Rifles for bear

[TLC]

Is the 45-70 dramatically better that the 30-30, or does it pass a point of diminishing returns?

Also, how plentiful is 45-70 here?

[X-NewYawker]

45-70 is way better -- heavier bullet -- one of those calibers most gun stores have a box or two sitting on the shelf.
If I was going to shoot a brown bear or going into the woods where they lived, 300 win mag is minimum.
Grizzly area? 458 Lott

[Curley Red]

I can answer your second question. 45-70 is very common and easy to find, I reload my own for target shooting.

[003]

Be sure you understand that the .45-70 is loaded to two very distinct loading levels. The first is basically to the old military spec late 1800’s level. A good safe load for older guns. The second is loaded to pressures and energy level very close to the Winchester .458 Magnum. So depending of the load you can use the .45-70 for game from white deer all the way up to dangerous game in Africa. It is commonly used in Alaska for dangerous bear.

Check out Buffalo Bore and Garrett for the various loads.

http://www.garrettcartridges.com/4570.html

http://www.buffalobore.com/

[deadcoyote]

If it's black bear you're after I would tell you that any .30 or greater centerfire rifle you already own is good enough. And this comes from someone who's actually killed black bears. Not trying to be a jerk, just saying a lot of web-r-net ballisticians will jump out to tell you that black bears are indestructable. Not the case.

[gun toting monkeyboy]

I am one of the web-r-net types. So, take what I say with a grain of salt. I would go with a full-powered cartridge, .25 caliber or larger for black bear, and .30 caliber or larger for brown bear. That is, of course, you aren't hunting them from the ground, in brush or thick cover. As dead coyote stated, they are not indestructable. I don't know if .30-30 would be ideal fro bears, as it is closer to an intermediate cartridge in terms of power. But it has killed plenty of bears over the past century of so. The .45-70 throws a big chunk of lead, but don't think it will magically kill anything just because of that. You still have to hit them right. For me, in terms of power, I would consider .300 Savage or .257 Roberts to be my minimum sized cartridges. I don't think you would need a magnum anything for any critter you are likely to see in the lower 48. Pick the right bullet for the job, and practice. Bullet placement is more important than just about anything else. And that goes for everything from rabbits to elephants.

-Mb

[dfletcher]

http://www.garrettcartridges.com/4570.html

http://www.buffalobore.com/

I reload the 45/70, doing so give three distinct levels as opposed to the two offered with factory loads. There are the extremes - Trapdoor on the low end and Ruger single shot "458 WM" on the other - and the Marlin 1895 level just below the high end. I use the Marlin level for my Gibbs Enfield and T/C Contender handgun, seems to have a good deal of power behind it. The 300 JHP (according to Hodgden) do 2,100 fps from the 14" barrel and is supposedly a very good dear load.

[Fjold]

Either will work, use the 170 grain loads for the 30/30.

[TLC]

Either will work, use the 170 grain loads for the 30/30.

That's what I've heard from a few people. What I'm wondering is does the 45-70 work alot better or just a little? (Given equal shot placement of course) I can pick up a 30-30 cheaper, so if the difference isn't much, I might as well save a littel cash. If, on the other hand, the difference is enough to matter, then that's another story.

I need to clear up somethign real quick here. i'm not looking to hunt bear. I just want something more than a handgun to take into bear country, to give myself the best chance of survival if things get ugly.

[rtc111]

.338 win mag

[paco ramirez]

I'm going to Anchorage/Nome, AK and I'm taking my Noveske 5.56 into the wilderness, and P228 for concealed carry. I'm not worried.

Shotguns loaded with quality slugs are nice too.

[AVID HUNTER]

.50 of course! .416, second and good old' .338 Lapua third.

[toby]

I'm going to Anchorage/Nome, AK and I'm taking my Noveske 5.56 into the wilderness, and P228 for concealed carry. I'm not worried.

Shotguns loaded with quality slugs are nice too.

Good luck on that first one!

[Trapper]

I need to clear up somethign real quick here. i'm not looking to hunt bear. I just want something more than a handgun to take into bear country, to give myself the best chance of survival if things get ugly.

12ga pump loaded with 1oz slugs.

[ElvenSoul]

Way back when the .357Magnum first came out S&W hired a Proffesional Big Game Hunter to go out and kill every animal that walks the Earth with it.

Just Saying

Then again there must be a reason they made a 45/90