Best 44 mag load.

[boneaddict]

I've spoke with a guy that hound hunted bears, killed hundreds working for the timber companies,  and he said stay away from the hard cast and go with jacketed.  Said the hc works but they'd often run a bit after the shot or mess up the dogs.   Any first hand experience with using both?

I like jacketed expanding bullets best, but a hunter from Indiana killed a half dozen or so bear with me through the years, he made his own hard cast bullets with some alloy added to the lead, I think it was tin. He was pretty deadly, but I would agree that softer bullets open faster and cause more damage, but the harder bullets will more often go all the way through and that can be deadly too, so there are two different ways of looking at it and both types of bullets are deadly if you put them where they need to go! 

Tin and antimony mixed in.  Tin makes the bullet harder versus pure lead.   Just like hollow versus jacketed you get to play to make it to characteristics you desire.  Penetration versus expansion.     When shooting a six shooter, I'll alternate them (similiar ballistics)  Maybe weird and ultimately may not matter much on the other end.

[Dan-o]

In my own experience, I have shot several handfuls of elk with hard cast lead bullets (Harverter 400 grains) out of my muzzleloaders.

Those hard cast bullets leave the most devastating wound channels I've ever seen.   Truly amazing.   45 caliber hole, but HUGE wound channel.

That's enough to make me carry my 10MM with hard casts when in big bear country.

(And I think Bone is right..........   I'd probably miss)

[bearpaw]

I've spoke with a guy that hound hunted bears, killed hundreds working for the timber companies,  and he said stay away from the hard cast and go with jacketed.  Said the hc works but they'd often run a bit after the shot or mess up the dogs.   Any first hand experience with using both?

I like jacketed expanding bullets best, but a hunter from Indiana killed a half dozen or so bear with me through the years, he made his own hard cast bullets with some alloy added to the lead, I think it was tin. He was pretty deadly, but I would agree that softer bullets open faster and cause more damage, but the harder bullets will more often go all the way through and that can be deadly too, so there are two different ways of looking at it and both types of bullets are deadly if you put them where they need to go! 

Tin and antimony mixed in.  Tin makes the bullet harder versus pure lead.   Just like hollow versus jacketed you get to play to make it to characteristics you desire.  Penetration versus expansion.     When shooting a six shooter, I'll alternate them (similiar ballistics)  Maybe weird and ultimately may not matter much on the other end.

yes that was what he called the mix   

[CAMPMEAT]

Double Tap....Buffalo Bore hardcast.

[jasnt]

Adding 2% tin to wheel weight lead makes some very good cast bullets. They expand well and retain a lot of weight

[Ingwe]

HSM 305 grain bear load

[Windwalker]

I've spoke with a guy that hound hunted bears, killed hundreds working for the timber companies,  and he said stay away from the hard cast and go with jacketed.  Said the hc works but they'd often run a bit after the shot or mess up the dogs.   Any first hand experience with using both?

I like jacketed expanding bullets best, but a hunter from Indiana killed a half dozen or so bear with me through the years, he made his own hard cast bullets with some alloy added to the lead, I think it was tin. He was pretty deadly, but I would agree that softer bullets open faster and cause more damage, but the harder bullets will more often go all the way through and that can be deadly too, so there are two different ways of looking at it and both types of bullets are deadly if you put them where they need to go! 

 "jacketed expanding bullets best" 

That said- I'd caution to stay clear of hollow points in the rare event things go sideways and your best option is a quick head shot.

The story is so redneck I don't wana retell it but, suffice it to say there is a higher probability of even a 44 mag hollow point to botch a head shot and pancake than a solid and only knock it out.
Yea it has to be the perfect 'wrong' angle and all that BUT I have a buddy that will absolutely, positively never use hollow points on bear.

Hypothetically speaking.. if you were to traipse down the steep hill on slick pine needles...as the hounds are having a wild time worrying this bear you just give a 3rd eye to.

