Les is correct with mentioning shot placement with a smaller caliber. All-around rifle here is an .06 or .308, mostly due to surplus ammo being pretty popular.

The 45-70 is *the* rifle to have in our type of woods, esp in the Interior. Taiga with willows and alder that you can't see much past 20 feet thru.

A grizz's heart beats like maybe 4x/minute, so unless you're taking a distance shot, you want to be able to bring your firearm to bear PD-friggin-Q.

A few years ago, a Haul Road driver stopped to stretch his legs and go check on a couple traps he set out. Got rushed from behind. Apparently the bear had killed a 'bou, and the kill site was nearby- wasn't there the last time he had stopped.

The only reason the guy was even able to get off a shot was because he was a Nam vet and had his .45 strapped on. So with that said, do yer range time.

The Marlin my friend picked up is pretty impressive. He went to military school as a kid, so I finally got to see him do some long range shots for the first time, as we were out in a clearing that he made to proof-up the property. Talk about a lever-jackin' fool. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/zombie.gif" alt="" /> He was making groups like Eddy mentioned. I think we stepped off about 700 ft for some distance shots. I can't remember the loads he got, other than to say that on the box it SPECIFICALLY mentions which model rifles that stuff can go thru- about 3 or 4 of them.

It's not like he's out hunting for bears- they came and kind of trounced on the door about 12 ft from where he and his wife sleep. If this stick gets pulled out, it's not for display; it's to STOP. Otherwise, he's a live-and-let-live kind of guy- just don't fool with him. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/shame.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />