.44 Rem Mag for Black Bear

bluedog · August 18, 2008, 12:37 PM

Folks,
I have a model 629 S&W classic hunter with open sights....I'm going black bear hunting in Maine at the end of this month (August)....hunting over bait.....close shots. What do you think about using the Speer 270 grain Gold Dot SP out of the 629 for Maine Black Bear?
Thanks,
Billy

Water-Man · August 18, 2008, 01:34 PM

I think you had better hit the bear in the right place or you might be in trouble.

davlandrum · August 18, 2008, 02:01 PM

Less than 1 hour for bullet proof bear post, new record

W. C. Quantrill · August 18, 2008, 04:08 PM

The caliber and the load is certainly capable, the question is, are you?

Hit the range or field and put a few hundred rounds through the pistol so that you have the confidence without shakes of putting the bullet into the fatal zone. Study the bears anatomy, it is not quite the same as a deer.

Good luck

guntotin_fool · August 19, 2008, 03:38 AM

Even the standard JSP 240's work good on black bear. I would ask what size they are shooting, you might find they think a 200 pounder is a big bear.....

My daughter used standard 240 jsp remingtons to shoot a nice UP mich black bear with a 94 trapper, bullet worked just fine, in and out thru the chest.

CraigC · August 21, 2008, 01:30 PM

While I've never used one on bear, the 270gr Golt Dot is an excellent big game bullet. Far tougher than any 240-250gr jacketed bullet on the market.

Jack O'Conner · August 22, 2008, 06:57 AM

Black bear has a thicker chest wall than whitetail deer but certainly not armor plated. I'm certain 44MAG is adequate. But shooting open sights in fading light at dusk could be a problem.

This photo was taken in Pocono Mts of eastern Pennsylvania last summer. Our daughter worked there at a Christian Camp for the summer.

Jack

sc928porsche · August 28, 2008, 12:34 AM

Although the 44 mag is capable of taking bear, it would not be my first choice. Most rifles have more power than the pistols. If you do decide to hunt with one, please have someone there with a good rifle to back you up.

I have taken one bear with my 44, but it wasnt by choice. I always carry the 44 in the field whether I am hunting, fishing, or just hiking.

Enjoy your hunting trip.

**JohnKSa** · August 28, 2008, 01:07 AM

Didn't a certain well-known historical figure take a LARGE number of black bears with a single shot .36 caliber blackpowder rifle?

A .44 Mag with a bigger, heavier, faster bullet should do at least as well as that, one would think better even...

crowbeaner · August 28, 2008, 09:16 AM

Were I to hunt bear with a revolver, I'd want a hardcast SWC with a heaping amount of WW 296 under it. I want them bleeding on 2 fronts, and hardcast is the way to go. My all around load for hunting with my Redhawk was the RCBS 44-240-SWC over 25.0 of 296. It is just about the best weight vs. velocity loading I used. These days if I'm in the woods I carry my '06 so the revolver isn't an option. I've never tried the 270 Speer load; I'll have to defer to those that have. IIRC a Maine guide took several bears with a .41 Blackhawk and the RP factory JSP loading. He said it dribbles them like a basketball.

countryrebel · September 4, 2008, 12:23 AM

The 270s will work just fine. I use 240 xtp's.

fivepaknh · September 4, 2008, 05:56 AM

Bluedog,
Where are you going? I'll be in Maine this weekend going the same thing. Are guide companies name is Swayback Camps in Eustis, ME. We'll be hunting over bait. It'll be my son's first black bear hunt. He's using a 12 ga slug, but I'll have my 44 mag, a Ruger Super Redhawk as backup.

ringworm · September 4, 2008, 08:08 AM

easy.
is that the load you want if the only shot you get is quartering away at 65 yards on the biggest bruin in the state?

fivepaknh · September 4, 2008, 09:01 AM

Bluedog is hunting off of bait like I am. I know my shots will be 15-18 yards with the bear eating peacefully on the bait. I've only taken one before and at the same distance. It's an easy shot.

ringworm · September 5, 2008, 06:39 AM

Quote:

I know my shots will be 15-18 yards with the bear eating peacefully on the bait.

no, you hope shots will be ...
what about that big bruin that you see off at 50-60 yards who wont come in and you know will make record book?
your going to pass?
Most will take the shot anyway.
I dont walk into the woods with the idea in my mind that all is going to fall into some perfect little slot. I prepare and equip myself for the worst case. long shot, quartering away, in brush, rain, wind, ect ect.
If you hit the stand with the idea that its going to be sunny and 72 degrees and that the bear is going to come in and sit at 17 yards broadside then he's going to run towards the truck before he dies (on a smooth trail) you are setting yourself up for failure.
sure hope for the best, prepare for the worst.
USE A HEAVY TOUGH BULLET!!!
cast lead would be perfect.
too much gun is a minor sin...

