bullet for black bear/deer in 44 mag

[Whetstone]

I recently purchased a Ruger "New Model" Blackhawk in 44 mag. I plan on using it as a backup for my 06' or 45-70. Just in case I have a shot within 30 yards or so. I bowhunt so I would keep it within a comfortable distance. Just wondering what bullet, if any, that would be would be perfect for deer and black bear in Arkansas. We also have elk and hogs. If one bullet could do it all that would be great. Thanks for any input you all might have.

 

[LCH]

Hornady Leverevolution ammunitionvhas taken many a whitetail here in Indiana.

 

[JimP]

Are you hand loading or buying factory rounds?

I have taken elk, deer, javelina, rabbits, and what ever else I have shot with a 240 gr soft point out of a .44 Rem mag.

 

[Whetstone]

Factory ammo at this point. Looking into handloading but have to save that for next year probably. I have seen a few black bears in the woods but not during hunting season yet, and I may never draw an elk tag. I will probably only really use it for deer but I would like to be able to take a bear if I had the opportunity. I am just wondering if a bullet suitable for deer will also make an honest, ethical kill on a large bear from this gun out to 30 yards. I'm more of a rifle and bow guy and I have complete confidence that my regular setup will handle a bear if I do my part. This is my first pistol so I'm not sure what the parameters are. The reading I have done seems more comparable to a crossbow than a compound bow. Very deadly but with a very definite range at which your equipment will provide adequate performance. Or, most compound bow's are way more capable that most archers, however most compound setups are done at 40-50 yards, even though any rifle shooter will "feel" confident far beyond what the shorter, lighter, bolts need to be shot at game.

 

[Slugz]

Buffalo Bore Ammo. Many options from 240-305gr. Jacketed Flat Nose. Lead Flat Nose. All getting you roughly 1100 foot lbs and 1300 FPS.

Yes, 30 yards, well placed shot on a black bear, should have no issues.

 

[Whetstone]

Thanks for your input. That's what I have read, but I wanted to ask people who have experience. Good info can really shorten the learning curve.

 

[mcseal2]

I have taken whitetail with the Hornady 158gr XTP from my 357 and had exit wounds, good performance. I would think the same bullet in a 240gr 44 magnum would do better. The 300gr would offer even more penetration. For deer and black bear I'd stick with a standard velocity load that's affordable to practice with a lot and doesn't kick quite so hard. The Buffalo Bore and other hot loads perform great and might be just the ticket for elk or grizzly but recoil more than some people can handle. Accuracy trumps velocity if you can't shoot the hot loads well. It really depends on what you are comfortable with.

In my 5.5" Redhawk and lever guns I like the Freedom Munitions 240gr XTP load but haven't hunted with it. It is comfortable to shoot and accurate for me.

 

[Bearlodge10]

+1 for the 240 gr. XTP from hornady. They have been good for me on deer. Shouldn't be any different when it comes to terminal velocity on bears. I think its plenty as a back up gun load. mcseal makes good points on the recoil for the Buffalo Bore, the Leverevolution's to me are just a little too much in terms of muzzle blast, recoil is manageable, but for me the added weight of the 240 grain gives me better accuracy. For what its worth I handload and use the 210 gr. xtp in a turkey load and have used that load on deer with great results as well.