Bear guns and hardcast bullets

[Beendare]

We are again bowhunting Kodiak and as usual I will be packing .44 backup with 300gr hardcast loads. Myself; SW 629 Classic, my buddy his new [light as a feather SW Scanadium/Titanium 329PD] that 25oz is sure nice to carry compared to my 44oz boat anchor.

I've seen guys in Montana starting to switch to the 10mm Semis like the Glock with hardcast .....though the old line Ak guys poo poo the idea.

I'm wondering if anyone has seen hardcast results or testing in these lesser loads; .40, 10mm, etc? Can a .40cal-or other hardcast bullet penetrate a bear skull? Any other testing you have seen related to something like this? Ballistics comparison of 10mm falls way short of .44...but is this even applicable to hardcast bullets with no expansion?

The semi auto platform would sure be a nice platform for that bear backup situation for fast shooting/multiple shots...your thoughts?

[ElvenSoul]

Has your friend shot that light pistol?

[JWHuey]

The Danish Sirus Patrol of Greenland use the 10mm Glock for protection against polar bears. I would think if it is capable enough for that task, it should suffice for use against AK brown bears as well.

[sealocan]

please let your friend know that with the new Smith and Wesson safety lock devices that there have been more than a few reports about them locking and keeping the gun from being used especially using full power loads and the ultralight revolvers.

I was never concerned about it myself but when I started this thread about it a few people mentioned that it was mainly the lightweight revolvers of Smith and Wesson using the full power loads that this was happening to.

normally I wouldn't even bother to mention it but since you're going in areas with bear and may only probably have a bow I would strongly suggest removing the Smith and Wesson safety key lock hammer blocking device.

it's easy to do, you can buy a plug off Amazon that makes it look nice or even just remove/disable the internals and put the key lock plug back in so it looks stock. there are plenty of YouTube videos on it.

now to your question...if it was me I'd go with the Glock in 10 millimeter if I was in an area with lots of bears I would use the clock because of the extra capacity.

I love the thinking of one shot one kill but when a bear is charging at you I want more chances to to stop it.

[ElvenSoul]

https://www.usconcealedcarry.com/eea-witness-compact-10mm/

[ElvenSoul]

If a semi auto I would load very other round
Deep Penetration
Rapid Expansion

[FeuerFrei]

I'd probably use any of those pistols if I could get them to launch depleted uranium projectiles at an extremely annoyed Kodiak or moose.

Good luck on the hunt OP.
If we don't hear back from you we'll assume the worst...

[Dutch Henry]

The large bears are about the toughest and most dangerous animals in North America. Many hunters consider the .375 H&H the minimum rifle to use when hunting them. Head shots should be avoided as the bears have a thick, angular skull that is hard to penetrate. Better to take a boiler room shot and use solid bullets.

If you're proficient with the .44 Magnum, then use it. It has greater power and your bullets will penetrate deeper. Leave the 10mm at home. Essentially, the 10mm is the equal of a .357 Magnum in the field.

[ElvenSoul]

The large bears are about the toughest and most dangerous animals in North America. Many hunters consider the .375 H&H the minimum rifle to use when hunting them. Head shots should be avoided as the bears have a thick, angular skull that is hard to penetrate. Better to take a boiler room shot and use solid bullets.

If you're proficient with the .44 Magnum, then use it. It has greater power and your bullets will penetrate deeper. Leave the 10mm at home. Essentially, the 10mm is the equal of a .357 Magnum in the field.

http://ottawacitizen.com/news/national/defence-watch/here-it-is-the-new-sako-rifle-for-the-canadian-rangers

Canucks seem happy with .308Win

[Carcassonne]

We are again bowhunting Kodiak and as usual I will be packing .44 backup with 300gr hardcast loads. Myself; SW 629 Classic, my buddy his new [light as a feather SW Scanadium/Titanium 329PD] that 25oz is sure nice to carry compared to my 44oz boat anchor.

I've seen guys in Montana starting to switch to the 10mm Semis like the Glock with hardcast .....though the old line Ak guys poo poo the idea.

