I never owned a 94 but always wanted one. I like a lever action and use my Marlin Guide Gun for most of my hunting unless I'm toting a muzzleloader. But now I own two 94s. One in 30-30 and another in 32 SPL. Both are pre '64 vintage. Nice slick handling rifles that I wouldn't hesitate taking to the deer or black bear woods.
As I recall one of the previous PA record black bears (600+ lbs - not sure of the weight.) was taken up in the Pocono mtns. with a single shot from a 30-30.
But the heaviest PA bear ever shot, an 875 lb bruiser was taken with a crossbow in 2010.