165 Sierra HPBT for black bear

[stratocaster]

I'm going to Idaho in October for a bear hunt and am taking my 30-06 encore pistol.  I can get it to shoot just under an inch at 100 yards with sierra hpbt.  I was set on using 165g Nosler Partitions, but no matter what I try, I just couldn't get them to shoot a decent group.  I have tried too many powders to mention.  I have tried seating the bullets .004, .010, .020, .030, .040 and even .050 from the lands and the best group I got was something like 2.5 - 3 inch at 100 yards.  In contrast, no matter what I did with the sierras, they all shot well.  I have never used sierra hpbt before, so I am not sure what to expect.  Is this a satisfactory bullet for black bear?  I'm getting velocities in the 2350 area.
Thanks

[Sourdough]

You're velocities are higher than I expected!  But I still think the Nosler Partition is too much bullet for the encore pistol, not enough velocity  to perform properly.  I think the 165 HPBT would be a better choice, but why not a Nosler 165 or 180 grain Ballistic tip, they are designed for handgun hunting.  Personally for Black Bear I would go with the heaviest bullet, designed for what I was using it for, that I could shoot well.  Good luck.