Bits Of Info Related In Defensive Handgun Use For Bears

Grumpy

The Grumpy Grease Monkey mechanical engineer.
Staff member
https://www.ammoland.com/2019/08/ha...r-attack-73-cases-96-effective/#axzz6IIhseTLw

as in all hunting and defensive handgun use,
precise shot placement, and yes that requires practice,

with BEARS deep penetration, the ability to punch through thick bone,
100% dependability, and only a slightly lesser degree,
the ability to place several shots very rapidly & accurately does matter.

and knowledge of the anatomy of the game is critical to success
and yes obviously your choice in weaponry and ammo selection ,

and developing your skill's in their rapid, and effective use matters
but it certainly helps to have good quality ammo, thats been designed for decent penetration,
to allow you too break bones and destroy the vital organs,
keep in mind that there's been a running debate over what caliber and pistol or revolver has been close to ideal.
and the fact that a bear is both difficult to kill quickly and that you'll have only seconds to defend against a charge.
which frequently is made from short-range cover.
having a large magazine capacity is far less of an advantage
if you only have seconds to react,
and quite possibly only time for one or two shots.
YES bears have been killed with cartridges like a 357 mag or 45 acp,
there's also been mauling's after a bears been repeatedly shot
YES there's also been a few mauling's after bears have been wounded.
Id point out that the vast majority of bear attacks happen at very close range,

thus your limited time frame available for defensive use of any firearm will be very limited
so having more than 5-6 shots that a magnum revolver holds in a semi auto handgun,

may be of limited potential benefit,
in the few seconds you have to shoot accurate shot placement and deep penetration
are of more benefit than a few extra rounds you never get to fire!
read the link above,
having, a decent handgun and effective shot placement from that handgun,
is a well-proven defensive tool, if your alert, and skilled in its use.

having the best cartridge and handgun in your backpack is worthless



45 acp
https://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=381

http://www.doubletapammo.net/index.php?route=product/product&path=303_348&product_id=95

357 MAG
http://www.doubletapammo.net/index.php?route=product/product&path=303_331&product_id=151

https://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l=product_list&c=162


10mm
https://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l=product_list&c=160

https://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l=product_list&c=160

44 mag
http://www.doubletapammo.net/index.php?route=product/product&path=303_346&product_id=329

https://www.underwoodammo.com/colle...ng-flat-nose-gas-check?variant=18785707786297

https://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=48

500 mag
http://www.doubletapammo.net/index.php?route=product/product&path=303_360&product_id=169

https://www.underwoodammo.com/colle...ng-flat-nose-gas-check?variant=18785707786297

https://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=99
 
Last edited:
Id be fairly confident that a 500 mag using a hard cast 470 grain bullet ,
would significantly out penetrate the jacketed bullet used in the video test,
as they have far softer lead cores,
yeah, you would need to experiment with the powder and charge weight,

to maximize results
but the projectile is well known as a good penetration option,
as It seems to effortlessly exit large hogs that are hit

http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/1-2in-holes.14800/

no handgun has the combo of accuracy, rapid accurate shot placement, &

penetration or stopping power of a 45/70, 450 marlin lever action,
or a decent semi auto or pump 12 ga that holds 5-7 catridge's or shotgun shells with slugs

gaschecknm1.png

gascheckmn3.png

006-90991.jpg

just a bit of info on these lee "440 grain" 500 S&W bullet molds ,
with the gas check and lube on these cast bullets,
at least using my 95% WW alloy and 5% tin, mix,
the projectiles actually weigh about 470 grains
they are quite accurate (WITH THE GAS CHECKS)
http://www.sagesoutdoors.com/500-s-w-caliber-gator-gas-checks
the best load for accuracy, after a great deal of testing.. 20 grains of blue dot
Its certainly not a max load
but its very accurate and it certainly hammers hogs,
you might find that a powder like H110 could add several hundred extra FPS,
but that may or may not enhance the depth of penetration.

