Bear defence question :D

RevolverRodger

RevolverRodger

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Hello guys...
My dad works in the woods alot (cutting wood etc...)
Several large (300 lbs) black bears are roaming in the region and people have been charged several times.
Seems like he will finally get a bear defence gun
The thing is that he only likes lever action guns and hates the recoil.
What would be a reasonnable levergun with light recoil for bear defense ?
I was thinking a marlin in .30-30 or . 44 mag maybe
Thanks
 
If its only black bear, a 30-30 should be okay. I wouldn't want to piss off a grizzly with a pee-shooter.

If I was shooting a charging black bear, I would feel the load in my shorts more than the recoil. Look for a lever that has a short throw, I would want to throw a lot of lead out then.
 
Charging bear?

I grew up with no fear, whatsoever, about black bears. Years ago, attacks by black bears were virtually unknown. But, I know, bears have changed and now some are aggressive. I have to be careful myself, because I haven't adapted to their new attitude. I still have the tendency to chase a bear away, whether I have a gun in my hands or not, just like I have done in the past. I have never seen a bear do anything except run away, when ever I told one to, "Get the hell out of here," and charged at him! And that includes mother bears with cubs. In fact, black bears won't defend their cubs. It seems the ones that attack now, are looking for something to eat.
The reason they may be dangerous now, is because they have lost their fear of mankind.
Not all that many years ago in BC, black bears had no protection in law, whatsoever. If you wanted to shoot a bear, or three, you just did it. The bears at that time knew full well not to mess around with people! At that time you very seldom saw a bear while you were walking in the bush. They smelled, or heard you, and, Got the hell out of there!
Having said all that, a 30-30, or 44 mag, is certainly enough fire power for black bear protection. They are not going to come charging at you out of the blue. If they get agressive, they will stock you, walking around you, maybe getting closer while they size you up. One well aimed shot should be all that is required, not rapid fire.
 
i have had black bears come right up to me more that once, without incident. I was pretty young at the time though. But sittting alone on a log and i hear a crunch behind me, turn around and theres a bear standing about 5 feeet or less from me.... Looks at me and walks away.. Maybe they got mean since then..
 
Its too bad he doesn't want a pump shotgun though. Excellent for bear defense and put a couple bird shot rounds for grouse too.

Black bear do have thinner skin compared to grizzly so a 30-30 will work but honestly, if a bear is in a full charge, a cannon may not stop it in time before it does damage.
 
I would prefer to shoot 00 buck at a charging bear.... if I can hold off or have enough rounds for it to be up close. Make a mulch of its face and it may not find me for slipping in the brown trail I'm leaving behind.
 
Northern_Hunting_Mom said:
Its too bad he doesn't want a pump shotgun though. Excellent for bear defense and put a couple bird shot rounds for grouse too.

Black bear do have thinner skin compared to grizzly so a 30-30 will work but honestly, if a bear is in a full charge, a cannon may not stop it in time before it does damage.
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It's the 6-12" of fat on a grizzly that stops bullets not thicker skin IIRC.
 
RevolverRodger said:
My dad, for some reason or another is allergic to pump action guns...
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tell him to get a semi auto.. it will reduce the recoil of heavier loads for him.

the bears I've encountered in life are usually "chicken". as the other member said.. its quite easy to scare them off. Sheeesh, I find it hard to get close enough to them to take a decent picture without them running away all the time.
 
There is the odd one that stands out though Hootchie.

I was out a few weeks ago and a 250lb bear was 10 ft from me in the bush (right in my backyard) my 80 lb dog was wild at it, I had a gun but it was just too dark to see it. It watched me for 2 or 3 min as I was walkingthrough the bush, trying to figure out why the dog was so mad, before taking off slowly. He just wasn't afraid of me or the dog.
 
Yeah. Last year I was going out fishing and after walking down and checking out the lake I walked back and this large brown colored bear was standing near my truck. I didn't want him getting into my bait or lunch and when I shouted at it it looked back and gave me this irritated who cares kind of glare and slowly walked away. Most bears seem a little more nervous and cautious around people unless they get used to them.
 
RevolverRodger said:
Seems like he will finally get a bear defence gun
The thing is that he only likes lever action guns and hates the recoil.
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Marlin 1895 Guide Gun, I don't think if he's staring down a Black Bear, that he will even notice the recoil. Just make first shot count, and replace hammer with the offset hammer. (I find the regular "straight" hammer sometimes "binds").
 
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The most important aspect of defending yourself against dangerous game is proficiency. I would do better with my well worn husky 7x57 that I have put thousands of round through than a 458 win mag that I have never practised with. If he is recoil shy he wont practice with a hot loaded 45-70, therefore he wont be proficient. Get him somthing that he will shoot well and he will be better prepared.
 
What ever he chooses, he should practice with it. A lever action carbine can be quick if the handler is familiar with it. If he's not a regular shooter a few hundred rounds down the pipe are in order. Never mind fancy groups, just be able to keep the bullets within a couple of inches from the point of aim when shooting from field positions. He ought to concentrate at 25 yards and in because that's when fast handling is important.

I would pick the cartridge based on whether or not he handloads. I think a heavy .44 handload with a 325 gr WFN hard cast bullet is a tad better than a .30-30, but a factory 170 gr .30-30 has an edge over factory 240 gr .44's. From what I've been hearing the Marlin is a better choice than the Winchester.
 
i think norinco makes a 12 gauge lever action

a single 30 calliber shot is going to just as much dammage as a 30 30 and will provide the best protection since your hitting mr bear with 9 or 12 at once.

tell him that the 870 is just as good as a lever and with a knoxx stock can be a bit of a pussy cat to shoot
 
RR,
Get you Pop a Marlin 30-30. Plenty of Poop for BlackBears...Any Factory 170 grain will do...even the 150's if he really wants less recoil although I don't notice much diff between them myself.

I've taken them with the 30 wcf....it Kills them Dead ! I guarantee it;)

Shotguns are for Birds.......:rolleyes:
 
BCWILL said:
Shotguns are for Birds.......:rolleyes:
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I guess you have never seen what a .70 cal 400 grain slug will do when it hits something at around 1600 ft per second. :rolleyes:

And you can bet Bear defence range will be within 30 yards...if not closer.

IMHO I'd save the 30-30 for the Deer. :D
 
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