.30-30 bear shot - vitals or shoulder?

[TheCoachZed]

Which shot would you take over bait, a shoulder shot or a vitals shot (if you had a .30-30).

I shot the spine of my blackie last year, with a 12 gauge. I don't plan to make that shot again this year. I didn't plan to make it last year either.

 

[tactical870]

Vitals. Preferably with a good bullet like a leverEvolution.....

 

[TheCoachZed]

I'm planning on a vitals shot. Was curious, though, if people have tried "anchoring" them with the .30-30, or if it's considered underpowered for that.

 

[Brutus]

At close range ("standing" broadside calm bear) over baitpile. A well sighted in 30-30 handloaded with 170 grain RN Noslers, into the shoulder. Get out the recipe book!
My ex-wifes dad, God rest his soul, had a rural farm in Goodlow, BC. For many many years, all he had used to kill black bears with, was his 30-30 carbine. (he kept a 12 gauge single shot shotgun & ammo in the horse stall in case he was cut off from the main house) All his shots were well under 100 yards, and when asked where he shot them, he said he always strived for a shoulder breaking shot, & more often than not, quickly followed by a finisher. He did not handload, and he used whatever 170 grain factory ammo was cheapest at the local store.

 

[sledman8002002]

Vitals and LeveRevolution gets my vote as well. That Hornady 160 gr bullet flat out performs IMO. But I"ve never had a problem with a 12 ga slug in the vitals either.

 

[crazydave]

Behind the shoulder in the boiler room is where you want to place your shot.

 

[BigUglyMan]

Behind the shoulder is rarely the wrong answer.

 

[benelli one]

Ive taken my last two bears with a vitals shot behind the shoulder with a 30-30 and both went less then 10 yards.