Bullet choice for bear defence load 45 cal and 44 cal

[338reddog]

Wanting to build loads for a grizzly bear defence load. Using my 44 mag and 454.
Possibly my 44 special. What factory bullet would make a good choice. Im looking for a good stong bullet.
If casting what mixture would make a good hard cast. I do have lynotype.
Thanks in advance
Jeff

 

[saiga308]

i would just stay basic
Hornady XTP
this bullet gives yah deep penatration with some expansion needed for bear
heres a 300 grain slug

• 
  
  
  • Caliber: .44 Mag
  • Bullet Weight: 300 grain
  • Bullet Style: JHP/XTP®
  • Muzzle Velocity: 1,150 FPS
  • Muzzle Energy: 881 ft.-lbs.

start at video time 3:00 mark
you need a lot of penetration for bear

 

[338reddog]

I do have a box of those bullets on the shelf. I was worried about it being a hollow point. Most recommend a flat nose

 

[FROGO207]

I use Keith style GCSWC Linotype and a max charge in the 44 and the same style bullet using hot Ruger only data in my large frame 45 LC Vaquaro. If that does not work nothing will help.

 

[WrongHanded]

I chose these from Montana Bulletworks.



44 Mag, LBT, 300gr, WFN-GC

But I confess, I haven't experimented with them yet. The .45acp bullets I bought from them seem to run well out of my guns though.

 

[Jesse Heywood]

I would carry the 454, since it is the biggest gun you have. The 44 spl is barely a manstopper. Add in some clean underwear.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

How about a nice Single-Six in .22LR and a second person you won't mind shooting in the leg?

 

[338reddog]

Problem is at the moment im the one with the bum leg

 

[Charlie98]

I would pick something like WrongHanded mentioned... a good hard, cast bullet driven to a fair velocity. Both Montana Bullet and Cast Performance make very good wide nose cast, gas-checked bullets that you can drive to adequate velocity.

If you insist on jacketed... I would prefer a soft-point bullet over a hollow-point for something like you suggest.

OP, you didn't mention the barrel length for what you might be carrying; although conventional wisdom suggests the longer the barrel, the higher velocity, I suggest a 4-6" barrel maximum for portability and utility. And, as much as I like the .44SPC, if you have the option for a .44MAG, that's where I would go.

 

[338reddog]

My Redhawk is 5.5” and the 454 is 6.5”
Jeff

 

[Archie]

The heaviest bullet available and the stoutest load one can handle. Then convince yourself you must do something in that case and running is pointless.

 

[Jonesy814]

I think any factory hollow point would be a poor choice they are made to expand and stay in a human. Bear are much more dense than a human which would cayse the bullet to expand and stop long before it got to the vitals. I would use a heavy for caliber hard cast bullet along the lines of the ones posted by WrongHanded

 

[Ks5shooter]

I use these in my 454 Casul Ruger Alaskan
You can buy them loaded as well

https://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/product/productId/74897

 

[Trey Veston]

I carry either a 10mm Glock or a .45 Colt Ruger 5.5" Blackhawk in the Idaho back country.

My handloads use either the XTP or hard cast boolits I make myself.

The XTP loads are "wolf medicine" and the hard cast loads are "bear medicine".

 

[splattergun]

Awareness of my surroundings and bear spray are always my 1st line of bear defense. If a griz ignores the pepper, I'm in a heap of trouble.
You can any good quality hard cast or jacketed soft point bullet, but reliability of your load is the critical factor. Be absolutely 110% certain that your load is always reliable. IF he makes it past the pepper you will be lucky to get more than one aimed shot. Make it a good one.