What's you expereince hunting Black Bears with Pistol Catridges.

[teddy12b]

I know Black bear have been killed by a lot of guns, both big and small.  In the event that I'm lucky enough to get to go bear hunting again this year I am considering using my Puma 44mag.  I know black bears have been killed with 44mag handguns for years, and my rifle will send the same bullets even faster and hopefully more accurately.

My rifle can safely shoot 320gr hard cast (cast perf.) bullets about 1500 fps.  It's not too far off of a light 45/70 or 444 load.  With this load I think 100 yards would be my limit with this rifle.

I've been debating about this for a while.  Last bear hunt I took my most accurate and most comfortable rifle, a heavy barreled 30-06.  It was long, clumbsy, and too heavy.  On the hunt before I used a marlin 30-30, it was handy and light.  If I get to go again I think I'd like to use the Puma 44 mag because it's handy & light, but also punches a wider hole, and will punch all the way through better using cast bullets from what I'd heard. 

What has been your expereince with hunting black bears with handguns or handgun calibers in rifles?  I used my 44mag for deer and the JHP bullet didn't pass through.  I'm just not sure if I can have enough confidence in the little rifle to handle a bear and put it down quickly.

I appreciate all your help!

[Varmint Hunter]

A 44 mag is plenty of cartridge for shooting black bears at typical hunting distances. Shots over bait rarely exceed 60 yards. Handguns are more than adequate for this type of hunting. Rifles are even better. Show me a black bear that can reliably stop a 250gr Partition. I've also used the 300gr XTP with good results.

However, some guides would not agree. I brought a 44 mag rifle to Maine for a black bear hunt and the outfitter was very concerned about it. He wouldn't tell me but he mentioned it to my hunting buddy. Funny but when we went to his range (required) I out shot every guy there with their wizz-bang super magnum rifles. Targets were set up @ 75yds. Shot placement counts more than tons of misplaced energy, IMO.

We had torrential rain for hours on end and the old Redfield scope fogged up on the 44mag. The next day I brought my back-up rifle, a Tikka in 7mm-08. The  outfitter was  most relieved when he saw the Tikka come out of the truck.

The only thing that I'll add is that I do not like open sights for hunting over bait even though the range is usually short. Often there is a thick canopy overhead which limits light and vegetation can be thick. A low power scope seems to work very well and an illuminated reticle even better, depending upon the conditions.

[drdougrx]

Redhawks the guy!!!  He'll learn ya!

[teddy12b]

Redhawks the guy!!!  He'll learn ya!

I was actually about to just skip making this a topic and send redhawk1 a PM.  I figured everyone else might like to talk about this too so I cut and pasted it as a topic.  He'll be along soon I think.

I could't agree more about a low power scope in the dark bear woods.  I'm likely going to have to paint my front sight white or use some of the glow in the dark paint on it.  The other nice thing about my 44mag rifle is that it is really easy to get back on target and fire another round if needed. 

From what I've read a 320gr cast bullet at 1500fps should do the job, I just don't always trust numbers on paper or what the book says.

[Redhawk1]

The 44 Mag in a rifle at 1500 fps with a hard cast 320 gr. bullet will work just fine, hell it will work in a handgun as well. I would be more concerned with the iron sights, than the caliber you selected.  A lot of guides are not to sure of us handgun hunters, it is like they do not see a lot of us. 

Shot placement is key in what ever you use. As far a sights go, I used my 510 GNR with ion sights, and got my bear at 6:00 PM, with low light, and a light rain coming down. I did how ever bring my 6 inch BFR 500 Mag with a red-dot on it, if it got to dark for me to not see my iron sights. A red-dot will extend your ability to put the dot on the bear in low light.

As long as you can see your sight well, you will not have a problem. When it gets low light and a black bear comes in, they can be hard to see and see your sights, even with bright sights. Have you considered a red-dot or low power scope on your rifle?

But if you are ok with the possability of not getting a shot in low light, then just use your iron sights. Maybe bring a back up handgun with a red-dot on it to extend your time on stand. Nothing like having 30 min of shooting time left, and not being able to see your sights.

My bear hunt this year will be with my new 475 Linebaugh and a red-dot installed. My back up gun will be my 4 inch 500 Mag.

[Skeeterbaymac]

I totally agree with the others.  The 44 mag is plenty for black bear at bait distances.  I have killed many with one. I also agree 100% with Redhawk on the low light issue. Bear in my neck of the woods like to show up close to dark.  Putting a black sight on a black bear at dusk can be a challenge. IMHO, If you only have a small amount of time to hunt, (normal paid hunt being a week). Why not do everything you can to stack the deck in your favor.  It would be a shame to sit a bait all week. Only to have a nice bear come in and not be able to take the shot due to poor light.  Having a red dot sight or an illuminated scope. Might very well make the difference between going home with a nice bear or going home empty. 

By the way Redhawk, I look forward to seeing you and your new toy this year. A 475! Hmmm maybe I should reinforce the back stop at the range?


 

[maglvr44]

I know Black bear have been killed by a lot of guns, both big and small.  In the event that I'm lucky enough to get to go bear hunting again this year I am considering using my Puma 44mag.  I know black bears have been killed with 44mag handguns for years, and my rifle will send the same bullets even faster and hopefully more accurately.

My rifle can safely shoot 320gr hard cast (cast perf.) bullets about 1500 fps.  It's not too far off of a light 45/70 or 444 load.  With this load I think 100 yards would be my limit with this rifle.

