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.

They aren’t tough, take what ever you want 223 77-80gr and 300blk make great fur friendly choices

I’d take the carbine and have fun

7x57 is fine.


Shame about the herniated disk, black bear, much like Elk, were made to be hunted with a bow.

Yeah, I really wanted to do it with a bow but not sure I'll be strong enough to put the practice in before the hunt.

JM stamped Marlin 1895 in .45-70

And you've got to wear moccasins and a leather coat with fringe. And be wearing bone handle Bowie knife.

I would definitely try to make it work. Prednisone may work.

One of the biggest rushes I've ever had. When you're within 20 yards of a big bear and stick it with an arrow, it changes you

I just tried to pull it back, with the poundage turned down and couldn't get it a 1/3 of the way back. May split the difference and take my crossbow.

My ortho gave me the below peptides after my last surgery, I was way ahead of schedule on recovery, they work very will with your rehab

Tb-500
Bcp-157

Have killed at least one bear pretty much every season for the last 45 years. Take whatever you want and/or able to pull back. Have killed them with vertical bow, xbow, 45/70, 308, 35 whelen, 243, 20 guage slug, 12 gauge slug - furthest any of them went was 30 yards and most were under 15 yards. Just take your time and stick it in the right place. If hunting a bait they either bust you right off the hop and no shot opportunity or if they don't bust you they will get comfortable eating and be there for a while. Once watched a boar at 22 yards for 1 hour and 20 minutes before he gave me the shot i wanted - don't rush - the shot you want will present at some point.

Mauser would be a cool gun. If the bow is not an option, maybe try a pistol? That could get you close up and be something a little more interesting than a rifle IMO

I killed my bear with a 42lb long bow . my wife took hers with a 300 hamr. I agree they aren't that hard to kill with proper shot placement

I have shot 3 black bear. Granted that is kind of a limited sample but I haven't found them any more difficult to put down than deer. The last one I took fell to a single 130 gr Barnes TTSX from a 308 Win at a little over 200 yards. He went straight down in a big furry pile. I used a 7x57 in Africa with 175 gr Hornaday spire points that belonged to a PH buddy of mine. It worked well on several plains game species and I see no reason why it would not work on black bear.