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MeekAndMild · October 26, 2007, 11:08 PM

Well after 40 years of hoping and 4 years of planning I'm only about 6 months away from my first Montana bear hunt! I'm already fretting as to which would be the best rifle and best backup rifle for the hunt of the choices given below. Note the bullet choice is one based in part upon the ones that seem to shoot and feed best in these guns.

Marlin 336 in .35 Remington with 3x9x40 Bushnell scope, shooting 200 grain Remington Core-Locts. (No I haven't gotten the new tube and follower yet for good Hornady feeding. This may change after deer season. And yes this is a good scope.)
Savage 30-06 with 3x9x40 Nikon scope, shooting Double Tap 180 grain Accubonds.
Savage .35 Whelen with 3x9x40 Burris scope shooting Double Tap 225 grain Accubonds.
Marlin 1895 45/70 with 2x7x32 Nikon scope shooting Hornady Leverevolution 325 grain polymer tips.

Conditions will be fair chase stalk hunting clear cuts and meadows below the snow line from 20 to 200 yards, mostly below 150 yards. Today my prejudice is to carry the 45-70 with the .35 Whelen as backup. I know that many folks take black bear with nothing but a 30-30 or a .270 but I'm looking to be a little bit overgunned.

October 26, 2007, 11:08 PM	#1
MeekAndMild Senior Member Join Date: August 2, 2001 Posts: 4,988	Montana bear hunting opinions solicited. Well after 40 years of hoping and 4 years of planning I'm only about 6 months away from my first Montana bear hunt! I'm already fretting as to which would be the best rifle and best backup rifle for the hunt of the choices given below. Note the bullet choice is one based in part upon the ones that seem to shoot and feed best in these guns. Marlin 336 in .35 Remington with 3x9x40 Bushnell scope, shooting 200 grain Remington Core-Locts. (No I haven't gotten the new tube and follower yet for good Hornady feeding. This may change after deer season. And yes this is a good scope.) Savage 30-06 with 3x9x40 Nikon scope, shooting Double Tap 180 grain Accubonds. Savage .35 Whelen with 3x9x40 Burris scope shooting Double Tap 225 grain Accubonds. Marlin 1895 45/70 with 2x7x32 Nikon scope shooting Hornady Leverevolution 325 grain polymer tips. Conditions will be fair chase stalk hunting clear cuts and meadows below the snow line from 20 to 200 yards, mostly below 150 yards. Today my prejudice is to carry the 45-70 with the .35 Whelen as backup. I know that many folks take black bear with nothing but a 30-30 or a .270 but I'm looking to be a little bit overgunned.