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Posted: 5/11/2026 11:24:28 AM EDT
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I hike and camp with a 629, usually using Buffalo Bore low recoil .44. However, I came across this ammo and was wondering if it is viable for a woods gun in non-brown bear territory. https://www.sportsmans.com/shooting-gear-gun-supplies/ammunition-ammo-for-hunting-shooting-sports/handgun-ammo-hunting-shooting-sports/hsm-cowboy-action-44-magnum-240gr-swc-handgun-ammo-50-rounds/p/1393590 Over 700lbs of energy (over most .357s) and a solid bullet, it seems like a good option but maybe I am missing something. |
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Originally Posted By bluedog82: I mean, I’d feel fine with a 9mm in the woods in black bear territory. Not sure what other critters you’d have to worry about over there if not brown bears. Moose Mountain Lion Black Bear I’m more curious about using that specific ammo than 9mm vs .44 mag. |
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I was given some of that ammo a few years ago, I emailed HSM about bullet hardness and they sent me the brinell number. I don't remember it off the top of my head but it was true hard cast. It's odd that they call it a cowboy action load. Their 200 gr 44 mag round nose is a much more true cowboy action level. I would want to determine that the bullet is tough as well as hard beforehand but it sure shows promise for a moderate 44 mag outdoors load. As you said, recoil is moderate. If black bear were the biggest critter on the horizon, I'd be happy with a lot of lower recoil loads. A 240-250 cast (hard or medium) at 900-1000 fps would cover your bases well and recoil even less. |
| "Standard" .44 Magnum loads from the Big 3 U.S. manufacturers consist of a 240 gr. bullet @ an advertised 1180 fps, so the load in question is very close in power to those loads. So to directly answer your question, I think you'll be fine with that load. |
"People tend to have a proclivity towards an object rather than their own skill."
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Over at Ammoland.com they have a running series on bear defense and the effectiveness of handguns. Surprisingly the 9mm has lots of stops/kills, way more than I would have guessed. If you do a little research, you can draw your own conclusions. To me, having shot a bear so close there were powder burns on it's forehead, it's hits that matter (300rr XTP in a 444 Marlin lever gun cut down to 16.5"). Anything in the 9mm full power loads and bigger will work. In my Glock 43 & 48's it's Sig 147gr FMJ+P's. Having said that, I run the 300gr Barnes flat nosed full base coverage bullets in my 4.25" S&W M69 at 950fps. Recoil is modest, excellent accuracy, quick followup shots, and I know they will break shoulders or crush skulls on anything in N. America. You could duplicate this with the 300gr XTP or Swift A-frame bullets. Unlike methhead's and Cape Buffalo's, bears tend to run away when shot, they usually do not keep charging. |
Dave Funk
Past President and now a Board of Directors member Iowa Firearms Coalition. Past President of the Iowa Chapter-SCI.
Past President and now a Board of Directors member Iowa Firearms Coalition. Past President of the Iowa Chapter-SCI.