close range bear:45/70 or 30/06:better choice?

[hans g./UpS]

Out of curiosity what would be a better choice for black bear within 75 yards: 45/70 lever action with 350gr Hornady flatpoints or 30/06 pump with 220gr or 180gr JSP[e.g.Partitions,etc.],using fullhouse loadings?Both rifles using leaf or receiver sights limit me to ~75 yards[or less],and in the woods-realistically-it's less.
Would this also apply to critters in Alaska?
Thanks.

[hans g./UpS]

Let's amend that query to include 12ga 3"[1-3/8 ounce]Brenneke slugs vs the 30/06 and 45/70.
Thanks.

[yankees1]

Out of curiosity what would be a better choice for black bear within 75 yards: 45/70 lever action with 350gr Hornady flatpoints or 30/06 pump with 220gr or 180gr JSP[e.g.Partitions,etc.],using fullhouse loadings?Both rifles using leaf or receiver sights limit me to ~75 yards[or less],and in the woods-realistically-it's less.
Would this also apply to critters in Alaska?
Thanks.

  Speaking from absolutely no experience, I would choose the 45-70 because that is what I have and I will be taking it to B.C. Canada to hunt blackies! I will be loading the 405 Rem bullet.

[mcrae555]

Hello

I have used both calibers for bear hunting.  I had a 450 Marlin in the guide gun which is basically the same as the 45/70 and got a nice six foot boar at about 75 yards.  That bear died instantly and flopped to the ground.  The second bear last year was with my 7mm-08 at about 80 yards.  The hit was good the bear snapped at its unseen attacker spun and died.  I have shot allot of bears with the 30/06 and I get pretty much the same results very little tracking they have always been within 30 yards of the hit.  I use the 30/06 the most however but I really believe you can't go wrong with either caliber for hunting under 100 yards.  I have never shot a bear over 100 yards and I always make sure the bullet placement of the first shot is damn good!  In BC we are allowed two bears a year so I have the opportunity to use both my guns.  Anyway like I said from personal experience good bullet placement is the first key but either of those calibers is more than enough gun for black bears.

McRae

[Camp Cook]

It actually doesn't take much to kill a black bear.  A wildlife/conservation officer friend of mine has seen black bears killed with a 40 S&W handgun. My carry handguns for bear protection are 10mm's or 45 Colt's and I don't feel under gunned with either of them when it comes to black bears. Between myself and my buddies we have used just about ever caliber available and the key is like mcrae said... shot placement!  
Cam

[1911crazy]

I have shot bears with both the 30-06 and a 338winmag. and I have to say both bullets did their job.  I'm sure either bullet will do.  The only difference is one is a heavy brush gun and one is for longer open shots. It depends on where your hunting.  Its also a matter of placing your first shot where you have to just past the front leg.  If you don't have a good first shot let it go this is where most get into trouble.    BigBill

I reloaded some 30-06 rounds for my brother and he shot it in the neck and it cut all the arties first shot.  I used the speer 180gr magnum mag-tips they exploded in the wet sand test before we went hunting and after we seen what it did to the bear the wet sand test was proven right.
The 338win.mag is a heck of a round too I could see vapor comming from the exit hole when it rolled over It broke 4 ribs on the exit.  Now for upclose and personal blackbear work I like the 444 marlin in the thick pines with a 15' to 20' shot.

[ratherbefishin]

I believe one of the biggest grizzlies ever killed was in Alberta by a native woman picking berries- she shot it with a .22 right in the eye.So-while 22's are hardly the gun of choice for bear, it does show just how important shot placement is.I use a 6.5x55 Swede, and a broadside shoulder shot[ the only one I'll take] drops them in their tracks. It may take a follow up shot, but a solid shoulder hit means they aren't going anywhere.And-as my dad used to tell me- it doesn't matter what gun you use if you don't hold it straight!