I will respectfully dissagree with the use of ballistic tips from the 30/06 over bait.
First and formost in bear hunting is a complete pass through of the bullet at any angle you hit him. This is vital for tracking purposes. You need the exit for a minimum chance at any blood trail from a bullet as small in diameter as a .308.
The Nosler partition in 165-200 grains is a fine choice. I realize there are ballistic tip bullets that have killed bears as well as 22/250's with 55 grian bullets but that does not make either one the best choice. We tend to see something work once or twice and feel it is a great choice and will always do a fine job. However when you see hundreds of bears shot and start recognising the problems with the ballistic tips at close range on dozens if not hundreds of bears you begin to have a bit better resolution to the overall success of a bullet.
The best shot period on a bear is to break the shoulders and the BT will not do this with consistancy I promise you. The partition will give much greater likely hood of that and still exit much of the time.
When you must follow the dwindling blood trail of a black bear who has just been perforated and it's getting dark and visibility is going you will re-think the entertainment value of recreational bear hunting.
The ballistic tip's from my 30/06 have blown up on the shoulder of a 125 pound Antelope, and the ribs of a 130 pound black tail doe! They are the most accurate bullet your likely to ever shoot, but have a hidious reputation for premature expansion and failure. I would not hunt bear with one unless it was the last bullet I had available and then I would never allow a shoulder shot.
I don't intend to come off here as a know it all I'm sorry if it seems that way. I know how these forums can appear sometimes. I have a fair bit of experience with all the species of bear but polar bears and my comments here reflect my feelings after a long professional career in bear, and big game hunting.jj
