is a 3030 better for hunting bear than 20 gauge?

Question

i must know

Answer 1

I depends on how you're hunting them and whether you're hunting black bears or grizzlies.

I'f you're hunting either species from a treestand, and are going to limit yourself to only taking really close shots, either gun will work, providing the 20 gauge is loaded with slugs.

If you're spotting and stalking, the .30-30 WILL work on bears, but you need to make dang sure you place your shots well. I realise everyone else thinks you need the latest 4,000 super ultra magnum, but they're full of it. If you can archery hunt an animal, you can sure as heck hunt it with a .30-30.

I DO however, recommend a larger caliber for grizzlies. You could, conceivably, take a grizzly with a 20 gauge loaded with slugs, but I'd only try it from a treestand.

Answer 2

I'd not take a 20 gauge if I were hunting bear on purpose.

And, if something better was available, I'd not use a .30-30 to hunt bear, especially if it happened to be bears larger than an Eastern Black Bear. However, if I were offered a chance to hunt black bear and was told that I could use only a .30-30, I'd head for the woods expecting to bring back a bear.

The most important thing is to shoot your rifle enough to be confident of putting the bullet where it needs to go. So get a few boxes of cartridges and head for the range.

Good Hunting,
Doc

Answer 3

For black bear it would be a matter of personal preference. I wouldn't hesitate to hunt black bears with either. My nephew just killed a bear up in Canada with a 6mm which is smaller than both of these rounds. I would stick with slugs in the 20 ga. A 30-30 is a fine round and will do fine on black bears, it also has further range than the 20 ga. For that reason I personally would opt for the 30-30. A good marlin with a low powered scope and you'd have a fine rig.

Answer 4

Bear hunting is fine. Never mind those others. I think that I would chose a 20 gauge with good slugs over a 30-30. The 30 is a semi-small caliber for a bear. But neither are really bear guns.

Answer 5

Neither. You want a round powerful enough to take a bear in the center mass with one shot. I would urge you to consult a bear hunting expert on this topic before you venture out on a hunt. I would also tell you that a properly loaded .30-06 would be more suited to bear hunting then the cartridges you mentioned, however, at the very least discuss this with an expert before you go out into the woods.

Answer 6

i don't know what id use a 20 guage slug would be more powerful to about 40 yards but the 3030 is more accurate I wouldnt use either gun on game larger than a black bear.The biggest buck shot in maine was 405 lbs shot wit a 3030 win

Answer 7

Yes the 30-30 is better, but if you had to use a 20 gauge it would do the job.....

Answer 8

i would definately take the 3030 over the 20g. but you may want to look into something a bit larger depending on what bear you'll be hunting.

Answer 9

.30-30 by far. It's got a heck of a lot more punch (fps) than a 20 gauge slug.

Answer 10

I would tend to agree with acmeraven. If I got the urge to shoot a bear I think I would go with at least a 30-06.