77gr .223 for Bear?

[Jim870]

Target bullet? These bullets are HPBTs.

Yes, it may have a hollow point and I am certainly not speaking definitively here, but the 77 grain bullets for the .224 diameter are not manufactured with reliable controlled expansion in mind. Some perform well but there is enough unpredictability to make me look else where for hunting. 77 grain HPBT's that I am familiar with may expand, may fail to expand or may fail to penetrate more than a few inches, manufactures are aware they are mostly being used for targets and care primarily about getting very consistent BC's and flight characteristics, not on game performance. Call the manufacturer and ask them if they believe it is suitable for your use.
I am not saying your choice won't work, I am saying there is enough uncertainty I'd choose any number of proven .224 deer bullets and use them first. At 30 yards one ragged hole groups aren't needed, I'd choose a tough bullet that expands in a reliable predictable manner. Even if it shot a 3" group at 100 yards.

 

[bcnorth]

Hard cast.
Penetrates and expands with good retention.
They don't leave a good trail without a pass through. Especially if you're shooting out of a stand.

 

[hoytcanon]

Use whatever you want within the law... but when we were outfitting for bear and you showed up with that, you would have been offered a loaner rifle or shown the road.

 

[nowarningshot]

No better options? One could frame a shop with the hammer the wife uses to hang pictures. But i would choose a framing hammer.

 

[Hollow Point]

just because its a BTHP does not mean its a suitable hunting bullet. Can you clarify what 77 gr bullet you are planning to use?

 

[KodiakHntr]

If I were going to consider the 223 win then I would use the 70gr barnes tsx if you have a 9 twist or other TSX options matched to your rifle twist. Next best alternative would be 60gr partition if you can find them. Shy away from cup and cores as they have a tendancy to explode on impact at such short distances. I would shoot for head or shoulder(autonomic plexus) with the TSX. Your goal is to damage and destroy the mobility and vital organs and drop em where they stand. A meat saver shot may result in a bit of a tracking job. Simply put, never trust the 22 cal to do the job so you make the shot count.
.

My issue with it is that I can't think of a hunting 77 grain bullet. Target bullets may work great or they may pencil through or fail to penetrate. I have used the .223 successfully on a couple of smaller (less than 220 lbs) bears. A 64 grain power point through the heart and neither got out of sight. I wouldn't recommend the 223 and it was more of a case of bears needing permanent sorting and the .223 was the rifle I had. If I was going to set out to do it again, I'd probably choose a 75 grain Swift Scirocco, 60 grain Partition or TTSX in that order, blood trails may be lacking if one does move very far.

Why not a Barnes X?

Check out the Federal Fusion sounds. I believe they are 64gr bullets. They stay together very well and tons of people down south use them for hogs.
They would be a decent choice.

HPBTs may fragment too much that close at velocity. I think a heavy load of 223 for blackies at 30 yards is fine, bullet construction matters. Federal fusions have fused jackets and pressure formed cores .. should be good to go.

Pick a bullet designed to expand and penetrate. 60gr Nosler Partition, Barnes 55gr TSX, Hornady 50gr GMX.

Ask gallen270. He's used a .223 on bear.

I would definitely go with a Fusion load. And I suspect it would work just fine. If all I had was a .223, or even if it wasn't, I'd use it. Shotgun is best at that range, though, the slugs really pull them down. But why not use the .223 if it will work?

Hard cast.
Penetrates and expands with good retention.
They don't leave a good trail without a pass through. Especially if you're shooting out of a stand.

Are you seeing a pattern here? Bullets matter more than headstamps...... Pick a bullet that is appropriate to the task at hand. A TSX/GMX/Fusion/PowerPoint/etc designed for deer is going to suit you better at a close range high velocity impact.....

 

[pastway]

I've only ever used arrows on bear. This year I'm going to use 77gr .223 from a tree stand inside 30 yards. Thoughts?

Legal in NB, but I've never done it, and probably wouldn't if I was serious about recovering the bear.

I learned years ago that I don't like crawling on my hands and knees behind wounded bears looking for blood, so to avoid that I'd make a bigger hole. I think the bigger the better when it comes to bears.

 

[Vladthepes]

it will work fine at that distance and these circumstances. Good luck!

 

[Power Pill]

if you cannot afford to buy a bigger caliber rifle. Stick with you bow.

 

[murph83]

check your regs to be sure, aside from that..can a .223 kill a bear? yes, full stop. The debate on this topic will never end.

 

[Gatehouse]

All the bears I've shot with a .223 and a barnes bullet died fast. I would take a Barnes in the 50-62gr long before I would pick a 77gr target bullet. The .223 will do the job, you just need to apply the correct bullet.

 

[murph83]

. The .223 will do the job, you just need to apply the correct bullet.

^^^This^^^

 

[grit]

Is it legal to hunt best with a 223 in your province

 

[TrevorF]

Is it legal to hunt best with a 223 in your province

The NB regs are effed up. You can hunt large game with ANY center fire cartridge but during varmint season you can only use a max of .224, so everyone carries a 22-250. During deer, or bear we can shoot yotes with what ever center fire caliber we have but during varmint hunting we're restricted......

 

[TrevorF]

if you cannot afford to buy a bigger caliber rifle. Stick with you bow.

That's cute, my .223 rifle cost $3000+. Never assume sunshine.

 

[TrevorF]

Are you seeing a pattern here? Bullets matter more than headstamps...... Pick a bullet that is appropriate to the task at hand. A TSX/GMX/Fusion/PowerPoint/etc designed for deer is going to suit you better at a close range high velocity impact.....

Yup, makes perfect sense. Thanks

 

[Clay00019]

The NB regs are effed up. You can hunt large game with ANY center fire cartridge but during varmint season you can only use a max of .224, so everyone carries a 22-250. During deer, or bear we can shoot yotes with what ever center fire caliber we have but during varmint hunting we're restricted......

Maybe a little odd rule, but at least you can use the .223, very under rated cartridge IMO. There are lots of moose, deer and bears tipped over every year with .223/5.56., 22-250. Good luck hunting!

 

[grit]

bullets matter more more than head stamps,to a point. I guess if its the only caliber a person owns and as you stated the shots are super close and extreme care is taken.

 

[Martim]

77 gr. mk262 mod1 or Hornady Tap is a excellent killer ask the NATO armys of the world put it where it belongs and you'll be eating lots of bear stew!

 

[Potato boy]

I’ve had good luck with Nosler Partitions, I’ve used the 223 on caribou with good results. I personally would not do it though, you will have to wait for the “perfect “ shot. I would hate to miss a trophy that could have easily fallen to a 308. On another note tracking a wounded bear with a 223 wouldn’t be what I call fun. Good luck.