mac266
06-26-2015, 07:59 AM
I'm overseas and daydreaming about my next hunt when I get back (2016, so I have a long time to think about it!). I've decided that I'd like to hunt mule deer with one of my leverguns, using cast boolits that I've made. So far I've done all my hunting with bolt actions, sometimes factory ammo, but handloaded ammo as of late (modern bullets, not self made boolits). But I'm going to change that. The bottom line is I love shooting leverguns, and the areas I hunt are thick timber that rarely offers a shot over 100 yards. So, why not?
Of my fleet of leverguns, I prefer my Marlin 336 in .30-30 the most. It balances better than the others and thus far I've been able to hold the tightest shot group with it. So, now for the question: I have a Lee 150 grain, gas checked, flat point mould that holds the best shot group I can muster. I think I'm right around 1800 fps with my load. I know that will be enough to put down a mule deer, but what about a Colorado black bear?
I usually get a bear license when I'm out hunting deer, just in case I see one. Of course, every time I've had a license I never saw a bear, and every time I didn't bother to get a license, a bear wandered past me! But, I figure, one of these days the stars will align and I'll have the license when I see a bear. Given that they have about 4 inches of fat surrounding their bodies, will that boolit go through enough to put him down, or should I just use the .35 Remington with a gas checked 204 grain boolit just to be safe?
Yes, the .35 Remington will do better, but I don't prefer the gun if the .30-30 will do the trick.
Of my fleet of leverguns, I prefer my Marlin 336 in .30-30 the most. It balances better than the others and thus far I've been able to hold the tightest shot group with it. So, now for the question: I have a Lee 150 grain, gas checked, flat point mould that holds the best shot group I can muster. I think I'm right around 1800 fps with my load. I know that will be enough to put down a mule deer, but what about a Colorado black bear?
I usually get a bear license when I'm out hunting deer, just in case I see one. Of course, every time I've had a license I never saw a bear, and every time I didn't bother to get a license, a bear wandered past me! But, I figure, one of these days the stars will align and I'll have the license when I see a bear. Given that they have about 4 inches of fat surrounding their bodies, will that boolit go through enough to put him down, or should I just use the .35 Remington with a gas checked 204 grain boolit just to be safe?
Yes, the .35 Remington will do better, but I don't prefer the gun if the .30-30 will do the trick.