Light recoiling deer/black bear caliber for 150yards

[CanadaBoy]

Actually, the bolt action in 30-30 is a very good suggestion that fills the OPs need perfectly.

The 30-30 cartridge would be low recoil and the bolt rifle would have less recoil than a lever with the added bonus of finding ammo everywhere at good prices.

Not only is the price of ammo low, the price of the Savage or CIL bolt action 30-30's tends to be very low as well.

 

[TheCoachZed]

Not only is the price of ammo low, the price of the Savage or CIL bolt action 30-30's tends to be very low as well.

They're getting pricier. I spent a lot of time looking before I bought one last fall, and they are just a hair below Win 94 and Marlin 336 prices now.

 

[Slamfire]

Might consider the .44 Remington Magnum Ruger 77/44 currently in production - http://www.ruger-firearms.com/products/77Series7744/models.html

I have a Ruger Deerfield .44 Magnum. Deer slayer. -

 

[rem338win]

I've been using the 243 some the last two years and believe it's what you're looking for.

 

[xdmer]

30-30 or 7.62x39 would be my pick, if it were just deer, 243.

 

[xdmer]

I would also like to add that 308 with a good brake may be a good option for you.

30-30 or 7.62x39 would be my pick, if it were just deer, 243.

 

[Evanguy]

Im not sure where this thread went as i only read the first page lol but i say 303 british, i may be a little bias though lol. I own 11 lee enfield rifles and love them

 

[medvedqc]

Having guided bear hunters for 20 years, I personally don't support the .243/6mm suggestions... can they kill bears cleanly... sure... but over the years we had a disproportionate number of post-shot issues with these lighter cartridges... I would rather see a hunter step it up to the 6.5mm+ groups... JMO.

Greg,there is a reason in some countries bear caliber starts at 6.5mm ...

 

[Slamfire]

As an alternative to a bolt action or lever action .30-30, there's the single shot Handi-Rifle that was produced in .30-30. I have one -

New England Firearms SB-2 Handi-Rifle

 

[conor_90]

You have a nice collection Slamfire; thanks for sharing

 

[Slamfire]

A couple of more options in 7.62x39: the Remington 799 (same as the current Zastava M85 but has a Remington laminate stock) and the stainless synthetic Ruger Mini-30. Quick follow up shots with the Mini-30 - might be handy for Black Bear . Here are mine -

Remington 799 7.62x39 with Leupold Compact 4x scope

Ruger Mini-30 7.62x39 with Leupold Mark AR 1.5-4x20mm scope

 

[a j cave]

For me and my experience I would go 25-06,7x57,308. I have shot many deer and a few bears with these cal. Get a past sissy pad and your gtg. Having more energy is a good thing, practice with light loads and you will not notice hunting recoil.

 

[delboybc]

Went to the range Yesterday and tried out some of the federal fusion lite 170gr bullets, what a difference, really light recoil and groups were 1.5" -2", I think these will be perfect.

But I had no idea that people were using the 7.62X39 as a black bear cartridge, what bullet selection are people using for this?

 

[1899]

I thought you were already downloading to below .308 levels? I have loaded .30-06 and .270 with 125gr and 110gr bullets with H4895 to around 2600 fps and the recoil is minimal. Even my 9 year old shoots the .270 like this. A 150gr Ballistic Tip at 2400 fps with H4895 would be like a .30-30 with some extra range.

 

[delboybc]

I thought you were already downloading to below .308 levels? I have loaded .30-06 and .270 with 125gr and 110gr bullets with H4895 to around 2600 fps and the recoil is minimal. Even my 9 year old shoots the .270 like this. A 150gr Ballistic Tip at 2400 fps with H4895 would be like a .30-30 with some extra range.

Yes I have been downloading ammo so far but may not have that option anymore. Looking for factory loaded options.

 

[Pete W]

As an alternative to a bolt action or lever action .30-30, there's the single shot Handi-Rifle that was produced in .30-30. I have one -

New England Firearms SB-2 Handi-Rifle

Wow I have never heard or seen this model, very cool!

 

[imark93]

Definitely 30-30!

 

[sgt.rock]

.30-30 is great for 150 or less
.25-06rem is great for a bit longer.
I'd stick to the quarterbore's or bigger. Even a .300savage is great on both animals.

 

[sgt.rock]

As an alternative to a bolt action or lever action .30-30, there's the single shot Handi-Rifle that was produced in .30-30. I have one -

New England Firearms SB-2 Handi-Rifle

what's the trigger pull on yours? It was 11 lbs on mine. I got it down to a solid creepy 10 lbs after I cocked/shot it 500 times.

 

[Chuckbuster]

Another vote for the 6.5 Swede.