I have the choice of a 30-30. win marlin 30 AS topped with a fixed 4 power shooting 160 grain hornady revolutions, a 30-06 remington model 742 woodsmaster shooting 180 grain silver tips topped with a fixed 4 power or finally a 7mm Rem Mag in a Remington model 700 BDL shooting 160 grain accubonds topped with a 3-9 powered scope. I dont know what to use. What do you suggest? What do you use? shots will be taken most likely between 75-150 yards. I know this because of a hunting partner hunting black bear for that past 15 years
First time Black Bear hunter, WHat do you use?
- Thread starter matt_3479
- Start date
Ditto what Buzzcook said, at the stated ranges the 30-30 will do the job 7mm mag has too much recoil for that distance and most marlins have more accuracy than my 742. I've shot deer, bear and moose with a 30-30 my son has that Marlin now so I use my model 88 in .308 win for anything over 50 yd. anything less its .357 time, except for moose, that .308 is gettin too heavy for this 57 year old body to go swamp sloppin with. Just use the one that you feel comfortable with and you shoot the best groups with put the lead in the boiler room and go gut and drag. Where are you hunting? Have fun thats what it's all about.
trooper3385
New member
Like the others said, go with the one your most comfortable with. If it was me, I would go with the 7mm. Personally, I don't like the 742, so that would be out. That leaves the 30-30 & the 7mm. There is always a possiblity of a longer shot, and the 7mm would be the one I would want in my hands if that situation arose. If not, the 7mm would still work great on a black bear at 75 yds. Ask your hunting partner and see what he suggests. He has more experience hunting black bears in this area then any of us and his recommendation would probably hold more weight than ours.
Uncle Buck
New member
Most important part of Hunting Bear
The first time I hunted for black bear (Last time also) I was using a twelve gauge shotgun (Three slugs) and had a .38 with two speed loaders. It was in Maine, Aroostock county, I believe.
I shot the bear and it headed for the tree I was sitting in. As the bear started climbing the tree, I shot it two more times. It kept coming. This bear looked like it was 800 pounds of pure mean. As it was RACING up the tree towards me, with fire in its eyes and drool dripping from its lips, I gently lowered the shotgun, said in a calming voice, "You better stop Mr. Bear!" The bear did not heed my warning so I pulled my .38 and emptied the revolver into the bear, aparently to no affect.
He kept coming, growling and obviously intent on doing me bodily harm. I ejected the empty rounds and pulled the first speed loader out. I did like the looks of those rounds so I dropped that and pulled the second speed loader, loaded the .38 again and proceeded to stop the bear with the final rounds. He fell from the tree and I calmly climbed down and made sure he would no longer pose a threat to myself or anyone else.
Now to hear others tell the story it goes something like this: They heard two shots from the shotgun and then heard a little girl screaming. Thinking someone was in trouble they ran to my location and witnessed me shoot the bear a third time with the shotgun. According to them, the bear was just a youngster that might have weighed 80 pounds and was barely moving, just clinging to the tree. Again, they claim I dropped the shotgun, all the while yelling "WALT!" (My hunting partner). They said my legs were sticking straight out and it was a lucky thing I was strapped to the tree, because I was leaning over, with the pistol between my legs shooting that bear and screaming like a little girl. They tell everyone I was shaking like a leaf in a Maine Nor' Easter while trying to reload and dropped the speed loader. After shooting the bear six more times it finally fell out of the tree. They said I jumped from the tree and ran to another one, yelling all the time to "Make sure that thing is dead!" (Now to their credit, they did admit that every round found it's mark. They insist it was just adrenaline that was fueling the bear and he was probably dead by my third shot, but clinging to the tree.)
My point in this is to make sure you pick the right hunting partners. I am sure the other rifles these guy recommended will work, but the biggest part of hunting is the hunting partner. You want one that will cover your butt and not spread vicious, untrue rumors about your hunting skills.
The first time I hunted for black bear (Last time also) I was using a twelve gauge shotgun (Three slugs) and had a .38 with two speed loaders. It was in Maine, Aroostock county, I believe.
I shot the bear and it headed for the tree I was sitting in. As the bear started climbing the tree, I shot it two more times. It kept coming. This bear looked like it was 800 pounds of pure mean. As it was RACING up the tree towards me, with fire in its eyes and drool dripping from its lips, I gently lowered the shotgun, said in a calming voice, "You better stop Mr. Bear!" The bear did not heed my warning so I pulled my .38 and emptied the revolver into the bear, aparently to no affect.
He kept coming, growling and obviously intent on doing me bodily harm. I ejected the empty rounds and pulled the first speed loader out. I did like the looks of those rounds so I dropped that and pulled the second speed loader, loaded the .38 again and proceeded to stop the bear with the final rounds. He fell from the tree and I calmly climbed down and made sure he would no longer pose a threat to myself or anyone else.
Now to hear others tell the story it goes something like this: They heard two shots from the shotgun and then heard a little girl screaming. Thinking someone was in trouble they ran to my location and witnessed me shoot the bear a third time with the shotgun. According to them, the bear was just a youngster that might have weighed 80 pounds and was barely moving, just clinging to the tree. Again, they claim I dropped the shotgun, all the while yelling "WALT!" (My hunting partner). They said my legs were sticking straight out and it was a lucky thing I was strapped to the tree, because I was leaning over, with the pistol between my legs shooting that bear and screaming like a little girl. They tell everyone I was shaking like a leaf in a Maine Nor' Easter while trying to reload and dropped the speed loader. After shooting the bear six more times it finally fell out of the tree. They said I jumped from the tree and ran to another one, yelling all the time to "Make sure that thing is dead!" (Now to their credit, they did admit that every round found it's mark. They insist it was just adrenaline that was fueling the bear and he was probably dead by my third shot, but clinging to the tree.)
