Handgun Hunting for Spring Bear

[longarm]

The gun would be a S&W 629-2 .44 Magnum Classic Hunter with the 8.375" barrel. I have spent considerable time sighting it in with Federal 300 grain castcore Hunting ammunition.
Now however I may be second guessing my choice of ammo. My initial thoughts were that the castcore would insure adequate penetration and I still feel that is the case. But am now wondering if a soft point or even a SJHP with some expansion would be better to put a bear down.
Anyone on the forum with experience in this matter?
Thanks in advance.

[Bait Bucket]

How close are you planning on getting to this bear?

[marked trail]

I think the nosler partition 250 grain HP's are just right. A lot of handgun literature says castcore bullets shoot through black bears a leave only a pencil thickness wound channel. They are for much bigger game, like griz or bison. Our OR bear's are quite soft and small. They can be butter balls with three+ inches of lard all around, even in the spring.

I had my 44 mag in hand last season while strolling down an overgrown logging trail. I gave some soft mews, like a mom elk and her calf. A blackie charged right up to 25 yards and hid himself. The bear never gave me a clear shot at its vitals. It is astonishing how quick and effectively bears can use any cover to hide their bodies.

However, the second time it happened, three weeks latter and 1/2 mile away, the next bear didn't hid so well. One shot from my bear rifle and my season was over

[longarm]

"A lot of handgun literature says castcore bullets shoot through black bears a leave only a pencil thickness wound channel."

Marked trail,
This is exactly my concern re: castcore and why I am now considering a JHP. Thanks for your reply.

[Norm]

I'm using Speer 300gr UNI-Core #4463 for PP against bears. They supposed to give you close to cast bullet performance in a jacketed bullet.

Here is a penatration test with a couple of different bullets including UNI-Core

http://www.reloadersnest.com/article..._1_aug3103.asp

[billc_sbio]

I certainly DON'T consider myself a "Bear Hunter", but I've hunted 'em w/friends who've had Hounds, back when that was legal.

And, much like you, at that time I carried a S&W M629 except with SIX inch barrel (I've shot 8-3/4" Mod. 27s and Mod. 29s and found that barrel length to be "awkward" both for carrying and for shooting. I've learned to like my "shooting" Revolver's to have barrels from 4" to 6" the best)

Also, I don't consider myself a "Handgun Hunter" either, although I've successfully done it before; taking Mule Deer with my 10" T-C Contender in .30 Herrett. (again I don't like LONG barrelled handguns)

My experiences going after Black Bears while carrying my .44 Mag had me limited to shots from 15'->to maybe 40' up a tree. (And I passed up several that were too small that were "right there", had one big one, also "right there" that decided to bail and come down that tree too fast to get a shot at, go right through the pack of dogs and take off never to be found again that day)

It seems to me that Spring Bears are going to be where you find 'em (and that's usually NOT up a tree).

So your range can often, and easily be 100 to 250 yd.s.

Having some experience with hunting handguns, I know that Handgun Scopes are not all that quick (or easy) to use.

IF I were setting up a handgun today for hunting within 100 yd.s, I'd put a Dot Sight on it.

But Dot Sights wouldn't be my choice for shots over 100 yd.s

Seems to me (if I get drawn for the Spring Bear Tag I applied for) I'm gonna be carrying my .270 Rifle (or maybe a .30-06).

My 629 for Bear just had its standard Iron Sights on it and at <50' that was going to work just fine.

Trouble is, I think without Hounds, Bears aren't going to offer most hunters much of a close-range target unless you're REALLY lucky.

Oh, and my choice for bullets back then wouldn't be changed today. I'd still pick the Hornady 240g XTP...think that would work just fine.

[Limbhanger]

That is pretty ambitous!! I think it is hard enough getting within reasonable rifle range. I wish you the best of luck, post pics if you are successful.