobgordon1754

Жыл бұрын

I live in Alabama and as a young hunter I could just take off walking with my.410 and kill all kinds of rabbits, quail, woodcocks,squirrels and other game. When the hawk and owl population went up to the small game population went down. Those that survive today are wild as a bat. They are literally hunted 24/7 by something.

@kellywalker8407

Жыл бұрын

@@bobgordon1754 Years ago, counties actually had a bounty on Golden eagles. I think it was .50 cents. During the depression that was real money. In more modern times, I had a rancher friend who ran sheep. Golden eagles can literally grab a small lamb and fly off. He called an old veteran game warden about the problem. The game warden said to pepper the eagle with a shotgun. My friend asked, "but what if I accidentally kill it? He shrugged and said "I don't want to hear about it". That is called Wyoming predator control, and it's not a myth.

@altonguis8870

Жыл бұрын

@@kellywalker8407 Truer words....

Great video Ron.

For the Alaska question, the 338 rpm just released would be an ideal option. 225 grain bullet, 20 inch barrel, 6 lb rifle

@joshh5853

Жыл бұрын

@Paul I agree, 338 win mag has been around and nobody can argue its effectiveness. The advantage of the rpm only comes out if you’re after a lighter, compact package.

A point on us changing the habitat. In europe you can follow were the human population spread itself and built communities by looking for were nettles grow. Because we farmed it for fiber for fabric. It is processed the same way as linnen. And it grows in pretty rough soil.

The problem with Pronghorn in the Sonoran Desert in AZ was poaching and its devastating effects in addition to the impact of the regular predator population. The problem in CA with cougars was that about 40 years ago, Fish & Game failed to file an environmental impact report by the deadline and a conservation group was successful in getting cougars placed on the endangered species list. That really screwed things up. It wasn't until people were being attacked on a regular basis in CA that cougars were taken off the list. Then there are extraordinary wildfires due to improper land management.

@paraglidingnut26

Жыл бұрын

Finally, someone with a brain. Mis- management in CA forests is the real reasom for their continued forest fires.

My suggestion for a rifle for an Elk and Brown bear on Afognak Island. Is the .35 Whelen loaded with good quality 225gr bullets like Nosler Partitions, Barnes TSX or Swift A frames.

@DinoNucci

2 жыл бұрын

No

@billfrederickfrederick2791

Жыл бұрын

How about a 338-06 ?

@jimdavis3273

Жыл бұрын

@@billfrederickfrederick2791 That's an excellent choice also.

I'm a Idaho resident and I use a 22lr or my 22mag most the time the Grouse are 10ft right off the trail but sometimes they're 25 to 30 yards but I try to stick with the head shots

The 17 HMR would work out well on grouse with head shot’s out to 150 maybe 200 yards.

I have a 325 wsm and it’s a lever with a magazine. It works.

I think you are right on point. I live in Texas and I can see the change in wildlife habitats being taken away by people. So our entire ecosystem is really being turn over its head. We have to strike a balance some time soon before we loose it all.

Ron, I did 8 hunting trips to Africa between 1995- 2013. Started with all copper Barnes x, then later Barnes Triple Shock. Also used Trophy Bonded on one hunt. You can't go wrong with the Barnes or the Trophy Bonded- always either pass through or very deep penetration. Looking forward to see how you do with the Hammerhead. Good luck in Africa!

In Maine we can hunt partridge with rifles. Usually get one with a 22 rimfire or AR every year. Lots of meat damage. Best gun for meat hunting on grouse is a 410 TC Encore pistol 3 inch 7.5 lead. Aim for the head. Shoot them at close range. Fun birds to hunt.

In Sweden it is generally like this. (With a 1000 exceptions of course) If your hunting forest grouse with a dog. The 22 wmr is popular (but not exclusive) If your hunting it with skis on your feet the 6.5x55 or 308 is very common. But you often bring your most accurate rifle for this job. The ranges can be long. That big bird shrinks at 250 meters 😅

I grew up on kodiak island alaska,my dad opened the airport in 1967,park muncy was the #1 guide for hunters out of state,my dad hunted with him and got kodiak brown bears,elk,deer etc,but we always had airplanes so went to the mainland for moose ,mountain goat and reindeer,I used a 30-06 while dad prefer his 7mm.At 10 that 30-06 kicked my butt lol.Shot alot of deer with 30-30 mostly,even got stationed on Kodiak 2 times in the Coast Guard,havent been back since 1990,great hunting.

I was a 308 detractor for a long time but to be honest it still is a pretty effective cartrige, i still think sniper system should have better range cartrige like .338lap and have 308 for battle rifles or dmr

