What would your selection be?

[bronko22000]

Want some opinions on what load from the below list would you use for black bear? I will be hunting them in PA where they can easily push 400 lb. I believe the record is somewhere in the 800 lb class. Range will be <100 yds.
OK here are the choices:
.45 cal - 200 gr 40 cal bullet - 80 gr Pyrodex P
50 cal. - 240 gr 44 cal Horn XTP - 90 gr FFFg
50 cal - 275 gr Maxihunter - 100 gr FFFg
50 cal - 320 gr REAL - 90 gr FFFg
54 cal - 230 gr PRB - 80 gr Pyrodex RS

Accuracy is not an issue - all above loads are accurate in their respective rifles.

[sabotloader]

bronko22000

.45 cal - 200 gr 40 cal bullet - 80 gr Pyrodex P
50 cal. - 240 gr 44 cal Horn XTP - 90 gr FFFg
50 cal - 275 gr Maxihunter - 100 gr FFFg
50 cal - 320 gr REAL - 90 gr FFFg
54 cal - 230 gr PRB - 80 gr Pyrodex RS

From the list above - i think I wold go with the heavier 320 grain real but since it is an all leadbullet I would really want it heavier than that...

If I were making the myself I would go with a .458/300 grain Nosler or Barnes or if they aren not available a .452/300 grain Gold Dot...

[gleason.chapman]

ORIGINAL: sabotloader

bronko22000

From the list above - i think I wold go with the heavier 320 grain real but since it is an all leadbullet I would really want it heavier than that...

If I were making the myself I would go with a .458/300 grain Nosler or Barnes or if they aren not available a .452/300 grain Gold Dot...

+1. Heavier is better. Big bones in bears. Chap Gleason

[cayugad]

The REAL 320 would be my choice, and I would stay away from the shoulder bone. It might splatter that lead bullet. Slip it behind the shoulder into the vitals and you should be fine. I have a friend that shoots black bear (from a tree) with a .50 caliber roundball and claims he has never had a problem harvesting them. They do run off, but normally not far and then they lay down and start their death moan.

I personally hunted them with 380 grain REAL in my .54 and also roundball. I never had a boar come in and refused to harvest a small one that was a real clown, but I did not feel under gunned. I hunted from both a tree and a ground blind, but when you have a sow and cub 20 feet from the blind, it does get one worried. I also carried a .44 magnum with me just in case.

[frontier gander]

I'd scratch the 240 maxihunter off the list and find something else to fill its spot.

Big bear = Bigger bullet the better.

If i were dealing with a BIG bear like that, i would shoot my elk load of 80gr rs and the 405 powerbelt. You can't go wrong with an even bigger bullet. sabot or conical.

There was a post like this on monster muleys and the guy was asking about shooting around a 300lb black bear with a 295 powerbelt.

I'd try it to see how it did but i would use my standard charge of 80gr rs and no more.

[TNHagies]

From that list I would have to pick the 320 REAL. The bear I hunt in VA and TN run around the 300lb range and that would be min of what I would use. I bear hunt w/a 300g XTP MAG. The 300g Nosler is an even better option as Sabotloader mentioned. I might use a 460 Bullshop this year though. I've kinda taken to this big chunks of lead shootin' Bear are a lot tougher than deer. As someone else mentioned, I wouldn't try to shoot through the shoulder if possible.

[Indiana SmokePole]

Bronko

In all repects to you out of your list it would be the 320gr real . BUT if I were you I would try some 370gr Maxi - balls (or) 350gr Maxi - hunters with a over the powder wad and 80 - 90 gr of powder . In a conical type bullet my min. would be 350gr and I think that is on a little of the lite side , the 370gr maxi - ball would be better as it is known for deep penetration,but that is JMO

[sabotloader]

TNHagies

The 460 BShop would certainly do the trick - It is an awesome chunk of lead - carries a higher BC than most think and is an accurate projectile in everything I shoot it from...

[bronko22000]

I wasn't having much luck with the 54 shooting conicals. But I was using T7. I think I may try FFg and some 435 gr Maxihunters I picked up. I have a couple of 430 Maxiballs left from the last outing.
I'm hoping they shoot good - If not, I will be using the 50.
And much to FG's delight, I may give the Powerbelts a try. What would be a good starting load with that 405 grainer. And is this the 50 cal or 54 cal bullet?

[lemoyne]

bronko22000
If that 200gr 40 cal is the Shock Wave then tthat's the way I would go I have used that bullet on several hog and deer and it has been very effective but it keep going out the other side even the hog I shot in the shoulder and out the ham on the other side. I normally use at least 90 gr 777-FF and usually a 100 on what I have taken so far . I will be switching to BH209 thiis year it will shoot good with almost any load of BH but I like 110 gr for about 2100fps. Lee