Sharp Shooter

For my 44mag would a 240gr JHP be fine for black bear or would it be better to use a 300gr JFN? Black bears are not that big so I assume the 240gr JHP will work fine and its cheaper. What do you guys reccomend?

Thanks for the help
Kirk

Colorado Luckydog

Are you hunting or is it a backup gun? I'm gonna have the 300 grain in mine for hunting elk. When bow hunting, I will still have the 300 grain for backup purposes.

Sharp Shooter

Mainly for bear defense when in the mountains.

Also, what would be good for antelope hunting?

Retaks

I carry my 44 mag for bear protection. I forget the exact round i use but it is a jacketed flat point lead nose round by magtech. I think its 240 grains but it might be more. Its a great round. I dont like the Hollow Points out of my 44. They seem to break apart too easily.

TomFromTheShade

I would look at hunting bullets specifically. Most manufacturers have some sort of labeling system for their ammunition that will state what each round is intended for. Anything that is rated for large game animals would be fine. Maybe a soft point or a solid would be a better choice that a hp.

handloader1

300 gr. LBT style bullet. Good luck.

bronko22000

You would be better of with a soft point rather than the hollow point. The 240 is OK but the 300 would be better. For antelope you can stick with whatever shoots the best from your revolver.
I know you would feel more comfortable with a handgun but in reality, for bear defense, you would probably be better off with a bear repellant spray. Lets face it - if a bear is going to come at you from close range, you are going to get off one shot at best. And unless you hit the brain or sever the spinal cord he is still going to get to you. The spray covers a wider area and will stop almost any bear.

pahntr760

310 Grain hard cast. I shoot19 gr of AA#9

liquidorange

i like the 300 gr. hornady xtp-s

FA

For black bear, any load you hunt deer with will work. .44 mag using 240gr.JHP work well and will kill a bear hands down. Shot placement is the key. I took my first bear with a Marlin 336 in .44 mag using 240 JHP. For grizzly, I use a 45-70 540gr Garrett's hammerheads +P out of a Marlin 1895G Guide gun.