I have always used Fail Safes for my big game hunting out of the '06, but I have been reading about how they don't expand well. I have never recovered one so I couldn't tell you for sure. Anyway, I wanted to know what bullets you guys use for bear. I want to stay in the 180 grain area if that helps you narrow it down. I am going to the range next week to see what type of pills it spits best, but this is the list of bullets that I have so far.

1. Failsafe
2. Core-lokt
3. Barnes-X
4. Silvertip
5. Nosler Partition

If you think there is anything else I should pick up before I hit the range let me know!

The Swift A-Frame

Nosler Partitions

Barnes X

All of these are tough jacketed bullets with moderate expansion and great retention. I have found that the Noslers are great in some guns, and others seem to hate them.

I forgot about the A-frame and I forgot about the Bearclaws!

If your happy with the failsafe then I would just stick with them, they will work on bears and pentration is always a good thing to have when hunting bear which the failsafe are known for achieving.

If you want more expansionyet still good penetration then the NoslerPartition or even Nolser Accubond maybe worth trying.

Best of luck

Tom---I used 180 grain round nose"Core-lokts" out of my 30/06 for several black bears I've taken here in Colorado. They were over bait--shots were about 50 yards. They broke the shoulders & did the job. IMO---the velocity of the 30/06 don't warrant the "premium bullet". The "core-lokt"--"interlock" type bullet were designed for the 06.

For bear anything over a 300 Win Mag is wonderful. We have seen amazing devastation with the Federal Ammunition loaded with the Barnes Triple Shock Bullet in 180 grain.

Just amazing performance in out of the box accuracy.

CTOGuide

CTO, "You said for Bear",do you mean Black bear also? I took this one with
Fed. 170gr NP-.30-30, on the ground @ less than 50yds.,

No bears here in Oz. However, I only just tested Nosler 180gn AccuBonds in my Ruger 30-06 yesterday. Very Accurate and penetrate wet news print to a depth of 23". Thatisthe same penetrationas the Nosler 180gn Partition!!! The retained weight and expanded diameter are 130.7gns and 0.627" respectively.

Give them a go.

I am heading to the rifle range this upcoming weekend, so I have a minute or two to get my stuff in order. I am taking the following ammo with me tosee how it does.

1. 180g Federal Barnes X
2. 180g Federal Trophy Bonded
3. 180g Remington Core-lokt
4. 180g Winchester Silvertip

If none of these shoot better than my failsafe, then I guess I will just use them and quit complaining.