What's your go to 30 cal black bear bullet?

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dand883

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With the spring coming i have been thinking (and over thinking) more and more about this springs bear season.

I'll be using my .308 and have a few options on hand for ammo, but what's your go to bullet you've had success with and what would you avoid?
 
You can't go wrong with a 180 grain standard SP cup & core... take your pick which one, most companies make them.
 
Our house is a Partition house for everything, until I run out hahaha
Core Lokts always do what they claim in my cousins experience. Hornady Interbonds are top notch performer. Interlocks would be good too.
I haven’t had great luck with Barnes but I also never spent the time one them as I could load previous known load data with Nosler’s and be out shooting or hunting.
I always like heavy for calibre bullets, but I also hunt inside 200 yards or closer so ballistics becomes kind of a non issue.
Load what ya got and make sure you’re up to task. Bullet will do its job if you do yours realistically
 
308 I use a 150 TTSX, 300 WSM a 175 LRX. Mostly because I hate dealing with lead shrapnel in meat.

But most bullets will do just fine if you hit them broadside with a .308. I prefer monometal or bonded bullets so there is less mess in the meat.
 
xdmer said:
This is my choice, and my RFB's love it.
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I think the federal bonded is a pretty good choice, especially for deer and bear were several feet of penetration isn’t required, but a larger exit hole might be desired. Some of the federal bullets like the fusion or ascent seen to be softer than something like a accubond, and expand considerably more. In the testing videos I mentioned before I think there was as much as .4-.5 difference in expansion results vs accubond and ascent. They’re also usually $25-30 cheaper per box.
 
30 PRC match 225g @ 2800+ .Chasing Blackies in the mountains is much different than baiting them in the flats. Do not want a long chase ,too old for that now.
 
I've shot my last three bears with Norma Oryx factory loads. I like those Norma bullets a lot. Accurate, wide expansion, and don't fragment so meat is preserved but still have a high shock effect. I've also used Nosler partitions with good satisfaction. 165-180 grain in .308 and 30-06
 
Longwalker said:
I've shot my last three bears with Norma Oryx factory loads. I like those Norma bullets a lot. Accurate, wide expansion, and don't fragment so meat is preserved but still have a high shock effect. I've also used Nosler partitions with good satisfaction. 165-180 grain in .308 and 30-06
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LW; I agree with your assessment of the Norma Oryx bullet. I have been loading the 196 grain 8mm version in my 325 WSM.

Very effective and a quality bullet. I shot my Bull Elk with this bullet last fall. Basically DRT, I recovered about 60% of it under
the far side hide. Looks great! Shot was 308 Yards. I start that bullet at just shy of 3000 fps. It is a hammer. Dave.
 
Last one I popped was with an old school Winchester Silvertip. 180gr. Full pass through and good expansion.

Have used Nosler Partition and Accubond, Speer Grand Slam, and Trophy Bonded Bear Claw as well in different cartridges.
 
I’ve tipped several over with 180 Nosler ballistic tip
180 SST
150 SST
165 Barnes TTSX
150 accubond
I don’t think anyone worked better than the others
Most were 30-06 and a 2 or 3 with 300 win.
 
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