Smaug · September 5, 2008, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davlandrum

Less than 1 hour for bullet proof bear post, new record

Hahahaha!, good one.

One thing to keep in mind is that if you're shooting down at an angle, bullet trajectory changes. If you're shooting up or down at an angle, the bullet will hit just a bit higher than it will if you're shooting flat.

ringworm · September 5, 2008, 11:03 AM

Quote:

One thing to keep in mind is that if you're shooting down at an angle, bullet trajectory changes. If you're shooting up or down at an angle, the bullet will hit just a bit higher than it will if you're shooting flat.

really?
at 15 yards?

Tom Matiska · September 7, 2008, 11:33 PM

Post hunt report?????

.300 Weatherby Mag · September 8, 2008, 12:16 AM

I can't hit the broadside of barn with a handgun .. I recommend this...
http://www.marlinfirearms.com/firear...bore/1895G.asp

wyobohunter · September 8, 2008, 07:45 AM

I use the Cast performance (same bullet Buffalo Bore uses) in both my 45-70 and 500S&W.

fivepaknh · September 10, 2008, 07:09 AM

Quote:

no, you hope shots will be ...
what about that big bruin that you see off at 50-60 yards who wont come in and you know will make record book?
your going to pass?

This is the thick stuff. You can't see 50-60 yards. Even if I could if a bear was outside my range and it wouldn't come in then I don't get a bear. No big deal.

Mannlicher · September 16, 2008, 06:48 PM

I killed my first, and only black bear with a Ruger flat top .44 Mag Blackhawk. The load was a handloaded 240 grain Speer SP.
I kill a lot of hogs with the 270 grain Speer GDSP now, and if one of those will go end to end through a 400 pound hog, it will do just fine on a black bear.

Tuckahoe · September 16, 2008, 10:49 PM

You will need to pratice with the load you will be using. An 8 inch paper plate will tell you your range limits. I like using a Super Redhawk for heavy loads like the +P+ .44 mag. loads. The 500 S&W would be a better option even over bait.

August 18, 2008, 12:37 PM	#1
bluedog Senior Member Join Date: June 19, 2007 Location: Virginia Posts: 133	.44 Rem Mag for Black Bear Folks, I have a model 629 S&W classic hunter with open sights....I'm going black bear hunting in Maine at the end of this month (August)....hunting over bait.....close shots. What do you think about using the Speer 270 grain Gold Dot SP out of the 629 for Maine Black Bear? Thanks, Billy

August 18, 2008, 02:01 PM	#3
davlandrum Senior Member Join Date: February 27, 2006 Location: Lane County Oregon Posts: 2,547	Less than 1 hour for bullet proof bear post, new record __________________ U.S Army, Retired Ethics is knowing the difference between what you have a right to do and what is right to do. -Potter Stewart

August 18, 2008, 04:08 PM	#4
W. C. Quantrill Senior Member Join Date: February 11, 2008 Location: No Man's Land Posts: 354	The caliber and the load is certainly capable, the question is, are you? Hit the range or field and put a few hundred rounds through the pistol so that you have the confidence without shakes of putting the bullet into the fatal zone. Study the bears anatomy, it is not quite the same as a deer. Good luck __________________ NRA Life Whittington Center Life

August 22, 2008, 06:57 AM	#7
Jack O'Conner Senior Member Join Date: July 11, 2005 Location: Manatee County, Florida Posts: 1,976	Black bear has a thicker chest wall than whitetail deer but certainly not armor plated. I'm certain 44MAG is adequate. But shooting open sights in fading light at dusk could be a problem. This photo was taken in Pocono Mts of eastern Pennsylvania last summer. Our daughter worked there at a Christian Camp for the summer. Jack __________________ Fire up the grill! Deer hunting IS NOT catch and release.

August 28, 2008, 01:07 AM	#9
JohnKSa Staff Join Date: February 12, 2001 Location: DFW Area Posts: 24,975	Didn't a certain well-known historical figure take a LARGE number of black bears with a single shot .36 caliber blackpowder rifle? A .44 Mag with a bigger, heavier, faster bullet should do at least as well as that, one would think better even... __________________ Do you know about the TEXAS State Rifle Association?

August 18, 2008, 01:34 PM	#2
Water-Man Senior Member Join Date: March 23, 2008 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 2,126	I think you had better hit the bear in the right place or you might be in trouble.

August 19, 2008, 03:38 AM	#5
guntotin_fool Senior Member Join Date: November 18, 2004 Posts: 1,446	Even the standard JSP 240's work good on black bear. I would ask what size they are shooting, you might find they think a 200 pounder is a big bear..... My daughter used standard 240 jsp remingtons to shoot a nice UP mich black bear with a 94 trapper, bullet worked just fine, in and out thru the chest.

