44 mag for bear

[Kain]

For you pistol guys what is your preferred bullet for black bears with a 44 mag revolver?  I have some 240gr SJSP that I am pretty good with.  Is that good enough.  Also what is the effective range with open sites?

[Huntbear]

I have worked up handloads that are real whompers.  300 gr. Sierra JSP, pushed by a full boat load of H110.  Sierra designed this bullet for bear and boar.  It WILL NOT expand on a deer shoulder,  .  I wanted a JSP over a HP for penetration, and I like heavy bullets anyway.

 However, if you are using premium bullets a 240 gr. should do just fine.  I am

As for effective range with open sights, that is kind of up to you.  How much do you practice?  Do you regularly shoot out to 50-60 yards?  How about 75 yards?  Are you using shooting sticks or just off hand shooting?   I am comfortable out to 60 yards with my 6" Redhawk.  Others may be more or less.

[Kain]

No I am not good enough to shoot 60 yards but I was just wondering about the effective range of the bullet.  I just wasnt sure how fast these loads drop off.  I would be confident to about 30 yards with a rest, maybe 40 if it was sleeping.    I do not hand load either so maybe some off-the-shelf stuff that would work.

[Kain]

300gr with a hot load?  Hows that feel on the hand?  Sounds kind of unpleasant.    

[rasbo]

Im using 200 grain xtp loaded by gutpile they are hot

[Huntbear]

300gr with a hot load?  Hows that feel on the hand?  Sounds kind of unpleasant.    

Kind of like shooting a .454.  I have to quit after 20 rounds.  Can not hack it after that.  B

[Kain]

300gr with a hot load?  Hows that feel on the hand?  Sounds kind of unpleasant.    

Kind of like shooting a .454.  I have to quit after 20 rounds.  Can not hack it after that.  B

Sounds like a shoulder breaker on both ends of the barrel.   

[Huntbear]

I got crazy, and decided that I wanted something to stop anything in N. America, including grizzly.  I accomplished that part, I guess.  And I am a glutton for punishment anyway, when it comes to shooting.  Never found a big caliber I did not like. 

[TheHunt]

240 or 300 would do the job.  Talk to Rasbo on what he uses.  His shots are all under 30 yards.

[Huntbear]

300gr with a hot load?  Hows that feel on the hand?  Sounds kind of unpleasant.    

Kind of like shooting a .454.  I have to quit after 20 rounds.  Can not hack it after that.  B

Sounds like a shoulder breaker on both ends of the barrel.   

And I can hold them in a 5 in. circle at 50 yards over a stump. 

[Bofire]

 :)I cut two Winchester Soft points out of a small black bears neck, 240 grain, 44 mag, shot from about 10 feet. They penetrated abou 2-3 inches. did not mushroom at all.
Carl

[Huntbear]

Bofire, if they were Winchester's cheap ammo, they may not penetrate/or mushroom.  There is a difference between 44 mag. target/self defense ammo, and hunting ammo.   Most ammo labelled as hunting ammo comes 20 rounds to a box, and cost more than a 50 round box.  Now if you are handloading, and working up hunting loads, for me, I want the round as hot as is safe for me and my gun, with as big a bullet as I can use.  I want quick clean kills.  That is why I do not shoot my 300 gr. JSP loads at deer anymore.  It will not expand.  Same size hole going out as going in. 

For tough, thick skinned animals, however, give me my 300 gr. handload every time, because I know it will penetrate,(from shoulder to shoulder on a bull elk at 60 yards) and it expands wonderfully.

[JackOfAllTrades]

I have worked up handloads that are real whompers.  300 gr. Sierra JSP, pushed by a full boat load of H110.  Sierra designed this bullet for bear and boar.  It WILL NOT expand on a deer shoulder,  .  I wanted a JSP over a HP for penetration, and I like heavy bullets anyway.

I've done the same but also use the 250gn FPJ that's running out the barrel faster and actually hits harder than the 300gn Sierra JSP's do. I keep three of each in the gun. I push either of the Sierra selections with ample amounts of win296 or AA#9 for best accuracy and velocity.

Are they painful from my Redhawk or Ruger SBH Bisley? Managable... I don't like shooting more than 25 in a shooting session.

If you're shooting factory loads, I'd look for something better than the Win240hp's. Some Hornady XTP's would be a better choice if you're going to stick with the HP.  I agree with HuntBear, Penetration, over expansion is my choice when hunting game larger than Deer at pistol distances.

-Steve

[Kain]

:)I cut two Winchester Soft points out of a small black bears neck, 240 grain, 44 mag, shot from about 10 feet. They penetrated abou 2-3 inches. did not mushroom at all.
Carl

Wow that must be some crap ammo.  I know for a fact that what I am shooting will do better than that on any bear.  Are you sure they were not 44 specials?

[Bofire]

44 mag from a 7.5 inch Black hawk. I dont think the white box was around yet, and the guy shooting was a handgun  lover and shot all the time. won many contests, others on this board know of this experience. 

 BEAR ONLY
Flame on, I do not think any handgun bullets expand, I think your only chance is penetration, I would use nothing but hard cast 300-350 grain bullets. Kain, How many bears you shot?
 I have killed a few, and a bunch of other game. I have been in on, in the dark, at 10 feet or less, the  killing of two wounded bear also. with hand guns
 none of my experience is based on magazines, or stories.
Carl