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Posted: 4/30/2016 6:22:36 PM EDT


I'm sure this has been done to death but humor me.












A. For protection in bear country.







B. Anybody carry hard cast for self defense?


 
Link Posted: 4/30/2016 6:34:15 PM EDT
[#1]
If I were in bear country, I would.

Since I am not in bear country, I don't.

But, if I have to go into bear country, I am prepared.  I have a S&W model 58 and a box of hard cast 220 grain bullets loaded over 18 grains of 2400.  

Kicks a bit, but gives a honest 1296 FPS with a 220 grain SWC.  Should make for decent bear medicine.

Of course, in my area of operations I have to go several hundred miles to even have to worry about black bear.

In Alaska, my advice might not be the best.
Link Posted: 4/30/2016 6:59:51 PM EDT
[#2]
You want bone breaking penetration on beasts. Hollow points generally fare rather poorly against thick hairy hides.
Link Posted: 4/30/2016 10:36:07 PM EDT
[#3]
I've done both. 240gr Hard Cast LSWC, and 300gr XTP.
Link Posted: 5/1/2016 12:37:33 AM EDT
[#4]
home-brew LEE 310gr 44 flat-point Gas-checks

note 45ACP brass for size comparison





Link Posted: 5/1/2016 2:32:21 PM EDT
[#5]
When I used to spend alot of time in Grizzly country, I did tons of research. I chose these:

Link Posted: 5/1/2016 5:37:42 PM EDT
[#6]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
When I used to spend alot of time in Grizzly country, I did tons of research. I chose these:

https://media.midwayusa.com/productimages/880x660/Primary/940/940678.jpg
View Quote


Well, those will certainly do it. OP, we talking grizzly bear or black bears?

I converted my Springer 1911 from .45acp to .45Super. She shoots 255grain LSWC pills at a hair over 1100fps reliably from 10+1 magazines. A center mass hit on tweaker patrolling his woods labs or a thick skinned hairy hide BB will for sure put the big hurt on one.
Link Posted: 5/3/2016 12:11:49 AM EDT
[#7]
Been meaning to pick up some BB hardcast 10mm but I haven't been seeing this as a must yet considering I live in central AZ

Right now 180 XTP is my in the mountains carry ammo until I can find some 200 XTP locally.
Link Posted: 5/3/2016 6:49:40 PM EDT
[#8]
You are going to need something in the Casull or .44 mag territory.

Hard cast rounds are for penetration.

Make sure you have enough energy to penetrate.

A 12 g shotgun would be even better.

It needs a decent slug to be effective.
A sabot round would likely be even better.
Link Posted: 5/19/2016 7:42:52 PM EDT
[#9]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
You are going to need something in the Casull or .44 mag territory.

Hard cast rounds are for penetration.

Make sure you have enough energy to penetrate.

A 12 g shotgun would be even better.

It needs a decent slug to be effective.
A sabot round would likely be even better.
View Quote


A tried and true 12 gauge pump is the best choice. Load it up with 00 or single 0 buck and every other round a rifled slug will work fine. The only problem with having a long gun is scaring the granola eating public. So an easily accessible but a concealed pistol is best when the sheeple are involved as to not draw attention. OP, hard cast ammo from Buffalo Bore in your favorite big bore  is a good choice to load up your side arm with...
Link Posted: 5/20/2016 11:27:13 AM EDT
[#10]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
home-brew LEE 310gr 44 flat-point Gas-checks

note 45ACP brass for size comparison

<a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/user/derek45/media/RUGER/FullSizeRender_zps39140583.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v488/derek45/RUGER/FullSizeRender_zps39140583.jpg</a>

<a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/user/derek45/media/RUGER/44310nn_zps111276ec.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v488/derek45/RUGER/44310nn_zps111276ec.jpg</a>

<a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/user/derek45/media/RUGER/IMG_0565_zpsd920d285.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v488/derek45/RUGER/IMG_0565_zpsd920d285.jpg</a>
View Quote






