30-30 bear stopper
- Thread starter graham1
- Start date
I haven't seen them used on game. Don't know how they'll perform. But the real advantage of leverevolution bullets is downrange. I doubt there'd be much difference in killing power in bear defense ranges.
IF you've used 'em on game and are comfortable enough with their performance then by all means, they sound fine. But there's probably something to be said for sticking with tried and true - a 170 grain flat nose or round nose will make a hell of a mess of a black bear at normal defense ranges of between 0 - 100 yards. I'd say that how much you practice will increase your lethality far more than the minor differences between a LE and standard bullet at those ranges.
- Location
- Somewhere on the Hudson Bay Coast
I for one don't trust LE bullets in tube magazines. When it's cold out the plastic tip is as hard as a pointed lead bullet, so if it's dangerous to load a tube mag with conventional spitzers, then in cold weather it's dangerous to load them with LE's.
When bears are the target, a .30/30 loaded with a heavy round or flat nosed bullet with lots of exposed lead (provided it feeds well) is the best choice IMHO.
When bears are the target, a .30/30 loaded with a heavy round or flat nosed bullet with lots of exposed lead (provided it feeds well) is the best choice IMHO.
Have you actually experienced this? I'd heard they were specifically designed NOT to do that - it would be disappointing if they got dangerously hard in cold weather. (not that it's likely to be a problem for this particular application.)
This is directly from Hornady
The key to the LEVERevolution ammunition, two years in development, is a new Evolution spitzer (pointed) bullet with a red elastomer Flex Tip. This tip flattens enough to cushion the primer of the cartridge in front of it in the magazine during the acceleration of recoil, yet returns to its original shape instantly thereafter. The Flex Tip has been tested at temperatures from -40 to +130 degrees F, and also passed 15' drop tests in full magazine tubes and many rounds of proof loads. The Flex Tip eliminates the possibility of a magazine chain-fire, the bugaboo that has prevented the use of pointed bullets in rifles with tubular magazines.
The key to the LEVERevolution ammunition, two years in development, is a new Evolution spitzer (pointed) bullet with a red elastomer Flex Tip. This tip flattens enough to cushion the primer of the cartridge in front of it in the magazine during the acceleration of recoil, yet returns to its original shape instantly thereafter. The Flex Tip has been tested at temperatures from -40 to +130 degrees F, and also passed 15' drop tests in full magazine tubes and many rounds of proof loads. The Flex Tip eliminates the possibility of a magazine chain-fire, the bugaboo that has prevented the use of pointed bullets in rifles with tubular magazines.
One of the fellows I hunt with shot a doe last fall with LE's at about 20 yards... very impressive terminal performance and huge exit wound.
I wouldn't hesitate to use one for bears, but have had such success with the Silvertips on big game that I just choose to stick with them.
I wouldn't hesitate to use one for bears, but have had such success with the Silvertips on big game that I just choose to stick with them.
I'm not surprised. I do expect they're quite good performers. I just don't trust anything i haven't at least seen or that is 'new' for animal defense as a rule
I know what a 170 grain bullet will do. And that'll put a severe hurting on a black bear. Probably wouldn't do a griz much good either for that matter at closer ranges.
- Location
- Somewhere on the Hudson Bay Coast
The LE .45/70 rounds that Pounder showed me in February were very hard, and I would say as hard as the exposed lead of a spitzer bullet. Each to their own, but I'll pass. A round going off in a box magazine as happened to Pounder last year is heart stopping, but one going off in a tube magazine could have life altering consequences.
In my opinion, if these things don't fire the round ahead in a tube magazine either from heavy recoil or from the rifle being dropped onto the butt plate, then it's safe to load regular spitzers.
5point9straight6
Regular
- Location
- Deep River
I got a Marlin 1895 45-70 for bear defense. Greatest choice in my opinion. I load my own cartridges. 400gr flat nose bullet, 2050ft/sec muzzle velocity. They are monsters. You can leave the chainsaw at home, because the gun will mow down trees for you lol.
30-30 will kill anything in north america, as it has since it's introduction.
Unless of course your local animals have evolved kevlar skins... in which case you'll need one of those short action ultra fat super magnums. In stainless!
Unless of course your local animals have evolved kevlar skins... in which case you'll need one of those short action ultra fat super magnums. In stainless!
I was shooting a .45/70 last winter when we went on a moose hunt (shot half a box while my buddy was sighting in) and the ammo we used was the LE. We sighted in and the temp was -33 C, and during actual hunting on Great Slave lake it dipped down to -38. Anyhow, over 2 boxes were shot in a lever Marlin guide gun and nothing was set off in the tubes. I did try to bend them (actually flex the tips) but they seemed rather stiff in those temps. But, I guess they still offer enough flex when pushed against metal to resist detonation. But , K.I.S.S (keep it simple stupid) and just get a box of regular flat nosed 170 grainers and you can certainly drop a bear in its tracks. And these are quite fine, you just dont need more. It will still leave a big ol' pile of insides hanging out the exit side of any black bear.
Brutus
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Regarding Silvertips, they would be my first choice too.
Although Noslers Partitions 170s, loaded by Federal in thier Preimiun line do sound very good, I am not sure if the cost is too much for the average person.
If this is souly for camp defence though, whynot?
Yes, I have a hard time deciding between these two.....
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- Location
- Lakes District BC
maybe you didnt notice or havent looked around nuff to see it but this is a discussion forum, might add if discussing a 45/70 on a 30-30 thread is disturbing please avoid the firarms section of this website
