If the 44 is all ya got, then go for the heaviest grain bullet you can find and put it right in the neck area under the chin, if the ole brute stands up and is looking straight at ya. If not, a good broadside shot right behind the front shoulders should do the trick. If he turns and gives ya the Southern exposure--just give him the old Texas Heart Shot(taking the scenic tour). That should at least make him leave the area for good. You shouldn't have any problem with a 240 grain, but if you can find a heavier grain bullet, it would be better, as you want it to bust through bone if it hits some. I would look for some P+ ammo if you can find it, as it's a little more potent, and look for full jacketed or at the very least semi jacketed---NO FULL LEAD rounds as it may be too soft to bust through the heavy bones a bear has.
Del

 

When I bought my .44cb. I got it with the hopes of useing it on deer,bear,targets.
I have no doubt about the .44 power, its just lately iv been geting discouraged thinking maybe I made a mistake. Iv never hunted black bear and id really like to use this rifle. I am a good marksmen and all but I really don't know if most shots at blacks are within its capbilities.

 

Given the opportunity, and good presentation, and at a reasonable range, I wouldn't hesitate to shoot a black bear with my 1894. My load would be the NEI 240 gr SWC-GC (weighs in at 262 grains - sized, lubed, and checked), cast from wheel weights and heat treated to a BHN of 22, loaded over 23.5 grains of W-296 and a WLP Primer. This is my "go to" load for deer in the .44 Mag and produces 1,740 fps at the muzzle and will print three shots into a 2" group at 100 yards from my rifle. From a handgun, I haven't chrono'd these loads, but can honestly say they are not comfortable, nor for casual plinking.

On a blackie, penetration with this load shouldn't be an issue, even if you want to take out a couple of shoulders. And for the record, these cast bullets are up to any job a jacketed bullet can do.

 

Of course the best bear load is the one that hits him in the right place.Id first and foremost want one that shot well in my gun. with a good bullet thatd hold up. vel and power dont mean much if your hittin all over the place. Gunrunner,,

 

Just think, there are some people who have killed bears with 44 mag revolvers.. That CB gives you a 300 fps advantage right from the muzzle over the same round in a revolver.. And probably a better placed shot to boot.

 

Would the winchester silver tips work?

 

Good shot placement with a 240 grainer will put that bear flat on it's backside. Ted Nugent trots around the world with a 10mm handgun and that gets the job done, your 44 will do far more damage than a 10mm. 44 mag is the sidearm of choice up hear (AK) although seen as VERY MARGINAL (read innadequate) to stop a charging Kodiak Griz, it is plenty to put down even a BIG blackie in a hunting scenario, especially with the added oomph from an 18 inch barrel.
Shot placement and bullet type - hard with a large meplat. Get yourself a box of Heavy Hardcasts; Garrett, Corbon, Double-Tap, Buffalo-bore etc. Job will be done.

 

"Get yourself a box of Heavy Hardcasts; Garrett, Corbon, Double-Tap..."

Be sure to check whether the COAL will work in an 1894 (if that's what you're using). IIRC the Garretts are too long, and possibly others.

 

Yes always check em. Some cast dont work well with rifles and the lighter ones some times keyhole. Gunrunner,,

 

. Ted Nugent trots around the world with a 10mm handgun and that gets the job done, your 44 will do far more damage than a 10mm.

Ted Nugent could take a bear out with just his heavily amplified guitar! My ears are still ringing from the 70's... : ;D

 

Y'all are kidding, right? When I camp out West I take a .44 Magnum Redhawk loaded with 300 gr. hardcast into my tent at night for protection from Griz. I would hunt black bear with absolutely no hesitation whatsoever with my 1894 in .44 Magnum. I don't think I'd use Silvertips, though. I think they would open up too quick. Just use a load with a well-constructed 240 grain bullet, or even better, the Hornady 300 gr. XTP. That oughta work just fine.

 

Silvertips are to soft for a bear, almost to soft for a deer. The boys talkin cast with a large flat nose are right on, I would use a Hornady 300 gr as well as the 265 Hornady FP with no fears. DP

 

Have a SBH 44 Mag 7 1/2" bbl. Also have/reloaded the Sierra 265 grn JFP bullet in front of W296. I hunted/carried that round as a coupe de grace' for wounded wild hogs. Looks like the front end of a Volkswagon Bug sticking out of the case!!! I would not hesitate at all to poke a black bear with it. The caveat being - AS ALWAYS - shot placement.

Once thought I was going to have to rely on this load to take out a wild mare at about 20 feet that was being stalked by a mountain lion. She was pissed and wanted to go down the trail I was blocking, with no way to get out of her way. Didn't like the idea, but sure wasn't worried about the load or bullet/performance! Chose it over a 300 Win Mag for that job, close in.

As an aside, same bullet/load - have rung the 200 yd 24" gong 5 out of 6 times with irons off the bench, multiple cylinders full. It IS sweet!

 

I wouldn't have a problem hunting anything that roams the lower 48 with my 1894S.
For Bear, I would use the heaviest bullet that my gun would shoot accurately.

