I wouldn' t use a 243 on bears. If you have to use a 243 shoot a 100gr or heavier bullet like a Partition or X-bullet. Do not use any type of ballistic tip or hollow point design. You' ll still need and be very selective with your shot. Bears rarely drop where their shot and usually leave a very small blood trail. When it comes to bears I' m a firm believer that caliber, bullet weight and construction is far more important than velocity. The kill zone on a bear is generally a little farther forward in the body and protected by heavier bone than it is in a deer, just something to keep in mind when you get ready to make the shot.