Good, Bad Problem

[GameHauler]

I have a Coues Whitetail hunt coming in on Oct  24th
and plan to hunt it like an Archey hunt with my Contender pistol.
I will not go into details but our GF Dept. can not see daylight where their heads are

Any way, I have a large problem which is affecting my Deer spot.

A Good size Bear has decided this is a pretty nice place to hang out for a while.

On the Good side of this story is that general Bear comes in on Oct. 3rd

My question to you folks is:

Which barrel to use on this bruin?
15" 7-30 Waters or
14" 30-30?

The shot would be under 70 yds.

Any suggestions on a load would help also.

Thanks,
Mike

Oh yea, by the way.
I got 540 pictures on my camera last week
Problem is that 530 where of the ground as the cam swung in the wind
after the Bear tore it of the tree

[Graybeard]

Given that choice I'd use the .30-30 but would prefer a .35 Remington over even it.

[GameHauler]

Given that choice I'd use the .30-30 but would prefer a .35 Remington over even it.

Get it in the mail Buddy
Don't forget the ammo and
YES, I will pay shipping both way

Mike

[yooper77]

What is luring the bear to your location?

Black bears are wide ranging animals, but will frequent the same area if there is a good food source.

Either cartridge you have are a fine choice, used with a well constructed heavy bullet.

yooper77

[handi243]

I'm with GB on this one i LOVE my waters but in this case i would load the 30 30 heavy or some buff bore if you don't. Keep the shot close as you can wait for the perfect shot and let it fly. Good luck lets see some pics!!!

[jhalcott]

  30-30 with a 170 grain factory load or its equivalent!

[onesonek]

Hi Mike, I'm not sure what Max would be in your 30-30. But my first choice would be the Nosler 170 gr. Partition driven as close to max that's safe in your rig. I wouldnt hesitate a 140 gr Partition in the Waters either however.
Partition's with an impact threshold of 1800 fps is going to be close on the 30-30 at the distance you're thinkin.  However there are a number of guys I know here in Minnesota a number of guys use 30-30 (rifles) with 150 gr. loads. I just prefer to have a little more momentum (sectional density) myself.

Dave

[GameHauler]

This Bear is hitting a heavy oak populated section
mixed with a lot of Juniper Barrie's and scattered
prickly pear patches and a scarce water supply
Perfect AZ Bear country

I am going to go out this weekend and set a tree stand.
I will be about 20 yds from the water.
The furthest shot I might get would be 70yds but more
than likely will be under 40.

There are several basket ball sized piles of  droppings around
the tank along with several single dropping spots.
I was going to set up a ground blind for Deer but think I may wait
till this guy takes a dirt nap.

Mike

[GameHauler]

I just added a thread in the reloading section
if anyone would like to add to it.
Mike

[Swampman]

  30-30 with a 170 grain factory load or its equivalent!

Ditto preferably Remington Core-Lokts

[GameHauler]

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z147/GameHauler/PT08.jpg

[Swampman]

I see those pretty regularly here in FL.  I don't give bears much thought.

[chiefs50]

The .30-30 with 170 grainers will be fine.  I wouldn't give the bear a second thought - you'll probably never see him.  As stated by yooper77, they are wide ranging animals.  Wary of human activity and often nocturnal.  We've got a huge number of bears in the U.P. where I hunt, and in over 40 years of deer hunting I've only seen one during the season

Mike.

[GameHauler]

The .30-30 with 170 grainers will be fine.  I wouldn't give the bear a second thought - you'll probably never see him.  As stated by yooper77, they are wide ranging animals.  Wary of human activity and often nocturnal.  We've got a huge number of bears in the U.P. where I hunt, and in over 40 years of deer hunting I've only seen one during the season

Mike.

True enough, But he has a great food source there and a water source.
The next water source is at least a mile away and those waters get allot of human activity.
Hopefully he does not go total nocturnal.
He tore my camera off the tree at Noon and came back at 2:30 PM.

I do know that if I don't try I will not get a chance at him.
A little Varmint calling could also bring him in from a long ways out.

Mike

[Steve P]

I would use the .30-30 with 165 Ballistic Tip or 7x30 Waters with 150 Ballistic tip.  I have taken deer with both at +200 yards and they dropped like a rock.  Bear or deer in the boiler plate at 70 yards will be dinner fare. 

Take maple bars and bacon for your breakfast.  If you happen to drop a bacon wrapped maple bar on the way in to your stand, I am sure someone  will find it...

Good luck.  Can't wait to see bear AND deer photos.

Steve

[RangerRiz]

Well did you get the bear?  I have never hunted black bear, but have several uncles that were into it before Fl. decided to stop bear hunting ( hope it works for them like it did those fine people in NJ.). The stories that they told me and everything i have read or watched seams to show that black bear are not that hard to kill. It also appears that they kind of lie down and die when hit well. Now before anyone gets mad and tries to school the young guy I will qualify my thesis. Yes I have read where in attack it has takes multiple hits to kill one. I will also agree that a mother with cubs is seriously dangerous and am not including that in my earlier statement.  I would not want to be near anything that well equipped to harm me without a reasonably powered firearm. If i were hiking or hunting where they were numerous, I would want better protection than a singleshot. That being said I would think from a treestand anything that would kill a deer would do just as good on all but the biggest black bear, and either of those carterages should do well.

[GameHauler]

The big bore moved out and a Sow with a Cub moved into the area.
Not allowed or would want to shoot a Sow with cubs.

I will be heading out there in a little while to check the Camera.

And yes, I do pack my 357 when I go out there.

Mike