Bear Ammo

[gregs]

Looking for suggestions for factory Bear Ammo? I have a G 40 with a 7" KKM Barrel and a G 29 with a 4.5" KKM Barrel? Thanks...Greg

[The_Shadow]

I would suggest UW hard cast bullet as the way to go!  Seeing the 220 version is sold out the 200 grain
https://www.underwoodammo.com/collections/handgun-ammo/products/10mm-auto-200-grain-hard-cast-flat-nose

[cwlongshot]

I was really happy with my WFN 200g. Never really saw a meed for a 200+ weight. I prefer the WFN to even the excellent 200XTP.

I picked up a nice bullet thats also a WFN profile thats HP or not.

Im working up loads now with a HP. Perfect expansion at <1200 fps and becaise its a 220GHP I STILL have the shank of the bullet thats close to 180g to penetrate.

CW

[AlaskanBallistics]

Hardcast or xtreme penetrator from Underwood.  Thinking about getting a 4inch barrel for my g29

[cwlongshot]

Im looking for a 4.5 ish G29 Bbl myself

Im leaning to KKM again. But Bar-Sto also has... for almost twice the cost.

Lone Wold and Storm Lake are out of the ext G29 market.

CW

[Rojo27]

What Kinda bear we talking about Gregs?

Brown Bear: 👍 To the 200gr or 220gr WFNHC suggestions.  Personally wouldn't go hunting em with it but would utilize in self defense situation. 
Black Bear: 👍 Underwood-200gr XTP, 180Gr XTP, 180gr Gold Dot, any of the Xtreme lines; Buffalo Bore 155gr TAC-XP; Hornady 200gr XTP, 180gr XTP; Sig Sauer 180gr V-Crown.

[Kenk]

For sure some good options

[gregs]

Black Bear and possibly Whitetail Deer. I never got my reloading and bullet casting going so need to order some factory ammo. Thanks

[Spudmeister]

I would suggest UW hard cast bullet as the way to go!  Seeing the 220 version is sold out the 200 grain
https://www.underwoodammo.com/collections/handgun-ammo/products/10mm-auto-200-grain-hard-cast-flat-nose

Not that it's all that critical here in PA but my preference is what The Shadow has above.  You should get about 1,350 fps out of that 200 gr bullet in your 7" KKM barrel.  The big trick though is to be sure your desired load is 1,000% reliable in your gun.  That is left hand, right hand, both hands, good grip, poor grip etc.  You know... just like you had a mad bear chasing you 

Oops.. Just noticed you said black bear.  Most any full pressure load with a decent bullet will work.

[Kenk]

Any reason a 200 or 220gr HC wouldn't be fine for a black bear? Or are the 180 and 200gr XTP's  just more effective on the smaller bears

[Spudmeister]

If your only adversary in the woods is a black bear I would think the extra big hole of an expanding XTP is worth giving up some penetration.  But certainly the big hard cast bullets work well.

But maybe someone with practical experience with black bears can jump in.

[Rojo27]

Any reason a 200 or 220gr HC wouldn't be fine for a black bear? Or are the 180 and 200gr XTP's  just more effective on the smaller bears

I'm quite sure the WFNHC could be effective....  West was won by hunters and soldiers using lead bullets......
Theory is however that the HC bullets are going to pencil (smaller wound track) right through and keep going down range.  A CNS hit it won't matter, game over, attack ended. 

It might matter in other types of shots on a black bear.  Outside CNS hits; JHP should expand, create wider damage track (more wounding & bleeding) penetrate deep enough to reach vitals  but not too much (wasted energy).  So basically a more balanced penetration depth and wound track is what I find most appealing in that situation. 

Brown Bears are huge and massive penetration (to make it all the way to the vitals or through the skull) is most desired objective of the projectile.  Black Bears don't require quite the same level of penetration. 

Again, put the bullet into CNS or directly through the heart, no doubt the WFNHC will work fine (although I'd strongly prefer to not get close enough to have to depend on that shot)..... 

Personal opinion: In defensive situation against a threat up to the level of a Black Bear, I'd prefer a more balanced performing projectile (JHP or Xtreme monolith), YMMV.

[Kenk]

Thanks, makes sense to me!