Which would you guys prefer for bear defense. Have 300 gr cast, Hornady, and Speer all loaded to the max. Posted this on the Lever Action forum but got no response. Thanks-Karl

The 300 grn Hard Cast as offered by Precision Cast and Beartooth Bullets are excelent in that cal. Buffalo Bore makes them for the .444 or did, in the hard cast option. Unless you are using a bullet designed to penetrate by one of the big mfgs, the hard cast bullet will out preform them every time. In the .475 Linebaugh a 435 grn hard cast at 1325f.p.s. will shoot through a Cape broad side,pass through Brown Bear,pass through stem to stern on an 6x7 Bull Elk, and Mulies or White tails are almost to samll to use it on. The .444 should be equal to the above performance, i should think. You will hear from the "lever gun haters" who will tell you its only good for rabbits and small critters, pay them no mind the have been bitten by cordite poisining and have lost their minds unless its a 500 grn bullet going at least 2300 f.p.s. and shot by someone who is a "Known Shot" The problem you may encounter in the .444 is the same one the .458 Win has, the 300 grn. bullet takes up too much room in the case. Most of the above mentioned bullets have at least two crimpimg grooves, use the very first one, and crimp them heavy, taking care not to exceed the o.a.l. for that cartridge. Hope this helps you out. Charlie

Charlie- It is the Beartooth cast in 300 gr. that I have. Is loaded with 58 gr. H 335, as per Marshall Stanton. I will be using it in the west Chilcotin for Grizzly defense only as we will be there at spawning time. Thanks Karl

quote:

Originally posted by hoehne:
Charlie- It is the Beartooth cast in 300 gr. that I have. Is loaded with 58 gr. H 335, as per Marshall Stanton. I will be using it in the west Chilcotin for Grizzly defense only as we will be there at spawning time. Thanks Karl

You should not have any problems then. Charlie

hoehne,

Do you cast your own bullets? If so, I had had good performance from the Lee GC 310gr, cast with wheelweight metal and water quinched to harden. this ia an LBT style LFN bullet design. It should work just fine in your 444.

Hog Killer

Hog-No I don't do my own casting, bought 300 of the Beartooth bullets a few years ago for the above purpose. Just recently got a mint Finnbear in 375 H&H. Will use both, probably give the 444 to my buddy to use. Thanks-Karl

I'm a big fan of the jacketed for deer, since most of them are designed for 44 mag velocities...had very VERY dramatic expansion on a mule deer doe shot with the 300gr Speer Uni-Core flat point at about 75yds-put a fist sized hole through her-entrance and exit! It was interesting to say the least, but I hit her in her clavicles (sp?), right above her shoulders-at the base of her neck, sat her right down. I'd be suspect of the penetration on a quartering away shot on an elk though. For elk and larger game, I prefer the 330gr Beartooth hard cast load. Too bad the hornady's don't hold together so well, because my marlin will put the light magnum 265s into an inch at 100yds. The only jacketed bullet I'd use is a bonded core like from buffalo bore or Swift A-Frame.

The cast bullets are indeed Beartooth Bullets. Don't know the velocity but will chronograph them this weekend. Thanks for the help guys.