[Cindog]

http://www.postgazette.com/pg/05327/611504.stm

Guess this will keep the "what caliber for bear" debate going. :neener: And for those who don't like to follow links, the guy shot the bear three times with a .444, approached the bear, put a 4th shot into it, and then the 320 pound black bear charged and bit him.

[Vern Humphrey]

The news story doesn't say what ammunition he used. When the .444 first came out, there was a tendency to load it with .44 Mag bullets, which don't perform all that well at the higher velocity of the .444.

But the lesson is clear -- stay clear of the game until you're sure it's dead. Even a white tail can be dangrous if you have to go mano-a-mano with it.

[one-shot-one]

on the bullets, even in most "over the counter rounds" today are poor stopers on big game, garett/bufflo bore rounds will make a difference.

[mete]

Originally the 444 used pistol bullets which would come apart at those high velocities in an animal. The shallow twist prevented use of heavy bullets. Today the 444 has a tighter twist so heavier bullets can be used and bullets are appropriate for those velocities.

[pcf]

I have hunted with some people who believe a deer's "chest" begins about 6" aft of the liver.

Where did he shoot the bear?

[Cindog]

Of course the article didn't bother to say where the shots were placed. If I were a betting man though, I'd bet not where they were supposed to be :)

[Borachon]

the guy shot the bear three times with a .444, approached the bear

Thus violating Borachon's First Law of Bear hunting. Let the bear die before approaching.

[BlkHawk73]

Looks like most are wanting to blame the ammo or the cartridge itself. Why not blame the hunter who didn't place his shots - 4 of them - where they should've been placed. The .444 just like the classic .30-30 worked on thousnads and thousands of big game so=ince it's inception. hard to believ the game have gotten tougher. More like the shots have gotten worse.