.30-30 for black bear?

pyral · 07-06-2004, 06:11 PM

My fiance and I have a chance to go on a bear hunt in the mountains of North Carolina in the next few months. A good friend will be "guiding" us so we won't just be a few bumbling idiots on a hillside. I will be taking my 7mm Rem. Mag. and my future spouse wishes to take the .30-30 that she has become very comfortable with over the last year and a half; the only other choice would be my .45-70 which is a little stout for her. My buddy says that the .30-30 isn't going to be enough and that she needs to bring "more gun." Neither she nor I believe this but he is rather adamant about it, he says that there aren't many shots over 50yds and nothing over 100yds. My opinion is with good bullets and the practice she has put into this gun, she should be more than capable of cleanly taking a good sized black bear at those distances if the opportunity presents itself, but goober-head doesn't think so...

What opinions do most of you share on such? I certainly appreciate any feedback to this one guys.

Vapodog · 07-06-2004, 06:29 PM

The thutty thutty is as good as it ever was and has accounted for a helluva lotta black bears. It'll account for one more I assure you. At those ranges it's a fine cartridge for a black bruin.

bigbulls · 07-06-2004, 07:04 PM

Ditto what Vapodog said. At 100 yards and less the 30-30 is just fine for black bears. If you can't kill it with that then you can't kill it.

Federal loads a 170 grain nosler partition at 2200 fps that would make an excelent bear round.

pointerDixie214 · 07-06-2004, 07:33 PM

is this guy the type that would use a .50cal slug on a squirrel?

DANTHEHUNTER · 07-06-2004, 07:55 PM

Vapo is right on the money !!!

Pro-Line · 07-06-2004, 07:56 PM

Goober-Head is kind.

A 30-30 is plenty inside from 100yds and in. Tell him he's a moron. LOL

DM · 07-06-2004, 08:09 PM

A 30-30 with a 170 Nosler load will be a good combo for any black bear at those ranges. The best part is, it's what she "really" wants to use!!! That's half the battle right there!! And, the more practise the better!!

Drilling Man

DarbyDabadoo · 07-06-2004, 10:32 PM

30-30 good! Friend bad!

Great cartridge, Flat up to 150 yards, with enough energy to kill.
I carry it for bear protection while hiking. People tell me it is
not enough - everyone is entitled to their opinion I guess.
Give me a freaking break. If I get eaten it's my fault not the
guns.

pharaoh2 · 07-06-2004, 10:35 PM

Darby, if you get eaten, can I have your Leupold scope?

DarbyDabadoo · 07-06-2004, 10:36 PM

It's all yours, after you pick it out of the berry infested
shat.