I am planning on Black Bear hunting this year, in Nantahalla National Forest, it will be a7 day pack in.
I am taking my .44 sidearm and my choice of rifles is my
.300 WSM with the 180 grain bullets.
Or
My 30-30 with 170 Grain.
Yes, the bush is thick in certain places BUT the area I will be hunting is mostly flat with open shots to around 300 yards.
The place I hunt in forms a natural horseshoe, the bears enter in front one end to drink in the pond and eat all of the berries that grow by the pond. I have never shot at a black bear before, I mostly sit here and nail deer, it is a far packin (about 6 miles) and the deer here are very very common all throughout the day.
Last year I was amazed at how many bear I saw as they came in and ate, sat around for about an hour and then left, at least 2 or 3 times a day I would see one.
My .300 holds 3 in the mag and 1 in the chamber for a total of 4, right now it is scoped in for 300 yards but I would be knocking it down to around 50-100
I saw the 30-30 discussion and the .243 "varmint" discussion. I can tell you, if you have never fired a .300 it is not a "varmint" gun.
I want some good opinions, I have 3 children and am happily married, problems can come quick 6 or so miles in the woods, I'd like this to be a one shot deal as far out of a shot as can be taken so I have ample reload time if needed.
I personally do not like the 30-30 for large game, I have heard and seen, and read some pretty awful stories...
150 yards or less I would use the 30-30. It will kill 'em dead enough. Bears are not hard to kill nor are they vicious enough to warrant bad thoughts or a side arm.
My .270 has killed more than a dozen bears from 15 yds to 400 yds with 140 grn round. Been between sows with cubs 3 times and the sow always left the cubs, either up a tree or on the ground.
Fear can cause a bear to "look bigger and act agressive" and can cause bear fever and lead to poor shots.
Grendle,
You are hunting black bears and they are not as hard to bring down as their cusin the grizz.
I once killed a 258lb blackie with a 55 sp from a .223 at a 130ish yds.
But that a side are you scared of them?most blackie's will high tail it if they smell you very few ever attack,BUT you have to make your first shot count and you don't wanna follow up a wounded bear no matter what kind by your self.If you find your self in a bad situation and have a wounded bear on your hands,give him some time a few hours(depending on the wound).Then track him with the 44 in hand much easier to swing in the brush.
As for guns I would take the 300 WSM with 180 Winchester power-points sighted in dead on at 200,leave the 30-30 home.Wait for a good clean broad side shot and take him clean,he should expire with in ear shot or with in veiw.
Best of luck and show us a picture of the rug when he is done.
BBJ
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"When the moment of truth comes,and it's time to dance.You better get jiggy with it or find a new partner."
i would probably take the 300. i'm sure the 30-30 would do it at close range. if i did take the 300 i would shoulder it and draw the 44 for really close range and brush stuff where you would be at close range where a scope would be useless and you would want to put out some serious lead fast. but that's just me.
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If you can't beat them, join them... then once you lure them into a false sense of security, jump on their back and beat them to a bloody pulp.
The .300 WSM is going to have a lot more power than the 30-30 is ever going to have but the arguement doesn't end there. If you sincerely expect the shots to be long go with the .300WSM. It's more accurate and will carry more power at long ranges. If you believe your shots are going to be under 100 yards then the 30-30 is probably the gun I would take. It's still got enough power at those ranges to be deadly and the guns it's loaded in is going to be much handier in close quarters than a long bolt action. Plus if you need a second shot rather quick then the leverguns the 30-30 are chambered in can put out faster firepower than a bolt action anyday.
If you want to beef up the 30-30 lever then you light want to consider what I'm doing right now. I'm having a win94 in 30-30 rebarreled into a 38-55. The job is only going to cost me $150 including parts and labor because all it requires is screwing off the old barrel and screwing in the new one. The 38-55 is basically a necked up 30-30 (or is it the other way around). The fatter chunk of lead can make all the difference in the world.
Black Bear gun question, 30-30 or .300
