Fellows,
I'll be hunting for black bear in Kentucky's first bear season Dec. 19 & 20. I'll be using the same Super Redhawk in 44 mag that I used to take Kentucky's first handgun elk in 2007. No hounds or baiting allowed so my current plan is to still hunt in the wind through mature oaks in hopes of finding a bear eating acorns. I expect a shot of 50 yds. but closeup out to >100 yds. possible. I'll keep the Bushnell Trophy 2-6X mounted and carry my shooting sticks for long shots. I'm having a tough time deciding which load to use, my deer load (240 gr. XTP at 1500 fps) or my elk load (Garrett 330-GR SUPER-HARD-CAST GC LONG-HAMMERHEAD AT 1400-FPS). So guys, which load? Any hunting tips? Thanks in advance.
Tony

I think that'd be good for just about anything that walks, crawls or swims. Only bear tip I can offer is, if you're on the same level don't mis-hit or you could be bears**t ;-)

Have fun!

I'd go with the 330 hard cast at 1400fps. That should do it.

+1

That's correct....and if it doesn't...put another one in him...LOL

I'd say the 330 and with both the bear and elk keep shooting until they drop. I've personally seen both pack alot of lead from high power rifles even when the first hit is good.

Like Rod said. Think of it this way, If you get enough lead in him eventually he will have to stop to rest and then you can choke him or put one in his head. Your choice. Be prepared, they sometimes don't go down easily. Rather tough little guys at times.

Good Luck and congrats on the Elk.

Hammerhead......they gave me 3" to 4" groups at 100yds through my scoped Redhawk.

Of the 2 loads, I would also recommend the Garrett 330's.

Unanimous so far!

Forget the 240. That's for target practice!

Hit 'em hard Tony!

Renster

if you are going to hit anything that can bite back you better hit it as hard as you can.

Words of wisdom!

I'm a fan of the hard cast bullet. Another vote for the 330.
Flyrodder

Hornadys
44 MAG 225 GR FTX LEVERevolution might extend your range some.
# Muzzle Velocity: 1410 fps
# Muzzle Energy: 1231 ft. lbs.

Hornady LEVERevolution Bullets 444 Marlin (430 Diameter) 265 Grain Flex Tip Expanding Box of 50
Product #: 835162
a bullet for the handloaders, factory crimp die may or may not be needed.

My hunting load was :
Sierra Sports Master Bullets 44 Caliber (429 Diameter) 300 Grain Jacketed Soft Point Box of 50
atop AA#9 at 1300 fps. accurate, and low recoil for me.

But since I have a kid now, I prefer lead free bullets so am going to Barnes Bullets xpb 200gr or 225 gr and am looking into Magtecs also:
Magtech Solid Copper Bullets 44 Caliber (429 Diameter) 200 Grain Hollow Point Lead-Free Bag of 100( might be Barnes)

The lighter bullets ought to give you a little less drop out to 100 without sacrificing too much terminal performance.

Bears won't lay down and die like a deer. They will run until they're out of juice, shoot something that will leave a good blood trail. Personally I would choose a soft point but if you do shoot a cast bullet try very hard to bust some shoulders.

Gary is right.
Don't expect them to lay down and rest because they are leaking. Nor will they fold up and die on impact (unless - of course you brain 'em).
I appreciate a new father wanting to go "lead free" with a new babe in the house - though I don't see how loading lead bullets will have ill effect on the child unless they eat one!
Still, 200 and 225 gr .44 magnum hollowpoints are not the answer, regardless of material construction.
Stay heavy - stay lead, put it in the boiler room and you will harvest your bear.

Renster

I like the 300 gr. swift bullets. This bullet has an excellent track record.

I too think a 200 or even 225 grain bullet would be a mistake. Heavy bullets at 100 yards don't drop that much. I prefer hardcas bullets to expanding jacketd bullets, but if you go jacketed, go heavy (300 grains), and you will be in good shape. JMHO

330s all the way!

Garrett load for sure. I have taken black bear successfully with both expanding and hard cast bullets. A quality hard cast load virtually guarantees penetration no matter what other variables come into play (shot angle, shot placement, if bone is encountered, etc).

Amen to that!

I have been fortunate enough to have been on 50+ bear hunts. Both Griz and Blackies. Only a handful were giz. I have used cast, jacketed and barnes x. I like the barnes first. They will give you two holes, one in and out, if you keep the ranges reasonable. THe cast will as well. I have seen many jacketed bullets come apart on the sholder. I like the barnes a little better than the cast because they will expand most of the time. When I have hunted griz i have alternated cast and x's in my 475 shorty just to make sure i'd get two holes and expantion. The bears ive seen shot with the x's usually went down on the spot if hit right.....anchor the sholder, break bones. The cast have been a close second in performance. I have never recovered a cast. I have only recovered one barnes x on a bear. It was a 275 xpb out of a 50 Desert eagle fired frontal chest shot at 15 yards. Bullet was fond just inside the hide on the rump. It was expanded and still weighed 273 grains. For bears if yo must use a soft point the swift and barnes soft point are very good about staying together. I have seen many xtps come apart on bear and african game from 44's to 500's. MHO

Leave the XTP's home. Sorry fellow handgunners! I'm not a fan of those. Broad side shots (heart/lung) at deer & nothing bigger. PistolHNTR just answered a long time question for me about about the Barnes. Hard cast all the way for me!!! Don't count out Federal's Cast Core 300's! Before I traded my 44 I couldn't do better w/hand loads. Federal uses Cast Performance's Bullets. Might be a little cheaper too. My buddy uses Hawk Bullets w/the thicker jacket & loves them.

IMO from first hand experiences with bear and knowing a little about the terrain in eastern part of KY, 330s and put it in the shoulder.My second choice would be the Swift Aframe or Nosler Partitons.