When it suddenly comes to, stands up and recognizes the thing that caused it grief and a raging headache, you frigging slip and slide straight down the hill between its legs and the only thing keeping it from ripping your face off are the hounds slamming into it. (God Bless those hounds)

It may led to a few disparaging thoughts on your choice of ammunition. 

Just say'n.

Do as you wish & may your aim be true each and every time. My choice is not to use hollow points. 

Ahh, as a side note. Your choice of bullets are imminently less important than to verify you actually have ammunition in your gun before crawling on your hands and knees through the brush to get into the fray. Be it hollow points, solids or those high B.C. dynamos of modern computer profiles than to arrive just in time to hear a loud "click".
 Yup, another good guy I knew had the occasional lapse. I am not judging BTW.

He was reflecting how thankful he was another kind sole came along and gave him a newer gun. With ammunition.
His was the worse for wear, having used it jousting with a bear, it unceremoniously had chewed off the front sight and chomped the stock into splinters.

I am told it is an anomaly to the wonders of nature how loud that 'click' is, in contrast to the pandemonium of hounds baying when a bear swirls at you when on hands and knees in thick under brush & turns out your only defense is feeding it your 'no bang' stick to keep it busy.

Use what ever ammunition floats your boat. Bears aren't that difficult..usually.
And if they are, once the rodeo is over you'll have a great story to tell.     

[bornhunter]

Exactly why I asked the question. I really appreciate all the input from those who obviously have more knowledge than I.

[bearpaw]

I've spoke with a guy that hound hunted bears, killed hundreds working for the timber companies,  and he said stay away from the hard cast and go with jacketed.  Said the hc works but they'd often run a bit after the shot or mess up the dogs.   Any first hand experience with using both?

I like jacketed expanding bullets best, but a hunter from Indiana killed a half dozen or so bear with me through the years, he made his own hard cast bullets with some alloy added to the lead, I think it was tin. He was pretty deadly, but I would agree that softer bullets open faster and cause more damage, but the harder bullets will more often go all the way through and that can be deadly too, so there are two different ways of looking at it and both types of bullets are deadly if you put them where they need to go! 

 "jacketed expanding bullets best" 

That said- I'd caution to stay clear of hollow points in the rare event things go sideways and your best option is a quick head shot.

The story is so redneck I don't wana retell it but, suffice it to say there is a higher probability of even a 44 mag hollow point to botch a head shot and pancake than a solid and only knock it out.
Yea it has to be the perfect 'wrong' angle and all that BUT I have a buddy that will absolutely, positively never use hollow points on bear.

Hypothetically speaking.. if you were to traipse down the steep hill on slick pine needles...as the hounds are having a wild time worrying this bear you just give a 3rd eye to.

When it suddenly comes to, stands up and recognizes the thing that caused it grief and a raging headache, you frigging slip and slide straight down the hill between its legs and the only thing keeping it from ripping your face off are the hounds slamming into it. (God Bless those hounds)

It may led to a few disparaging thoughts on your choice of ammunition. 

Just say'n.

Do as you wish & may your aim be true each and every time. My choice is not to use hollow points. 

Ahh, as a side note. Your choice of bullets are imminently less important than to verify you actually have ammunition in your gun before crawling on your hands and knees through the brush to get into the fray. Be it hollow points, solids or those high B.C. dynamos of modern computer profiles than to arrive just in time to hear a loud "click".
 Yup, another good guy I knew had the occasional lapse. I am not judging BTW.

He was reflecting how thankful he was another kind sole came along and gave him a newer gun. With ammunition.
His was the worse for wear, having used it jousting with a bear, it unceremoniously had chewed off the front sight and chomped the stock into splinters.

I am told it is an anomaly to the wonders of nature how loud that 'click' is, in contrast to the pandemonium of hounds baying when a bear swirls at you when on hands and knees in thick under brush & turns out your only defense is feeding it your 'no bang' stick to keep it busy.

