Author Topic: African Lions/Kodiak Bears (Read 2262 times)

fknipfer · « **on:** March 02, 2006, 08:41:08 AM »

A Brown Bear on Kodiak Island can weigh up to 1600lbs and an African Lion can weigh up 600lbs. I believe a Grizzly or Kodiak bear (same bear both) is the meanest critter alive especially the big ones. Kodiak bears will eat anything including other bears. I don't know but I don't think lions eat each other. You put a big Kodiak and a big Lion together who gets eaten. I believe the Lion would be table fare.
Now the question is: If Marlin 450 and 45/70's are used to hunt Kodiak bear and used as backup guns, why aren't they used is Africa to hunt lions? 400 to 500grs of bullet moving a 1600-2000 ought to take care of about anything.
Not trying to start an arqument or disagreement just curious.

fknipfer

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #1 on:** March 02, 2006, 11:16:34 AM »

I would not use the 45-70 or the 450 Marlin to hunt either. I am not saying they won't work, there are just better choices in my opinion.

killdeer · « **Reply #2 on:** March 02, 2006, 06:35:11 PM »

fknipfer,
you might read the .45-70 vs 416 Rigby thread.

KD

GEMSBUCK · « **Reply #3 on:** March 03, 2006, 02:17:59 AM »

a lion could easily be killed with a 45-70 using a quality bullet 300gr or better at a speed of 1800 or better...it just isn't legal to do so in most countries. Cats do not have the large of a skeleton
One needs to remember that many lions were killed with a 30-06,7x57, 300H&H when it was still legal to do so.
If you can afford a $20K lion hunt (or much more) you can afford a rifle that meets the min. legal requirements too.

fknipfer · « **Reply #4 on:** March 03, 2006, 10:27:16 AM »

Killdeer,

I did read the thread like you suggested and it was very interesting. There were so many ego's going in that thread I am glad I was not a party to it. So one wrote if I could afford $20,000 to go to Africa I could afford a decent gun. First of all I don't ever intend to go to Africa to do any kind of hunting. I was trying to learn why the 45/70 was so downgraded even with the Garrett Loads.
I think another type of measurement should be used on big game maybe called a kill factor graph. We have speed, energy and bullet size but none of those really tells a hunter whether or not he should be using the gun or bullet he does.
The biggest game I will ever hunt is a black bear or moose and I think the 45-70 will be capable of doing it job. If it doesn't the next time I hunt it will be with a FN Mauser 30-06.

Have a nice day,
fknipfer

Downeaster · « **Reply #5 on:** March 17, 2006, 10:50:12 AM »

The 45/70, properly loaded, will easily handle Black Bear or Moose.

corbanzo · « **Reply #6 on:** March 30, 2006, 01:00:47 PM »

My money is on the brown bear, one swat of those paws and anything is in some deeeeeeep trouble.

Downeaster · « **Reply #7 on:** March 31, 2006, 06:48:39 AM »

My money is on the brown bear, one swat of those paws and anything is in some deeeeeeep trouble.

No doubt, a brown bear wins that battle. Also, I really don't see why a 45/70 or 450 Marlin wouldn't be great medicine for big cats. Lions are relativley light skinned animals compared to bears. I would think a great big 45 bullet would slice through a lion or leopard like a hot knife in butter.

I know that lions and leopards are very quick when they attack, but I would think a lever would have an advantage over a bolt when it comes to speed of operation getting additional shots off.

American Mountain lions are killed with 30/30's and pistols. They are not that tough when hit. Why couldn't a big bore levergun work on their larger relatives?

I do understand the preference for "super powerful" big bore bolts when it comes to the other dangerous African game (as they are thick skinned and muscled). I would agree that a 45/70 or 450 would be marginal.

I just don't understand why a big bore levergun wouldn't be a good choice for Lions & Leopards. I understand that most African hunters are partial to bolt actions, but I think the dismisal of these leverguns makes no sense - its irrational.

Grumulkin · « **Reply #8 on:** April 03, 2006, 12:43:30 AM »

I think a lever action in 375 H&H Mag. or 458 Win. Mag. should work well on Lion and Leopard. I believe though that many African countries pretty much limit you to bolt action, double or break open single shots for hunting.

I was very close to an African Lion fortunately with wire between us. When it thought I wasn't looking at it, I caught it staring at me with the look a house cat would give a mouse. With something that could eat me, I would like a large bore gun that I know would accurately put a bullet in one side and out the other.