I hunt much the same terrain in Minnesota except with a 358 Win. I first used factory loads with the 200 gr Silvertips and found I seldom got an exit wound which made finding the bear difficult and rather exciting in the dark. I got a great deal on bulk 250 gr Hornady spire points which did everything I wanted on bears, even those over 300 pounds.
I am running low on those bullets and am looking at the 225 gr Partition as a replacement. I would stick with the 250s but the Savage 99 I picked up does not like them. I shoots the 225 gr Sierras decently and I hope the Partitions will do so too.
I would go to either a much heavier cup and core bullet or a controlled expansion type bullet. At the speeds and distances one tends to shoot bears over baits there is a lot of stress placed on the bullet. I feel the 200 gr bullets are just not up to the demands.
