.308 for PA black bear?

[bnkrtstk]

I recently joined a hunting camp that has a decent bear population. My only hunting rifles are .30-30 and .308, I also have a .44 magnum pistol on the way, and am eyeing up a .44mag lever action.

Are any of these suitable for black bear? I have never hunted bear before and want to make sure I have enough gun to make a clean kill.

[blkdia]

I recently joined a hunting camp that has a decent bear population. My only hunting rifles are .30-30 and .308, I also have a .44 magnum pistol on the way, and am eyeing up a .44mag lever action.

Are any of these suitable for black bear? I have never hunted bear before and want to make sure I have enough gun to make a clean kill.

Good morning
Any of those will do fine as long as you can shoot them where they need to go, I wouldn't think the ranges would be very long there, but if you think you are going to shoot past 150 yards, go with the .308.

Denny

[Todd G.]

Any of the mentioned firearms are very adequate for black bear.

[tjen]

I would expect your shots will be very clse there in PA so a 180gr round nose would be great a Rem Corelokt or Horandy Interlock will work fine. Any load with a Nosler Partition either 180 or 165gr will be great as well. You have some of the largest black bears in NA so I would stick with the 180gr.

About the only better cartridge than the 308win for black bearis the 358win but ther are more than two suitable to the task.

[CannedHeat]

Either one...horse apiece at closer range. Farther out, obviously the .308...as mentioned.

[bnkrtstk]

I am hoping for close range(under 100yds), the .44's wear open sights. I am not a big fan of shooting game at long distances, it takes some of the sport out of it for me.

[tjen]

The 308 is just fine for close range with the right bullets but I would rather use the 30-30 over the 44mag its way more gun than a handgun and even the 44 in a carbine but if so use Garretts heavt hard cast ammo.

For shots at bear under 200 yards the 180gr RN's work very very well in both the 308win 30-06. Premium bullets arn't really necessary there is lots of bullet there.

[JimT]

I would use the .308 and 30/30. Maybe the .44 mag at a fairly close range.

[turkeyhuntr]

I've taken two Bears with a 308 using 165gr. bullets. As you can see from all the other posts any of the three will work. I personally would leave the 44 at home and go with the 30-30 or the 308 which ever you are more comfortable with.

[bearhunter]

I would use any besides the 30-30.

[#10]

any of them i would preferbly use 30-30 but keep it in good range i no many would disagree with me under 100 yards