 

I hear alot of griz or more dangerous than blacks. and for the most part its true.But have also heard that if a blacks attacking with no cubs its not a territorial thing,, hes just wants your protein..Seems to me latey the big blacks are geting bigger and the griz smaller. I mean heck, way down here in SC we are seeing em over 500lbs. And I think NC is seeing em over 600. And other states are reporting larger ones.thats bigger than alot of griz.And he can climb alot better. So to me a big bear is a big bear.Dont care if its black, brown are green hes dangerous..And If he wants you for a meal it shouldnt make a difference what color he is,because your color probably dont mean much to him either! ;D afterall we taste just like chicken.So if I was gearing up for a bear any bear that was big enough to eat my big 260lb butt in one or two sittings. I wouldnt feel no worse are be embaressed if it was a black or griz that was turning my body into bear scat..Wouldnt matter much to me then anyway.And Id go for the best shooting heavest bullet I could find.Make sure I put em where they counted. Then after I stoped shaking, Id talk smack about him, and what color his Mama was! Then Id go change my pants because bears scare me Aligators dont but bears do... Gunrunner,,

 

Idonno how true it is but when I go to alaska every year my uncle says black bears will actully stalk you. Idonno if its true or he just wants to scare me.

 

Idonno how true it is but when I go to alaska every year my uncle says black bears will actully stalk you. Idonno if its true or he just wants to scare me.

From my experience with bears, it simply varies from place to place. Where I am now in SE Alaska the blacks seem quite shy, its the brown bears that will mess with you, but there are no hard and fast rules with these guys...

 

Well my uncle lives in wasilla, but one area we fish in is the little sue river. And my uncle carrys his .44 with bear loads and I carry my 12 gauge with buck and magnum loads. But he hunted grizz up north somewhere near mckinly I think.

 

IF you're in the NE, the bears are different than if you're in Alaska or the Rockies of the NW Lower 48. Think it's the accent! ;D

Don't know what there is about them, except none of them are predictable. Never had one come near me in Maine or in Wyoming. Up here in North Idaho, blackies will come out of the woodwork and argue with you for your lunch on one day, and another day step out beside where you are working and walk within 15ft of you and hardly glance at you. It will get your blood pressure up!
Worst fear was when I realized a mountain lion had been lying on a ledge watching me work my way up a mountain, surveying for a new road. It left when it realized I had seen it. Still chilled me to the bone.

Pick your load and practice to where you can put the bullet where it needs to go EVERY TIME - even when you are excited - 'cause you will be when it happens! Good Luck!

Jeff
NRA Life

 

Would the winchester JSP 240 work? Its really the only round iv used sense I bought the gun.

 

Would the winchester JSP 240 work? Its really the only round iv used sense I bought the gun.

It's a full power load (not a target load) and is a jacketed soft point coming out of a rifle. There is no reason for it not to work. There are other choices, not necessarily better or "required" just heavier. IF you are practiced up with that load, use it and make it happen. IF you make a bad shot, doesn't matter what you use, it will still be a messy situation. Make it count! Practice from field positions, meaning get off the bench and on your feet. Also practice from odd angles like if the bear comes from the side or from behind. Those are very likely scenarios. Keep your rifle at "the ready". If your bear comes from behind or outside your peripheal vision, you won't have time to "pick it up" -the bears are faster than you can imagine. They have flat out amazed me how quickly they can cover ground!!

Jeff
NRA Life

 

It's a full power load (not a target load) and is a jacketed soft point coming out of a rifle. There is no reason for it not to work. There are other choices, not necessarily better or "required" just heavier. IF you are practiced up with that load, use it and make it happen. IF you make a bad shot, doesn't matter what you use, it will still be a messy situation. Make it count! Practice from field positions, meaning get off the bench and on your feet. Also practice from odd angles like if the bear comes from the side or from behind. Those are very likely scenarios. Keep your rifle at "the ready". If your bear comes from behind or outside your peripheal vision, you won't have time to "pick it up" -the bears are faster than you can imagine. They have flat out amazed me how quickly they can cover ground!!

Jeff
NRA Life

Good advice!

 

To be honest, I never shoot at a range, where I shoot its in the woods, its a clearing. Thered a hill and a lower field, the grass is knee high and its like you said you can shoot at odd angles.
I'm a decent shot with my .44 although not great i. Am still learning the .44
I'm great with a 30-06,.308,M4,M16.

 

Idonno how true it is but when I go to alaska every year my uncle says black bears will actully stalk you. Idonno if its true or he just wants to scare me.

I read a couple of books last summer from a gentlemen who taught classes in bear defense in BC for several years to government workers and loggers. The answer is, yes, black bears will stalk you, so will griz. Be aware and Be prepared!

 

erik,dont matter where you shoot,at a range or not, just shoot brother.And that 06 or the 308 with a good 180grn or better in the 06 would be fine. But your 44 is handy,short and lite. I just hope that if you ever kill a bear your out bear hunting, and its not the other way around.I know itd be unnerveing to have an animal hunt me.Just practice and keep your wits about cha. if you know the M4,and M16 then think that at least that bear aint toting a AK! ;D Them thangs can hurt ya too! But thats a whole nother type of hunting. Ill leave ya alone with my comments for now. Theres a whole lot more Guys on here Smarter than me when he comes to bears. And a few other things as well ;D Stay safe Gunrunner,,