Author Topic: 30-30 for bear? (Read 1226 times)

Yankee Yelper · « **on:** April 30, 2003, 04:00:57 AM »

I have booked a hunt this fall for myself and my two sons in Maine. The only rifle my one son has access to is a 30-30 lever action. Is this enough for bear? I will be using a 30-06 as will my other son.

JJHACK · « **Reply #1 on:** April 30, 2003, 06:38:12 AM »

Strictly from a logic standpoint the 30/30 is as good as the 308, 30/06, 300 mag or the 30/378 at killing a bear with distance being the limiting factor. The same bullet diameter and typical weights are used in all of them.

If your hunting with a 30/30 and shoot within 100 yards its as good as a 300 mag shooting at 300 yards. Absolutely nothing wrong with the 30/30 for bears. If over beat or with hounds a 30/30 is an outstanding choice for black bears.

The only difference in a 30/30 and a 300 mag is the range you have. The bullets are the same .308 daimeter. In some ways the 30/30 is actually better at close range because bullet integrity is not comprimised with excess velocity.

My wife often uses a borrowed 30/30 for bears and has never had a single one escape. I would say it's a very successful round for bears within it's range limitations. That in my opinion would be 150 yards or so.

Mad Dog · « **Reply #2 on:** April 30, 2003, 08:09:00 AM »

JJ, do you feel the same about wild boars? Also, what bullet have you been using? Have you ever used the Fed. Prem nosler part. factory load?

Mad Dog

willis5 · « **Reply #3 on:** April 30, 2003, 08:43:17 AM »

This came up in the Wild boar section, and I think the 30 30 is an adaquate round for wild boar. I am witness to two boars falling with neck shots a month ago with 30 30 powerpoints. one was over 500lbs and the other was pushing 400 lbs. Granted they were neck shots, but I think a penetrating bullet behind the shoulder would be just fine. I like neck shots on pigs.
Cheers,
willis5

eroyd · « **Reply #4 on:** April 30, 2003, 09:57:41 AM »

I have shot several animals with the 3030 including one moose and one large blackbear. Both broadside, one shot kills within 50 yards. 170 grain bullets designed for 3030 velocities perform extremely well and penetration is very impressive for such an old cartridge.

I'd tend to keep the shots up close where they should be anyways for exciting bear hunting.

Geno · « **Reply #5 on:** April 30, 2003, 11:04:07 AM »

JJHACK sums it up real nice. This may not be the best choice, but rest assured, it can do the job very nice. 2 years ago I was fortunate enough to take a 500 lb. 19 1/2 year old black bear with my Contender pistol , 30/30 170 grain SP Hornady spire point (reload) . 12 yard shot, at a bait. Center of the neck, about 4 inches behind the skull. He only went about 3 feet after the shot. I don't recall the bear noticing or mentioning that he hadn't been hit with the latest .375 Gee-Whiz Ultra-Screamer Belted-Magnum Mine-is-bigger-than-yours Boom-Cannon.

Bear · « **Reply #6 on:** April 30, 2003, 01:57:55 PM »

Holy smokes glad to see you all agree that the 30-30 is adequate for bears and boars. I thought for a minute I was going to have to sell her :lol: . I killed my first bear with one in northern WI back in '76. Easy to pack and they make an excellent brush gun.

willis5 · « **Reply #7 on:** April 30, 2003, 05:14:07 PM »

Quote

I don't recall the bear noticing or mentioning that he hadn't been hit with the latest .375 Gee-Whiz Ultra-Screamer Belted-Magnum Mine-is-bigger-than-yours Boom-Cannon.

:-D :-D :-D
Either I am in a really good mood, or that was a great quote that'll make you chuckle
Cheers,
willis5