No .223 WSSM factory load we have sourced carries 1,200 ft·lb for black bear past the muzzle. Here is why, load by load.
| Load | gr | Max ethical yd | MV fps | 500 yd ft·lb | Shoulder shot |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hornady Superformance Varmint 55 gr V-MAX | 55 | wrong bullet | 3,850 | 471 | behind the shoulder only |
| Winchester 64 gr Power-Point | 64 | wrong bullet | 3,600 | 398 | behind the shoulder only |
| Winchester Super-X 55 gr Pointed Soft Point | 55 | wrong bullet | 3,850 | 407 | behind the shoulder only |
Fat and hair hide the vitals: aim 4–5″ behind the shoulder and a touch high. Partition / bonded / monolithic. Floor used: 1,200 ft·lb at impact plus the bullet's published expansion velocity. Orange = a target or varmint bullet (construction, not energy); red = never carries the energy. Sources: www.themeateater.com, www.oneoutdoors.org.