Whats a good lever action caliber for black bear?

[Kayscin]

I have a Winchester model 94 in 30/30. I am wondering if this is a big enough caliber to make an ethical killing shot on a black bear? Thanks for your input. Shoot straight and stay safe!!

[roy reali]

No its not. In fact, it might endanger you and innocent bystanders. The bullet bouncing off the bear could ricochet in an unknown direction. It could hit and possibly kill someone. To kill black bears you need a cartridge with at least three adjectives in its name. For example, super, duper, hyper magnum.

Stick to game no larger then chipmunks with a .30-30. Then make sure the range is short and you go for head shots to ensure humane kills.

Good Luck!

[mete]

Get a real gun -Marlin in 45-70 !

[stevelyn]

I have a Winchester model 94 in 30/30. I am wondering if this is a big enough caliber to make an ethical killing shot on a black bear? Thanks for your input. Shoot straight and stay safe!!

It's plenty for black bears.

[ChiefMuzz]

It's plenty, but I'm partial to calibers that start with 4's

[Scorch]

IIRC, the largest grizzly killed in the lower 48 was killed with a Winchester 1894 chambered for 25-35 (Old Mose). 30-30 has more energy and oomph. So, as long as you are not going after grizzly, you are fine with the 30-30.

[RichardWA]

I know a guy who has taken many bear with a 30-30, I prefer something larger, like my model 94 .44 mag

[Old Grump]

It was good enough for Grandpa so unless bears have gotten considerably tougher in the last 75 years I would say you are good to go. Just make sure you know where to shoot the bear and that your marksmanship is up to it.

My step father had to rescue a buddy of his who emptied 4 rounds of 300 Savage into a black bear and then went up a tree. The bear was going up after him when my step father shot it dead with a Stevens single shot 25-20. I still have that gun but rechambered for the WCF round and I only use it for ground squirrels. 30-30 was the gun of choice for my step father after that but he inherited the 300 Savage for deer hunting. His friend found other pursuits like flying and drinking. He considered it safer than bear hunting.

The link is for bow hunters but everything is applicable. I had another link for frontal shots but lost it, sorry bout that.

http://www.inberg.ca/hunting_essenti...ar_anatomy.htm

[jaughtman]

that the ole' 30/30 was actually considered a state-of-the-art, flat-shooting (hey - it could effectively hit targets OVER 100 yards) hard-hitting cartridge when it was intoduced waaaaay back in the century-before-last. LOTS of bear, elk, even cougars, etc. as well as deer where killed with it. Compared to the pistol-sized cartridges most lever guns were chambered for at the time it really was a step or two up. Add the fact that black bears (at least in the southeast) are roughly the size of a large (OK - real large) dog and you get the picture. It is plenty. As stated above, shot-placement is the key no matter what you are shooting.

[Doodlebugger45]

I have both a 30-30 and a 45-70. If all I was going to shoot was a black bear I wouldn't worry about which one I had. They aren't hard to kill. For griz though, I would definitely carry the 45-70.

[crghss]

Whats a good lever action caliber for black bear?

You own it.

[jammin1237]

"black bear" is a pretty general term... if you are out to hunt an animal that can range from 100 to 900 lbs? i think i'll stick with the 45-70 --- if i am confronted by a black bear while hunting with a 30-30, i wouldn't care about being "ethical"...

cheers

[rem870hunter]

30/30 will work. i prefer the .35 rem myself.

[grubbylabs]

Black bears are not bullet proof or only kill able with magnums only, contrary to popular belief.

If you can kill a white tail with it you can kill a black bear with it.

Just know how far the 30-30 is effective fore is all.

For hell's sakes people kill then with bows and arrow still.

[rem870hunter]

For hell's sakes people kill then with bows and arrow still.

Bears or Deer or Both??


i've tried in the past for Deer,pracitice was not good enough or often enough i guess. i've missed what few shots i was presented with . NJ is supposed to be having a Black bear hunt reinstated for the 2010/11 season. i'll be using my bow,if its legal to. otherwise my .50 M/L rifle or 12ga shotgun with slugs. we can't use centerfire rifles here

[jgcoastie]

A co-worker/buddy of mine killed a nice 7.5 foot black bear over in Ketchikan a couple years ago. One shot kill, bear ran about 15 yards... He was using a .243Win.

30-30 is plenty, especially considering that it is likely a gun that you've been shooting with for quite some time and are comfortable with it = better chance of hitting what you're aiming for...

[ronto]

The only thing better would be a Marlin 336 in 30-30.

[MWark]

I had my 336 in a 35 rem for 34 years and I still love it but my BLR in 308 is amazing.

[TX Hunter]

It will work, but rember to keep your shots within reason, Under 100 Yards, and not angeling away. You will do fine with your 30WCF.

[Mallard76]

Another vote for the .45-70.

[rickyjames]

i have always liked winchesters, maybe because i never herd them say pass me a marlin in westerns. i have winchesters in 30/30, 44 mag and 45 lc that always work well and hit what i aim at. i also have a marlin cowboy in 45/70 with the octogon barrel that is a dream to shoot. i grew up in a time when cowboy movies dominated tv and thank god i have never grown up

as an aside i have 3 uberti 45's and it is a toss up between them and my 1911's as to which are my favorite handguns.

[TXGunNut]

Your 94 Winchester in .30-30 will work just fine for most woods hunting. So will a Marlin 336 in .30-30 or .35 Remington. Being from TX any bear is foreign to me so I'd probably grab my Marlin Guide Gun in .45-70.
I love looking at and carrying my 94 Winchesters but know most Marlins shoot better.

[James R. Burke]

I am sure it would work. But just myself I would go bigger, just to stay on the safe side. You do need a few things, placement that goes for anything you hunt keeping it human, practice, and confidence in whatever your shooting. I see so many people right before deer season make three or two shots put the gun away if it is on. Never clean it, or practice. I know it cost some bucks to shoot, but if your after that once in a lifetime deer, or whatever your hunitng it will pay off. You know the rifle what it and you can do, and have the confidence. I like to go out before I hunt shoot several rounds, and try alot of free arm. Just myself when I feel good about it, I go home clean it real good inside and out. Just before season back out one more time, take a few fouling shots, and make sure it is on, a few free arm. Then I leave the bore alone till after season. Every day during season I wipe it off with oil, but leave the bore alone. At the end of season then it gets a good old cleaning till next time. Even when I practice if I shoot it alot, I will take a break, and clean the bore. Lot easier than having a big build up. The people I see that take the two shots never clean there rifle, and have all the stories on how they should have got what the were shooting for. So if you do use a 30-30 or anything else shoot till you know your confidence is there. You will know it when you reach that point.

[jrothWA]

the following:

Marlin 336; 30/30, 35. Rem 45/70 (need the larger action, forgot that model #)
Savage 99: .243Win & 308Win, (older models - .300Savage, .358Win)
Winchester 94: 30/30, .32Spl (model 95: 30-40 Krag, 30Govt. aka 3006, 405W)
Winchester M88: .243W, 308Win, & .3358Win
These all are or have been used, for small bear.

Just practice, starting in July, so you know where your rifle shoot and what load is accurate. Then take a well place shot.

Good Luck.