Having taken several bears, in MO, the fmj and the st is a great setup. I shot a 6'9" black at 20yds and the arrow was an easy pass thru. The shot placment, to me, is more important. Study the spot you have to hit. Draw a straight horizontal line through the middle of the bear, then draw a verticle line through the body, from the neck to the rear end. Now take the verticle line more it about 6"forward on the body and that is where the perfect shot is. I have had 12 yr olds have pass throughs with 40# rigs.