No .243 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winchester 100 gr Power-Point | 100 | wrong bullet | 3,110 | 785 | behind the shoulder only |
| Hornady Superformance Varmint 75 gr V-MAX | 75 | wrong bullet | 3,540 | 739 | 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.