Spring bear is quickly approaching, and I'm trying to figure out which bullet I want to use. Would like to get your guyses opinion. Between the three, Speer 250 grain deep curl, Hornady 250 grain XTP, and Hornady 300 grain XTP. Which would you use and why. I'll be using my 6 inch Freedom Arms, and plan on pushing them pretty hard,so they'll need to be able to take a little punishment. Thanks Norm

I've never hunted bear, so this opinion isn't worth much.

From the choices listed I'd chose the 300 xtp. I think the 250 xtp is an excellent bullet for deer but I'd use a heavier bullet for bear.

From any bullet choice I'd pick a 300+ grain wide meplat cast bullet for bear. When I finally get to hunt bear that's what I plan on using.

I'll take a 250 XTP in front af a heavy dose of H110. Jus 'cause...

300+ heavyweight for sure.

I am not farmiliar with the 300gr XTP for the 45 colt but in the 44mag it is a proven performer.

As for the reason, I have always found that heavy for caliber bullets to generally be more accurate than their lighter weight cousins. Also a heavier bullet will carry energy downrange much more effectively than a lighter bullet. Out of a 6" barrel, I would expect that you could get easily up into the 1100-1150fps range. That should give allow you to hold dead on from muzzle to about 80 yards or so.

That being said I would 2nd zac's recomendation. Something lead, hard cast, and heavy. The Beartooth bullets 330gr WFNGC looks like just the ticket.

With both bullets, a case full of H110 will probably give you the best performance/accuracy.

Wheelguns,

I haven't hunted bear, yet; but I will be this fall (good Lord willing and the creek don't rise). I have a hunt booked for opening week in Maine. My weapon of choice is my M97 in 45 colt. My bullet of choice is the 250xtp; why? Well, the 250xtp out of my 5.5" barrel pushed with 20.5gr of 2400 is like a laser. It'll put all shots in one hole at 25 yards. I "tested" this combo on a hogg last summer. I shot it through the neck/shoulder to get maximum feedback on performance; wasn't dead center of shoulders. The shot was about 45-50 yards. It's right leg (off side shoulder) was all the way forward (slightly quartering to). I was aiming for the off side shoulder and center of neck....

It was a fair sized hogg, so I think it's a fair representation of what the 250xtp is capable of. This is the entry...


and the exit...


It shattered the spin and obviously had complete penetration. The bear's that I'm expecting to see will be in the 150-250 lbs range and be less than 30 yard shot; I think the 250xtp will do just fine.

I think it would be some very good info for me if you went ahead and tested the 250xtp this spring.

Keep us posted on what you come up with.

For the last few years, most of the animals that I've been taking with a revolver I'll use either my 454 Casull or my 44 mag. I haven't shot anything with the 45 colt, so I was trying to get a feel for bullet performance on game. Looks like the 250 gr. XTP Preform pretty well so I'll load some of those up and see how they shoot.

Ive talked to the Hornady techs a couple of times about the 250 xtp and they act like all theyre good for is regular colt velocitys,I asked them about a 1400 fps load from my 454 and He just about had a cow said you have data for 1400 from a 10 contender but he was all against it.Then you see guys like Rod that use them regularly with excellent succes.That dead hog looks to me like a person wouldnt have a worry on a bear at all.

250 XTP over 20.5gr of 2400 with a CCI LPM. This load is a tack driver in my Ruger's.

Next favorite 250 Berry hard cast over 16.0gr of 2400 with the CCI LRM for my Smith's

I tried several other cast and jacketed loads always came back to these two.

When I loaded for my Encore 45 Colt barrel I tried the 300gr Sierra over 20gr of 2400. I think that bullet has been discontinued now but it never shot like the XTP's

Hey Dave. The expanded 250 XTP that I posted above in the pic left the muzzle of my Bisley @ around 1,400 fps and was probably going about 50 fps slower than that when it went to work. I just don't know what those eggspurts are talking about ;-)

I like the 265 A frame, but of the ones you listed either will work when placed properly

I know this wasn't mentioned in your choices, but the 335gr WFNGC from Cast Performance is a tack driver out of my Ruger Bisley Blackhawk Hunter over H110. That load in that gun out shoots almost everything else I have... Almost.

