Registered: Dec 2013
Location: East tn
Posts: 16

Carry old lever action marlin 3030.

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Registered: Dec 2013
Location: maine
Posts: 22

a tricated 240 grain in a 44 mag. is a true bear stopper. penetratlion without separation

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Registered: Jun 2003
Location: Kalamazoo, Mich.
Posts: 6113

quote:

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Originally posted by mainecathunter
a tricated 240 grain in a 44 mag. is a true bear stopper. penetratlion without separation

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If we're not suppose to eat animals, then why are they made out of meat?

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Registered: Dec 2013
Location:
Posts: 4

model 88 Winchester in 308

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Registered: Dec 2013
Location: maine
Posts: 22

Yes, it is available from a number of manufactors mine are from Winchester.

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Registered: Sep 2010
Location:
Posts: 23

Ruger 44 carbine, with a 240 grain bullet....I have seen many bear expire real quick with this gun and load. Easy to carry with it being so light... And if am right I don't think ruger makes the model anymore in the automatic..I might be wrong though.

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Registered: Dec 2013
Location: maine
Posts: 22

Let us also remember, that if we carry a sidearm for back up, we only need one caliber of shells. A ruger red hawk and a winchester trapper 94 ae in a 44 mag are my choices. (the ae stands for angle eject) The best gun and ammo is the one that works for you, I believe shot placement and hunting type are all factors to consider. Cameras work wonders as well... happy hunting.

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Registered: Dec 2013
Location: maine
Posts: 22

Let us also remember, that if we carry a sidearm for back up, we only need one caliber of shells. A ruger red hawk and a winchester trapper 94 ae in a 44 mag are my choices. (the ae stands for angle eject) The best gun and ammo is the one that works for you, I believe shot placement and hunting type are all factors to consider. Cameras work wonders as well... happy hunting.

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Registered: Jul 2013
Location: Franklin County, VA
Posts: 388

Ruger .44 Carbine

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Outlaw Kennels

If they don't bay, they don't stay

Catch em and stretch em, tree em and free em

'PR' McPherson's Big Mouth Brandy

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Registered: Oct 2006
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 141

I shoot a .444 marlin lever, had the barrel cut and crowned to 18/12", it's a heavy gun but it's nice and short for the thick stuff, you get used to carrying it. Shot two in the 480 lb mark ( within 3 pounds of each other on certified scales) both were shot in the dimple in their fore head, both were bayed up in some nasty stuff, one was in a cedar thicket and the other was in a hemlock blowdown 100' up on the side of a big rocky cliff, the cliff bear was ear tagged and had quite a temper, the dogs were giving him fits as I was sneaking up but he busted me when I got 20 yards away, i was 10 feet from him when I caught up to the dogs as they were fighting him but couldn't get a good shot due to them mobbing him, lucky for me the dogs stopped him for good after 50 yards of the first bay (5 hrs after originally striking off after the dogs) and i got on a ledge above them and dusted him from about 15' ,they don't go anywhere when you hit pumpkin. finished off a couple wounded bears with it too, not too many of them can soak up more than one or 2 with them big bore rifles, of course there are always exceptions, keeping a cool hand and only shooting for an instant kill is key in my books. heart/lung shots and hounds don't mix if your 4 legged hunting buddies like to get a mouth full of fur, they still have a few seconds of ass kickin and I'd rather have my dogs in one piece than an intact bear skull to show off, JMO. if I had to buy another bear gun, which i don't plan on anytime soon, i think i would go with a stainless 45/70 just for the ease of finding bullets, and the bullets are a bit cheaper with a much larger selection, where as with the .444 im limited to either rem. core lokts or lever evelutions. seen a lot of bear meet the almighty with many different calibers, this one and my style of hunting just seem to click though.

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Jake.

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Registered: Feb 2014
Location: Central VA
Posts: 29

35 rem is perfect in my opinion

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Registered: Apr 2014
Location: north Idaho
Posts: 2

quote:

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Originally posted by MikeR
That's what I use - Marlin 1895. Backup is a Marlin 444

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Registered: Feb 2010
Location: maine
Posts: 776

I like a 12 gauge with slugs.....Cheap,reliable,and effective! Plus wont blow through and will absorb all energy.....

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Registered: Jul 2004
Location:
Posts: 42

You that use slugs do you use slug barrels or just regular open bores?

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Registered: Feb 2010
Location: maine
Posts: 776

I use a regular smooth bore....Most shots are up close and personal or treed so dont need distance.....

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Registered: Jul 2004
Location:
Posts: 42

What brand slug u use?

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Registered: Feb 2010
Location: maine
Posts: 776

Seen everything used and all work as good as the other....They all hit with about same energy and will stop em' quick with a big hole....Head shots are best with no exit hole.....

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Registered: Sep 2010
Location:
Posts: 593

I shoot a .223 no matter if I'm the first one pullin the trigger which is very rare or if I'm backing up. I've either used or seen used everything described before in these post. It's all about confidence an ones ability to place a shot in intense situations.my m4 would be my choice no matter what situation I could be placed in.

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Registered: Apr 2014
Location: Dayton, Ohio
Posts: 1

Is the thin rifling a problem with the 44 mag? Can you shoot regular bullets with it or must you use jacket bullets?

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My dog thinks life is all about rabbit hunting!

http://elk-hunting-on-public-land-in-kentucky.com/

http://hunt-ohio-deer-and-turkey-on-public-land.com/

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