30-30 vs 45-70, 336 vs 1895

I don't give advice to people who have firearms for "just blowing sh*t up. "

And if you're scared of bears stay home. Thousands of backcountry hikers in B.C. never even consider a firearm as part of their gear.
 
You may also want to look at a lever in 44rem mag. Plenty for black bear in the distances you would be worried worried about a bear and you can practice a lot more with it for when it counts. 44 with upper weight hard cast lead loads aren't a slouch.
 
I own both a 336 terdie-turdie (I'm stealing that one 'Looky) and an 1895 guide gun .45-70. My recommendation is 1895 if bears are a concern. It can be loaded down for target work and stoked up for Alaskan big game in a package the same size as a defender. The wound characteristics of the .45-70 when properly loaded far outperform shotgun slugs and make buckshot look like a handful of peas. For plinking I would grab either a pistol cal. or .22 carbine for high mag capacity fun with cheap ammo. Look for a used 1895 marked JM on the barrel to be sure its not a remlin.
 
Took 3 pages for someone to mention the 44mag?! Cheaper plinking ammo then 30-30 and 45-70. Plenty stopping power. Nice big .44 dia hole going in. Huge bullet and ammo selection.
 
cyclops666 said:
Ah yes,there is nothing like the thought of an angry bear charging towards you while your camping.
If I were you I would forgo the rifles and go with a 12 gauge, 3 buckshot shells and 2 slugs.
If you miss with the slugs at least you have the 00 buckshot as the bear gets closer and closer.
Remember even if you blow the heart out the of the bear it will keep coming for at least 30 seconds
And at 30 mph he's on you quick,that's why you might consider blowing his head off.
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The only way this post could have been worse would be if you had recommended alternating slugs and buckshot. You clearly have no idea what you're talking about and as such you should refrain from giving advice.

Blowing his head off...classic Surrey noobsausage.
 
I own a 30/30, and a 45/70, and a 444.

If I was going camping and wanted a bear defense gun they would all stay at home. I would take my Wingmaster with pistol grip stock and a 14 inch barrel. full of slugs. Since it is for defense I want big holes and lots of noise. It fills both needs completely.
 
A guy has to wonder how many folks with all this "bear" advice have actually ran across a bear before let alone had to shoot one in defense? I have hunted and shot several blackies, on guard against several Grizzlies (Million Dollar Falls/Dalton Post/Kusawa N. Canol area and Teslin Area) in the Yukon. Only fired at one grizzly - purposely over his head and he scampered away. Blackies, other than with cubs, will do everything to avoid contact unless it smells some goodies. A really loud noise (gunshot) will cause them to lose their bowels in a hurry (once anyways).

The point is, not every bear is a crazed killer. They are just an opportunistic animal foraging for food and easy meals. Ya, we all heard the stories of charging bears - maybe some of them are true, but really, it's more dangerous taking a late transit bus in most cities than running into a bear. The kids and I actually had a great time watching a young grizzly feeding on berries while plopped smack in the middle of the designated walking trail at the Laird Hotsprings in the early fall.

To answer to OP's question about the 45-70 or 30-30, can't go wrong with a Marlin. I love my 336W. Plenty of rifle as a backwoods banger.
 
tbrwlf said:
I own a 30/30, and a 45/70, and a 444.

If I was going camping and wanted a bear defense gun they would all stay at home. I would take my Wingmaster with pistol grip stock and a 14 inch barrel. full of slugs. Since it is for defense I want big holes and lots of noise. It fills both needs completely.
Click to expand...

I'm sure you meant to say that was the gun you'd take if it wasn't too short to be legal.
 
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