Use what ever ammunition floats your boat. Bears aren't that difficult..usually.
And if they are, once the rodeo is over you'll have a great story to tell.     

yes, the dreaded "click" 

[yorketransport]

Hardcast lead is great for penetration and breaking bones, but the right expanding bullet can do an awful lot of damage and still penetrate very well. Something like a 300gr XTP or 280gr Swift A-Frame will expand well and give excellent penetration. I'm a big fan of the Barnes XPB as well; they expand extremely well and penetrate as deep as any other HP bullet I've played with.

I think for defensive uses I'd look at one of the factory loads with either the 225gr Barnes XPB, 300gr XTP or the 280 A-Frame. Those would all give good penetration and expand well if you had to use them a light skinned animal like a cougar.

[jasnt]

I would agree the xtp’s are great. Some where I got pics of some recovered 147gr xtp’s from my 9mm.  They are beautiful https://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=225316.0;attach=478248;image

[shallowforks]

I also use the buffalo bore hardcasts. Awesome factory ammo, and who cares about causing tissue damage, you want something that can break thru a grizzlies skull. 

[spin05]

Buffalo Bore atleast for defense of bear

[Machias]

I've spoke with a guy that hound hunted bears, killed hundreds working for the timber companies,  and he said stay away from the hard cast and go with jacketed.  Said the hc works but they'd often run a bit after the shot or mess up the dogs.   Any first hand experience with using both?

I like jacketed expanding bullets best, but a hunter from Indiana killed a half dozen or so bear with me through the years, he made his own hard cast bullets with some alloy added to the lead, I think it was tin. He was pretty deadly, but I would agree that softer bullets open faster and cause more damage, but the harder bullets will more often go all the way through and that can be deadly too, so there are two different ways of looking at it and both types of bullets are deadly if you put them where they need to go! 

 "jacketed expanding bullets best" 

That said- I'd caution to stay clear of hollow points in the rare event things go sideways and your best option is a quick head shot.

The story is so redneck I don't wana retell it but, suffice it to say there is a higher probability of even a 44 mag hollow point to botch a head shot and pancake than a solid and only knock it out.
Yea it has to be the perfect 'wrong' angle and all that BUT I have a buddy that will absolutely, positively never use hollow points on bear.

Hypothetically speaking.. if you were to traipse down the steep hill on slick pine needles...as the hounds are having a wild time worrying this bear you just give a 3rd eye to.

When it suddenly comes to, stands up and recognizes the thing that caused it grief and a raging headache, you frigging slip and slide straight down the hill between its legs and the only thing keeping it from ripping your face off are the hounds slamming into it. (God Bless those hounds)

It may led to a few disparaging thoughts on your choice of ammunition. 

Just say'n.

Do as you wish & may your aim be true each and every time. My choice is not to use hollow points. 

Ahh, as a side note. Your choice of bullets are imminently less important than to verify you actually have ammunition in your gun before crawling on your hands and knees through the brush to get into the fray. Be it hollow points, solids or those high B.C. dynamos of modern computer profiles than to arrive just in time to hear a loud "click".
 Yup, another good guy I knew had the occasional lapse. I am not judging BTW.

He was reflecting how thankful he was another kind sole came along and gave him a newer gun. With ammunition.
His was the worse for wear, having used it jousting with a bear, it unceremoniously had chewed off the front sight and chomped the stock into splinters.

I am told it is an anomaly to the wonders of nature how loud that 'click' is, in contrast to the pandemonium of hounds baying when a bear swirls at you when on hands and knees in thick under brush & turns out your only defense is feeding it your 'no bang' stick to keep it busy.

Use what ever ammunition floats your boat. Bears aren't that difficult..usually.
And if they are, once the rodeo is over you'll have a great story to tell.     

Awesome stuff!!!!!!

[2MANY]

I send my money to Tim in Salmon Idaho.