What would be the biggest critter you would tackle with these bullets at 2000 fps or so? I know they work great on deer but are they tough enough for say the big bears?

Hi Pop.They probably are,but I would choose a better bullet for Bear or Elk etc.The Speer Unicore in 300 grain at 2300 fps would be a good choice also.Then if hunting only the big boy's'buy some Swift A-Frames or Kodiaks or the Barnes O Bullet.Hawk makes some good bullet's with your choice of jacket thickness.

Good luck on the Bears.Jayco.

"With these loads (Modern 45-70 lever action, Speer 400 gr flat point) is powerful enough for any North American game except the large bears as long as the shots aren't too long. The construction of the 400 grain bullet is not tough enough to penetrate properly on large bears."

Speer Reloading Manual # 13 pg 414.

I would think that would be the final word on this from the bullet's manufacturer.

I would suggest buying the Remington 405 grain JSP. They are cheaper and work better. I run them about 1950 fps in my 22" barreled 1895. But like the Speer 400 grain they are not well suited to the coastal brown bears.

Thanx Fellas! Is there a 350 grain tough enough suited for this task?

Heavy jacketed 350 grain Kodiak Super Premium Bonded Core

Thanx JF..I know I can always count in you for an answer.

Well, I suppose it depends on how big of a bear you are referring too[big blacks, grizzly or big browns]. I just loaded up 350 grain Speer fn bullets yesterday which are suppose to be great bullets. At 2.6 c.o.l. they cycle fine in my 45-70. Using H4198 I will be heading to my shooting range soon to determine which load works the best. Most of my shooting however is with the Rem 405 bullets which should be fine with the big blacks. I will find out in the spring of 05 as I have booked a hunt in B.C. Canada for blacks.

I always thought feeding was a problem with this bullet?

Take a 350 HVY Kodiak or Hawk with a .035 jachet or the North Fork and never look back.
Just my opinion.Jayco.

Was wondering what a hard cast bullet of 15 bhn or more would do on the large bears? There are some hot loads for them. Should get some fine penetration with them. Haven't ever had the chance to try any out on big bears, was hoping someone could tell me. I've went to softer lead on the deer cause the harder stuff just zips on through without any expansion. That should put the bad hurt on a bear I would think.

Thats what I thought but after talking with several Marlin Talk reloaders I finally loaded up some 350 Speer fn that has been on my shelf for over a year and they will work in my 1895 SS. Max C.O.L. of 2.6