Looking at trying to black bear hunt next year.  Been just reading up on it and think I'm going to use my 458 socom.  Any advice on bullet selection.  For deer I've always used the 300gr xtp bullet which is awesome.  Some of what I've read says something like that would be good on black bear and others have mentioned using a more solid bullet for penetration.  I have no experience with black bear.  Is penetration an issue with something like a 458 socom.

i shoot barns tripple shock in my 458. i would absolutely use it on bear within 50-100 yards. penetration is a factor with bear hunting, they are tough and will run far even with mortally wounded. Getting them down quickly is what we want

to give you a perspective , i shot a bear in the chest with a 300 win at 25-30 feet, and the bullet never passed through. i found the bullet wedged up against the skin , never passing through.  180 gr nosler partition

this is the entrance hole

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ive also killed bears with 240gr JHP out of a 44 mag.

Though I have yet to kill a bear, 300ttsx is my preferred.  Most accurate and very impressive performance.  Then again anything from the 225gn, 300jhp 325ftx and 405 rjsp would do fine.  Even if it does not expand a 45 caliber hole will do some serious damage.

That bullet will do just fine for bear.