How far would you shoot at a bear with a 30-30?

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - How far would you shoot at a bear with a 30-30?

Posted: 7/14/2008 8:34:14 AM EDT

I'll be taking my 30-30 out again this year. I need to redeem myself from last year.... long story. I'm going to try out some new fancy federal ammo with the partitions, and the cor-bon triple shocks at the range. If they shoot well in my marlin 336W I'll probably take one or the other bear hunting.

If I know I can make the shot, how far out would you shoot at a bear with your 30-30? I'm thinking of putting a limit on myself of 150 yards. It's a baited hunt and it won't be that far, but the shot could be walking in or out too so who really knows.

Posted: 7/14/2008 9:41:44 AM EDT

[#1]

For me, it isn't bullet energy that limits the range with my .30-30, it is accuracy.

I can't hit shit at 150 yards with my .30-30. Even with handloads and a 4x scope.

I probably group 6" (4 MOA) at 150 yards, and that isn't near precise enough for me.

I limit all my .30-30 hunting to about 75 yards or less. When I am in a wooded area that only allows shots this long; however, my 336 is my 1st choice in rifles.

- AG

Posted: 7/14/2008 10:48:40 AM EDT

[#2]

It's tough for me get a good handle on the distance that the guide is saying the shot might be at. Some times it's a 50 yard shot and other times he says it's a 100 yard shot. Now I know this guy isn't trying to lead me wrong, but he also isn't using a rangefinder or anything accurate to measure his distances either.

Posted: 7/14/2008 10:54:04 AM EDT

[#3]

I'd want more gun myself, but IF I had to use a 30-30 it'd only be inside the 100 yards mark.

mike

Posted: 7/14/2008 11:26:15 AM EDT

[#4]

It all comes down to the rifle and the skill of the shooter.

If the rifle holds tight out to 200 yds, and the shooter can keep all the rounds in the vitals at 200 yds than I would say, 200 yds would be fine

change the "200yds" number to 150 or 100 or 75 depending on your rifle and skill level

Your groups shooting off a bench will likely be much better than when your hunting, when its hot, or cold, or the bugs are getting you, or after a 5 mile hike.....you get the idea.

Invisiblesoul

Posted: 7/14/2008 11:36:20 AM EDT

[#5]

Quoted:
I'd want more gun myself, but IF I had to use a 30-30 it'd only be inside the ~~100~~ 50 yard mark.

mike

Oh you can do it at 400 but they are big heavy boned animals. It will be shot placement more than large magnum calibers can be more forgiving of a shot slightly off mark. I have met someone who shot at that time one of the largest kodiaks in the world. He let loose several times with a huge wild cat cartridge.

He will never look the same again after 6 months in the hspital. You can find his story in AK bear tales #1. Now a black bear is not a kodiak but they are known to be more aggressive by statistics of attacks. Minimum I would go is a 30-06 with a heavy bullet.

FWIW something to think about.

Bob

Posted: 7/14/2008 2:09:26 PM EDT

[#6]

I would feel comfortable out to 200 yrds with the right loads and gun. But you have to shoot accuractly. I now it isn't bear but my cousin used a 30-30 trapper out to 200 yrds on alaskan moose. It's all about shoot placement.

Posted: 7/17/2008 10:22:17 PM EDT

[#7]

Since the area I hunt in is rapidly reforesting after commercial interests sold the land to the state government, about 50 to 75 yards is as far a you can see. I hunted with an old Marlin-Glenfield Model 30 30-30 Win. last year. Early frost killed the acorns last year, but if drought hasn't stunted the crop, I might have a chance this year of making a kill.

RS

Posted: 7/22/2008 5:09:14 AM EDT

[#8]

Well,
I went out to the range last weekend with my 30-30 and my 30-06. I'll be hunting this year with my 30-06. The range has heavy steel plates hanging on chains, and seeing the bullets hit the steel is a pretty good indicator of what kind of power your gun has. The 30-30 did fine, but didn't really compare to the 30-06 with 220gr handloads.

