New bear gun

[Jabonwzio]

Hey everyone, I hope you’re all doing well.
I’m planning to buy a new bear gun for pushing. I’m considering the Marlin Trapper in either the 3030 or the 4570 caliber.
I’m torn between the two. The 45-70 caliber is a bit overkill for black bears, and it kicks like a mule. On the other hand, the 3030 caliber might be a bit lighter.
Does anyone have any advice on which caliber to choose?

 

[Beendare]

Buying it for "Pushing"? Do you mean stalking?

I have a couple of those lever actions I inherited in 30/30 and those are not the most enjoyable rifle to shoot. I suppose some traditionalists would disagree....but dang; Clunky, heavy and not fun when it goes bang.

What about one of those subsonic rounds in a semi autos with a shorter barrel?

 

[shootnrun]

You could get a bolt gun with a 2-10/12 or 3-15/18 scope and have a far more versatile weapon that yields plenty of FOV and target acquisition in close. That being said, I wouldn't hesitate to shoot a bear with a 30-30. Around here, I'm as likely to see one at 40 yards as I am at 400. And I want to be able to shoot regardless.

 

[mulveymo]

There's no black bear on earth that a 30/30 won't kill, but the energy a 430 grain hardcast 45/70 round puts on target is hard to beat. Skull and shoulder poppers. I'd rather shoot once and not have to track something through brush or deal with a dying bear amongst the dogs. Run a brake if the recoil is a problem.

 

[knale87]

Buying it for "Pushing"?

Pushing is another way to say driving.

 

[Elkhntr08]

My choice would be the 45/70, you can never have too much firepower.

 

[yfarm]

Have a trapper, practice standing rapid fire with 300-325 gr loads in a tshirt, no worse than hot dove loads out of a 12ga o/u that I might fire 2or 3 boxes of on an evening dove hunt. Vote for the 45-70, variety of loads available cover the bases. Can walk into any Walmart and find 400gr ammo.

 

[VernAK]

Why are you limited to those two cartridge choices?

 

[Randue]

I sure hope the OP finds a rifle that fits his needs.
A 45-70 is a great choice for in close encounters.

 

[KenLee]

45-70 in model 1895 gbl

 

[Pilsner]

split the difference and find a Marlin 336 in 35 Remington?

 

[Quandary]

For fun I sold the barrel on my Tikka based 300WM I built and just put a 1/12 twist 35 Whelen spun up by Bartlein, 22". Shot it yesterday for the first time. Lightish load of Varget (60gr) pushing 225 Sierra's. 2,750fps. I will run a ladder when I get a chance to see where the velocity goes before I hit pressure. Will make a heck of a bear gun.

 

[TaperPin]

Either. A 30-30 is so light and easy to handle it would be easy to carry all day. The Marlin is heavier, but still a fun gun.

 

[Blind Squirrel]

Both will work great and levers are fun. .45-70’s kick like a mule. My avatar pic is me with my .45-70, iron sights. That was fun.

 

[WiscoHoundsman]

This.

45-70 in model 1895 gbl

Although looking it up now Ruger lengthened the barrel slightly from what mine is.

Yes 3030 is plenty to kill a bear.

 

[Jtb.kfd]

Between my kids and I we shoot multiple bears a year in the Western states. Shots range from 20-400+yds. We have used many different calibers from 6mm up to 300 Win Mags. Results are the same with good bullet placement, bears don’t generally go far. The pic below is a WA bear from a couple days ago. Broadside shot at 40yds using a 6mm Creedmor with a 103gr ELDX. Bear went about 70yds and was done. I have had the same results with 300’s and 220gr bullets. Either caliber you listed is more than enough, shoot whats comfortable.

 

[ikeG]

Ive been carrying my iron sight 30-30 for several years as a PA bear driver but just got a 11-87 rifled slug gun with a nikon slughunter scope. Only disappointing detail is the weight difference. But I thought it serves the purpose better.

Sent from my SM-G990U2 using Tapatalk

 

[Q_Sertorius]

A Tikka Hunter in 350 with a 16” barrel would be a good choice for a new rifle, but if I was hunting this way, I would stick with a .30-30 Winchester. Preferably an old classic like a pre-64 Model 94 carbine. I like to bring a touch of class to what would otherwise be mere slaughter.


____________________
“Keep on keepin’ on…”

 

[lil' bear]

I know you said you were looking at a marlin. But henry has the 360 buckhammer that I'm pretty impressed with. The case is the same form factor as the 45-70 but it shoots. 358's the same as the 35 whelen.

If i wanted something heavy in 45 caliber the only option I would entertain is the browning BLR in 450 marlin.