I have a black bear hunt over dogs and a Shiras moose hunt. I would like to use my 44.mag with 9.5" barrel with open sights. What are your recommendations for a good buffalo bore ammo choice. Thanks so much. W:)
Heavy .44 Magnum Pistol and Handgun Ammo Heavy .44 Magnum Ammo - 305 gr. L.B.T.-L.F.N. (1,325 fps/M.E. 1,189 ft. lbs.) - 50 Round Box
^^^This^^^^
That would be my 1st choice also. But the Recoil ain't for the faint of Heart
It isn't really that bad in a heavy Ruger like a Redhawk or a Super BlackHawk Hunter. I made the mistake of dropping one in the Cylinder of my S&W 329 Titanium .44mag & touching off the trigger. My hand was numb for about an hour.
Why not their 255 grain Keith style gas check at 1350 fps.
Agreed. I've killed a ton of hogs with that same bullet going only 1100 fps. Pretty big hogs, too. Probably pretty close to weight & size of normal black bears. Never shot a moose, but the load you mentioned from Buffalo Bore should do just fine.
My 300 CP handloads will penetrate like nobody's business. If you don't handload, go with what JWP and Whit are saying. These 2 have tons of experience on everything big bore and will not lead you in the wrong direction! I have shot the 305 bb and its an accurate, powerful round.
I have put down a number of Domestic bison for a rancher that sells the meat.
Over the years testing the XTP's for hornady I know first hand that the 300's will be a better option for game that big. I would not choose the XTP for the moose, I would under any circumstance choose a 300 grain hardcast if it were me.
That is not always the best option for a Black bear though. My preference would be a 240 gr HP as fast as it can go. Having seen about a 100 bears shot with them there are often times a hardcast bullet will zip through. This leaves you with the feeling you actually missed, when the bear takes off like a rocket through the bush.
Either will kill a bear, it's simply been my experience that the 240HP does it much quicker and with a much more decisive impact reaction.
When your hunting with dogs you end up with shots at close range. You won't need a huge amount of energy because of that and because black bears are not that tough. You will benefit from expansion and a bullet that holds together.