.44 Bullets For Bear....Again......

[k260]

We're going camping in Idaho next month and I'll have my 329 PD as a belt gun, I've been looking at bullets suitable for bear and the preferred bullet is a heavy 300-ish gr hard cast bullet. I know Lehigh has a Xtreme Penetrator that is solid copper in 220 and 250 gr, has anybody compared the hard cast to either one of these for a bear application? Thanks

 

[WV Hitman]

I've loaded for many members of our local bear club for 30+ years. What's worked the best has been 250 gr. cast Keith SWCs. Rarely more than one shot needed. 300 gr. SWCs should work also.
I've been a bullet testor for Lehigh until Wilson Combat bought them. Never tried the Ext. Penetrators, but their Chaos bullets work great. I don't think the Ext. Penetrators would do as good as a 250 Keith. The EPs have no chance of expansion, but the lead SWCs will expand a little usually. Barnes Xs do really well on expansion/penetration.
All this is based on my 12 black bears & 2 brown bears taken with handguns.

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

How much are you going to practice on moving targets? 60-70 rounds at a paper plate coming at you at waist height would improve your chances of a hit.

 

[k260]

I've loaded for many members of our local bear club for 30+ years. What's worked the best has been 250 gr. cast Keith SWCs. Rarely more than one shot needed. 300 gr. SWCs should work also.
I've been a bullet testor for Lehigh until Wilson Combat bought them. Never tried the Ext. Penetrators, but their Chaos bullets work great. I don't think the Ext. Penetrators would do as good as a 250 Keith. The EPs have no chance of expansion, but the lead SWCs will expand a little usually. Barnes Xs do really well on expansion/penetration.
All this is based on my 12 black bears & 2 brown bears taken with handguns.

I have some True Cast 310 gr gas check hard cast, you think a slightly lighter bullet would be a better choice? I'm sending the 329 out for Magna Porting, that thing is not fun to shoot. Any thoughts on the Barnes Buster?

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

Get bear spray.

 

[Tommie]

Get bear spray.

I’d have a slightly better chance connecting an enraged charging bruin using bear spray versus any handgun!

 

[wboggs]

We're going camping in Idaho next month and I'll have my 329 PD as a belt gun, I've been looking at bullets suitable for bear and the preferred bullet is a heavy 300-ish gr hard cast bullet. I know Lehigh has a Xtreme Penetrator that is solid copper in 220 and 250 gr, has anybody compared the hard cast to either one of these for a bear application? Thanks

The 250 keith semi wc has been used for many years with good success. Fed used to load a heavier wide meplate which was good. Go with the Keith and there will be no problem with the bullet. Better practice and be really fast and good.

 

[boltfluter]

We're going camping in Idaho next month and I'll have my 329 PD as a belt gun, I've been looking at bullets suitable for bear and the preferred bullet is a heavy 300-ish gr hard cast bullet. I know Lehigh has a Xtreme Penetrator that is solid copper in 220 and 250 gr, has anybody compared the hard cast to either one of these for a bear application? Thanks

Driving to Idaho will be the most dangerous part of your camping trip. I have never seen a more skittish big game animal in my life, than a Black bear.
99% can't leave the area fast enough. I walk in Black bear country every morning with my dogs and it is a non issue. Enjoy your camping trip.
Paul

 

[k260]

Get bear spray.

Got some....but that wasn't the question.

 

[Rick in Oregon]

Agree with boltfluter above having lived with them for my entire life.

But to stay OT, I'll also agree that the Keith 250 SWC (#429421) hard cast gets the job done.

 

[jds holler]

Out here in the west, hardly a day goes by the ya don't hear about someone being chased, mauled, and often completely consumed by bears, wolves, or mountain lions. It's odd that we still have bazillions of folks running around camping, fishing, backpacking, mountain biking, -- totally oblivious to the deadly predators that lurk almost everywhere.
jd

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

I agree driving will be far more dangerous, but if your life depends on your handgun, you better practice. I shot a bull elk, a grizzly got on the track with me within a 1/2 hr. I think the rifle is a great griz call north of Yellowstone.

 

[Rick in Oregon]

Agree with both jds and Coyotefur guy above about the driving part of the trip.

