Going to Idaho in June for a Black Bear hunt. Thinking of using my Ruger Super Rehawk 44 Mag.

What factory loads do Accurate Reloading members recommend?

Thx, AZHogWild

Welcome to the site, Ed! Double Tap (www.doubletapammo.com) has a nice 320 grain cast WFN that runs about 1300 fps that's a really nice load. Buffalo Bore also has some good cast loads for the .44 mag.

quote:

Originally posted by Whitworth:
Welcome to the site, Ed! Double Tap (www.doubletapammo.com) has a nice 320 grain cast WFN that runs about 1300 fps that's a really nice load. Buffalo Bore also has some good cast loads for the .44 mag.

+1

quote:

quote:
Originally posted by Whitworth:
Welcome to the site, Ed! Double Tap (www.doubletapammo.com) has a nice 320 grain cast WFN that runs about 1300 fps that's a really nice load. Buffalo Bore also has some good cast loads for the .44 mag.


+1

+2

Buffalo Bore's .44 Magnum+P+ load looks like it would be devastating. 340grs@1478fps would practically turn your .44 into a Casull

If you would like a little expansion as well as good penetration, take a look at the 270 Speer.

Where abouts in Idaho are you going to hunt?

Federal 300gr cast-core factory bullet.

youv'e been given good advice so far the only other i can add is garret 330-GR SUPER-HARD-CAST GC LONG-HAMMERHEAD AT 1400-FPS
and they have lighter loads also and they are accurite i've shot snakes at 10 to 15 yards with them through my redhawk yeah it might of been a little big for snakes but it was only gun with me and that was what was loaded with

I will second the Federal 300gr cast-core factory bullet. I used them on a hog hunt a few years back and they worked great.

I have only shot 3 Black Bears, and haven't found them hard to kill. All were shot at 30 yds or less by "spot and stalk", no bait. The first was shot with a 1911 .45 ACP 220 gr cast SWC bullet. The second with a .44 Ruger Super Blackhawk 250 gr cast SWC bullet (pictured below). The third was a problem bear I shot with a .223.

This picture shows left to right, a .44 cal 250 gr case SWC bullet recovered from a 200 lb Black Bear, the same bullet unloaded, then loaded, and a 180 gr Federal Jacketed Hollow Point cartridge. I won the Federals at a turkey shoot and although I prefer 240-250 gr .44 bullets, I would not hesitate to use these for Black Bears.


I think any 240-250 gr cast SWC or Jacketed soft point or Jacketed hollow point bullet from a .44 Magnum shot through the lungs of a Black Bear will quickly put him down.

quote:

Originally posted by RiflemanZ:
Federal 300gr cast-core factory bullet.

Ditto. This load is plenty with a fine bullet that will exit any black bear at about any angle, it recoils less than the others mentioned so is a bit easier to shoot well for most, it is readily available and has proven to be very accurate in my SBH's.

+3 for the Federal Castcore. Accurate, affordable, available.

quote:

Originally posted by ED Heckman:
Going to Idaho in June for a Black Bear hunt. Thinking of using my Ruger Super Rehawk 44 Mag.

What factory loads do Accurate Reloading members recommend?

Thx, AZHogWild

A good friend swears by 44 mag Garrett Cartridges for his S&W Mod 29 as real stoppers.Another source is www.grizzlycartridge.com

Buffalo Bore has a 340-grain LFN that I am sure penetrates like hell.......

I load 315 gr lee hard cast at about 1300fps in my 5.5 inch red hawk. I have had freinds shoot bears with them and they had great results with them.

I just shot around a 300lbs boar with one of them dropped him on the spot at 30 yards. Of course when one spines them they drop fast.

So any of the heavey for caliber hard cast loads at a decent vel well wor great for you.

quote:

Originally posted by TBEAR99:
youv'e been given good advice so far the only other i can add is garret 330-GR SUPER-HARD-CAST GC LONG-HAMMERHEAD AT 1400-FPS
and they have lighter loads also and they are accurite i've shot snakes at 10 to 15 yards with them through my redhawk yeah it might of been a little big for snakes but it was only gun with me and that was what was loaded with

Second the motion on Garrett.....

Just wanted to say THANKS for all the suggestions. Just ordered a box of the Double Tap .44 Magnum 320gr WFN to try out.

I will let you know how I like them.

Someone asked where I am going hunting at. Going up to Dixie, ID for Spring Bear @ Silver Spur Lodge. Anyone ever hunted with or heard anything about them before? Talked to a couple of the references they provided me (successful and not). Sounds like a great outfit to hunt with.

Thanks again to all.

That's great, Ed! Those loads shoot well in both of my .44s and I suspect they will in yours too. Keep us posted!

Ed
When will you be in Dixie?

I was up there last June and do know several of their hunters took bears. I gave one of them a ride of the mountain, and he had just killed his second bear.

I have met the outfitter and his wife they seem like nice people.

The town people are very nice.

I have hunted in that area for several years.

In June it can be 75 degrees or it can be cold and snow, all in the same day.

N E 450 No2 - I sent you an email.
Thx, Ed