I'm wondering if anyone has seen hardcast results or testing in these lesser loads; .40, 10mm, etc? Can a .40cal-or other hardcast bullet penetrate a bear skull? Any other testing you have seen related to something like this? Ballistics comparison of 10mm falls way short of .44...but is this even applicable to hardcast bullets with no expansion?

The semi auto platform would sure be a nice platform for that bear backup situation for fast shooting/multiple shots...your thoughts?

Is it legal to have a firearms on you when bow hunting in Alaska (location of Kodiak)? In California it is illegal, as far as I know; unless they changed the law.


My opinion is that if you are in Alaska with large open areas, a long barreled 44 mag would be better than a 10mm. I think in certain areas were there is limited visibility, a 10mm auto with large magazine capacity might be better.


.

[JTROKS]

Shoot the biggest caliber handgun you can carry. Load it with deep penetrating bullets with wide meplat which are usually hardcast. 454 Casull with 360 - 405 grain bullets will be my choice.

[ElvenSoul]

Would not hurt to have 3 or 4 arrows with these on

http://www.eaglearchery.com/Toxic-Broadheads-100-Grain-Deep-Six-Silver/?gclid=CjwKEAjwhJmwBRDGsamBu8Pp7FwSJACKD1KH_a2JZ5xmuuI_nfq4sA7Tcz08maVEDOEEyRY3ZIWb7hoCQyfw_wcB

[Beendare]

Has your friend shot that light pistol?

Yeah, he says its more like shooting the .500 we had a chance to try with an Aussie buddy that likes the big stuff. In fact the only solid I've ever seen on an animal was from his 375 open sighted H&H on a buff one of our guys wounded with an arrow...the buff charged the guide and he put 3 holes in that buffs forehead at 30',25',and 15'....dead when it hit the ground.

Now i know there is no comparison rifle/handgun but those .375 solids went through that bulls skull, through the hump [appx 4 feet of thick stuff] and through a tree behind him that was 8" in dia. This makes me wonder...thus the q on the low power cartridges.

To the light pistol; sure its a beast on the range.... he knows he will not feel the recoil or even hear the weapon in the case of a charge by an 800# brownie? Thus the purchase....

The Danish Sirus Patrol of Greenland use the 10mm Glock for protection against polar bears. I would think if it is capable enough for that task, it should suffice for use against AK brown bears as well.

Saw that....but couldn't find any reasoning or testing.

please let your friend know that with the new Smith and Wesson safety lock devices that there have been more than a few reports about them locking and keeping the gun from being used especially using full power loads and the ultralight revolvers.

I was never concerned about it myself but when I started this thread about it a few people mentioned that it was mainly the lightweight revolvers of Smith and Wesson using the full power loads that this was happening to.

normally I wouldn't even bother to mention it but since you're going in areas with bear and may only probably have a bow I would strongly suggest removing the Smith and Wesson safety key lock hammer blocking device.

it's easy to do, you can buy a plug off Amazon that makes it look nice or even just remove/disable the internals and put the key lock plug back in so it looks stock. there are plenty of YouTube videos on it.

now to your question...if it was me I'd go with the Glock in 10 millimeter if I was in an area with lots of bears I would use the clock because of the extra capacity.

I love the thinking of one shot one kill but when a bear is charging at you I want more chances to to stop it.

Good tip...I will pass it along.

FWIW, this isn't my first rodeo in the AK islands...been doing it for many years. Typically I carry a shotgun on the early high country hunts with my bow on my pack as bushwhacking through those alder choked draws i don't feel I could draw and shoot a pistol effectively. This is a later deal on lower ground....pretty open so a guy will have a warning.

Back to the lower power solids....it seems its a fairly new concept. I don't have a 10mm.....my buddy shoots a lot of .40 in competition....I think I'm going to buy him some solids to test on some hard stuff.

[shooting4life]

Here is the most ideal woods gun in my mind.

629pc carry comp. low drag fixed sight, comp for faster second shoots, smooth double action trigger and no lock or mim parts. All in a durable stainless finish. I also have a factory bobbed hammer if I was so inclined.

[Beendare]

Hardcast

And no doubt about the hardcast...

You want that bullet to keep going until it hits a nerve center that will shut that animal down right now or break enough bones to stop them....no time for an expansive bullet in soft tissue to do its thing.