Factory 44mag loads

[375hh1973]

Wanna go shoot a black bear.

Got a bunch of rifles but wanna do it with a pistol.

5" 629 with a Leupold Delta Point.

Would like to hear some actual reports of what worked and what didn't.

I don't reload pistol ammo so am only interested in factory offerings.

Have shot a bunch of deer with 240gr soft points mostly PMC was thinking that would work but if someone has a better idea, I'm open.

Thanks!

 

[SnidelyWhiplash]

I’ve never had to use it…but I have it if necessary…http://https://winchester.com/Products/Ammunition/Handgun/Big-Bore/X44MBB

 

[waelkhntr]

I've killed a number of deer and a 300 lb ish Black Bear with a 44.mag Thompson Contender 10" barrel using 240 jacketed soft points. One shot kills on all of them.
Range and shot placement are paramount.


Terry

 

[toad67]

Check out Underwood Ammo.
Shop Ammo - Handgun Ammo - Page 1 - Underwood Ammo

 

[WR Moore]

OK, the local black bears are about man size. IIRC, your area long ago produced one in the 500+ lb range.

I don't think you need to go with anything exotic. A quality 240 SP and shot placement should do the job. I've been very happy with the Remington 240 gr SJHP on deer. Their SP would seem to be the logical choice.

 

[dave1918a2]

Not another bear thread. For a man sized bear a 240gr bullet should suffice providing You do Your part. Set up a target with a 6 inch black center at 50 yards. When You can put all 6 in the black off-hand, then You're ready for bear.

 

[rockquarry]

Not another bear thread. For a man sized bear a 240gr bullet should suffice providing You do Your part. Set up a target with a 6 inch black center at 50 yards. When You can put all 6 in the black off-hand, then You're ready for bear.

I don't know about bears, but very good advice in becoming a skilled shooter.

 

[DWalt]

“Wanna go shoot a Black Bear”
Why? I don’t understand wantonly killing black bears for the joy of it. My experience is black bears avoid humans and rarely attack them unless cubs are involved. And who would want to eat bear meat? I once lived and hunted in an area where they were common (West Virginia) and never had anything resembling a hostile encounter. Nor knew anyone who did.

 

[Bald1]

DWalt, I think that was just the OPs way of saying he wants to go bear hunting. I like you have no desire to shoot them. I see them a lot on my NY and WVa hunting properties. I’d rather photo and film them. But I have killed a 150lb hog and a bunch of deer with a 6” 629. Winchester White Box and Federal 240 JSP is all I ever used. The white box works well in all my 44 rifles as well.

 

[grip frame]

One of the best performing standard velocity loads for hunting is the Hornady Custom with 300 grain XTP bullet.

 

[375hh1973]

“Wanna go shoot a Black Bear”
Why? I don’t understand wantonly killing black bears for the joy of it. My experience is black bears avoid humans and rarely attack them unless cubs are involved. And who would want to eat bear meat? I once lived and hunted in an area where they were common (West Virginia) and never had anything resembling a hostile encounter. Nor knew anyone who did.

Won't be "wontonly killing" a bear.

Will be a bear hunt. Have killed many deer with handguns and would like to get a bear with a pistol as well.

Bear meat is good eating