I sure wouldn't be using an XTP or any other HP for bear, even as a backup.
You can mess with the 250's and 270's if you want, but for my money I'd jump right to 300's if you are thinking of a heavier bullet. Speer makes a dandy 300gr JSP that would be the cats meow with about 19grs of AA#9 -OR- 20.5grs of W296
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Please note that the 19grns of AA#9 is a warm load. With 300gn
Sierra SP, it is one of my Bear loads for a RSBH. Work up your loads safely. I equal that load with 21gns of Win296. Another pet load is a Sierra 250gn FPJ which is a lead exposed bullet that gives incredible bone busting penetration. I get great accuracy with 19.5gns of AA#9 or 23.5gns of Win296 for that bullet.
For thin skinned animals, (deer), the Sierra 240gn JHC is a great bullet pushed with 21.5gns of AA#9 or a 260gn hard lead cast SWC pushed with 8gns of 231.
Remember to use a heavy crimp with these heavy jacketed bullets.
Oh... I zero at 50yds. Iron sights out to 75yds off hand, 100 with a rest.
-Steve
