.30-30 vs AR-10 vs 12gauge for grizzly bear defense

[Daltonnichols11]

I’m going mule deer hunting in November with brother and friend in grizzly county in Montana. I only have a whitetail tag for a different unit so I’ll be pulling security detail for Mule deer hunting. I have a 30-30 lever action. Ar-10, and a 12 gauge pump. Which of these do you think would be the best for grizzly defense. (We’ll also be carrying bear spray as a first line of defense). And what kind of ammo. Thanks.

 

[Hunthigh1]

12 ga pump with Breneke slugs is popular among federal agencies in Alaska for what it’s worth. Carried by biologists etc.

 

[TaperPin]

A slab sided 30-30 is so comfortable to hand carry it gets my vote.

 

[Live_weighT34]

30-30 gets mine. Low recoil, plenty of rounds on tap, open sights and cheap (relatively speaking) plus levers are generally great for fast reactive shooting.

 

[Mk44]

Given your choices, I would also chose the 12ga with some good slugs.

 

[RockAndSage]

The AR-10, without question - if you've got an optic on it that's either a red dot, or low-power on the scope is no higher than 3x.

Generally speaking, it'll be easier to stay on target and keep shooting until the threat stops.

Also, the idea that pump or lever guns are "more reliable" just doesn't stand up to my experience, in terms of actual reliable cycling in a tense situation. The human factor gets in the way too often, with short-stroking especially. Either the 30-30 or the 12ga is fine, but if I had to choose it would be the AR-10, hands down. Regardless of your choice, go put at least 200 rounds downrange in bear-charge type practice scenarios, before going out into the field. It'll help you understand your capabilities and limitations, and should uncover any problems one of those guns might have.

 

[3325]

The late Bud Nelson was an old Grizzly guide in Wyoming. He was also a crotchety old drunk for a young and inexperienced me to work for 35 years ago, but that’s another story.

One of Bud’s hunters made the last legal Grizzly kill in Wyoming in 1975. I’ve seen the photo. The next year Grizzlies went on the endangered species list. Bud said he carried a 12ga for backup when guiding Grizzly hunters. I don’t know if he ever had to use it. Bud liked slugs.

African legend Peter Hathaway Capstick carried a 12ga for lion defense in similar circumstances. And he used it. Capstick actually “repelled boarders” successfully at close range. Capstick liked buckshot.

Maybe a slug chambered and a few buckshot in the tube?

The above mentioned had experience. Most of us are just speculating.

I would not turn my nose up at an AR10. I would not pick a .30-30 (I own two).

 

[BigNate]

You're the one who's going to have to decide what you shoot well, and what you want to carry.
I sold my ar10, because it felt clumsy. I'd feel just fine with either of the other two options. Slugs if choosing the 12ga.

 

[BLJ]

Unrelated question but curiosity has got the best of me.

If you don’t have a tag for that unit, would the possibility exist that carrying a long gun would be considered “hunting”?
I’m assuming that’s it’s legal and wouldn’t be the case.

Sorry for the hijack but the thought just came to my mind.

 

[BLJ]

And to make an actual contribution to the conversation, I’d take the AR10.

 

[300 win mag]

steel slugs and not lead in 12 guage.

 

[DawnPatrol]

Whatever you shoot best.

 

[lefthandedasian]

Would November snow and freezing temps affect your choice? Would hate for whatever gun you choose to have problems with the cold temps and not cycle properly or fail to cycle due to ice etc.. Just food for thought.

I would think and lever action or pump action would be best because you could muscle it through ice if it froze up a little.

I'd be weary about an AR-10 cuz if it freezes up you might be SOL.

I've never been in a scenario like that so take it with a grain of salt, but my simple brain wants to reason with simple logic and assume I could muscle through the ice instead of depending on a semi-auto.

My personal choice would be a pump action if I was in your shoes.

 

[insanelupus]

What's wrong with the deer rifle you plan to actually hunt with?

Being alert, making smart choices, and paying attention to the landscape around you will often alleviate the vast majority of grizz encounters.

The ones you can't avoid, you handle best you are able in the moment. Have a plan at the ready knowing the planning is likely more valuable than the plan itself .

If y'all are rolling three deep, all with firearms, I see little need for specialized armament. Yes there are plenty of grizz, but no they aren't behind every tree waiting to pounce on unsuspecting travelers.

If the 30-30 or AR10 is your deer rifle, take that one. If one of those is your backup deer rifle, take that one. In the event of a life threatening encounter, a howitzer might seem puny in the moment.

Be reasonably prepared, but there is little need for paranoia. All paranoia will bring you is a greatly reduced experience with increased anxiety.

Be reasonable, use some common sense, enjoy the hunt, and good luck.