Author Topic: 500MAG bullet choice for Maine Black Bear (Read 662 times)

Redhawk1 · « **on:** January 01, 2005, 04:00:13 AM »

I will be going to Maine this year for a black bear hunt. I am going to use either my 4 inch S&W500 or my 6 inch BFR in 500MAG as my primary weapon. I am leaning toward my S&W500. Now all I have to decide is what bullet to use. I have 275 gr. Barnes, 350 gr. Hornady, 370 gr. cast with gas checks, 400 gr. with gas checks, 440 gr. cast performance, 575 gr. cast with gas checks. Which would you use?

OrangeWing · « **Reply #1 on:** January 03, 2005, 10:43:36 AM »

Maine Black bear. I would use a 350 grain. Most of the bears in that area don't get as large as they do in other parts of the county.

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #2 on:** January 03, 2005, 11:12:04 AM »

Thanks OrangeWing, I am going to work up a few loads and find out which give me the best accuracy and go with that.

Smokem · « **Reply #3 on:** January 04, 2005, 01:50:22 AM »

I use 300 grain loads in my 454 casull. I have not had a chance to take one yet but I have all the confidence in my caliber and bullet choise. Happy loading :grin:

BIG JAKE · « **Reply #4 on:** January 04, 2005, 02:40:53 AM »

I'm planning to do the same. I plan on using the 275gr barnes in the corbon load. I read an article in a hunting magazine were the guy took and alaskan brown bear with that load and he stated it was plenty adequate for them.