10mm for Hiking

[neomedic]

What is everyone's favorite 10mm load for animals that may be encounter on a hike. From a cougar to brown bear (unlikely but I read some stories that a 10mm was successful). Mostly for coyote and cougars.

On a side note...would you prefer to carry this full power load in a Glock 29 or Glock 20SF?

Thanks.

[teflondog]

For brown bear country, I'd carry nothing less than a .44 magnum revolver.

For everything else, I'd carry a Glock 30SF loaded with 230gr fmj. It's a proven round against mountain lions.

[Canucky]

This has been discussed 100's of times. Choose your gun and enjoy the wildlife. Your packing it (weight) doubt you will ever need it.

[hermosabeach]

The mighty .40 will enter and exit both critters you mentioned with both 165 and 180 grain JHP

Yes- hollow points will expand, bust ribs, and exit

Shot placement matters for these critters.....

Any major caliber works just fine if you hit the vitals

[Title1guy]

Just ordered some Underwood 200 and 220 grain flatnose hardcast for my Glock 29 for hiking and camping. Free shipping today if your total is $100 or more. Should be sufficient for anything encountered short of an armored personnel carrier. Also ordered a 21lb stainless steel recoil guide rod to test with the hot loads, though probably not really needed.

[NapalmCheese]

What is everyone's favorite 10mm load for animals that may be encounter on a hike. From a cougar to brown bear (unlikely but I read some stories that a 10mm was successful). Mostly for coyote and cougars.

On a side note...would you prefer to carry this full power load in a Glock 29 or Glock 20SF?

Thanks.

Glock 29 in brown bear country loaded with Underwood 200 grain hard cast.

I don't particularly care for the meplat size or shape, being basically the same as a truncated cone FMJ so far as I can tell. I think the hard cast from Doubletap is loaded with a better bullet. Though, since the Lehigh penetrator was introduced I always figured that'd be a fine bullet.

[deckhandmike]

I'd love to see some test between the Lehigh penetrator and the 200 grain hardcast. As far as which gun I'd carry either the 29 or 20sf. Both are comfortable to shoot.

[dozer wright]

I carry the Underwood extreme Penetrators . If you need something that won't expand and go through bones . These go through w inch bullet proof glass and look as if you could reload them . I too would be interested in a comparison in the Hard Cast and Penetrators.

[Carcassonne]

For large animals, a big heavy solid bullet works the best. They will also work on anything else.

[PatC415]

Watch this video before you attempt 220's in a stock Glock barrel...
I load 200 FMJ and Hardcast with a good stout load of Power Pistol in my G20.
Here's a link to the Hickok45 video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dP96z_MCJHA

[Sutcliffe]

Overkill

But, better than underkill, I guess.

Most predators out in the national forests tend to stand on two legs.

[Notpc]

If you are talking about hiking only in California, brown bears (grizzly) are no longer found here. Our black bears are sometimes brown in color, even honey colored, but are smaller than the typical brown bear.

[Jimmy's]

I carry a wrist rocket and 1/2'' ball bearings.

[jeremiah12]

If you are hiking in CA, you will not encounter brown bears, just the small black bears that mostly run if you make any sort of noise. The low chance of a dangerous encounter and their small size, usually no more than 300 pounds, means that you probably can get away with hard cast +P 9mm which will work with the other critters you mentioned. A .45 would also work.

When I went to Glacier and Yellowstone, I carried my G29 and used Underwood 220 grain hard cast ammo. I had shot it previously and it worked great. I did replace the recoil spring with a stainless steel 21 lb spring.

Because I was in a free state, I used G20 mags so I could have 15 rounds.

As a biologist and long time backpacker, I will say that mountain lions are ambush hunters. If one is going to attack you, the sign you will have is when it is breaking your neck. Most of the time you will not know what hit you. They also tend to say away from people unless they are sick or hungry. If you bring your dog with you, they will consider that a snack.

Coyotes will tend to hide from you and steal your food when you are not looking. If you bring your dog with you and your dog is not outdoor-wise, a coyote will be long gone with your pet before you know it is gone.

I am more concerned about the 2-legged creatures than any other wildlife. The 2-legged variety has been the only type to ever give me problems in over 40 years of being in the backcountry.

[smle-man]

I've seen a mountain lion running in the wild. The likelihood of being able to draw, fire, and hit a moving mountain lion before it steamrollers you is very slim.