The most bear or cougar incidents here seem to happen with unprepared, uneducated 'ignorant of the wild' types oblivious to the hidden predators lurking around them. No food usage/storage knowledge, no situational awareness, no real knowledge of the wild other than what they've gleaned from TV and movies.

I had more bear encounters when I worked in the BC woods than I could ever relate here. I learned that blackies are totally unpredictable, will bluff-charge you 90% of the time, stopping just short of you (f'in scary!). But it's that very dangerous 10% being the real worry. We all know to stay clear of brownies, but they've not been an issue for the places I've lived, only blackies.

And to stay OT, anecdotal evidence shows that the .44M and the Keith 250 Hard-Cast SWC will do it very well. Seems to have been a very good choice since the 1930's....reminds me of the "old" 1911.

Here's a old girl that was hanging around the landing when I actually had my camera. Looks to be a powerful girl that you would not want interested in you.



K260: Good luck on your trip west. You'll love ID. Doubtful you'll need that Smith, but if you do, I know it'll have whatever bullet loaded in it that makes you feel comfy. Safe travels.

 

[jds holler]

Did ya ever notice how game of all kinds seem to like getting out in fresh dug dirt. ??
That's one nice looking bear. jd

 

[WV Hitman]

Most S&W revolvers are on the light side of weight. There is a noticeable difference in the recoil of 250/310 bullets. MagNaPorting helps a little, but more noticeable in larger caliber handgun.
Barnes Busters are solids & go like a hot knife thru better in bears. They're for elephants, Cape buffs, & rhinos.
My backup in Africa & AK is my .475 Linebaugh. My backup for WV bears is a .44 Ruger Redhawk 5" with 265 gr. Keiths (shoots them better than 250s).

 

[k260]

Most S&W revolvers are on the light side of weight. There is a noticeable difference in the recoil of 250/310 bullets. MagNaPorting helps a little, but more noticeable in larger caliber handgun.
Barnes Busters are solids & go like a hot knife thru better in bears. They're for elephants, Cape buffs, & rhinos.
My backup in Africa & AK is my .475 Linebaugh. My backup for WV bears is a .44 Ruger Redhawk 5" with 265 gr. Keiths (shoots them better than 250s).

The 329 PD is 26 ozs and I literally just sent it out to Magna Port today, it should help. I'm working on getting some 260-280 gr hard cast to test when it gets back to me, I'm thinking the 310's I have may not be what I need in that one.

 

[wboggs]

The 329 PD is 26 ozs and I literally just sent it out to Magna Port today, it should help. I'm working on getting some 260-280 gr hard cast to test when it gets back to me, I'm thinking the 310's I have may not be what I need in that one.

You are over thinking the bullet choice. A 250 keith around 1200 fps is all you need

 

[Alex Wheeler]

I lived and hunted in Mt. For 10 years. Saw very few blacks and zero griz. They are there for sure. But its not a huge concern. Bring what you can hit with. I had the same gun and had a very hard time drawing fast and putting the first shot on target. Which is what you have to do. In the few instances we did have, there wasnt time for follow ups. You need to put the first shot on target.

 

[k260]

I lived and hunted in Mt. For 10 years. Saw very few blacks and zero griz. They are there for sure. But its not a huge concern. Bring what you can hit with. I had the same gun and had a very hard time drawing fast and putting the first shot on target. Which is what you have to do. In the few instances we did have, there wasnt time for follow ups. You need to put the first shot on target.

Agreed. My initial choice was a Sig 320 in 10mm but after looking at the ballistics I decided twice the energy was better. I'll probably put a red dot on the 329 as well. I don't plan on using it but I don't plan on using my car insurance either....

 

[Richard Jones]

My bud went elk hunting out there and said he was a couple of hundred miles south of any grizzlies, so it would depend on where in Idaho. I won't try to say a black bear can't be dangerous, but if I had my choice..... No knowledge (other than anecdotally) of what bullet works best, but my bud's research amongst a lot of guides said hard cast in a hot 10mm in a chest rig. That being said, I can't imagine a very warm 240-250 HC Keith in a 44 mag not doing the job on anything in North America. Practice and placement are key, of course. And that practice is probably gonna hurt a bit, but maybe less hurt than if you don't. Nothing wrong with bear spray AND a gun... I hope you have time to put in earpro before you touch off that beast!! I'd practice with it at night as well and not just to see the fireworks from the muzzle flash. Good times!!