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Q:
I'm looking for a good back country rifle to guard against black bear on Vancouver Island. My chief concerns are weight and stopping power as friends have taken Blacks up to 400lbs where I intend to be camping. Thx Mike
Question by MEO1981. Uploaded on July 04, 2009
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Answers (19)
Winchester 7600 .35 Whelen, Remington 673 .350 Rem. Mag., Marlin 1895 .45-70, .444 Marlin, .450 Marlin, Browning BLR .358 Win. all come to mind.
Black Bear in the 400 lb range are shot and killed instantly every year and in pretty big numbers in Maine and the #1 rifle used, according to the guides I know, is the old 30-06 with 180 bullets. This certainly isn't a glamor rifle, but one that will do the job in almost every circumstance. Every major manufacture of firearms offers a light weight rifle in this caliber and virtually every back water store in the U.S. and Canada carries 30-06 ammo.
Look at the marlin 1895 in a .45-70. Make sure it has the ported barrel, it makes a huge difference.
Marlin xl7 in 30-06 would be hard to beat. Low cost plenty of power, synthetic stock. Bolt guns while not as fast are less likely to jam than levers and semi-autos. I knew a guy that had a 45-70 lever gun jam after he shot a big blackie in Alaska. Good thing he didn't need another shot.
.444 marlin
I would go with an 1895 Marlin Guide Gun in 45/70. Or if you want to get fancy you could get a custom one built in 444 marlin. Both would be great because the have ausome stopping power and are very light weight.
If you can handle it, get a 45-70. They are the best all around rifle cartridge out there.
Had a buddy that was a "bear guide" in Alaska. He told me "The best bear gun is a 12 Ga. with slugs".
The .45-70, .444 Marlin would be my "tie" for second though.
Be careful out there.
Thx for all the advice, I'm headed out monday to order a Marlin 1895G in 45-70.
Good call.
You won't be dissappointed. The 450 is the new kid but if you handload you can get that 45-70 rompin and stompin as much as you can handle. Also there is a company that makes cast 400+ grain bullets at +P velocities and have killed all the Africa big 6.
The 30-06 would work but look up in marlinfireams.com or in one of there ads which are usually free near the entrance of a sporting goods store I think they have a 45-70. They specifically advertise it as a bear defense weapon.
I would go with the MArlin guide gun in .45-70. The have stainless barrels and laminate stocks and are very durable and reliable.
Marlin Lever Gun in 444 marlin, 45-70, or 450 marlin, all will do the job...stainless version may suit you better on a soggy NorthWest Pacific Island.
get a slug gun
Marlin 1895G in 45-70.
That will do the job. Good choice.
A 308 OR 7MM MAG HAS STOPPING POWER.
All I have is a 270 and I would not hesitate to shoot a black bear with it. Some may disagree with me but with 150 grain bullets he won't be getting up
I have owned 308, 30-06, 30-30, 45-70 and just purchased a 444 m. I believe that any of the above would do the trick but personally would feel better carrying a 444, 45-70 or 450 guide gun. If you train with the weapon the range will suprise you and you can not beat the devastation that the caliber causes even when you are a bit out of the kill zone. In my opinion they are a perfect for your situation.
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Black Bear in the 400 lb range are shot and killed instantly every year and in pretty big numbers in Maine and the #1 rifle used, according to the guides I know, is the old 30-06 with 180 bullets. This certainly isn't a glamor rifle, but one that will do the job in almost every circumstance. Every major manufacture of firearms offers a light weight rifle in this caliber and virtually every back water store in the U.S. and Canada carries 30-06 ammo.
Look at the marlin 1895 in a .45-70. Make sure it has the ported barrel, it makes a huge difference.
Marlin xl7 in 30-06 would be hard to beat. Low cost plenty of power, synthetic stock. Bolt guns while not as fast are less likely to jam than levers and semi-autos. I knew a guy that had a 45-70 lever gun jam after he shot a big blackie in Alaska. Good thing he didn't need another shot.
.444 marlin
I would go with an 1895 Marlin Guide Gun in 45/70. Or if you want to get fancy you could get a custom one built in 444 marlin. Both would be great because the have ausome stopping power and are very light weight.
If you can handle it, get a 45-70. They are the best all around rifle cartridge out there.
Had a buddy that was a "bear guide" in Alaska. He told me "The best bear gun is a 12 Ga. with slugs".
The .45-70, .444 Marlin would be my "tie" for second though.
Be careful out there.
Thx for all the advice, I'm headed out monday to order a Marlin 1895G in 45-70.
You won't be dissappointed. The 450 is the new kid but if you handload you can get that 45-70 rompin and stompin as much as you can handle. Also there is a company that makes cast 400+ grain bullets at +P velocities and have killed all the Africa big 6.
The 30-06 would work but look up in marlinfireams.com or in one of there ads which are usually free near the entrance of a sporting goods store I think they have a 45-70. They specifically advertise it as a bear defense weapon.
I would go with the MArlin guide gun in .45-70. The have stainless barrels and laminate stocks and are very durable and reliable.
Marlin Lever Gun in 444 marlin, 45-70, or 450 marlin, all will do the job...stainless version may suit you better on a soggy NorthWest Pacific Island.
Winchester 7600 .35 Whelen, Remington 673 .350 Rem. Mag., Marlin 1895 .45-70, .444 Marlin, .450 Marlin, Browning BLR .358 Win. all come to mind.
Good call.
get a slug gun
Marlin 1895G in 45-70.
That will do the job. Good choice.
A 308 OR 7MM MAG HAS STOPPING POWER.
All I have is a 270 and I would not hesitate to shoot a black bear with it. Some may disagree with me but with 150 grain bullets he won't be getting up
I have owned 308, 30-06, 30-30, 45-70 and just purchased a 444 m. I believe that any of the above would do the trick but personally would feel better carrying a 444, 45-70 or 450 guide gun. If you train with the weapon the range will suprise you and you can not beat the devastation that the caliber causes even when you are a bit out of the kill zone. In my opinion they are a perfect for your situation.
Post an Answer