44 magnum for Black Bear ?

[tazik]

Hi,

I've been hunting deer with my Rossy 92 44 mag since a while, now with the in coming black bear season, what are your thoughts about it ? Experiences, etc, the shooting distance is between 100' to 150' max.

is the 44 mag caliber appropriate (with a 240gr)?

 

[8x68]

I would look at a heavier bullet; 265gr or 300gr myself, but there will be a myriad of opinions out there.

 

[Jay]

I'd use it! I assume you're hunting over bait?

But if you were glassing clearcuts out west, I might not choose the 44Mag as I have other options that reach further...

The last bear I shot was killed with 35 Whelen & a Nosler Custom 225grain Accubond...

Cheers
Jay

 

[tazik]

I'd use it! I assume you're hunting over bait?

But if you were glassing clearcuts out west, I might not choose the 44Mag as I have other options that reach further...

The last bear I shot was killed with 35 Whelen & a Nosler Custom 225grain Accubond...

Cheers
Jay

yes, over bait, not in open fields.

 

[Jay]

yes, over bait, not in open fields.

It will work just fine!

Cheers
Jay

 

[vagrantviking]

I would use my Marlin but try to stay under 75 - 100 yards personally.
If you're scoped and have plenty of experience with the trajectory maybe a bit farther.

 

[tazik]

I would use my Marlin but try to stay under 75 - 100 yards personally.
If you're scoped and have plenty of experience with the trajectory maybe a bit farther.

No scope, open sights, my shooting range is maximum 45-50 yards.

 

[keninon]

I've used run of the mill 240gr JSP 's on 6 black bear, all dropped 1 shot ranges of Max 75 yds including the biggest I ever took a 350+ lb boar ( sneaked up on him while he was grazing shot at 60 yds) Would still be using it in my Browning M92, if I hadn't given it to my son who has shot one but used some new fangled load. You are good to go

 

[tazik]

I've used run of the mill 240gr JSP 's on 6 black bear, all dropped 1 shot ranges of Max 75 yds including the biggest I ever took a 350+ lb boar ( sneaked up on him while he was grazing shot at 60 yds) Would still be using it in my Browning M92, if I hadn't given it to my son who has shot one but used some new fangled load. You are good to go

thanks for sharing that experience, appreciated.

 

[SKS47]

Within 100 yards yes excellent bear cartridge.

 

[BigUglyMan]

No scope, open sights, my shooting range is maximum 45-50 yards.

I wouldn't hesitate but I would use heavier bullets.

 

[-Savage-]

From 1910-1925, my granddad and my dad killed lots of bear (and moose) up on the northern Manitoba homestead with a Win92 in .44-40
Dad always said: "over 200 yards, you could grab a .44-40 bullet out of the air with a catcher's mitt" .. so they stalked prey till real close before shooting.
I assume then that, if a .44-40 will do the job up close, then for sure a .44 magnum would be no problem at all ... assuming correct bullet placement.

 

[SHELL SHUCKER]

Within 100 yards yes excellent bear cartridge.

With hardcast bullets of 240-300 gr., the .44 mag is well up to the task & ye don't have to push 'em hard either.

 

[Royzo]

With hardcast bullets of 240-300 gr., the .44 mag is well up to the task & ye don't have to push 'em hard either.

Like SHELL SHUCKER mentioned, hardcast 250-300 gr bullets and you are good to go. Within 100 yrds the 44 mag will work perfectly.