@GeorgiaBoy1961

Жыл бұрын

With the benefit of 20-20 hindsight, it is easy to lapse into criticism of the .308/7.62x51mm NATO cartridge as the choice for military for an alliance like NATO. There are more-efficient choices available, such as cartridges which fire projectiles in the 6.5-7mm (.264-.284-cal.) range. However, if you look at the major powers and what they have used to arm their fighting men since the turn of the 20th century, they have consistently selected cartridges in the .30-.32 caliber range. The British Empire relied upon the .303 for years, which is classed in the .31-caliber range. Germany relied upon 8mm Mauser (7.92x57), which classes in the .32-caliber range. Japan started WWII using 6.5x50, which is a .264-caliber cartridge, but switched midway to 7.7mm, which is of .31-caliber. Italy started and finished with 6.5mm Carcano. France used the 7.5x54mm, which is a .30-caliber & the Swiss used 7.5x55, also a .30-caliber chambering. Russia's 7.62x54R, which is still used today more than 120 years after its introduction, is also in the .30-.31-caliber range. Some smaller nations had more-unique and offbeat choices, such as Sweden using the 6.5x55, but in the main, thirty caliber cartridges were chosen. Many militaries liked the aerodynamic efficiency and modest recoil of 6.5-7mm projectiles when fired from rifles, but preferred heavier projectiles for use in automatic weapons, such as medium and general-purpose machine guns, since the heavier .30-.32-caliber bullets retained momentum better at longer ranges and thereby had better terminal performance. For snipers, until maybe thirty years ago, any shot past a thousand yards was considered quite long, and since most snipers and designated marksmen took their shots inside 800 yards (or meters, as the case may be) the majority of the time, there really wasn't much of a sense of urgency about adopting something more efficient. The .308 may not be the "best" performer inside that range, but it was/is a good one, which was apparently enough for their uses. It is an excellent general-purpose cartridge, which is one reason it has remained in use for nearly seventy years since its introduction in the 1950s. Remember, too, that the senior officers making the choices of cartridges for the NATO alliance at the time, such as the now i(n)famous Colonel Rene Studler, U.S. Army Ordnance Dept., were men born in the late 19th century and who came of age during the era of WWI. A period of time in which thirty-caliber cartridges were the king of the hill.

The .30 cal is great, but only as good as the next bullet!

Ron: I heard you talking about using a 375HH. In the early 70's I was introduced to the 375 by a guy at elk hunting. He moved down from Alaska to Wyoming . I happened to notice some BIG cartridges in his ammo belt and inquired about them, he said they were 375 H&H. I got the bug and had to have one of the big guys. Over the years I killed many Elk Moose and a yellowstone buffalo . Early on I started loading with H4894 and using Speer 235 gr bullets . All were 1 shot kills except a moose which took 2 shots because of misplacement on my part. I don't know what you are after in Africa but you may want to give Speer 235 gr.hot core a try. I recovered mostof the bullets and they mushroomed very well and never came apart and had very good velocity. I enjoy your shows keep up the good work.

Removing individual coyotes in an area, usually shakes up the territory and social structure, allowing more mating pairs to connect and have litters who would not normally have the ability or opportunity. So if you remove a few, you often get multiple litters that follow across more areas, rather than the one or two that are naturally happening.

Its well known that predator-prey populations are cyclical with a lag time where predator antecedes prey. Fox pop up, goes to low rabbit pop. Low rabbit pop starves out the foxes. Low fox pop leads to high rabbit pop. And so it repeats. For the Grouse and Capercaillie, 22LR or 22Mag has been used. The birds are easy to stalk and so range is not an issue. They have enough weight to stop them flying but not too much velocity to ruin meat, so body shots are the norm.

I think that copper solids really enhance the effectiveness of the .308

Yes, I will be trying my 380 soon

I found star line brass for my 460xvr is pretty consistent in weight

for hunting or combat accuracy you can use different brass. you can weigh mixed brass & bullets to get good accuracy. the main thing is powder charges , slower powder & fast burn rates to barrel length& bullet weight.

also the ammo choice for me was 180 grain winchester soft points or core locks 180 and 220 none of those were hard enough but I think the aluminum tip 180s for elk we have now for 300 mags and bigger they had solid brass and copper but honestly cause of what the pipe line opporators said Nothing shy of a 50 cal is going to stop the realy big bears

Quail was plentiful here, rare to see them now

For elk and in grizz country use a 325 wsm or 338 lapua or if ya wanna reload hot loads 35 whelen is a beast i use 338-378 weatherby but i know not everyone has the $for it

I’ve shot a couple large snowshare hares over the years with a .243. Thought with the small diameter bullet and only taking headshots would be ok… I was definitely wrong. Back legs were about all that was salvageable and you had to go find them 10 feet from where it was standing when you shot it!

@billythekid2281

Жыл бұрын

Use an FMJ then. My mate shot a rabbit at a distance of about 6-10 feet with a Lee Enfield 303 FMJ. It basically just had a pencil hole though it. I was sitting beside him when he did it. We ate that little fella for dinner over the fire.

i use 308 with Sako 8g FMJ for bird hunting. shooting distances can be surprising long, so you need some power if you gonna shoot for example 300 meters.

and also straight walled case and very very accurate

ruger m77 guide gun in 338 win mag would work great on bears. 9.3x62 would also work great.

Dr Sir, I rarely take reading advice. I am a lifelong hunter who began learning tracking at 4. My uncle was intent that I could follow an animal before I shoot at one. I read your recommendation for "A hunters wanderings in Africa" I am thankful for that recommendation. I am a chef by training. But, I am a student of ballistic science, field craft, and ultimately table options for wild game. I was raised on squirrel, rabbit, dove, duck, bear, raccoon, and venison. I appreciate what you do. And, would like to follow your thoughts.

Old wheel weights make good bullets , they are made from hardened lead , been using it a long time