44 mag for bear

[Abolt338]

If you want something over the counter that's more than enough, try Federal Premium 300gr Castcores.  Those things absolutely devastate bears inside of 60 yards, and they'll do the job well enough under 100.

RW

[Dean44]

Which .44 Mag makes a lot of difference. A Ruger Redhawk or Super Redhawk can be loaded with a lot more whollop than a Smith and Wesson without shaking the gun apart.

I have killed several Elk and Deer with the SRH and a few deer with my S&W. Out of the Super Redhawk I prefer full throttle loads with a 300 grain bullet and H110. I choose bullets that can be seated as far forward as the cylinder will allow. This greatly increases case capacity and potential power. My favorite bullets are the 300 grain Hornady XTP and 300 grain hard cast lead. The 300 Grain XTP has a shallow hollow point so it expands moderately. I have never had it not expand on an elk. For hard cast I prefer the Lee mould that is slightly over 300 grains. With a gas check it is 317 grains. It has a very wide front and does considerable damage without expanding. This bullet is one of the great bone crushers and will break both front shoulders or a hip and a front shoulder on an elk. If I am using the hard cast bullet, I try to make bone crushing shots instead of lung shots.

This is my experience with the .44 and you can apply it to bears as you wish. I have been carrying the XTP for bear hunting.

[Huntbear]

Dean44, seems  you and I shoot basically the same gun with the same handloads....

[PWN Kurt]

There's a lot of great options out there.  I agree that the 300 gn XTP and Sierra JSPs are good.  Although, I found the Sierra's were a little too long for all applications...the OAL was to long to feed in my leveraction.
Another good choice is the 265 JSP HDY.  That bullet is designed for the 444 marlin, and therefor has a thicker jacket and designed expand at higher velocities...it would act more or less like a solid.

I also like the hardcast bullets, Cast Performance WNFPGC and about 18 grains of H110.
This is my load for my Ruger Alaskan for defense/back up.  Its not a long enough bbl for hunting.

[TeacherMan]

I leave for Alaska in just a couple days and I'm bringing my 44 with me, what would be a good round for the Grizz? Would anyone actually hunt a grizz with a 44mag? I would but I just may be a little crazy 

[Huntbear]

Teacherman,

I know a guy that went to Alaska grizzly hunting and took only his .44 mag.  He said he learned that he could shoot and sh!t his pants at the same time.  He said he never realized how big an 71/2 foot bear was till it stood up on its hind legs 8 yards from him. 

He got his bear, but said he will never ever go after a grizzly again with less than a .338 WM.

[TeacherMan]

Teacherman,

I know a guy that went to Alaska grizzly hunting and took only his .44 mag.  He said he learned that he could shoot and sh!t his pants at the same time.  He said he never realized how big an 71/2 foot bear was till it stood up on its hind legs 8 yards from him. 

He got his bear, but said he will never ever go after a grizzly again with less than a .338 WM.

thats funny,  I was thinking of doing it with a stick and string (bow) once I move there... 

[PWN Kurt]

I'm not sure I'd go after black bear with a 44 unless I had someone backing me up with a bigger gun.  A .44 mag on a grizz is just to make it change it's mind if it's trying to eat you or someone in your party.  Non-residents in Alaska must hunt grizzlies with a licensed guide or with resident next-of-kin...I'm sure guides and next-of-kin will likely suggest something more effective than a 44 mag.

Kurt

[TeacherMan]

When I'm up there this next month I will be with my father-in-law and he would most likely use his 7mm or 45/70. I carry my 44 when I'm on the rivers fishing, or hiking cross-country several miles to get to the rivers.

[backwoods_boy]

thats what im getting

[TeacherMan]

Decided to carry my guide gun with me up there instead of the 44, little bigger but a lot more put down. 405 gr. Kodiak specials.

[Huntbear]

Good choice Teacherman, other than a 12 gauge with an 18 in. barrel, mag tube ext. and full of slugs and 00 buck, best bear medicine out there, for a quick handling weapon.  Open sights right???

[TeacherMan]

Good choice Teacherman, other than a 12 gauge with an 18 in. barrel, mag tube ext. and full of slugs and 00 buck, best bear medicine out there, for a quick handling weapon.  Open sights right???

open sights is the only way to go on that gun  The hardest thing that I have found is finding a bullet that is cast hard enough so it doesn't flatten out to quickly. The 405's made my Remington are garbage on the big bears because you just don't get the penetration. I found Kodiak bullets that have the thicker jacket that allow for better penetration. I think you took a bullet made for the 458 and use it in the 45-70, but I'm not sure. I had my father in law pick up a griz tag over the counter maybe he will get to try it out, it opens the 10th up there. Only $25 for a gizz tag over the counter because he is resident.

[PWN Kurt]

You need to reload for the guide gun and check the reloading manuals for marlin pressures and recommended loads for dangerous game.

There's some good bullets out there for the 45.70 that won't expand to quickly and provide good penetration.

Kurt

[Big Boar]

My .44 is an Encore with a 12" barrel so velocities run a little higher than a wheel gun. This year I'll shoot either Federal Fusion 240 gr which chrono at 1600fps or more likely some 305gr Buffalo Bore hardcasts I picked up recently... Either would work well I think...