Best .30-30 self-defense ammo while hiking?

[revolversrbetter]

What's the best commercial ammo for my Marlin 336 as purely a self-defense measure against cougars and black bear? This will be while hiking up in the Central Sierras. (This past weekend while doing some bushwhacking, I saw fresh sign for both.) The easy choices are what I have in my cabinet for a .30-30, which is either the Remington Core-Lokt SP in 170gn or the Hornady Leverevolution in 160gn. Are there others that come to mind? The range would definitely be under 50 yards, as I'd first try to avoid any interaction at all.

 

[ROCKFISH]

I like the 170gr core-lockt. I would expect the range to be far less than 50yds if we're talking self defense.

 

[revolversrbetter]

oh, I agree on the range, I was just sayin'
unless I spotted a cougar bounding my way...
where I was this weekend, line of sight ranged from 100 yards down to ten yards when I got tied up in some manzanita
coming across some fresh scat full of deer hair does create a little pucker factor when you're out in the middle of nowhere on foot!

 

[sixgunner455]

The 170 gr softpoints sound perfect.

 

[natman]

170 grain soft points would be fine.

If you shoot a bear or cougar without tags / out of season and plan to claim self defense, the fur had better have powder burns on it.

 

[bigedp51]

I think a large caliber handgun would be a better choice when things get up close and personal.

 

[Abel]

I wouldn't exclude a 150 grain load if it shot better out of my particular rifle.

 

[303tom]

These;
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/77...hester-160-grain-flex-tip-expanding-box-of-20

In this;

 

[nathan]

Handloaders can load the heaviest bullet weight and maximize the powder charge. You need all the kinetic energy you want when in bear country.

 

[nathan]

Making loud noises is the first line of defense. Like a clanging cymbal is perfect.

 

[lizziedog1]

If I am about to enter as area that may have nasty critters with claws and teeth, I'll fire a round into the ground. I figure the sound of a gun shot should help alert wildlife and hopefully get them to scatter.

I bird hunt in some areas that have had bear and cougar sightings. When I enter those spots I fire a round of birdshot into the air, in a safe direction of course.

 

[ball3006]

It all falls under the "be aware of your surroundings". Any ammo that shoots accurately in your rifle will be just fine. Don't wander down the trail with your face in your phone like most folks today.....otherwise, you will end up as lunch.....chris3

 

[lizziedog1]

You shouldn't worry about Mountian Lions any how. From what I understand, they are ambush predators. You won't see or hear them coming.

 

[revolversrbetter]

If you shoot a bear or cougar without tags / out of season and plan to claim self defense, the fur had better have powder burns on it.

This is a very good point. Especially in California, where mountain lions are protected. I think the official stance is that if you feel a lion is a public danger, then pick up your phone and call it in. Up in the mountains, though, I've heard a few local stories of mountain lions quietly getting brushed under a pile of pine needles. Personally, I would never want to hurt one, and attacks are infrequent, but they do happen. And when they do, about 37% of the incidents turn out to be a fatality, according to the DFG website. I'd rather have the gun and not need it as opposed to need it and not have it...

 

[Weedy]

Buffalo Bore has 190 grainers at a claimed 2100 fps..sounds good.

 

[jmstevens2]

If I am about to enter as area that may have nasty critters with claws and teeth, I'll fire a round into the ground. I figure the sound of a gun shot should help alert wildlife and hopefully get them to scatter.

I bird hunt in some areas that have had bear and cougar sightings. When I enter those spots I fire a round of birdshot into the air, in a safe direction of course.

I have heard of a lot of bears that consider that a dinner bell. If they can get there first, there is a large game animal lying somewhere ready to eat.
When people come up on their game and find this, I suspect most quietly back away reinforcing the idea to the bear. Pavlov's bears so to speak.

 

[chieftain]

I like the Winchester 150gr Hollow Points myself for daily carry as my Car/Truck gun. Although if I was going to hang around big bear country I would probably go to the IIRC Federal with the Barnes solid copper bullet.

I shoot them in my 16" Marlin 336 stainless STD I picked up about 6 years ago. I really like that rifle. Makes my think I have a stainless version of the old Marauder that they put out a lot of years ago.

I still think the 30-30 carbine in any of the slick lever rifles is a great combination to do most things one needs a rifle for. Yes, i use a Remington model 7 in 308 for most of my bigger game purposes.

Good luck.

Fred

 

[ECVMatt]

If it were strictly bears, I would go with the Federal 170 Nosler Partition, but since cats are in the picture, I would stick with the 170 Core Lokts. They are great bullets and will work equally well in both critters. I feel I do a very good job of hiking safe and trying to be aware of my surrounding and have had close run ins with both bears and one Mnt. Lion. Thankfully they retreated, but I would not have felt bad for shooting if need be.

 

[RhinoDefense]

You need all the kinetic energy you want when in bear country.

Sorry, kinetic energy does not kill and is not a quantifiable measurement of effectiveness in killing something.

 

[jmstevens2]

I help but to keep thinking I love my .30-30, but they are slow to follow up the shot in a hurry and have it fairly well aimed. I think if possible I would add a large caliber handgun and/or switch to a semi auto carbine if possible.
It may not be an option for you, but it is a thought if possible.

 

[The Bushmaster]

170 grain Remington Core-lokt...There is nothing better for the .30-30 in a factory loading.

 

[22-rimfire]

Bushmaster's recommendation is the one I would give you. The good part is ammo is pretty inexpensivie too (for centerfire).

 

[jmstevens2]

If you are now more confused, you could just alternate a few as you load them. Hornady, core locked, hardcast. Etc.

 

[Owen Sparks]

Kenetic energy is a major factor in penitration. For deer heavy bullets may not be the best choice because they might pass through and expend their remaining energy on a tree or rock behind the target. With big bodied bears you need all the penitration you can get.

 

[RhinoDefense]

Kenetic energy is a major factor in penitration.

Sectional density, momentum, bullet construction. Kinetic energy means nothing in terminal ballistics. It's marketing. Nothing to do with penetration.

For deer heavy bullets may not be the best choice because they might pass through and expend their remaining energy on a tree or rock behind the target. With big bodied bears you need all the penitration you can get.

These are contradictory statements. With a deer or bear, your bullet needs to be put in the vitals and penetrate to reach the vitals. It also needs to produce enough damage to kill the animal rapidly. If you need all the penetration you can get, then all the penetration you can get is a complete pass through.

I don't think I ever recovered a bullet from a deer I killed. They've been complete pass throughs every time and died within 50y every time. This is both as a hunter and as a hired sharpshooter by the DNR.