August 21, 2008, 01:30 PM	#6
CraigC Junior member Join Date: November 28, 2001 Location: West Tennessee Posts: 4,300	While I've never used one on bear, the 270gr Golt Dot is an excellent big game bullet. Far tougher than any 240-250gr jacketed bullet on the market.

August 28, 2008, 12:34 AM	#8
sc928porsche Senior Member Join Date: May 29, 2008 Location: now living in alabama Posts: 2,433	Although the 44 mag is capable of taking bear, it would not be my first choice. Most rifles have more power than the pistols. If you do decide to hunt with one, please have someone there with a good rifle to back you up. I have taken one bear with my 44, but it wasnt by choice. I always carry the 44 in the field whether I am hunting, fishing, or just hiking. Enjoy your hunting trip.

August 28, 2008, 09:16 AM	#10
crowbeaner Senior Member Join Date: June 4, 2007 Location: Upstate SC Posts: 1,943	Were I to hunt bear with a revolver, I'd want a hardcast SWC with a heaping amount of WW 296 under it. I want them bleeding on 2 fronts, and hardcast is the way to go. My all around load for hunting with my Redhawk was the RCBS 44-240-SWC over 25.0 of 296. It is just about the best weight vs. velocity loading I used. These days if I'm in the woods I carry my '06 so the revolver isn't an option. I've never tried the 270 Speer load; I'll have to defer to those that have. IIRC a Maine guide took several bears with a .41 Blackhawk and the RP factory JSP loading. He said it dribbles them like a basketball. __________________ If you want your children to follow in your footsteps, be careful where you walk. Beware the man that only owns one gun; he probably knows how to use it. I just hope my ship comes in before my dock rots.

September 4, 2008, 12:23 AM	#11
countryrebel Member Join Date: September 3, 2008 Location: IDAHO Posts: 19	The 270s will work just fine. I use 240 xtp's.

September 4, 2008, 05:56 AM	#12
fivepaknh Senior Member Join Date: December 7, 2001 Location: Nashua, New Hampshire Posts: 611	Bluedog, Where are you going? I'll be in Maine this weekend going the same thing. Are guide companies name is Swayback Camps in Eustis, ME. We'll be hunting over bait. It'll be my son's first black bear hunt. He's using a 12 ga slug, but I'll have my 44 mag, a Ruger Super Redhawk as backup. Last edited by fivepaknh; September 4, 2008 at 07:55 AM.

September 4, 2008, 08:08 AM	#13
ringworm Senior Member Join Date: August 25, 2008 Posts: 257	easy. is that the load you want if the only shot you get is quartering away at 65 yards on the biggest bruin in the state? __________________ "Strange as it seems, no amount of learning can cure stupidity, and higher education positively fortifies it." Stephen Vizinczey

September 4, 2008, 09:01 AM	#14
fivepaknh Senior Member Join Date: December 7, 2001 Location: Nashua, New Hampshire Posts: 611	Bluedog is hunting off of bait like I am. I know my shots will be 15-18 yards with the bear eating peacefully on the bait. I've only taken one before and at the same distance. It's an easy shot.

September 7, 2008, 11:33 PM	#18
Tom Matiska Senior Member Join Date: April 12, 2000 Location: Wilkes-Barre, Pa Posts: 1,029	Post hunt report?????

September 8, 2008, 12:16 AM	#19
.300 Weatherby Mag Senior Member Join Date: September 6, 2008 Posts: 1,777	I can't hit the broadside of barn with a handgun .. I recommend this... http://www.marlinfirearms.com/firear...bore/1895G.asp

September 8, 2008, 07:45 AM	#20
wyobohunter Senior Member Join Date: August 21, 2008 Location: Back in Wyoming Posts: 1,125	+1 Ringworm I use the Cast performance (same bullet Buffalo Bore uses) in both my 45-70 and 500S&W.

September 16, 2008, 06:48 PM	#22
Mannlicher Senior Member Join Date: July 8, 2001 Location: North Central Florida & Miami Posts: 3,209	I killed my first, and only black bear with a Ruger flat top .44 Mag Blackhawk. The load was a handloaded 240 grain Speer SP. I kill a lot of hogs with the 270 grain Speer GDSP now, and if one of those will go end to end through a 400 pound hog, it will do just fine on a black bear. __________________ Nemo Me Impune Lacesset "The trouble with our liberal friends is not that they're ignorant; it's just that they know so much that isn't so.".........Ronald Reagan

September 16, 2008, 10:49 PM	#23
Tuckahoe Senior Member Join Date: March 20, 2008 Location: Central eastern North Carolina Posts: 194	You will need to pratice with the load you will be using. An 8 inch paper plate will tell you your range limits. I like using a Super Redhawk for heavy loads like the +P+ .44 mag. loads. The 500 S&W would be a better option even over bait. __________________ You know a long time ago being crazy meant something. Nowadays everybody's crazy Charles Manson