quote:

what is the difference between a barnes tsx 85gr, versus a mathews switchback sending an arrow through the bear, both would zip through?

well, depending on the head, the difference would be either a probable exit hole of only 6mm vs. a hole about 1 inch or bigger with lots and lots of blood flowing out from the blades.

We have good bear hunting here in central Idaho.

Most of mine have been killed in the sping with a 270 / 130gr.Sierra or Hornady. mostly either dead in their tracks or just a short run. These are glassed up critters not baited ones so the shots are somewhat longer.

I have killed one with a 257Rob. / 120gr. Horn. with just a short run.

I also shot one with my 6mm rem. / 100gr. Sierra. At the shot the bear made about a 30yd. run - up a tall Yellowpine with no low branches. My friend and I spent the next 3 hours trying to climb that tree which the bear died in - a big forked branch. We finally got her. Pedro

Hi Bomber....I have only shot one Black Bear so I'm not going to tell what to use, but I sure would interested in hearing how your hunt turns out...This spring I'm going to try to connect with one using cast boolits in a 9.3X57...should be fun...good luck~

Taking the 243 will confer the same sort of advantage as not having a means to pack out a large elk or forgetting your knife etc.

You will see the largest trophy bear you ever saw, it will only ever offer you a shot that you could take with an 06 and premium 180s.

I am seriously toying with taking my 243 and 100gr sierras for the large red stags that I have never even seen when carrying my 30-06 and partitions. At least I might see one!

Just to give you an idea as to how much fat a black bear can have under its hide. This one had about a 5" layer. Combined w/ hair and dense bone can really tax a bullets abillity to punch a hole through for good blood loss.

http://www.readthehook.com/stories/2007/03/08/COVER-BEARSURVIVOR-M.rtf.aspx

GVA

Good point, potential for x bullet petals to shear at close range, only having one experience at longer range, cannot say. Even with a top premium bullet in 243, yes, that is a small light bullet any way you slice it when used on large game....I have to say, a pic of that 600 lb bear, albeit less common in size, is impressive. Might soak up a little more than an average bear for sure. I think there is no doubt as to IF or WILL a 243 will kill, it's just safety first, ethics aside, do you risk wounding and looking for one, that is what it may come down to deciding, given a choice to buy or borrow a bigger gun.

Safe hunting. BTW, if you are hunting in the Ozarks, I have heard reliable reports, there are some large bears seen, seriously. Hunt smart, careful, and safe. My former brother in law in NW AR was deer hunting with a bow, and felt very insecure up a tree when blackie showed up. He has a rug, not sure if it was by bow on that hunt, or later with his '06.

I do not believe that the petals will shear off, as i have stress tested these barnes xlc's i got, and they have held up at around 3100 fps. shot through a cow thigh bone and then into phone books at 25 yards, only one petal has ever torn off out of 15 or so shots.

As far as big bears here in NW AR, yeah maybe, but most of those reports are from the Ouachita's which are a little bit south, less bear density and more abundant food source.

I was referring to Harrison AR, and around the Buffalo River National Park area. Good to know those x's hold well at close range on hard tissue.

The area you are talking about has some really good whitey hunting in the wilderness areas considering no one hunts it, and I mean no one, you won't see another hunter. No pressure on these animals.

Deer often seen on/near sides of roads when driving, must be a good population. Given I believe a small bag limit for gun hunters, I would likely do a lot of handgun hunting there given the chance. Beautiful country there in the Ozarks and the entire corner of the state.

I live where most of the "armchair quarterback" bear experts pay $1000's to come on their once in a lifetime guided hunts. LOL

Bears are not hard to kill, especially at 20 - 50 yards calmly feeding on a bait (ever heard the expression shooting fish in a barrel?). I've killed a couple dozen and seen many dozens more killed by buddys. A .243 will for sure do the job. Use a premium bullet like a 100 gr Part or 85 gr TSX and hit tight behind the shoulder like you would a whitetail and it's a dead bear. They'll almost always run off no matter what you shoot them with (bow - .338 mag) but they won't make it far and the "death moan" will make them easy to find.

Stay calm and wait till you can make a good shot.

Sorry spotted this late.

Here we have black bears all over the place. Wouldn't dream of shooting one myself as I hate the meat. I have seen a lot shot and a 243 with the right bullets would be fine. The 100 grain partition will penetrate as well as a 165 grain 308 partition and though the wound channel will be less it will be sufficient.

Seems like the further modern people move from their roots the more the need to substitute equipment for skill and knowlege. A black bear is not a big tough animal. They seem to die fairly easily and a .243 will do very nicely.

People around here use them for black bear and even elk. They swear by them. I wouldn't hesitate to use one with a good bullet. Shot placement is king. ETA: I live in southern CO.

The 243 Winchester is one of the worlds best cartridges....................for coyotes. Ever hear of a book called "Use Enough Gun"? The 243 is NOT enough gun. I have personally killed 15 blacks and 2 grizzlies. I have been around when twice that many blacks have been shot. You do not need a cannon but you do need something of the 270/284/308 diameter with good (premium) bullets (minimum). I use a 338 Win Mag. My spring bear buddies shoot 35 Whelan,270 Weatherby,7MM Rem Mag,375 H&H,300 Win Mag, 270WSM. We kill alot of bears. Do what you want but I can see a lot of bears limping off into the trees never to be seen again if you use the 243.....kind of like a big northern whitetail hit with the same thing. Can you kill a bear with a 243, of course. Brain him at 25 yards and he dies. For that matter a 22 LR will do the same thing. Why not use that?

My late father-in-law was a guide in Northern Minn. He had me bring a 30-06. He made the statement that if you had a 30-30 they would not set you on a bait. He would if you carried a 243.