I've been debating about this for a while.  Last bear hunt I took my most accurate and most comfortable rifle, a heavy barreled 30-06.  It was long, clumbsy, and too heavy.  On the hunt before I used a marlin 30-30, it was handy and light.  If I get to go again I think I'd like to use the Puma 44 mag because it's handy & light, but also punches a wider hole, and will punch all the way through better using cast bullets from what I'd heard. 

What has been your expereince with hunting black bears with handguns or handgun calibers in rifles?  I used my 44mag for deer and the JHP bullet didn't pass through.  I'm just not sure if I can have enough confidence in the little rifle to handle a bear and put it down quickly.

I appreciate all your help!

320gr bullets are way overkill for blackies of any size, lighten those bullets to 250gr, hardcast, flat nose and you will be good to 150 yards!

[Redhawk1]

I know Black bear have been killed by a lot of guns, both big and small.  In the event that I'm lucky enough to get to go bear hunting again this year I am considering using my Puma 44mag.  I know black bears have been killed with 44mag handguns for years, and my rifle will send the same bullets even faster and hopefully more accurately.

My rifle can safely shoot 320gr hard cast (cast perf.) bullets about 1500 fps.  It's not too far off of a light 45/70 or 444 load.  With this load I think 100 yards would be my limit with this rifle.

I've been debating about this for a while.  Last bear hunt I took my most accurate and most comfortable rifle, a heavy barreled 30-06.  It was long, clumbsy, and too heavy.  On the hunt before I used a marlin 30-30, it was handy and light.  If I get to go again I think I'd like to use the Puma 44 mag because it's handy & light, but also punches a wider hole, and will punch all the way through better using cast bullets from what I'd heard. 

What has been your expereince with hunting black bears with handguns or handgun calibers in rifles?  I used my 44mag for deer and the JHP bullet didn't pass through.  I'm just not sure if I can have enough confidence in the little rifle to handle a bear and put it down quickly.

I appreciate all your help!

320gr bullets are way overkill for blackies of any size, lighten those bullets to 250gr, hardcast, flat nose and you will be good to 150 yards!

There is no such thing as overkill, that is an oxymoron. Dead is Dead.

I would hate to see why you think of my 370 and 400 gr. loads in my 475 Linebaugh and 510 GNR. Hell my 440 gr, 575 gr. 500 Mag loads, or even some of my 700 gr. 500 mag loads.

I think the word "Overkill" is word that should not be used in the hunting world.

[Redhawk1]

I totally agree with the others.  The 44 mag is plenty for black bear at bait distances.  I have killed many with one. I also agree 100% with Redhawk on the low light issue. Bear in my neck of the woods like to show up close to dark.  Putting a black sight on a black bear at dusk can be a challenge. IMHO, If you only have a small amount of time to hunt, (normal paid hunt being a week). Why not do everything you can to stack the deck in your favor.  It would be a shame to sit a bait all week. Only to have a nice bear come in and not be able to take the shot due to poor light.  Having a red dot sight or an illuminated scope. Might very well make the difference between going home with a nice bear or going home empty. 

By the way Redhawk, I look forward to seeing you and your new toy this year. A 475! Hmmm maybe I should reinforce the back stop at the range?

I am looking forward to coming up there again this year, you all are a great bunch of people up there. 
Your back stop will be just fine, after the big stuff we shot in it last year.  I am hoping the 475 Linebaugh will be done before I go up there. Gary Reeder is getting back up because of parts availability, but you know I have a bunch of back ups.

[maglvr44]

[/quote]
 

I would hate to see why you think of my 370 and 400 gr. loads in my 475 Linebaugh and 510 GNR. Hell my 440 gr, 575 gr. 500 Mag loads, or even some of my 700 gr. 500 mag loads.


[/quote]
Let's just say it doesn't surprise me in the least

[maglvr44]

[/quote]

There is no such thing as overkill, that is an oxymoron. Dead is Dead.

I think the word "Overkill" is word that should not be used in the hunting world.
[/quote]
Overkill...
1 : A destructive capacity greatly exceeding that "REQUIRED" for a given target
2 : An excess of something (as a quantity or an action) beyond what is required.

[Redhawk1]

maglvr44 is there any reason you are being a troll here? You have not posted one thing here that is useful. 

[maglvr44]

maglvr44 is there any reason you are being a troll here? You have not posted one thing here that is useful. 

Oh I see how it goes now, if someone has a different opinion than you do or tries to enlighten you on something they are "trolling".

[Redhawk1]

I totally agree with the others.  The 44 mag is plenty for black bear at bait distances.  I have killed many with one. I also agree 100% with Redhawk on the low light issue. Bear in my neck of the woods like to show up close to dark.  Putting a black sight on a black bear at dusk can be a challenge. IMHO, If you only have a small amount of time to hunt, (normal paid hunt being a week). Why not do everything you can to stack the deck in your favor.  It would be a shame to sit a bait all week. Only to have a nice bear come in and not be able to take the shot due to poor light.  Having a red dot sight or an illuminated scope. Might very well make the difference between going home with a nice bear or going home empty. 

By the way Redhawk, I look forward to seeing you and your new toy this year. A 475! Hmmm maybe I should reinforce the back stop at the range?


 

Got the 475 Linebaugh coming tomorrow.    But I have decided to go with my bow this year and use the 475 Linebaugh as my back up.  But I would still like put a few rounds in your back stop.