Best Rifle for Bear Hunting in Northern MN
04-13-2009, 08:46 AM
#1
Spike
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 5
Best Rifle for Bear Hunting in Northern MN
Hello, I am going totry bear hunting this september innorthern MN and because of this,I will bepurchasing my first rifle very soon and am stumped as towhether or not to purchase a Marlin 30-30 model 336A or just go to a higher powered rifle such as a Tikka T3 Hunter in 30-06. As you might guess its going to be densly woodedterrain near Ely. So Any comments and/or replies will be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
04-13-2009, 09:09 AM
#2
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location:
Posts: 2,395
RE: Best Rifle for Bear Hunting in Northern MN
I would pick the 30-06 hands down. The 30-06 is way more versitle and will work on any big game animal in north america. The 30-06 is a great choice for the person who only owns one gun.
The 30-30 is more limited in range & knock down power.
The 30-30 is more limited in range & knock down power.
04-13-2009, 09:30 AM
#3
Typical Buck
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 604
RE: Best Rifle for Bear Hunting in Northern MN
Deerslayer I would not want a 30/30 in my hands if I came across a 500 lbs+ bear. It is a great timber rifle for deer but here in PA bears are taken every year that top 700 LBS and that is too much animal for reliable quick kills with a 30-30. I would thinkMinnesota would also support large 500 + lbs bear. If you really like the marlin lever guns there are much better choices like the 45/70 and 444 Marlin for large black bear. In a bolt action I would choose 308 or 30-06.
04-13-2009, 12:42 PM
#5
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Rivesville, WV
Posts: 3,192
RE: Best Rifle for Bear Hunting in Northern MN
I would go with a fast handling lever action in a big bore cartridge. A 44 magnum or a 45-70 would be a great choice. However the big bores are a good bit more expensive than a Marlin 336 in 30-30.
If your budget is limited the Marlin 336 in 30-30 would make a fine choice for Northern Black Bear. Just go with the heavier bullets, and with the lower priced 30-30 ammo it will be cheaper to practice. That is the real beauty of a lever action in 44 magnum. Practice is fun, and a whole lot cheaper. And the 44 magnum will definitely do the job. Tom.
If your budget is limited the Marlin 336 in 30-30 would make a fine choice for Northern Black Bear. Just go with the heavier bullets, and with the lower priced 30-30 ammo it will be cheaper to practice. That is the real beauty of a lever action in 44 magnum. Practice is fun, and a whole lot cheaper. And the 44 magnum will definitely do the job. Tom.
04-13-2009, 01:05 PM
#7
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Rivesville, WV
Posts: 3,192
RE: Best Rifle for Bear Hunting in Northern MN
Fellows he said "Black Bear in MN", not Kodiac Brown Bear. You guys have got to be kidding when you say the 30-30 is inadequate for black bear?? I would much rather have a fast second shot from a lever in 30-30 if I need it, rather than a slower bolt action that a new hunter would most certainly pull off target to function the bolt!!
A lot of hunters knock the 30-30 lever action. And that is a mistake IMO. The 30-30 is one fine cartridge in a fast handling lever action. And the rig will not break the bank. Tom.
A lot of hunters knock the 30-30 lever action. And that is a mistake IMO. The 30-30 is one fine cartridge in a fast handling lever action. And the rig will not break the bank. Tom.
04-13-2009, 02:34 PM
#9
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location:
Posts: 1,290
RE: Best Rifle for Bear Hunting in Northern MN
Nothing against the grand 06, but I haven't seen anything up there that the 30 30 couldn't handle in the woods. Nice to have a follow up shot. Let us know if you spot any cougars.
04-13-2009, 03:18 PM
#10
Typical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2004
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Posts: 809
RE: Best Rifle for Bear Hunting in Northern MN
ORIGINAL: HEAD0001
Fellows he said "Black Bear in MN", not Kodiac Brown Bear. You guys have got to be kidding when you say the 30-30 is inadequate for black bear?? I would much rather have a fast second shot from a lever in 30-30 if I need it, rather than a slower bolt action that a new hunter would most certainly pull off target to function the bolt!!
A lot of hunters knock the 30-30 lever action. And that is a mistake IMO. The 30-30 is one fine cartridge in a fast handling lever action. And the rig will not break the bank. Tom.
Fellows he said "Black Bear in MN", not Kodiac Brown Bear. You guys have got to be kidding when you say the 30-30 is inadequate for black bear?? I would much rather have a fast second shot from a lever in 30-30 if I need it, rather than a slower bolt action that a new hunter would most certainly pull off target to function the bolt!!
A lot of hunters knock the 30-30 lever action. And that is a mistake IMO. The 30-30 is one fine cartridge in a fast handling lever action. And the rig will not break the bank. Tom.
Even a good pump action 12ga with foster slugs is a fine choice for the bears you would encounter in MN, if your on a limited budget. JMO