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!

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.

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.

RE: Best Rifle for Bear Hunting in Northern MN
 

Ok thanks for all the good information!

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.

RE: Best Rifle for Bear Hunting in Northern MN
 

30-06, same size hole as a 30-30butmore thump behind it. You do know that if you screw this up, they will eat you?:D

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.

RE: Best Rifle for Bear Hunting in Northern MN
 

+1 HEAD. Another fine (closely related ) caliber choice is the .32 Win Spl. It will thump blackies with very mild recoil.

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.

RE: Best Rifle for Bear Hunting in Northern MN
 

I have to agree.
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

RE: Best Rifle for Bear Hunting in Northern MN
 

You will have to prepared to take selective shots with a 30/30 on a 500+ pound bear dont kid yourself. Tuck a bullet behind the shoulder and it can do the job of course. A frontal shot at 100 yards is a bad idea with a 30-30. I would not want to pass on an opportunity because I chose a weapon that was marginal for the task. A 250 or 300 lbs bear is ok but 500 or 600 lbs bear are what most dream of, and a quick kill is asking alot from the 30-30. In case you think attacks are not a possibility it is not so far fetched.

http://sports.espn.go.com/outdoors/hunting/news/story?id=2241024

It was only a 350 lbs bear that attacked the hunter.

RE: Best Rifle for Bear Hunting in Northern MN
 

If you can find one a 35 whelan in a rem 7600 could just be the best of both worlds. Guarantee it will thump the biggest of blackie's as well as moose, etc.

In terms of black bears I think the 3030 for what your wanting is more then adequate, hell as a guide it was whatItoted when tracking clients bearsin northern saskatchewan. Never needed it aswe instructedthe clients not to take poor % shots such as full frontal chest hits, regardless of the weapon. FACT is no matter how big a black bear if you take out the lungs or heart he will die very quickly, black bears are not that terribly tough to kill contrary to what some may believe. The only reason why I would ever consider taking a full frontal shot on a bear is self defense(aka last resort). When your talking about a hunting situation where the bear is a 100 yards away you aren't in a self defense situation. Why b/c if downwind they would be gone if concerned and if not could careless of your presence at that time. Their eyesight is poor so seeing you with your rifle trained on them isn't a worry either. Hearing while good the fact they are still there means you have some time to wait and see. In terms of 100 yards the 3030 with a 170gr bullet is capable. A marginal shot isn't any lessmarginal with a bigger stick. It's called hunting for a reason sometimes your the boot and others your the @ss:D.

FWIW, when I hunt bears its with a bow (no sidearms allowed here), I have been in close quarters with many bears as a result. Of which some have acted very aggressive to my presence including: climbing my tree, bull rushing, etc. WhileI respect every bear the only onesI trulyfear are sows with cubs, you need to make darn sure you know where them cubs are in relation to momma and you.

Good luck

RE: Best Rifle for Bear Hunting in Northern MN
 

+1 for the .32 Spl. It's my backup deer rifle. I, or anyone I've ever lent it to,never shot anything with it, including a 500# Canadian black bear, that didn't drop in it's tracks.

RE: Best Rifle for Bear Hunting in Northern MN
 

The 30/30 is more than adequate for this task. Given the opportunity I would opt for the '06 just because it is more versatile for other types of hunting.

RE: Best Rifle for Bear Hunting in Northern MN
 

Skeeter 7MM makes a good point.....Black bears are just not that tough to kill with a well-placed shot. I do, however, feel the 30/30 is a bit on the marginal side even though they have killed lots of them. For the terrain and cover you mention, I would recommend the Marlin 1895 in 45/70. Factory ammo in 300 gr. pill. Handloaded, it's a real cannon. And that's where it really shines. Lots more energy than a 30/30. The 35 Whelen is a great choice also.
Whatever you choose, remember the best thing you can do is to place the shot in the boiler room. Regardless of your choice of cartridge.

RE: Best Rifle for Bear Hunting in Northern MN
 

If you like the 336 get it in 35rem between the REM 200gr Corelokt, HORNADY 200gr LE, and the BUFALO BORE 220gr AMMO it will do in any bear under 700LBS. Put a VXII 1-4 scope on it or XS peep sight and your set.

But the other route I would also suggest is a bolt action or BLR in 308win/338fed/358win. The 308win with a plain old 180gr bullet like the corelokt/interlock will work just fine and in a quicker handling package. The scopes from 1-4, 1.5-5 works best for close in hunting so a 2-7 is as high of power as you should go. The VXI 1-4 shotgun would be a good scope to start with for this hunt. Go with QD rings and you can then get a good 3-9 scope later and you will have a choice if your hunting close up or far away!

I love the 35rem, 358win for deer, black bear, elk, and moose. They both simply work great the 35rem out to 150 yards and the 358win out to 300 yards. But the my recuvre bow has worked just fine on them bears too!!!

RE: Best Rifle for Bear Hunting in Northern MN
 

No fear in getting eaten by a black bear. hehehe But still I should like the 30-06, say throwing 180's or 220's.
The Tikka will offer you that fast follow-up shot, with its 60 degree bolt throw,but with your shooting ability you wont need a second shot.... right? lol
And you'll be able to use that 30-06 for anything else that roams the MN woods!
Oh yea.... get a Savage... just a thought hehehe I like a Savage better than a Tikka, but both are good.
Have Fun-

RE: Best Rifle for Bear Hunting in Northern MN
 

Deerslayer - my all time favorite bear rifle I use here in PA is my Marlin Guide Gun in 45-70. It is a pleasure to carry and it has taken 3 bear with as many shots. I think 2 more good choices for your type of hunting would be the Marlin 336 in 35 Rem or a Browning BLR in 358 Win. Either of these 3 chambering will wreck any black bear's day.