My point in this is to make sure you pick the right hunting partners. I am sure the other rifles these guy recommended will work, but the biggest part of hunting is the hunting partner. You want one that will cover your butt and not spread vicious, untrue rumors about your hunting skills.
sc928porsche
New member
For bear, I would suggest using whichever give you the most energy. Be sure that the bullet design allows for both penetration and expansion. I have always been partial to my body parts so I stepped up from the 300WM to the 378WBY for bear. For deer, elk, moose, and carabou I use the 300WM.
trooper3385
New member
I'll say it again, I would take the 7mm. They have big teeth and claws. The last thing you want is having to track and wounded bear in the brush, whether it's a black bear or a grizzly, they can both be dangerous. I can't remember where I heard this or whether it's true, but I heard that black bears kill more people every year than grizzly or browns.
If you use the 30-30, I would stick with the hornady bullets. You will get better performance and accuracy out of them. In the 7mm, the accubonds will work just fine.
If you use the 30-30, I would stick with the hornady bullets. You will get better performance and accuracy out of them. In the 7mm, the accubonds will work just fine.
skydiver3346
New member
Choice of bear rifles:
7mm with the Remington "Managed Recoil" loads (if you are recoil shy). Second would be the .30-30 with 170 grain bullets.
7mm with the Remington "Managed Recoil" loads (if you are recoil shy). Second would be the .30-30 with 170 grain bullets.
tighty whitey
New member
Uncle Buck
That is the greatest post of all time on this forum! Just Awesome! Many thanks, G.
That is the greatest post of all time on this forum! Just Awesome! Many thanks, G.
Doodlebugger45
New member
LMAO at Uncle Buck's story! 
Well told!
As for the original question, heck, all of them will do the job if you hit it in the right spot. It's funny though, that even though I love my 7 mm mag and 30-30, I suppose if all else was equal, I'd pick the 30-06
Well told! As for the original question, heck, all of them will do the job if you hit it in the right spot. It's funny though, that even though I love my 7 mm mag and 30-30, I suppose if all else was equal, I'd pick the 30-06
I used 52 grains of H4350, 200 grain Nosler Partitions, and CCI 200 primers on my one and only black bear. 165 or 180 grains should work just fine, I just had the 200 grain bullets on the reloading bench. I shot him through both shoulders and he was DRT. CNS shots put them down quick and hard.
Each year in the USA and Canada
1 in 16,000 people commit murder
1 in 35,000 grizzly bears have killed a human
1 in 100,000 black bears have killed a human
(Source: US Department of Justice)
http://www.ncrs.fs.fed.us/epubs/ht66.html
http://archive.newsmax.com/archives/articles/2007/3/15/124229.shtml
From various sources I have read said 23 people in the U.S. were killed by black bear from 1900 to 1999, 1 to 3 people a year are killed by grizzlies in the U.S. and Canada, and 50 grizzlies are killed every year by hunters. From a defensive stance illegal aliens are more dangerous than black bears and grizzlies put together.
Great Grandpa used a 30-30, Grandpa used a 12 gauge and 00 buck, dad didn't hunt and I use a 32 Win Spcl that is older than I am. Friend of mine used a 44 mag from about 6' away when the bear he thought was dead stood up. 30-30 is fine, it will be more fun to carry in the woods and you will do more carrying than you will do shooting. Save the 7MM Rem mag for Africa or for long range shots at mountain goats. Just personal opinion but its a bit much for black bear and not enough for grizzly and the 30-06 is just a small step behind the 7
Well, opinions are like noses and I imagine just about everyone has one. A nose I mean. Yeah, opinions too. 
I haven't done any black bear hunting in years although I may do it later this year but I have killed Black bears with something as puny as a very hot loaded .38 Spl. handgun, (emergncy situation and that's what was available. I fact the only gun in camp.) to the 30-06. If I do decide to do a bear hunt I'll probably go with either the .358 Win. or .35 Whelen. If all I had was just a 30-30, I'd pick a load with a 175 gr. bullet and never look back. Of the three rifles mention, while a 742 ain't my cup of tea, a 30-06 with a decent 180 gr. bullet ain't nuthin' to sneeze at and if I shot it well, I'd go with that. We're not talking Brer Griz here.
Let's keep this simple. all will work just fine. Use the one you shoot best.
Paul B.
I haven't done any black bear hunting in years although I may do it later this year but I have killed Black bears with something as puny as a very hot loaded .38 Spl. handgun, (emergncy situation and that's what was available. I fact the only gun in camp.) to the 30-06. If I do decide to do a bear hunt I'll probably go with either the .358 Win. or .35 Whelen. If all I had was just a 30-30, I'd pick a load with a 175 gr. bullet and never look back. Of the three rifles mention, while a 742 ain't my cup of tea, a 30-06 with a decent 180 gr. bullet ain't nuthin' to sneeze at and if I shot it well, I'd go with that. We're not talking Brer Griz here.
Let's keep this simple. all will work just fine. Use the one you shoot best.
Paul B.