Well it's still my fault for not researching the 150gr bt for this configuration better but in some fairness to me; this was the second bear I've seen since the Pa combo deer/bear season started (2003?), so I was really deer hunting and went with the bullet that had the tighter pattern. After reading more about this caliber it does sound like the 160 partition is the best all around bullet for close and longer (500 yard) shots at game up to 700 lbs.

http://www.ballisticstudies.com/Know...by+Magnum.html