I own several rifles, but all of them are either small .22's (open sights), or larger riles with optics (sights removed). Nothing in the calibers I'd consider lethal for bears that has open sights on it.

I have the opportunity to go bear hunting on the OP this fall and next spring.

I need a good bear gun with open sights.

Any recommendations? I don't really want or need to spend another grand on rifle - especially one without optics. Just a good brush gun.

Was thinking on something of the lines of a .308, as that's a great brush bullet.

Any thoughts on a good caliber for OP black bear? Any thoughts on a good rifle?

Got one you want to sell me for a reasonable price?

Just curious to see what you all come up with. I'm open to anything at this point.

Thanks!

No sight brush gun sounds like a lever action deal.
If you are hunting on the res (sounds like) talk to Dogfish. He bought a hunt for his father in law last spring and they had a ball.
He even got the whole thing on video.

My father-in-law bought a Marlin guide gun in .45-70, and that is what he shot "Boo-boo" with. He chose the stainless model because of our weather. It is plenty accurate with open sights, and I am able to keep 3 rounds under 3 inches with open sights using factory ammo offhand at 50 yards, which is more than accurate enough.

Th cartridge should be accurate out to 100 yards+, as long as you know your trajectory. Follow-up shots are pretty quick.

If I could ever figure out how to get the bear videos off the DVD I'd post a link to it here. I suck at video.

Offhand, do you know the model number for that Marlin Andy?

Kinda like this one:

http://www.impactguns.com/store/026495016500.html

Same gun, just in stainless. That bear got hit at 28 yards, took a leap of about 5 yards, and died. There was no doubt that it was enough cartridge. All you have to do is borrow Vince's gold toof and you are set.

It was this one: http://www.impactguns.com/store/026495010133.html

A 30-30 will work fine over bait on the rez.

I've used a Marlin 336 in .35 Remington w/200 gr Core-Lokts with great success. A .30-30 or .45-70 or .444 or .450 Marlin would all work very well.

Put any of those into the right spot & ya got a dead bear. Really, a .30-30 isn't a bad choice. Now ya just gotta sort out which load.

Could even go with the 300 savage. Killed a few bear with it when we were young. Great brush gun. Always found it was more accurate than the 30-30 in my hands. Havent seen one for sale in a while but I would recommend it if you can find one.

An inexpensive way to go is a New England Firearms Handi rifle or the H & R version of it. Its a single shot with interchangable barrels. You can get all kinds of brush busting calibers for it. I have one with .44 rem mag, .45-70, 12 ga, .357, .223 and .30-30 barrels. You can also get a real nice rifled 12ga slug barrel for it. The H&R version has some other calibers availible like .30-06 and .270. Accuracy isnt bad for shots under 100 yards with the iron sights. I could pick off soup cans @ 100yds wraped in the sling with the .30-30. 1" to 2" groups of the bench @ 100yds with the .44 mag and .45-70.

Thanks for all the info fellas!

Ok, next question:

Who or where is a good source for me to buy a new rifle? Pref someplaces close to Seattle so I can drive there.

I have my eyes on that Marlin. I just gotta shop around for it now.

Any additional info on dealers, etc would be helpful.

Thanks!

"Gonna get me a bear!"

You'll be happy with the Marlin. They have a tighter and stronger action that is much better than the Winchester '94.

You could always go with an AR-15 chambered in .458 SOCOM. My custom upper should be arriving any day.

It's the Marlin 1895GS 45-70, Guide Gun, Stainless Steel, 18 Inch, Walnut Stock.

Best price I've found so far is $650.

I'm going to spell in wrong but Kesslrings in Sedro Wooley.
I miss Warshalls.
Now that I think of it OE has a new gun room. I'm sure they'd order you what you want...talk to Tommy as Tommy Jr leaves for college tomorrow.

An open sighted lever action is kinda specialized.

Why no scope? I've hunted the Peninsula for about 20 years and I've never felt handicapped by carrying a scoped rifle. Unless you know for certain your shot is going to come at spittin' distance,I'd reconsider the scope. A 1-4 or 1-5 would be perfect. A low power scope has a large field of view and gathers more light than open sights. A scoped rifle is easier to shoot well also.

The .308 would be a great choice. With 180s it'll put the smack-down on any Black Bear you'll come across,it'll also reach further if you do run across a monster out across a clearcut.

A Remington Model 7600 would work nicely. Other than a semi-auto,nothing is faster than a pump,if you think you'll need a fast follow up shot.

Even if you have decided on a LA 45-70,I'd still consider a low power scope.

If he's shooting on the rez he'll be all of 10-20 yards from the bar...I think he's making a good choice with an open site lever gun.
I shot an elk two years ago with my scoped rifle from 11 paces. Man all I could see was brown in the scope!

$599 at Sportsman's Warehouse.

http://www.eastcountyguns.com
604.75 couple hours from seattle

Parker---I can get you a new Marlin 1895GS in 45-70 for $585 or I have a Winchester Mod 88 in .308 with a scope for $650.

RVW

RVW,

Dang!

I'll PM you for your email address and take this offline.

Thanks!

Parker

What I'd really like is a gun that has access to both open sights *and* a low power scope.

First choice would be to put an optic on the target. I'd like to have the open sights as a backup....if the scope failed (for whatever reason).

Can one even get/mount a set of scope rings that mount and sit high enough over the sights on a LA 45-70?

I come from the school of one shot, one kill. Don't really need a lever action. Any good bolt action gun would be fine.

Pretty much if I am not 100% sure I can't kill it with one shot, I won't shoot it.