I'm hoping to do a black bear hunt next Fall and am wondering what everyone's thoughts are on muzz bullets. Out of my TC Triumph I'm using BH209 with WW 209 primers, and for deer I use 250 gr. Hornady SSTs. Not sure whether those bullets are ideal for thicker-skinned animals, especially with the fat of a fall bear.

Shots are likely to be fairly close, 100 yds. and in. I've read good things about Barnes and Thor. Any thoughts on what I'm using currently, or on the two alternatives? Will the 250 SSTs suffice for black bears?

44-cal 300gr XTP. (green sabot).

These will expand better than the 45-cal XTP Mag, when using high Blackhorn 209 powder charges.

100 yard Trajectory should be really similar to your 250gr Shockwave bullets.

250 Barnes TMZ, or 250gr bonded shock wave

Even the regular 250 Shockwave is good

Try some of the Parker's if you have an inkling to try another bullet. Barnes would probably guarantee you'd probably get two holes, but the Parkers expand real well and man, they are very accurate. Good luck, sounds like a neat hunt lined up!

I've shot a couple black bears in the spring in Quebec. I don't think they're harder to kill than a deer. I shoot the 250 SST's out of my Omega and they'd probably be fine but if you want a stouter bullet Hornady make a monoflex version of the SST. I would keep the powder charge at 100 gr or slightly less or you may get a little more expansion than needed which would limit penetration.

they have died for centuries with just a PRB. i have a neighbor that uses a 222rem on blackbear.
i allowed 4 hunters to take blackies this year off my place and 2 were taken with 50 cal Patched round ball. both were shot and dropped. if you place your shots into the pump, the oil pressure drops to zero and they are done.
any good cast and any good jacketed will work placed right.

Many thanks for the replies fellas, very helpful! I'll look into the alternatives you suggested, and we shall see. I always have the fallback of just using what I already have, so that's an option too.

My one buddy makes fun of me - with good reason - and says, "remember, paralysis by analysis". So perhaps I'm just overthinking this the way I tend to do.

Thanks again! 🙂

Funny how that's worked for so many
years, and still works today for every
animal walking

Ive used the Barnes Tez 290 grain in my Optima 50 cal with BH 209 to take a 25 inch mule deer at about 225 yds. It expanded, full penetration, and killed quickly. It also shot very good groups, like 1 ¹/² inches, at 100 yds (with scope) using 90 grains of BH.

I have also used "No Excuses" pure lead conicals with my Knights on elk and deer. They shoot very well, expand to an inch or more, and kill quickly.

I should add the only black bear Ive taken with a muzzleloader was a .50 cal tc maxi ball, 370 grain, out of a Hawken rifle...

Regards,
Manny

Ive killed bear with 295 powerbelts for 20 years no problem. Blackhorn 209 and rio primers. Bears are not hard to kill.

I really like Thor bullets or Barnes TMZ. Both shoot well

I've had good luck with Parker bullets too. Shoot really well or if my Remington uml with blackhorn.

I would definitely avoid power belts BTW. They're way too soft.

I am a big fan of Barnes bullet

Regular XTPs will work well.