Does anyone here have experience or know anyone who has taken black bear with 10mm? I've read some articles from guides who said 10mm/.357 work pretty well on them.

From what I've read it seems 180/200gr XTP or 180gr Trophy Bonded should work well on even the bigger ones but I have heard people say they took them fine using hardcast as well.

several years ago,I saw a black bear taken in Michigan's U.P. by a 10mm. I don't know what ammo was used but it was a one shot kill at about 25 yds. (double lung) the beat ran about 20 yds and died.

Considering the size of black bears, at least in MN, I think the 200gr XTP would work well

The 10mm with either 180 or 200gr bulllets will take any black bear you come across.  I shot a 250lb pig at 85 yards with 180gr XTP. Complete pass thru.


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used to hunt black bear in the coast range of Oregon...steep ground and heavy brush... seen them take a double lung shot from a 7mag at less than 100yards, and get 50 to 75 yards into huckel brush where you had to crawl on your hands and knees to find and drag them out... love my G20, but I'm not shooting bears with it...

I plan on next year using my Glock 40 hunter...I have killed a few with a T/C Encore in 30-06 and XP-100 in 7mm BR. They are easily killed if you take a shot in the center of center. Lung shots never had one go more then 60 yards. Now if your shooting a 350 Rem mag which I have in a handgun and rifle then a shoulder shot is my forte.

Hey Paul,
Because I will be getting into black bear hunting in the next year, I have done a great deal of research on this (not that means anything : ) From what I have gleamed ( at least for MN black bear, a 200gr XTP, or 200 / 220 hard-cast should work well with the correct shot placement

Ken

I used to hunt them when in California when I was in college there in the early 1980's. I used to use a .357 mag and 158 or 180 grain cast bullets. Worked like a charm! Then I discovered the 10mm cartridge, bought one and never looked back.

The 80's era Norma 200 gr JHP was DEVASTATING on black bears! I have since moved on to better ammo but I still use the 180 grain WFN or the 200 gr XTP depending on the game I'm hunting. The XTP is the only JHP I will use for big game as it is the only one that will expand like a hollow point but stay intact and keep driving through like hardcast.

A piece of advice if you're going to hunt bears with a handgun-

Aim for the shoulder, don't be afraid to take more than one shot, STUDY BEAR ANATOMY. The heart is a little tricky to hit, traditional  boiler room shots don't work well on bear, they leave very little (sometimes none at all) blood trail so you better anchor them fast.

It's fun, it's challenging, and the reward of a bear skin on the wall and very tasty meat in the freezer is worth the effort!

Here in Alaska we live among the bears. My G20 is always ready close by hand loaded with 220Gr Hard Cast and 9.5 gr of Blue Dot.

G20 with 220gr Hardcast

I know there are a lot of people who have successfully hunted bear with 10mm.

We have a lot of bears here.

I still prefer a 1oz 12 ga slug.

Quote from: John A. on October 03 2022 03:21:51 PM MDT
I know there are a lot of people who have successfully hunted bear with 10mm.

We have a lot of bears here.

I still prefer a 1oz 12 ga slug.

Same here but 1 1/8 oz Breneke Original Slug
When I am bear baiting and bow hunting my G20 is always with me
Fishing same always on my chest / berry picking / camping.
In tent under the Cot dressing game on my chest with my shotgun or 45/70 close by.
The pistol is only used for last resort if I can?t get to my long gun !
Alaska has a lot of bears.

RedTeam98 - the grizz in the picture. was that a "hunting shot" or was he charging you? how many bullets did you put in him?

That bear was harvested at Fort Richardson AK in bow zone. It?s a Brown Bear. The soldier had moose kill had to leave it overnight came back the next morning and this bear was on his moose. It was self defense kill with the G20 and 220 Hardcast. No other details. The bear had to be given to Fish and Game.

220gr Hardcast
Hi Tek coated