Last time I was around bears I had a 20 gauge with slugs. It wasn't a good feeling.
Link Posted: 6/27/2016 6:43:28 AM EDT
[#11]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
home-brew LEE 310gr 44 flat-point Gas-checks

note 45ACP brass for size comparison

<a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/user/derek45/media/RUGER/FullSizeRender_zps39140583.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v488/derek45/RUGER/FullSizeRender_zps39140583.jpg</a>

<a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/user/derek45/media/RUGER/44310nn_zps111276ec.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v488/derek45/RUGER/44310nn_zps111276ec.jpg</a>

<a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/user/derek45/media/RUGER/IMG_0565_zpsd920d285.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v488/derek45/RUGER/IMG_0565_zpsd920d285.jpg</a>
View Quote


A very good versatile bullet. I use them hard cast in .44 magnum and pure lead in sabots for my inline muzzleloader. The pure lead ones still penetrate incredibly well, I've never had one stop in a deer or a hog.
Link Posted: 7/1/2016 2:23:10 PM EDT
[#12]
If it is hard enough it can also break up.
Link Posted: 7/21/2016 1:03:22 AM EDT
[#13]
Quoted:
I'm sure this has been done to death but humor me.




A. For protection in bear country.


B. Anybody carry hard cast for self defense?
 
View Quote


 A. Bear protection? Let's be realistic...a caliber that begins with .4, with a cartridge case no smaller than my pinky, chambered in a firearm with a buttstock, i.e., a rifle. Most of us couldn't hit an Escalade with a handgun, much less a charging animal.

 B. Yes. In fact that's about all I carry, and I know it will work because the number of dead deer and hogs felled by a .44 or .45 caliber bullet loafing along <1000 fps keep piling up around here.
Link Posted: 7/21/2016 2:27:05 PM EDT
[#14]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:


 A. Bear protection? Let's be realistic...a caliber that begins with .4, with a cartridge case no smaller than my pinky, chambered in a firearm with a buttstock, i.e., a rifle. Most of us couldn't hit an Escalade with a handgun, much less a charging animal.

 B. Yes. In fact that's about all I carry, and I know it will work because the number of dead deer and hogs felled by a .44 or .45 caliber bullet loafing along <1000 fps keep piling up around here.
View Quote View All Quotes
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Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
Quoted:
I'm sure this has been done to death but humor me.




A. For protection in bear country.


B. Anybody carry hard cast for self defense?
 


 A. Bear protection? Let's be realistic...a caliber that begins with .4, with a cartridge case no smaller than my pinky, chambered in a firearm with a buttstock, i.e., a rifle. Most of us couldn't hit an Escalade with a handgun, much less a charging animal.

 B. Yes. In fact that's about all I carry, and I know it will work because the number of dead deer and hogs felled by a .44 or .45 caliber bullet loafing along <1000 fps keep piling up around here.


Plenty of humans [let alone bears] are larger than a deer or wild hog.
Link Posted: 7/21/2016 11:47:45 PM EDT
[#15]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:


Plenty of humans [let alone bears] are larger than a deer or wild hog.
View Quote View All Quotes
View All Quotes
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
I'm sure this has been done to death but humor me.




A. For protection in bear country.


B. Anybody carry hard cast for self defense?
 


 A. Bear protection? Let's be realistic...a caliber that begins with .4, with a cartridge case no smaller than my pinky, chambered in a firearm with a buttstock, i.e., a rifle. Most of us couldn't hit an Escalade with a handgun, much less a charging animal.

 B. Yes. In fact that's about all I carry, and I know it will work because the number of dead deer and hogs felled by a .44 or .45 caliber bullet loafing along <1000 fps keep piling up around here.


Plenty of humans [let alone bears] are larger than a deer or wild hog.


Exactly why I carry a hard cast bullet.
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