of the 454 rounds i have what is the best for black bear

[timney t]

I have three bullets and wanted to know which one would be best for northwest black bears. It will be my backup and possibly harvesting load depending on situation ( range, shot picture dictate obviously). I will be carrying my 30-06 as my primary weapon of choice though (180 TSX or bear claw load).

the bullets i have for the 454 are the...

300 gr Hornady XTP

260 gr Win partition

400 gr Doubletap hard cast flat nose

what would you recommend

 

[rcmodel]

Any of the three in .454 should Get-R-Done.

Black bears are not normally real huge, so 400 grain hard cast might offer more penetration then necessary while doing less organ damage then the other two loads.

rc

 

[Jeff F]

What rc said. I have a brother in law who has taken 3 black bear with a .357 magnum shooting 180 grain lead gas checked bullets. Bears died pretty quick and only one required a follow up shot.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

260 gr Win partition

If that load uses a 260gr Nosler Partition bullet I would surely go with that one...

 

[jyo]

I have been shooting FA .454 since 1990 (have two, 4 3/4" and 6 1/2") and I feel that any of the loads listed will do the job---having said that, I personally would choose the 260s---more velocity, more shock. Good hunting!

 

[gofastman]

I'd go 300gr XTP