30-30 bear stopper

graham1

graham1

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Hey guys, I am hoping to get your opinion on what bullet I should use in my 30-30 for camp protection. Where we go I would suspect that black bear would be the main problem. Any shot would be under 30yds. Would I be better off with the standard 150gr. or 175? Or would a 125gr. hollow point be more effective? I'm not worried about the hide just stopping yogi.
Thanks for your input.
 
stay with the 175 gr bullet. It will penetrate deeper/better. The 125 gr hollowpoint opens up too fast and penetration will be shallow. You want to penetrate to the vitals and mix them up. I am of the opinion that if the bullet exits on the offside then you have 2 holes to bleed out of rather than one
 
at that range, pretty much any factory offering in flat, round, or spire point will do the job. I would stick with the heavier for caliber bullets as at that range, you wouldn't want a smaller bullet coming apart upon impact. BUT, I am sure 150 or 170 grainers would be more than sufficient
 
thanks

Thanks for the quick response guys. I'll pick up a couple boxes of 175 grain tommorow and put a few through the rifle so I'm confident in where they're hitting.

thanks again
 
:D
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I think in the end, you'll feel more comfortable having a rifle with you, but chances are you won't need it anyways. But if you do, stay cool. :wave:
 
I too don't think you'll have trouble, but it's good to be prepared. I like the suggestion of the 45-70, but the factory loading that you showed a pic of is puppy sh!t compared to what the Marlin can be reloaded to. Eric
 
Yeah, I bought a marlin 30-30 last fall and am kinda kicking myself for not getting a 45-70 guide gun. Maybe next fall.
 
Plenty of gun for the purpose!!
Excellent action for the purpose!
So glad to see you asked which bullet, not which "caibre" rifle, or 'if it's enough gun You're already 2 steps ahead of a lot of people who wonder about bear defense.

170 grain, and own whatever comes a lookin' :D
 
30-30 is good but not as good as my .444 :) with the 30-30 at 30 yards you could easily unleash 3 loads into a charging bear go with the heaviest solids you can get, even better penetration if you handload.
 
crout said:
30-30 is good but not as good as my .444 :) with the 30-30 at 30 yards you could easily unleash 3 loads into a charging bear go with the heaviest solids you can get, even better penetration if you handload.
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did you read this before you hit the submit button?

30-30 is good but not as good as my .444 :) with the 30-30 at 30 yards you could easily unleash 3 loads into a charging bear
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so what you could get 4 off with your 444? ever seen a charging bear? do you relise they can cover 50 yards in under 3 seconds? :slap:

go with the heaviest solids you can get, even better penetration if you handload
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ever shot a black bear? better penatration? @100 yards a factory soft point will blow through a black bear how much more penatration do you need? is the bear wearing full body armour? :slap:
 
A lot of people have said it very well. However, can't resist putting in my two cents worth. A lever action 30-30 would be excellent for defence from any black bear.
I didn't know they made 175 grain bullets, but the old traditional 170 grain, with the ample exposed lead, was considered ideal for the 30-30, maybe the best bullet you could use in it.
 
I have shot 3 black bears so far since living in the NWT. Only one has been <275lbs. I used my .300 win mag on one, my .30-30 on one, and a .30-06.
ALL THREE were taken at 50 yards or less, and all three calibers BLEW HUGE exit holes in all three. The spray of blood on the ground on the other side of each bear was impressive and the exit hole was large. I think you will be just fine. How much more are we gonna have to hear about all the .444's and .45/70's etc are the only loads capable of killing a black bear?
BLACK BEARS .... yes they have claws and teeth, but they die easily when you hit them. They aren't that tough if you introduce them to a lead pill. Hand to hand combat isn't so easy, but that can be done too.
If you shoot one beyond 200 yards with the .30-30, it may not die as easily, but that wouldn't be a self-defense shot would it?
And if you do hit one at that distance and its only wounded, you've got time to decide either to shoot more or get the hell out of Dodge.
I dont feel underarmed at all for anything with a .30-30 in my arms, even though I have choices that pack much more punch.
 
Black bears are changing their attitude, by getting accustomed to people. I have a hard time getting used to the fact that they can be dangerous. They used to be known as the harmless clowns of the woods.
My son and his son were out on their quads a couple of evenings ago, maybe eight miles from town. They were going up a narrow trail, steep, rocky bluff below and steep hill above, when they met what my son, who has seen a great many bears, described as a large black bear, walking down hill on their trail. He said they had quite a time getting him off the trail. He said the bear was bound he wasn't going to give up the trail, just for a couple of quads! He said they finally chased him up the hill.
Both of them have good rifles, but didn't have a firearm with them. My son has little fear of black bears, (don't know where he gets that from!) but I think he is getting more cautious. He once shot a good sized bear, right in the eye, with a 22, single shot Cooey, and killed the bear instantly!
 
I can't tell you the whole truth of this story, as I was not there. But I believe it to have happened.

My father in law (Rick) and his hunting buddy (Stan) were on Manitoulin Island with a couple of other guys for a bear hunt (going back to the 80's).

A brief history of the two hunters

Stan-- not really the hunter of the group--the guy that shows up in running shoes and has to bum a rifle and ammo when he shows up. Typical laid back East Coaster.

Rick-- a wanderer; never stands his post and seems to wander around to everyone else's post.

So here's Stan, standing at his post and Rick comes wandering down the path and sees Stan. Stan turns around and looks at Rick and Rick is doing the wide eye, full arm pointing to an area behind Stan. Stan turns around and sees this large black mass moving in front of him at about 10 yard. Stan yells out "That ain't no bear, that's a Newfie Dog". Now the bear is running towards Stan (as the story goes, Stan gets buck fever and cycles his 30-30 until empty; without pulling the trigger). Rick is suppose to have shot the bear twice with his 30-30 and it drops about 10 feet from Stan.

I've seen the old man shoot more Moose, Deer and bear with his 30-30 then I can count and I've seen the black bear throw rug and the mounted head (named Stanley).

All he's ever used is Winchester Super X 150 grains
 
If you can find them the PMC Starfire w/ 150 grain is an unreal penetrator. They are very tame out of the muzzle but they being a solid copper round do not separate and penetrate out of all realm to their ballistics. They are essentially a barnes round..but i have NEVER recovered one from any deer i've shot and that includes through both shoulder blades and from any angle. Try them if you can find them they are a real winner.
 
Its a black bear. how much penetration do you need?

170 grain hornady will make a hell of a mess of a black bear at any kind of 'defense' distance. Personally i'd use flat nose.

You don't need any more than that.
 
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