You mean the one with the hunter posing with the dead Gorilla? It was pretty cool I thought, anyway this gun is in excellent shape and made in 1976. I don't want to damage it though.
You may not get enough penetration with that bullet from a rifle length barrel (faster = expands to quickly).
I would go with a jacketed bullet of some sort for bear.
I own a Ruger 44 carbine dated 1976 and it shoots 300 gr Hornady XTPs under a max load of H110 as good as anything else. The only issue with the carbine shooting lead bullets is that over time, it can dirty the gas port and is actually advised against by Ruger. That said, a gas checked bullet may decrease the likelihood and if you are not shooting high volumes of lead ammo, it may be ok.
FWIW hard cast bullets will penetrate deeeeep at any 44 Mag velocity whether from a handgun or rifle. The Barnes buster is a much more expensive alternative if you are looking for a completely jacketed bullet capable of maximum penetration. You tube 444 Marlin Barnes Buster.....
astuart44
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