Guys,

I've had great success with the 350 gr Barnes X driven at 2700 fps from a Rigby ... but it's a bit heavy to honk around the woods in North America. One certainly doesn't need 5600 lb-ft in North America.

I really like the idea of a 350 gr bullet at 2300 fps or so for larger game. The Barnes X has worked well for me on everything up to and including Cape Buffalo. The 350 gr Speer Mag Tip has been an accurate practice bullet in that rifle.

Decided to try a .376/.400 Steyr Improved (.416 Aagaard). Builds into a handy 8 1/2 to 9 pound rifle fully loaded. Is very handy and with a 22" barrel it mounts quickly.

Am curious if the 350 gr Speer Mag Tip at 2300 fps and 4100 lb-ft of energy might make a decent hunting bullet for things like deer, piggies, and black bear. If the bullet doesn't self destruct the velocity and energy should be fine up to 200 yards and more. Any field experience with these bullets?

...I have yet to have one remain in a bear , they don,t ruin much meat in deer either .. A guide here has used them to dump a couple fleeing brown bear and they produce bang flops with 4 feet in the air ....and that @ only 2350 fps ...If cost were a greater factor with my 316 shooting it would be the only bullet I would own and would not hesitate to take ANY ANGLE SHOT on as big a bear as walks the planet .....It is a good killer ..and it flies fairley flat ..

I shot my 490 black with 350 gr speer at 2450 out of my taylor. The bullet travel through both shoulders the spine and traveled down the off side leg and ended up about 4 inchs above the paw. He was laying down when I shot him. weighed 270 grs recovered.

If you want to see a picture of it go to sept 12th 2006 and you find a picture of the bear and bullet.

p dog hunter,

Damn that's a FINE bear! Congratulations.

You fellas have quelled my worries about the 350 Mag Tips. Will save the Barnes X's for the Rigby and use some of the "practice" Mag Tips for hunting with the 376/416 when I find the best load.

Thanks!