Black bear bullet choice -- XTP vs LBT

[revo]

Hey all. Was thinking to try my hand at black bear hunting with a handgun this year. I have the following revolver options available:

- Magnum Research 475 Linebaugh/480 Ruger, 7.5" bbl
- Ruger Super Redhawk 454 Casull/45 Colt, 7.5" bbl

I've had good luck loading light(er) whitetail loads in both as follows (referencing starter loads from the Hornady manual, coupled with Quinn and Taffin information):

- 45 Colt, 250gr XTP, ~1150fps
- 480 Ruger, 325gr XTP, ~1100 fps

However, I'm wondering if a cast bullet in either 454 or 480 would serve better on black bear in terms of penetration. Any thoughts on the matter?

Do you think the XTP bullet would perform well on black bear?

I'm assuming I need a bit more velocity than the loads above, but want to toss the question out first and get some thoughts.

Hard cast or XTP?

(Sorry if I'm repeating a too-many-times-asked thread.)

 

[ATAShooter]

I loaded some XTP in a .357 mag and had excellent results on Black Bear ( Blue Ridge Mountains ). I will say that I loaded them as warm as specs would allow. The shots I was making was at apprx 35-40 Yards away.

 

[mtnbkr]

ATA, can you share the details of your load, the platform, performance on the bear, etc? I'm curious because I use 180gr XTPs in my GP100, loaded to about 1200fps (chrono'd).

The GP100 with this load is my outdoors carry gun in the Blue Ridge Mtns.

Chris

 

[Greybeard]

Quote: "I'm assuming I need a bit more velocity than the loads above, but want to toss the question out first and get some thoughts."

Re: "the bit more velocity" part. FWIW, I chronoed Hornady's factory .454 250 grain XTP a while back. Box sez 1900 fps (unknown barrel length). My chrono said just over 1800 fps out of 7 1/2" SBH. That'd be my vote for both penetration and tearing up Jack.

 

[JackOfAllTradesMasterAtNone]

I'm a big fan of penetration and weight retention. When I hunt with hand gun, I use Sierra 250gn FPJ and the 300gn SP. Follow-up shots on my 300lb Black Bear from 15yds... He's a beautiful rug now. I have recovered these bullets from both Bear and Deer to find the FPJ nearly perfect in shape and 98% of original weight. The 300gn bullet will fold over the top if it hits hard tissue. Retains better than 95% weight. I've been impressed by the jacket performance. They'll bust bone like there's no tomorrow.


-Steve