Quick question on wildlife defense with 44Magnum

[Bill Siegle]

I've got a trip planned for big bear country this year. I believe I've settled on carrying my S&W69 44Magnum. I load my own for that gun and two of my loads I'm looking at are a Laser Cast SWC 240grain or a 240grain XTP hollow point. Both have their merits and I shoot both well out of this gun. I lack however actual experience with those bullets on game. Which would you choose to carry?

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[Alexx1401]

I've got a trip planned for big bear country this year. I believe I've settled on carrying my S&W69 44Magnum. I load my own for that gun and two of my loads I'm looking at are a Laser Cast SWC 240grain or a 240grain XTP hollow point. Both have their merits and I shoot both well out of this gun. I lack however actual experience with those bullets on game. Which would you choose to carry?

Since the round is WAY down on the power level for stopping one of the Brown family of Bear I would go for penetration over expansion. If one of the big ones come after you the head may be the only real "target" you get. Want something that will hopefully make it into that scull, not glance off and really piss them off.

 

[Certaindeaf]

I'd use the SWC's.. they'll do what they are supposed to 100% of the time while the JHP's won't.

 

[OutwardHound]

Of the two, I would also go with the SWC. However, a hard cast bullet of at least 300 grains would give you a bit more margin of error.

 

[po18guy]

Solid. You need it to penetrate.

 

[Andy54Hawken]

Yet another vote to go ....deep.
I'd use the SWC bullet.
Andy

 

[DizzyJ]

Drop the HP and go with the solid.

 

[Nosferatu]

I'm surprised nobody has recommended the SWC.