45-70 or 300 Weatherby

[leadshot]

My son has both and is going on his first Black Bear hunt south of Hudson Bay. Would you use the 45-70 or 300 Weatherby? Thanks for the advice.

[J E Custom]

Originally Posted by leadshot

My son has both and is going on his first Black Bear hunt south of Hudson Bay. Would you use the 45-70 or 300 Weatherby? Thanks for the advice.

For stand hunting the 45/70 will be fine but if your going to spot and stalk where distance
will/could be over 200yards I would chose the 300 WM.

J E CUSTOM

[theodore]

Don't know much about the 45-70 performance on bears. But I do know that is the preferred gun for defense against kodiak bears in Alaska.

The 45-70 is not a long range gun, the 300 weatherby is an excellent choice for long range.

[angus-5024]

If the counrty doesnt allow long shots, or your son is up for a good stalk then take the 45-70 (is it a marlin?). They are so much fun for black bear hunts. The way I think is if I cant shoot it from far away then I want to shoot it as close as I can. The 45-70 is the perfect close quarters bear gun. If your son is looking to be versitile take the 300 wby. both are awsome calibers.

[eric2381]

If it's over bait, take the 45-70. If it's spot and stalk on cutlines or open meadows, take the 300 Wby

[.280fan]

Why not take them both? 45-70 for close work and 300mag if there's a possibility of a long shot?

[JUDD]

Originally Posted by eric2381

If it's over bait, take the 45-70. If it's spot and stalk on cutlines or open meadows, take the 300 Wby

+1 on this.

Killed my cananda bear with a Marlin 45-70 huntin over bait. Its was just the ticket for my first bruin!