44 Mag Bear buster loads

[tecumseh]

I'm gonna load some bear loads for my 44 this weekend to use around camp in case a bear were to make a surprise visit in the middle of the night. I have a good supply of 300 gr Sierra JHP to use but I'm also thinking about 300 gr cast bullets too. Which would be the better route to go? I think the Sierra's will be ok for what I'll be using them for, plus they shoot great out of my super blackhawk.

 

[DrMike]

For curious black bears, either bullet will serve you well. I have yet to have one give me problems in camp. On the other hand, it only takes one to ruin your sleep.

 

[Guy Miner]

I don't know.

The cast bullet fans have me all worked up about 250 - 300 gr cast bullets for the .44, and it's not like I never shot them before...

But the only fellow I "know" (just by e-mails) who has killed over 200 black bears (Wow!) swears that JHP's produce a more immediate effect on the bears.

I'm loading 275 gr cast this year, for anti-bear duty, but in the past I've gone with 240 gr JHP's and considered myself reasonably well armed.


Guy

 

[Charlie-NY]

Another argument that is made for using the 240 bullets on bears is that you get less muzzle jump, thus allowing you to get back on target for subsequent shots. Two 240's should have a much greater impact on a bear than one 300.

How about 1-2 240 JHP's backed by 4 - 275 Hardcast? Or........... bring a 45-70 and be done with it.

 

[tecumseh]

I'll probably go with the cast bullets. The two other guys I go out west with bring a 460 Smith and a 45-70 when in camp. I also forgot about having a good supply of 265 gr Hornady Interlocks that I've never tried out of it too.

 

[JD338]

For a black bear, I think a 300 gr JHP would be more than enough. For grizzly or brown bears, I would go with heavy HCL bullets.

JD338

 

[HeathSexton]

I don't know.

The cast bullet fans have me all worked up about 250 - 300 gr cast bullets for the .44, and it's not like I never shot them before...

But the only fellow I "know" (just by e-mails) who has killed over 200 black bears (Wow!) swears that JHP's produce a more immediate effect on the bears.

I'm loading 275 gr cast this year, for anti-bear duty, but in the past I've gone with 240 gr JHP's and considered myself reasonably well armed.


Guy

That's the same bullet I shoot from my .44's with 17.5grs Alliant 2400. It's a very accurate bullet and should leave a nice mark on any struck target.

 

[FOTIS]

300 grain Anyslug with 20 gr H110 or Win 296. Done deal.

 

[Richracer1]

How about Nosler 200gn JHP with a 28.5gn of H110? :grin:

 

[FOTIS]

I like more meat on my bear loads.

 

[SJB358]

Those 300 grains Sierra's will act like hardcast in the 44. They are super tough bullets at 44 mag speeds. I really doubt you'll get much expansion out of them, so they will drive deep. Run one of them into the jugs, you'll see what I mean..

 

[tecumseh]

Those 300 grains Sierra's will act like hardcast in the 44. They are super tough bullets at 44 mag speeds. I really doubt you'll get much expansion out of them, so they will drive deep. Run one of them into the jugs, you'll see what I mean..

I mistakenly wrote the Sierra's are JHP and They're JSP, I have some loaded up to try hopefully sometime soon.

 

[FOTIS]

Scottie is correct.

444 marlin test 2014 fps

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eobE4kK9Kpc

at 1626 fps

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W8pMBcLLSes

so at 1200 fps you get nothing...... expansion wise. I do not get sierra recommending this for the 44 mag.

 

[tecumseh]

Not very impressive at 1625 FPS! I'd like to give em a run in my 444, but according to Sierra because of the seating depth they would have to be loaded one at a time?

 

[Thebear_78]

I'm running cast performance 300 gr WFNGC. I'm running these at 1175fps out of my smith 329 NG. It's a light revolver and I don't think you need to push these any faster to be effective. They will shoot clean thru 18" spruce tree and I don't see them stopping in a bear.

 

[FOTIS]

Not very impressive at 1625 FPS! I'd like to give em a run in my 444, but according to Sierra because of the seating depth they would have to be loaded one at a time?

Nope seat them with the cannalure below the neck and apply a firm crimp with the Lee factory crimp.

They shoot great out of my 444.

300 sierra coal 2.570"
h335
2150 fps

 

[FOTIS]

Same load with Beartooth 300 grain cast

 

[SJB358]

Not very impressive at 1625 FPS! I'd like to give em a run in my 444, but according to Sierra because of the seating depth they would have to be loaded one at a time?

They will cycle fine. I seat to 444 spec and crimp with the Lee FCD. Accuracy is very good with them.

 

[tecumseh]

Not very impressive at 1625 FPS! I'd like to give em a run in my 444, but according to Sierra because of the seating depth they would have to be loaded one at a time?

They will cycle fine. I seat to 444 spec and crimp with the Lee FCD. Accuracy is very good with them.

I'm gonna load a few up and see how they shoot. You think they'll crimp ok with the Redding die I normally use?

 

[SJB358]

Not very impressive at 1625 FPS! I'd like to give em a run in my 444, but according to Sierra because of the seating depth they would have to be loaded one at a time?

They will cycle fine. I seat to 444 spec and crimp with the Lee FCD. Accuracy is very good with them.

I'm gonna load a few up and see how they shoot. You think they'll crimp ok with the Redding die I normally use?

I would think so? Never tried crimping with anything other than the FCD. Looking forward to seeing how they do. Are you gonna stuff one into the jugs?