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Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 7
New Member
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OP
New Member
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 7 |
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?
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Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 145
Campfire Member
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Campfire Member
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 145 |
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.
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Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 6,084
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 6,084 |
250 Barnes TMZ, or 250gr bonded shock wave
Even the regular 250 Shockwave is good
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Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 15,365 Likes: 13
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 15,365 Likes: 13 |
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!
Semper Fi
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,208
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,208 |
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.
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Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 14,050 Likes: 1
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 14,050 Likes: 1 |
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.
the consolidation of the states into one vast republic, sure to be aggressive abroad and despotic at home, will be the certain precursor of that ruin which has overwhelmed all those that have preceded. Robert E Lee ~Molɔ̀ːn Labé Skýla~
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Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 7
New Member
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OP
New Member
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 7 |
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! 🙂
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Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 3,778 Likes: 1
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 3,778 Likes: 1 |
they have died for centuries with just a PRB. . . . .
. . . if you place your shots into the pump, the oil pressure drops to zero and they are done. Funny how that's worked for so many years, and still works today for every animal walking
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 400
Campfire Member
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Campfire Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 400 |
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
Last edited by mannyspd1; 01/05/23.
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 9,587 Likes: 1
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 9,587 Likes: 1 |
Ive killed bear with 295 powerbelts for 20 years no problem. Blackhorn 209 and rio primers. Bears are not hard to kill.
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Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 771
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 771 |
I really like Thor bullets or Barnes TMZ. Both shoot well
“One thorn of experience is worth a whole wilderness of warning.” - James Russell Lowell
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Joined: Jan 2022
Posts: 38
Campfire Greenhorn
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Campfire Greenhorn
Joined: Jan 2022
Posts: 38 |
I've had good luck with Parker bullets too. Shoot really well or if my Remington uml with blackhorn.
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Joined: Jan 2022
Posts: 38
Campfire Greenhorn
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Campfire Greenhorn
Joined: Jan 2022
Posts: 38 |
I would definitely avoid power belts BTW. They're way too soft.
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Joined: Feb 2022
Posts: 60
Campfire Greenhorn
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Campfire Greenhorn
Joined: Feb 2022
Posts: 60 |
I am a big fan of Barnes bullet
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,943 Likes: 1
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,943 Likes: 1 |
Regular XTPs will work well.
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