Ruger .44 mag carbine or Mini-30?

I've never shot a bear, but based on what I understand about bringing a bear down, I think I'd rather go with the mini 30. Their skeletons are incredibly strong, and you actually need some good penetration, the 'ice pick' vs the 'hammer'. A guy I know who shot a big cinnamon boar last August told me you want to aim for the base of their neck. On the flip side of your question, I already have a mini-30 and not their 44 carbine, which I have always wanted. The mini-30 leaves so much to be desired with accuracy and feeding with any clips besides the factory five rounder, but I don't know if the 44 shoots better.

Have you handled the .44 mag carbine yet? I was actually planning on buying one last year until I found one, I was kind of looking for a 10/22 on steroids but ended up not liking the way the gun handled, mainly the heat shield & stock fore end.

Between your 2 choices I would give the nod to the mini but make sure you find good hunting bullets for it. I ended up with a Marlin 1894SS 44 mag BTW.

Either one should handle a black bear problem. But my answer would really be neither. A levergun in .44 mag or bigger would probably be my pick, or if semiauto I'd choose something other than the Mini-30, like a Saiga.

I'd vote for 44 Mag.

if the bear has decided to attack, he is well within 44 Mag range, and even though the 7.62 carries more energy, lots of it is likely to be wasted when the bullet passes straight through the bruin.

The 44 is more likely to transfer more of its energy, and that big, flat or hollow pointed bullet makes one hell of an initial impact.

Mini 30 just because of better penetration.

The .44 would be lots of fun though!

The 44 is more likely to transfer more of its energy, and that big, flat or hollow pointed bullet makes one hell of an initial impact.

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Agreed.

But if you really are planning on using a gun for bear defense, a Marlin Guide Gun would be my choice. Big, heavy bullets work well. The only reason to get a small, fast bullet is trajectory for long-range shooting. For close-range work, a big, heavy, slow bullet will do the job a lot better. Don't be fooled by energy numbers that come only from velocity through the air. Ask how much energy the bullet will have after plowing through 12" of bear, instead.

Guide Gun is not a toy (unless you handload low-power plinking rounds), but an excellent tool.

Were you referring to the older .44 Ruger with the tubular magazine or the late production models with the same action’s of the Ruger Mini’s. Either one will work but if one of the older Ruger’s were in the mix I would choose it for it’s handling characteristics.

For defensive purposes verus hunting,,,
A 240, 265 or 300 grain non-hollow point 44 mag bullet will penetrate just fine.
It will transfer more energy and smash bone within the first 20 or so inches of penetration.

I have used a 44 Magnum lever gun on several critters using a hot load of H-110 powder and a 305 grain SSK hardcast slug. A 305 grain slug at 1700 fps has lots of whammy for the first 75 yards or so.

Bear attacks are rare here in Va. I would more worried about a rabid racoon.... I would chose a Mini-30 though......

Cast bullets WILL NOT work in a Ruger .44 carbine due to the gas port - you'll plug it up.

Jackets only.

I don't know if that makes a difference in your selection, but I had to tell you.

I'm going to try 150g cast boolits in my Mini 30 shortly. I replaced my gas tube with a smaller one to limit brass ejection, so I'll soon find out if it's too small for cast rounds.