Granted, I haven't killed anything with it yet, but I have full confidence in it.

I love shooting cast because of the cost. The 400ish gr CP bullets are about half of the Hornady XTP 400s for my 480, & the 400s I cast my self are MUCH cheaper.
BUT, my experience this year (1st critter killed with cast) has me rethinking just a bit. I was using my Marlin guide Gun (yes I know it's a rifle) in 450 Marlin with 420 WFN hardcast at about 1850fps & 100yds. Two shots right through the lungs & he just kept walking (Moose are like that). He was dead & didn't know it but was going downhill & away from the road so I wanted to stop him. A high shoulder shot dropped him. Definitely want to connect with bone with the hardcast I think, especially on bear, & I can only assume the 480 at 120fps would have been even less spectacular in performance. I think that if black bear was the largest critter I needed to worry about the XTPs would definitely get the nod if cost wasn't an issue. I like the heavy hardcast because we have a lot of large (8'+ & some over 10') brown bear in the area & if I have/get to shoot one I want penetration, but I'm thinking I might try the XTPs for shorter blood trails on moose & black bear & use the heavy hardcast when hunting brownies or for practice if the POI is close.

...And I've used this bullet at around 1700 fps with excellent results. Shot length wise through one whitetail...

Entered at base of neck and front shoulder....



...And exited at front of hind quarter on opposite side...



I think it's a fair hunting bullet.

WOW, KRal that is some serious penetration. I'll be using my FA and plan on loading them a little warm. If you don't mind me asking, what load are you using?

Vance I've taken 3 deer with the 375 CP in a 480 Ruger SRH. The last one I shot was a 25 yard broadside shot. The buck ran about 30 yards and stood there looking at me, and my thought was he is going to drop any minute. Well after waiting a short while I realized this buck is not going too go down any time soon. I took a good rest off a tree and shot him between the eyes. I'm not saying that there is not a place for cast ,but on a broad side shot through the lungs, I was not real impressed. My personal feelings are if you are going to use cast, try to hint some bone. Thanks again guys for the info.

Wheelguns,

I can't give you the load data at this time because I don't have access to my load data. I will say it's a very hot 45 colt load using a good amount of H110; only for an FA. I got the load from jamesfromjersey back when I first got my FA 454C; I also have a 45 colt cylinder. I didn't have 454 brass or dies at the time and brass was very scarce at the time. I had access to 45 colt brass and wanted 454C performance. I'm not positive, but I think James got the load from a John Taffin article in a FA's associations news letter or something. Bottom line is; I don't have access to data, but when James sees this, he may be able to fill you in.
Better yet, you may want to shoot James a PM. Sorry I'm no help.

Dont you fellas know you are supposed to have jackets stripping in the forcing cone with this bullet over 1400 again according to theyre tech,how can they be that clueless and I called twice to be sure,good news is Ive got 2 boxes of them.

No big deal KRal, I'll play with it and get it figured out.

Ignorence is bliss I guess. You should have heard the reaction of the Sierra tech when I asked if their 45 Colt bullet was capable of 1,400 fps MV...........

Wheels,

I think I remember the load; I just don't want to be wrong in what I tell ya, because its obviously over book specs. I'll send you a PM with disclaimer.

I like the 300 xtp in my 44. I shoot a 250 in my 45 just because i like my 44 for hot heavy loads. My 45 would probably like 300's just fine

Both of these pigs were shot with 250 XTP's at over 85 yards both were complete pass through's.
http://www.handgunhunt.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=851&ppuser=2724

They work great

Deep Curl. Not a fan of hollow points though. Hard cast all the way flat points if you must.

I guess I won't tell their techs that I'm shooting ~1400fps with 250xtp in my Blackhawk and 1780fps with the 250 xtp in my '94 carbine!