I'm booking a black bear hunt with hounds in new mexico this coming year. I was going to take the .505 gibbs but I was told a long shot is 20 yards so I figured I would take the Smith and Wesson. 500. My question is what bullet should I use. I have some 420 grain punch bullet or barnes 375 grain xpb. Both loaded pretty hot. The guild said average bears are 200 to 250 pounds. So do I need more penetration or more expansion?

not for nothing - i've killed 200+# hogs with a 357, 10mm, 45 acp (that one SUCKED), 45 colt warm cowboy loads --

so, my recommendation is that shot placement is FAR more critical than "whack" -- use a load you can hit a playing card with, at 25 yards, every time.

Yes they well both work.

Having shot black bears with 41 and 44s I don't know of any 500 bullet that well not work.

I guess both bullets will most likely do the trick, I'm just wondering if the barnes hollow point would cause to much damage and meat loss, and I'm worried that the punch bullet might over penetrate and that may be bad shotting up at a tree.

You don't need lots of penetration for this application so I would opt for the XPB with a full head of steam.

Yea I think the barnes is the way to go. I'll load some up this weekend and get them dialed in.

The 375 gr. XPB is unbelievably accurate in my .500, like 1 1/2" at 100. Did a 8' brown bear in AK with it at 129 yds. with one shot.
Black bears are not as tough. Xs work, but so do 250 gr. Keith .44s. Did a NM blackie with one in an Anaconda. No problems.

I have used the 275 xpb on deer and black bear. It loads to 1800 fps easily, shoots flat, low recoil and always passes through.

What does the wound channel look like with the barnes. Is there to much meat loss?

quote:

Originally posted by steel:
What does the wound channel look like with the barnes. Is there to much meat loss?

They do a lot of damage. I would put up with meat loss if it means putting the animal down quickly.

Golf ball sized exit wound and you will be grinding some burger. I don’t like looking for my game after it runs in the thick stuff where I hunt. So, I’ll trade some hamburger for dead right there.

quote:

Originally posted by buckeyeshooter:
Golf ball sized exit wound and you will be grinding some burger. I don’t like looking for my game after it runs in the thick stuff where I hunt. So, I’ll trade some hamburger for dead right there.

Exactly!