.45 ACP or 10 mm for bear defense?

[PAC]

Were you hunting with a .22lr?

I wasn't hunting bears don't really wanna eat em and don't need a personal trophy . More worried about surprising one or getting between mom and cubs and needing/wanting to switch from my .308 to sidearm.

 

[PAC]

Black bear is Oregon or where are you hunting? If Oregon and you want to spend $ go with the 10 mm or 44 Mag; if not, stay with the 45 ACP and best bullet.

Oregon. Thanks!

 

[tkdguy]

Oregon. Thanks!

Save the money!

 

[ilikegunspdx]

Stumbled onto Luckygunners gel data today for 10mm, though they test only for self defense (humans) they tested two rounds that land squarely into the bear protection category and likewise they really stood out in penetration at 32in of gel test.
Buffalo Bore 200gn FMJ-FN
Federal 180gn Jacketed Soft Point.

What was surprising to me was the Federal load did not expand. I have some of these rounds I assumed were ok for deer expansion but it looks like they dont mushroom and penetrate as deep as the hardcast option.

10mm Auto Self-Defense Ammo Ballistic Gel Tests - LuckyGunner.com Labs

So far, our ballistics gelatin testing project has covered 184 different factory loads split across today’s six most popular handgun ... Continued

www.luckygunner.com

View attachment 2003727

If it were me I would be looking at g9 woodsman and underwood extreme penetrator ammo. Sails right through 32 in of gel, bullet proof glass, body armor, metal. G9 external hollow point will go right through 3a body armor in both 9mm and 10mm. Woodsman should penetrate even better.

Just skip to the good spots in the videos.

View: https://youtu.be/WDvzul3rvTk?si=RchVe4iIk0bEcAdh

View: https://youtu.be/2g8ervkA1C8?si=oDZoRKzgmrLdchXE

 

[Koda]

If it were me I would be looking at g9 woodsman and underwood extreme penetrator ammo. Sails right through 32 in of gel, bullet proof glass, body armor, metal. Just skip to the good spots in the videos:

I'm so glad there are so many youtube videos on people blasting things testing super expensive bullets so I dont have to
I do have a box of Underwood 200gn hardcast but haven't tried them yet. Have my eye on some G9 woodsman and or some Underwood extreme penetrators too. I think for bear defense there's several good options out there, where the 10mm really stands out.

 

[ilikegunspdx]

I'm so glad there are so many youtube videos on people blasting things testing super expensive bullets so I dont have to
I do have a box of Underwood 200gn hardcast but haven't tried them yet. Have my eye on some G9 woodsman and or some Underwood extreme penetrators too. I think for bear defense there's several good options out there, where the 10mm really stands out.

I don't know about the woodsman but I've probably watched every g9 external hollow point video (except for the goofball YouTubers of course). Haven't seen anything else come close in penetration or damage.

Woodsman should be an even better penetrator. 9mm g9 external hollow point sails right through 3A armor. I bought g9 external hollow point in both 9 and 10mm for edc.

Seems to me the underwood external hollow point performs about the same as g9 but I've only seen a couple videos on that.

Bought some of their .223 as I recall also but I don't know what to test it on. Edit: found it. They don't have .308 though. Would be interesting to do a penetration test between 20" 5.56 g9 vs 12.5" or even 8.5" .308 federal barrier blind rounds.

 

[peteNW503]

10 for the woods 45 for the hood. But in all seriousness 10mm is going way faster with better penetration. 45ACP is a slow fat round. I love 45 ACP but 10mm does an all around better job for Bear, Deer , Hogs.

 

[Certaindeaf]

I remember shooting old cars with a .45acp and every time was reminded why the old gangsters preferred .38 super because ol limp-dick .45 would just hilariously bounce off.

 

[tkdguy]

If you are going to buy go 10 mm or 44 mag for Oregon.

 

[Rifleman777]

I'm a big proponent of staying out of Bear's way, but I ran into a few this hunting season with no issues. But if there ever is one, I carry a 1911 with ball ammo. My hunting partner carries 44 magnum which I feel is a bit heavy for my taste. Does anyone have any recommendations about a 10 mm?

10mm has a penetration advantage, generally more round capacity. Lots of hard cast ammo options. I have the smith M&P 10mm…. Love it

 

[The Heretic]

 

[Greg S]

Yes, the 45 ACP has worked in the past but I'll put more faith in a 10mm for better penetration.

 

[Tlock]

Yes, the 45 ACP has worked in the past but I'll put more faith in a 10mm for better penetration.

You buy a mountain gun yet?

 

[Andy54Hawken]

Well if I had to choose between the two....

I'd go with .45ACP.....since I do not own a 10mm...nor do I want to....
But I do own a 1911 in .45ACP and shoot well with that.....

Caliber is important...as is bullet design , in regards to a projectile's effectiveness.
However...
Well placed hits are what truly matter...and might be of more importance than whatever caliber one is considering.

Andy

 

[Duneblaster]

 

[gearhead]

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Looks like your average stippling job found in the classifieds, @1775usmc 's work being the exception.

 

[wired]

Be careful with some of the more powerful 10mm loads in unsupported chamber Glocks.Ive split Underwood cases frequently.