Gun for running bears with hounds

wildbillb02

wildbillb02

New member
I think I want to get a new gun for bear hunting behind the hounds. I am thinkin a marlin guide gun in .45-70. What do you guys think about this? Or what do you use? I want something that is going to be easy to manuver in thick brush and plenty of knockdown power.
 
A 45-70 will do the job! For close in work I would go with the heaver slower bullets. I shot a 400 pounder about 4 years ago at 5 yards with a 300 win mag. The bullet didn't do its job. To close going to fast the bullet didn't expand. I was tracking for a friend of mine. I should have taken the first clue because he wasn't going into the bush after it. I no longer hunt with him!
 
cougerbait, so what bullet were you using in the 300 mag? Just curious, because a bullet does not fail to expand by going "too fast." What will cause a bullet to fail to expand is going too slow. I've heard guys say that before, but it's a myth. It goes against the laws of physics.
 
I was using a 180gr Federal premium loads. I since reload all of my own. fps at the muzzle. I guarantee that it wasn't to slow.

I have heard a number of guys state that bigger and faster need a little more space to calm down before it hits the animal. Like I said all I can relate is my experience and hear say. If I am wrong it wont be the first or last time.
 
I think that's what I'd go with (lever action 30-30)

The Marlin 45-70 would sure do the job, but isn't necessary. 30-30 would be lighter and easier to carry.
 
When I was younger and ran a pack of hounds on bear up in Washington I carried a Savage 99 Featherweight in .308 using 180 gr. Remington factory fodder and it was a good light easy handling gun with enough cartridge for the job..Walt
 
Thanks for all of the replys guys. 30-30 never even crossed my mind. I think it will be between a 45-70 and a 30-30 in the marlin. Thanks guys.
 
How about the Marlin in .35 Remington?

Personally, I like the 99 Savage. A friend has one in .358 Winchester.

That would be a good choice as well but unfortunately ..... they are scarce!

Right now, I am testing a 742 Woodmaster (semi- 30.06) with a Bushnell Holosight on it.

Real fast!

Three 44s
 

444 marlin lever is my choice, lots of knock down and penetration for bayed-treed bear.
Always be ready for follow up shots, wounded bear can be dangerous.
 
I'd find a Winchester '94 Trapper model in 30-30 or 44 Mag. I'd go with the 30-30. It's light and handy and packs plenty of punch. Mine is set up with a receiver sight to increase sight radius and speed up the sighting process.
I'm a 45-70 fan but, I don't think you want to carry one while chasing hounds!

The 444 works fine but, a 45-70 will always kick it's butt!
 
Three,

Would you mine sharing your test results on the Remington 742 semi-auto? I'm really interested in that particular platform for several things. Please share things like accruacy, reliability, loads you're using, etc.

Thanks,
ScottD
 
ScottD,

I have only loaded the 130 gr. Hornady spitzer pushing it with a moderate dose of Varget. Don't have but one group (if calling it a group is not an exageration) of 3 shots in 1.5 or 1.75 inches @ 100 yds.

I was only loading for 'ote and cougar. The group would be "minute of bear" or "minute of hog" at close to moderate range but not the right bullet by any stretch of the imagination.

I think the rifle is staying with me now, and as a result of that, I plan to work with some 150 gr. Power Points that I procured a few years ago.

Either way, laser accuracy is not the point. Quickness is the fortay of these guns. Long life is not in the cards either. This particular weapon has the "742 itiss" already.

At 100 bucks for scope rifle and sling I can't gripe! (The Holosight was already mine).

One other point: The Rem autos were noted for sticking cases and tearing the rims off. This one was bad for this at first. The previous owner was not good at cleaning this rifle. Maybe not even good enough to be bad at it (more like terrible). A good cleaning and torn rims and stuck cases are a memory.

Regards

Three 44s
 
let me chime in here boyz,, the 30-30 lever gun? no way, 44 carbine? maybe,dont go into the under brush under gunned.i own a rem model 7400 semi auto in 30-06,topped with a busnell 3200 elite firefly 3x9, if i was chasin bears this would be the gun of choice, fast cycling and accurate,and the model 7400 has a great reputation here in the northeast as a superior woods gun,,mine has been nothing but flawless, never jammed, or let me down, if have killed many a fast moving buck haulin butt thru the thickets with this gun,i also carry /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif a second magazine for fast reloading,,very seldomed used i may add,,lol,just my 2 cent,,,dafooge
 
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I picked up a 450 GG that I got a good deal on. That critter makes your undies ride up and the snot fly out your nose when you touch her off.
 
Farmer,

I would try the Simms recoil pad.

My wife put one on her Savage 111. Its a 7mm Rem Mag. and she's a novice with rifles much less long range centerfire's.

SHE LIKES IT NOW!!

Three 44s
 
Marlin 336 in .35 Remington Nice 200 Gr bullets for up close and personal. That's the key benefit over the .30-30. You can go a little higher in bullet grain weight, but for blackies 200gr will work very well.

IMHO .35 remington was made for bears, deer and hogs in the thick stuff.
 
I've been outfitting Bear hunters for over 20+ years and I prefer to see my clints with a 45-70 or a 444 Marlin. both these calibers will lay them down and are available in a 5 shot revoler made by Magnum Resurch.They're real handy to get in between a dog / bear incounter. Just my opinion
 
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