Posted: 10/12/2008 6:57:54 PM EDT

[#9]

HORNADY LEVER EVOLUTION! 300+yards

Posted: 10/12/2008 7:05:58 PM EDT

[#10]

.338 Winchester Magnum.

Posted: 10/19/2008 10:23:50 AM EDT

[#11]

What's the point of using a 30-30 for bear? Is it your only rifle?

I tend to agree - I'd like a bit more energy.

Posted: 10/21/2008 8:49:14 AM EDT

[#12]

Baited hunt, you'll be lucky to shoot 50 yards. If it were me, I'd say 100-150 depending on your accuracy.

Posted: 12/26/2008 8:44:55 PM EDT

[#13]

I flat out wouldn't do it with a 30-30.

Posted: 1/15/2009 6:54:26 AM EDT

[#14]

I understand the bigger is better ideas, but 30-30's have been used for black bears for years. I didn't fire a shot on my last bear hunt so I have no idea on how well my 30-06 would have done. I'll likely take my 30-06 on my next bear hunt also.

Posted: 1/21/2009 10:16:29 PM EDT

[#15]

30-30 is a first rate black bear round. I have personally seen 40+ bears meet their makers because of the old trusty 30-30. Several 350 lbs or more. You can take them at 100 yards all day.

Posted: 1/27/2009 1:55:01 PM EDT

[#16]

I have shot quite a few bears and have been around many more dead ones. A marginal shot from a 30-30 will get you tracking time in the woods. Particularly when most bears come out in the last 20 min of light. A 30-30 will "break" down a bear (Take the shoulder out so it can't run off) at bait site range but in my experiance not DRT. Every Bear I have shot with my .06 was DRT and piled up in less than 10 yards if it moved after being rolled over at all, except one. I made a low light shot in a rain storm on the last night of my season that found its way to the bears liver only. The .06 saved my butt and I found the animal the next day 80 yards out. If I wouldn't have been shooting a 200gr soft point things might not have gone so good.
Long of the short is, if you do your job the 30-30 will do its.

Posted: 4/2/2009 6:27:29 PM EDT

[#17]

Quoted:
I would feel comfortable out to 200 yrds with the right loads and gun. But you have to shoot accuractly. I now it isn't bear but my cousin used a 30-30 trapper out to 200 yrds on alaskan moose. It's all about shoot placement.

well, what rifle isnt Minute of Moose..
you might be able to hit a moose at 200 yards with a Mini. LoL

in all seriousness..
a 30-30 with a good shooter and sights could shoot 150 maybe.
a 170 bullet would be devasting on an average blackie at less than 100 yards. now..a BIG blackie is another story.

Posted: 4/5/2009 4:58:37 PM EDT

[#18]

shoot a bear with a 30-30, probably would out to 200 or so long as i used that leverrevolution stuff.

Posted: 4/5/2009 5:45:34 PM EDT

[#19]

< 100yds

Posted: 5/30/2009 4:58:31 PM EDT

[#20]

The 30-30 will do fine and I'd be comfortable out to 150 yds. My dad and uncle both took several bears with their 30-30s back in the old days(60s). Past 150 yds I'd go with the 06 and 220 grn loads.

Posted: 6/8/2009 12:52:46 PM EDT

[#21]

30-30 I am sure has dumped plenty of black bears over the years. All you need is the right bullet, shot placement and PRACTICE!!! I have seen guys shoot black bears with 41mag and 44mag Ruger Blackhawks out to 100yds with iron sights. It can be done with no questions. If your rifle can't hold a group at 100yds to 150yds, it's either the gun, ammuntion or YOU!!. You don't need a belted magnum. If your hunting over bait, you will not be taking a 150yd shot. More like 30-50yds. Stick with a 170gr bullet and put a good one in the bread basket.

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - How far would you shoot at a bear with a 30-30?

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