Going on my first black bear hunt in October

[Daisy]

Sighted in my 375 Ruger today for bear hunt. Blaser r8 with 20” barrel and Steiner h6xi 2-12.

Using 275gr CEB Raptor I chrono’d today at 2686.

Middle first, then left, then right.

 

[Green Chile]

Excellent. Now you can break both shoulders and get an exit on a nice bear. What distance is it sighted for? This is baited or spot and stalk?

 

[Daisy]

Baited. Turns out my 50 and 100 yard zero are almost exactly the same.

 

[Hunt anything]

I’m actually on a ranch in Northern California on a bear/deer hunt right now.

Saw a very small bear close up and a very big one very far away so far.

I brought my .375 Ruger and used it to drop this nice 4x3 blacktail buck deer yesterday, the copper Hornady bullet obviously passed right thru, lol.

I did that hunt with an old friend back in the late 80’s. Great hunt.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

If you want the hide for a rug, that rifle/bullet combination may be a bit much. Yes, an exit wound is desirable but not a hole the size of a bushel basket. Hard for taxidermist to fix. A bullet that size doesn't need to explode to be effective on black bear. Hunting over bait it should be easy enough to place a more modest bullet in a lethal location.

 

[Daisy]

If you want the hide for a rug, that rifle/bullet combination may be a bit much. Yes, an exit wound is desirable but not a hole the size of a bushel basket. Hard for taxidermist to fix. A bullet that size doesn't need to explode to be effective on black bear. Hunting over bait it should be easy enough to place a more modest bullet in a lethal location.

I agree with you. It’s not needed. But I have it and just want to use it!

 

[Green Chile]

The 375 will be fine and you will get an exit. I've seen more bears lost the last 2 years to clients that didn't get exits. If you want less damage, shoot behind the shoulders and halfway on vertical for double lung.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

I agree with you. It’s not needed. But I have it and just want to use it!

I hunted elk last year with the 404 I built in 2023 because I still had not had a chance to shoot anything with it. Not a great choice for an elk gun but no matter if it didn't pan out. I'm an empty nester who doesn't need that much meat and I've shot a lot of elk over the years.

However, you might want to reconsider the bullet design. I was shooting 400 gr Barnes at 2200 fps. Far from explosive. Even if no pass through, no worries about a big slug like that not having enough killing power to take out a big elk (reasonably close range). Of course I wouldn't need to be too concerned about a wounded elk taking me out in a followup situation (though one nearly did in 1984). You will be shooting relatively close over bait so you won't need a lot of velocity. Even if the big 375 slug stays relatively intact after impact, the exit wound will still be substantial. And black bear is good eating. Why waste the meat? Some things to think about anyway.

 

[Throwback]

Going in western NC. I’m gonna use my 375ruger with 275gr raptor. I know that’s more gun than needed. But I have the cartridge and haven’t used it on game yet.

Anyone else done a black bear hunt?

Went on my first one this June. 375Ruger is plenty and I think a great choice. You will have fun, be patient. Cheers

Post in thread 'USA: Black Bear At The Flying B Ranch - Idaho'

Aug 24, 2025

Congratulations on both you and your son getting bears!

Can you share a few more details on the outfitter? Location? Where did you fly into? Thanks!

Yes sir. We flew into Spokane, WA. The outfitter picked us up and it was about a 3 hour drive to lodge but an easy, beautiful one. You can fly into a few different towns though, e.g. Lewiston, etc. Kamiah, ID is the nearest little town I think to where the lodge sits.

I definitely recommend it. I call this place a 5 star set up. The lodge, food, service, etc... It is high end. Our guide was very down to earth, practical and knew...

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