Home Forums Hunting & Shooting General Big Game Has anyone used the 243 for black bear?

I have probably killed at least a dozen w/my old HVA 243, all w/ max. loads of H4831 and 100 gr Nosler PT's. Never lost one, most shot through the heart lungs and one shoulder. ANYBODY who says that a 243 is in anyway inadequate for black bears is blowin smoke. What WILL get you a lost black bear is a bullet that is too stiff, you need expansion right now and penetration, hence the PT's. Muddy

I remember that too. And the same year a kid killed a 500 pounder with a 243.