First time Black Bear hunter, WHat do you use? - Page 2

BlackFeather · August 14, 2009, 12:42 AM

I prefer the marlin 30-30 just because im comfortable with it and it is sufficient, that is if its under 200 yards... I also prefer lever guns because I feel I can rack the action faster than a bolt. Yet again as they have all said choose whats comfortable and ofcourse what you shoot well with. Any of those guns will kill it its just a matter of shot placement, if you feel you need to hit it with a 7mm than do it, but if you can do the same with a 30-30 then take the lesser recoil and lets face it "cooler" gun. lol

4406v · August 24, 2009, 09:22 AM

A bear cannot be too dead but,can definitley not be dead enough.I would recommend the 7mm as that's what I killed my bear with.

Fat White Boy · August 24, 2009, 10:13 PM

Plasma Rifle in the 40 watt range....

Jack O'Conner · August 25, 2009, 09:09 PM

This photo was taken one summer at a Christian Camp in Poconos of eastern Pennsylvania. My daughter worked there as a Counselor for kids. The bear probably weighed no more than 300 lbs and did not have body armor.

My Pennsylvania friends seem to bring in at least one bear every year to their camp. Eight guys hunt from this camp in McKean County. The most popular rifle by far is Remington GameMaster slide action in 30-06. But a couple guys hunt with slide action 12 gauge shotguns fitted with rifled barrels.

I speak from experience: Marlin's 30-30 has the accuracy and power to down game much larger than common black bears. But my friends swear by their 30-06 rifles and that amount of experience can not be ignored.

Jack

James R. Burke · September 3, 2009, 07:17 PM

The 30-06 with 165 grain Nosler partitions, or the one you feel the most comfortable with. Feeling good with a certain rifle will make a big differnce in your confidence level, and that is very important in my book. I just feel better with the bigger caliber. But thats just me.

August 14, 2009, 12:42 AM	#26
BlackFeather Senior Member Join Date: May 12, 2009 Location: West Coast Posts: 450	I prefer the marlin 30-30 just because im comfortable with it and it is sufficient, that is if its under 200 yards... I also prefer lever guns because I feel I can rack the action faster than a bolt. Yet again as they have all said choose whats comfortable and ofcourse what you shoot well with. Any of those guns will kill it its just a matter of shot placement, if you feel you need to hit it with a 7mm than do it, but if you can do the same with a 30-30 then take the lesser recoil and lets face it "cooler" gun. lol __________________ "Today is victory over yourself of yesterday; tomorrow is your victory over lesser men." - Miyamoto Musashi [Insert random irrelevant religious quote here]

August 25, 2009, 09:09 PM	#29
Jack O'Conner Senior Member Join Date: July 11, 2005 Location: Manatee County, Florida Posts: 1,976	This photo was taken one summer at a Christian Camp in Poconos of eastern Pennsylvania. My daughter worked there as a Counselor for kids. The bear probably weighed no more than 300 lbs and did not have body armor. My Pennsylvania friends seem to bring in at least one bear every year to their camp. Eight guys hunt from this camp in McKean County. The most popular rifle by far is Remington GameMaster slide action in 30-06. But a couple guys hunt with slide action 12 gauge shotguns fitted with rifled barrels. I speak from experience: Marlin's 30-30 has the accuracy and power to down game much larger than common black bears. But my friends swear by their 30-06 rifles and that amount of experience can not be ignored. Jack __________________ Fire up the grill! Deer hunting IS NOT catch and release.

August 24, 2009, 09:22 AM	#27
4406v Member Join Date: May 14, 2009 Location: Ellwood City,Pa Posts: 58	A bear cannot be too dead but,can definitley not be dead enough.I would recommend the 7mm as that's what I killed my bear with.

August 24, 2009, 10:13 PM	#28
Fat White Boy Senior Member Join Date: March 18, 2005 Posts: 1,276	Plasma Rifle in the 40 watt range....

September 3, 2009, 07:17 PM	#30
James R. Burke Senior Member Join Date: January 3, 2009 Location: U.P. of Mich/Quinnesec Posts: 1,897	The 30-06 with 165 grain Nosler partitions, or the one you feel the most comfortable with. Feeling good with a certain rifle will make a big differnce in your confidence level, and that is very important in my book. I just feel better with the bigger caliber. But thats just me.