Black bear with a 54 cal round ball.

[ihookem]

I have a bear tag for Wisconsin this fall and wondering if anyone has shot bear with their roundballs. My only concern is them running off before I get a second shot, and that is very unlikely.

 

[Hatchet Jack]

Use these in place of a round ball and you won't have the need for a second shot.
54 Caliber 525 Grains - NO EXCUSES MUZZLELOADING BULLETS (muzzleloading-bullets.com)

 

[eekjellander]

I have a bear tag for Wisconsin this fall and wondering if anyone has shot bear with their roundballs. My only concern is them running off before I get a second shot, and that is very unlikely.

I use a cedar shaft/Zwicky ,don't go far at all ,RB is overkill !/Ed

 

[MrTom]

I have a bear tag for Wisconsin this fall and wondering if anyone has shot bear with their roundballs. My only concern is them running off before I get a second shot, and that is very unlikely.

Are you going to hunt over bait or use dogs? Over bait my longest shot on bear has been about 22 yards and in every instance the bear was stationary. Any of my bear could have been poked with a very well-placed round ball. Personally though, I'd never humor a round ball on a bear unless it's from at least a .54, maybe a .58 cal. .... you'll want some major-league umph.

I'm hoping for my MN bear this year. If I get the ticket I'll use the Optima pistol with some Barnes fodder. Good luck on your hunt!

 

[snapbang]

A well placed shot is all you need.

 

[Dave James]

Just be sure you understand the anatomy of the bear. Round ball will work fine,with a good load

 

[dbowling]

Bear are soft bodied just like deer not hard to kill as long as you hit them good, a .54 rb is going to put a big hole thru the vitals. Dont know from persoal experience but a kid I grew up withs Dad killed a couple with a .54 Renegade and rb.

 

[ihookem]

Are you going to hunt over bait or use dogs? Over bait my longest shot on bear has been about 22 yards and in every instance the bear was stationary. Any of my bear could have been poked with a very well-placed round ball. Personally though, I'd never humor a round ball on a bear unless it's from at least a .54, maybe a .58 cal. .... you'll want some major-league umph.

I'm hoping for my MN bear this year. If I get the ticket I'll use the Optima pistol with some Barnes fodder. Good luck on your hunt!

I will be hunting over bait and the shot will likely be 25 yards. The only reason I even ask is cause I had a bad experience ,,,, but turned out to be one of my best hunts of my life. Those beard can run, and they dont always bleed out ,, and they can be very hard to find.

 

[bronko220002]

You put a 54 cal ball in the boiler room and he won't go far. Remember though their lungs set further back than a deer's. Search the internet for their anatomy images.

 

[Bushfire]

You'll be throwing 230 grains of lead with a round ball, not many things are going to stand up to that.

 

[morehops]

A RB should do the job but for me a .54 430gr maxi ball is in order.

 

[ihookem]

A RB should do the job but for me a .54 430gr maxi ball is in order.

I just might try my 360 gr. conical that I make with my Lee mold for my 50 cal. If it shoots good with my 1/48" twist I might go that way and dont think it will make much difference.

 

[snapbang]

Maybe its time for a 58 caliber. You know, if bigger is better.

 

[ihookem]

That 58 with a 500 gr. bullet would kick like my super light barreled 45-70 gov. and that is a lot of kick.

 

[eekjellander]

That 58 with a 500 gr. bullet would kick like my super light barreled 45-70 gov. and that is a lot of kick.

Does not matter if like me (your 145LBS ) recoil does not apply when your feet arn't touching the ground/Ed