Sorry fellows, you're both Great Americans but are mistaken. The Search Function is a liability at best and it IS NOT "a good resource". Try it and see. You might get one good return for every search....maybe. I typed "30-30 for black bear" and got a load of junk with possibly one article of any relevance. I say possibly because I did not go to the link. After so many failed attempts, I no longer need to prove the disfunctionality of the search feature to myself. I also did not try search variations (i.e. 30-30, black bear, 30-30 for bear, etc.) because, again...... I don;t need to disprove the disfunctionality over and over again.
Sorry to be so harsh on this little animal, but I've mentioned it at least 3 times to 2 different moderators. All caution forum members to run a search first, but no improvements are ever made to the search function. I point it out because forum members should not be asked to use it...yet. Again, without improvement, the search function is a waste of time.
No. The PROPER way to search is to:
1. Start a new thread;
2. Scroll to the bottom and see the "Similar Threads" link;
3. Go to those links for the information you need;
4. Come back to the thread you started and post an apology about starting a thread on an issue that has been "beat to death";
5. Ask moderators to delete thread. Done.
The search function needs work. Lots of it. The similar threads link works just fine. Although, after posting this I don;t even see the "Similar Threads" link down below!!
Which ever round is the most accurate and retain the most ftlbs at the range you intend to shoot the bear at. Depending on what components you use, if you calculate it out, the 150 gr sp can retain more energy at 100 yds than the 170 sp due to speed. But, using over the counter, its not about what you like, its what your rifle likes.
The search function is a good resource but may contain old information.
I have not hunted bear yet. All of our quota here is filled already this year, so I can;t even get an over-the-counter tag. Maybe next year. If a 30-30 was all I have, I would have no problems hunting black bear with it. And....I would prefer a 170gr handload.
I;ve never compared the two bullets as to penetration, but judging from the noses, the Winchester Power Point would get my nod over the Remington 170's tip. The Remington's tip has a bigger exposed portion of lead, theoretically making it expand quicker, thereby lessening the penetration. Not sure about Federal's offering here.
Well I've never Bear hunted or even thought much about it, but my buddy's farm has several on it right now. I've got an old Marlin 336 and already have some Win Powerpoint 170's. Shots would certainly be less than 100yds and probably less than 50yds. Season is in Dec
A cartridge that would kill a deer would kill a black bear if hit in the right place.
Average black bears are about the same size of the average human.
The 30-30 should be adequate for black bear hunting.
Do you reload?
If you do, I'd personally go with the Beartooth Bullet 160gr FP.
I've used them on critters, and hit like thor's hammer. Granted, I've not the chance to use them on bear, but imagine the results would be the same. Hard cast, is always a game getter.
My 94 top eject will NOT shoot ANY 150 grain bullets accurately. I've tried them all, factory or loaded by hand. The 170 gives me minute of buck accuracy, as does the above mentioned 160.
Best thing you could do is buy several brands, and several weights, and see which groups best.
Back in the day when I hunted with hounds my partner carried nothing but a 30-30 with 170 gr winchester or remington factory loads. Up close with a bear treed it didn't matter which load he had. The only one I shot with my 30-30 I used a speer 150 gr. After that I switched and started loading 170 gr rem corelockts. IMO id stick with the heavier bullet.
My grandmother took a black bear in the late '30s. But darned if I know whether she used the 150gr or 170gr factory load.
The 170 gr should be preferred unless it exhibits atrocious accuracy. This is based on both the Hornady HITS methodology and on penetration considerations.
There are reasons this cartridge and the carbine associated with it has been so popular for medium game hunting all these years. On target effectiveness is one of them.
The few blackies I've shot fell to either the Federal blue-box 170 or the Winchester 170 PowerPoint.
I would use whatever load shoots best in my rifle. I have found the Leverevolution 160 nearly as accurate in my Marlin as the 150 Speer FP over Reloder 15. I'd use that one in a heartbeat.
The 30-30 is more than adaquate for any Black Bear, under about any conditions, In my youth I shot several bear and a number of elk with a 30-30, both 150 and 170 seem to work equally well, so I would shoot the most accurate load...I like the Remington Corelokt bullets for a game bullet. Range wise, about 200 or so yards is the the 30-30 territory..Remember the 300 Wby is a 30-30 out at about 300 or so yards, and nobody says it won't work at most any range??? Never could understand that kind of thinking.
Most Mainland black bears don't very very big and 250lbs is a larger bear in my area. Some coastal regions do grow black bears up to 600 lbs so knowing the bears in your area is a good idea in determining what caliber to use. For most bears a 3030 is fine and most bears are shot at less than 100 yds. Shooting from a stand over bait on 200Lb bears doesn't require magnum cartridges. 600 lb coastal black bears do require a lot more from a bullet.
I know it'll shoot the 170 powerpoints well and no doubt shot placement is the key factor. Need to stock up on some more ammo for it, and didn't want to waste a lot of $'s so will probably stick to the 170 PP's. Should've never doubted anyway. Me with a rifle loaded with Powerpoints has always been my best bet. Even use Powerpoints in my 22 for squirrels as my best hunting load ever!
If you shoot behind the front leg like you do on a deer you may miss the vitals. The front legs are so much thicker than a deer that shooting behind the leg will put your bullet through the diaphragm missing the heart and lungs. This is assuming the leg is straight down. If the bear is striding out with the front leg then you may end up shooting behind it cause the front shoulder has a wide range of motion.
I shot a 250 lb black bear behind the front leg. I got the bear but it went 150 yards before it stopped. It required a second shot cause the first was too far back missing the heart and lungs. Used 30-30 with 170 grain core lokt.
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