What are your thoughts?

[handgunhuntr]

I have had a debate in my head for a long time and can't make a final descision.  I have the new G2 and want a barrel for primarily deer, but may try bear in the future.  I have looked at all of the info on the 300 Whisper as well as the 30/30 winchester but cant decide.  What is your input as far as pros and cons.  Thanks for your time.

[KYODE]

what about a 7-30waters, 35rem, or 30-30 Ackley improved? or even a 309jdj for that matter.

i have the 30-30AI on my G2. couldn't be happier! :agree:  :biggun:

[coltfan]

My vote for a deer cartridge is the 7 X 30 Waters using a 120 or 130 grain bullet. Very accurate and extremely mild recoil, especially with a 14" barrel. There are heavier 7mm bullet weights available, and they might be OK for bear. I'd probably opt for a second barrel in either 309 JDJ or 375 JDJ for PA black bear.

[coltfan]

Apparently great minds DO think alike.  

[flatlander]

Of the 2 you listed, if you are loading your own rounds, I'd probably go with the 30-30. You can do just about anything you need to up to 150-200 yards with a spire point bullet and can use inexpensive, factory rounds if you know your range is not going to be much over 100. Plus dies are inexpensive. I have both a 7x30 and a 30-30 and I can't really say that I'm going to be able to show one is an advantage over the other in the field. Yes, you can go with a higher power custom round, but it is more expensive, and (at least for me) the situations where the extra power is required just aren't frequent enough to justify them. I'm a hunter that limits myself to 200 yards and I don't shoot anything bigger than deer or hogs. I just don't need more than a 30-30 to get the job done. I guess it all boils down to what you are going to do with it.

[C A Plater]

I have had a debate in my head for a long time and can't make a final descision.  I have the new G2 and want a barrel for primarily deer, but may try bear in the future.  I have looked at all of the info on the 300 Whisper as well as the 30/30 winchester but cant decide.  What is your input as far as pros and cons.  Thanks for your time.

You don't mention barrel lenght but if I were choosing between the two, for ten to twelve inch barrels I would favor the Whisper.  The smaller case would be more frugal with powder for similar velocities.  At 14 inches and more the .30-30 gives up much less velocity from the rifle length and while not as efficient as a .30 Herret, it would be my choice.   Of course you could just get both, you will eventually anyway. :wink:

[nathan]

If you decide on the 7x30 Waters, drop me a line.  I have a super 14 in that caliber w/ a 2-7x TC scope on it that has just been sitting in the safe the last few years.  I shot a couple deer and an antelope w/ it, but then I found a used 375jdj barrel, and it rarely comes off my frame now.

[Gregory]

I have 10" 300 Whisper and took a small deer with it this year.  I wouldn't use it on a bear.  I'd be using my 14" 44 Magnum for that chore.  
From what I've been reading, your PA black bears weigh more than grizzlies!

[flyfisher]

I would recommend the 30/30, 7-30 Waters, .35 Rem. or even the .375 Win. for a 14" barrel.  Out of these, I think that the 30/30 or 7-30 run awfully close to each other on performance and both would be excellent rounds for deer, but in my opinion, a little light for the huge PA black bears.  Here in PA, the .375 Win is what I use, since I hunt both deer and bear.  The 35 and 375 have a little more power to knock down those big black bruins, which are, by the way, much larger than the standard grizzly.   :grin: