Reeder Custom Guns - Soon it will be black bear season.

John W
Soon it will be black bear season.
Monday, August 24, 2020, 16:38

My original plan was to hunt black bear with my Ruger SRH in 480 Ruger. But that has changed. The main reason is that I can shoot my Ruger Redhawk in 44 magnum far better.

A few years ago I had Gary rework the entire gun including a Gunfighter grip modification and Mongolian stag grips( I wanted it for show and bragging rights to my friends but I have found they are really nice to use in the real world).

The Redhawk just seems to "point" better. I have tried some different loads in the 480 and the basic facts are that the 44 Magnum Redhawk shoots better.

I have a nice 240 grain Speer Deep Curl bullet under a max load of Lil Gun that shoots exceptionally well and most of all I can put my shots into the vitals of a black bear or deer using a hunting rest like a shooting stick or off a pack.

Right now I have at least two places I can go for bear. One in the Berkshires were I figure based on the track and the size of the poop he is a big boy. The other two towns over from my home near my treestand where he is a good 200 lbs. Bear in mind( pardon the pun) the average New England black bear is 150 lbs.

Massachusetts black bear starts on tuesday September 8th ( yeah. Right after Labor Day) until September 26th with the revolver. Yes. I wanted to hunt with my TC Contender BUT the state of Massachusetts stipulates revolver only.( I just shake my head)

I was thinking of going up to New Hampshire for a couple of weekends as you can handgun hunt black bear from start to finish of their black bear season. Also I can use my TC Contender for black bear( as well as deer and moose with a permit) .

Tomorrow I will get a Sterno Stove by delivery. The plan is to use a can with scent syrup and "cook" it over a sterno stove in an area I scouted with a lot of bear sign.

Hopefully I will be able to drop the hammer on a nice black bear. I do love the meat as well as using the fat for various things.

Anyways. I will accept any advice or comment.

Soon it will be black bear season. - John W, 2020-08-24, 16:38
- I've had good luck with Foggy Mountain in ME - GregG, 2020-08-25, 09:44
  - Moose as well with Foggy Mountain (pics) - GregG, 2020-08-25, 09:52
- I’ve taken 3 - 2 in New Brunswick CN and one in Maine. I use - Drdougrx, 2020-08-25, 05:18
  - Oh mannnn....no need for “sterno “ (nm) - Drdougrx, 2020-08-25, 05:20
  - “Bait site” damn autocorrect (nm) - Drdougrx, 2020-08-25, 05:19
- I have been lucky enough to take several bears - gary reeder, 2020-08-24, 20:52
  - Gary, where did you get to hunt for those bear ? (nm) - Bucky, 2020-08-25, 18:14
  - I’ll take the guide with the Cowboy hat. (nm) - Andy S, 2020-08-25, 10:03
- Don't use Lil Gun in a revolver, that's my dos centavos. (nm) - Darryl T., 2020-08-24, 18:21
  - LilGun is likely the finest .41 Magnum propellent ever prod. - WB, 2020-08-24, 19:06
    - I absolutely will not use it in revolvers... - Huey, 2020-08-25, 03:01
      - Having no experience with Lil' Gun - Jim Taylor, 2020-08-25, 04:54
        Throat burn is a fact of life, no doubt... - Huey, 2020-08-25, 05:05
        I stick with my old favorites ... - Jim Taylor, 2020-08-25, 05:29
        KISS H-110/W-296. Why buy what you don't need. (nm) - Sid R, 2020-08-25, 07:39
        Oddly enough, w/cast 2400 can outperform H110 in .41! (nm) - WB, 2020-08-25, 10:16
        While not very scientific, my .41 has digested a bunch - WB, 2020-08-25, 06:30
        I forgot, I think it's the gun James borrowed at the YO - WB, 2020-08-25, 06:45
- Bucket list.... - Dave H., 2020-08-24, 17:33
  - Maine is one the best states - John W, 2020-08-24, 17:37
    - I used to hunt in Eustis Maine with Don Cote. Great guy,! (nm) - Andy S, 2020-08-24, 18:12
      - Bear in Maine and Alaska is definitely on my bucket list (nm) - Derek, 2020-08-25, 04:38