30-30 Winchester good enough for black bear??

[plankowner]

I just recently picked up a Winchester 30-30 and my girlfriend asked me if it could kill a black bear, I am new to this round and really couldn't give her an answer , I just told her that this is more of a deer rifle but she would like to know and so would I ? what says all you guys out there with all of the answers?

[clay32]

Could? Absolutely. Would it be the recommended round for an actual bear hunt? Probably not, unless you want to get well inside of 100 yards, but shot placement is the key to everything anyway. My $.02

[ScottB]

Depends on you and maybe the size of the bear. Not a lot of room for error, but I'm sure many many BBs have been taken with that round.

[lewdogg21]

Yes. The limitations of the trajectory keep you from pulling off the 400 yard broadside shot that drops the bear in their tracks.

It will kill a black bear. In fact for this deer season my primary rifle is going to be a Winchester Ranger 30-30 (provided I can get it to pattern good at the range). In past years I carried a .270. This change is b/c I mostly hunt thick jungle like crap and a peep is better for my 80 yard and under potential shots.

[ojisan]

The 30-30 is a woods / close range only cartridge these days.
The two standard bullet weights are 150 and 170 grains.
The 150s typically have thinner jackets and expand quickly for use on deer and other thin-skinned or lighter game.
The 170s have heavier jackets for slower expansion and deeper penetration on larger critters like, well, black bears.

[mif_slim]

I've killed three bears with 67lbs energy projectile. Then I've killed 2 bears with a 1145lbs projectile, and I've killed a bear with 3,360lbs energy projectile. All didnt get away, all laid to rest. Im sure a 1900 lbs energy will kill it. But the most important like everyone said, you have to do your part.

[Jason762]

Surrrreeee! It helps to file down the front sight though.

[Mac]

I know that a Honda Accord doing about 40 coming to a screeching (Brakes locked) halt and smacking it in the hind quarter does not kill em. stopped about 40 ft after hitting it. 30-30 probably if close enough but why.

We have em all over this area and just pay em no mind. Even come down to the local park for some dumpster diving once in a while. They pay us no mind too.

Not Dangerous. like say the Griz.

[gabe123]

Originally Posted by Jason762

Surrrreeee! It helps to file down the front sight though.

I was about to say something to the same effect, but you beat me to it.

[Baxter]

The 30-30 has and will continue to kill plently of CA bb. Seen people kill them with a .40. As far as the front sight thing, that is for Grizzleys and handguns. Check out Hornady Lever ammo.

[HokeySon]

Originally Posted by lewdogg21

a peep is better for my 80 yard and under potential shots.

I am curious why you say that. please elaborate

[HokeySon]

Originally Posted by Jason762

Surrrreeee! It helps to file down the front sight though.

OK, I will bite, why file down the front site?

[m98]

Originally Posted by HokeySon

OK, I will bite, why file down the front site?

Easier goin' in and comming back out....J/k :P ......the 3030 will drop bb's anytime as long as it's used correctly.

[metalhead357]

Originally Posted by clay32

Could? Absolutely. Would it be the recommended round for an actual bear hunt? Probably not, unless you want to get well inside of 100 yards, but shot placement is the key to everything anyway. My $.02

X10000 I couldn't have said it better myself. Lotta bears 'back in the day' were taken with 30-30's.................

[buffybuster]

Back in the turn of the century (~1900), the 30-30 was the "magnum" of it's day. I'm sure it has killed many: elk, moose, black bear, grizzly bear, brown bear, polar bear, etc.. Have animals gotten tougher since then?

Get close enough, keep a cool head and put the first bullet where it needs to go. That's it, that's all. Our pappys & grandpappys did it, were they better men?

[War Mother]

I would say the 30-30 can kill a black bear if its a perfect shot and the bear is in late stages of cancer, lol.

I wouldnt suggest using it for bear hunting.

[gadjeep]

Absolutely. I have seen many black bears taken with 30 wcf. Doesn't sound like the open OS planning on doing much bear hunting anyway,so I believe the answer is yes.

[mif_slim]

Originally Posted by buffybuster

Have animals gotten tougher since then?

Get close enough, keep a cool head and put the first bullet where it needs to go. That's it, that's all. Our pappys & grandpappys did it, were they better men?

Yes, they've created natrual kevlar since. LOL

I do think our older generations were tuffer, now-a-days everyone is whinning about bigger is better. Im still with the older generation where shot placement is key.

[Timberwolf]

I know a few black bears in the hills of east TN that will certainly agree that a 30-30 will drop them.

[metalhead357]

Originally Posted by War Mother

I would say the 30-30 can kill a black bear if its a perfect shot and the bear is in late stages of cancer, lol.

I wouldnt suggest using it for bear hunting.

War.... no offense but ya' Need to learn some history. Both Black and GRIZZLEY bear were killed with 30-30's for years.....need we even mention those killed with a .44????? Shot placement is the absolute key..... ts not a debabteable situation-- its a past tense fact.

[winnre]

If I need to shoot a bear it will be 2-20 feet from me and heading towards me. Other than that I try to leave them alone.

[pieeater]

Im no expert ive only killed a couple and been in on maybe a dozen bear kills. But ive seen these things take a lot of rounds I wouldnt use anything less than a big mag personaly. Also they go into the nastyiest thickest stuff when wounded its allways a kick in the nuts crawling in there after them