The load used by my son on the most recent bear is in effect a ballistic duplicate of the old .50-110 High Velocity load, variously listed as 2000 to 2200 fps with the 300 grain .50 bullet. I've always wondered about that load...

Supposedly it had a reputation for being a fast killer, but...no surprise here, NOT a deep penetrator. With a .50 cal bullet of the same weight as the .45 bullet from my .45-70, it would possess poorer sectional density and would require a stoutly contructed bullet for bigger game. I am about dead certain it would have been a deer annihilator.

Regardless, I think this .45-70/300/2050 load is a keeper for hound hunting our bear.

It would be nice to be able to set the gun up for the 300/2050 for following the dogs and in the event of a ground fight, and then have the gun also sighted for my heavy 402 cast Hollow Point bullet for really deep penetrating shots like those I've had to take thru tree branches.

Different weights require radically differently sight settings, so much so there is not enough travel on the sight elevator.

I think I have that whipped, tho, as I sighted the rifle for the 300/2050 with the stepped wedge and my personalized open irons, and then if the heavy weight is needed under the tree, I can drop the peep aperture in and screw it down for such shots.