keep in mind, that if you prefer a semi auto with a large capacity magazine,
the glock pistols in 10 mm have a 15 shot capacity and 30shot mags are available,

https://gunmagwarehouse.com/sgm-tactical-glock-20-10mm-30-round-extended-magazine.html

a hard cast gas check bullet weight near 200 grains will provide both deep penetration
(mandatory for good results)(as is decent shot placement)..
and if you want reasonable velocity in a 10mm hand gun like a glock model 20 or 40
youll need to hand load ammo in most cases, if you want to keep cost reasonable,
as commercial 10mm heavy bullet ammo can easily cost $1.00 a cartridge
obviously a 6" 10mm barrel designed to use cast bullets helps

https://www.accuratemolds.com/bullet_detail.php?bullet=40-215G

https://www.accuratemolds.com/bullet_detail.php?bullet=40-225LG

https://www.lonewolfdist.com/PRODUCT/920324/aw-20l10/alphawolf-barrel-for-m-20l-40-10mm-6-
https://www.sagesoutdoors.com/40-bss-caliber-caliber-gator-gas-checks/

if you graph out velocity vs bullet weight and test penetration, and calculate energy potentially delivered to the target,
you want something in the 180 grain-220 grain weight range

https://noebulletmolds.com/site/shop/401/403-198-wfn-y1/403-198-wfn-y1-4-cavity-gc/


as always do the math and test your reloads,
for accuracy and flawless function,:rolleyes::rolleyes:
if you graph out velocity vs bullet weight and test penetration,
and calculate energy potentially delivered to the target,
you want something in the 180 grain-220 grain weight range

https://noebulletmolds.com/site/shop/401/403-198-wfn-y1/403-198-wfn-y1-4-cavity-gc/

commercial ammo
https://www.underwoodammo.com/10mm-auto-220-grain-hard-cast-flat-nose.html

https://doubletapammo.com/products/10mm-230gr-hardcast-solid-a-20rds




more than a few guys I hunt with vastly prefer a pistol caliber carbine over a handgun,
(most just find its a hell of a lot easier to hit well consistently with a carbine than a handgun,)
mostly because few handload and practice frequently
 
Last edited:


glock 20/10mm with aftermarket barrel for more effective cast bullet use/accuracy
img_20180621_181026-jpg.517634



n7h9xd4rr9la1.jpg




 
Last edited:

a decent 10 ga or 12 ga shotgun can be in practiced hands extremely effective defensively
the ithaca road blocker 10 ga is a very powerful weapon.

no handgun , comes close to the power level of a 10 or 12 ga slug or buckshot loaded shotgun at close range.
dd9908.jpg


the marlin 45/70 or browning BLR in caliber 450 marlin loaded with a 405 grain bullet is what most pro hunting guides suggest and what they carry as its devastating at both close range and has the potential to reach out past 100 yards and still be 100% lethal with one well placed hit
marlin-1895-dark-black-lever-action-rifle.jpg

browning_BLR.jpg



the glock 10mm has gained a great reputation, and its very easy to handle and carry plus there are 15-30 shot magazines easily available
293ss&w.jpg


29-3SilhouetteLeftSide.jpg

glock-20-gen4-pistol-min.jpg



the old S&W 44 mag revolver in 4"-10 " barrel lengths is a well proven performer
smith-wesson-model-629-revolver.jpg


the 500 mag might only get one shot off but if its well placed it should do the job!
022188870008__23591.1504788919.jpg
 
Last edited:
if your life might depend on the results of the weapon you carry and how effective ,
you are with it, it makes sense to do your research





Smith-and-Wesson-686-3-357-Magnum_102428011_326_25EDFD73499408E8.jpeg

btw I've tested several 165-170 grain hard cast gas check bullets in a 8.375" barrel 357 mag revolver's
that provided both really consistent & impressive accuracy and penetration exceeding anything I've seen from a 10mm glock
cast from 96% ww alloy and 5% pure tin, size .001 over bore diameter
drop bullets into a 7 gallon bucket of water to cool as cast
load to max safe velocity over H110 powder seat bullets to near,
max length that cylinder allows and crimp firmly




 
Last edited:
Back
Top