Source of hardcast bullets for hiking

[kmcdonou]

I want to source some 200 grain hardcast, wide meplat bullets for use when hiking.   I have bunch of bookmarks to bullet manufacturers, but most that offer 10mm bullets are meant for target/competition. They don't have the hardness or wide meplat for defense of four legged critters.

The only company I have in my collection of bookmarks that makes a bullet that I want is Montana Bullet Works - https://www.montanabulletworks.com/product/10mm-lbt-200gr-wfn-pb/.  Nothing wrong with them. Seem pretty expensive and just want to see if any of you know of other companies making something similar.

Thanks much.

[Snubbie 357]

I get good accuracy with the Montana hard cast in both my glock 40 and my ruger sr1911 using longshot powder.

[N9TKF]

I have never used these.  Here is a link to Rim Rock bullets.  This is used in Buffalo Bore Arms ammo.
https://rimrockbullets.com/xcart/-40-10mm-200-gr-tc-the-outdoorsman-per-700.html

[AlinMi]

Rimrock has a 220gr also

[kmcdonou]

So far I have the suggestion of Rimrock Bullets, and in another forum, Badman.  Seems like there should be more than that. I guess it depends on what makes a tough lead bullet. I am not fully knowledgeable about this subject, but know a high BHN is not the key factor, as high BHN bullets can be fragile.  It depends on the makeup of the bullet, but identifying the important criteria for a lead bullet to work on a large, tough animal, and finding the manufacturers of said bullets, seems a more difficult task than I thought.

[Kenk]

These Rim Rock bullets look like a  possibility. From what I understand, a 17 or 18 BHN might be more ideal

.40/10mm 200 gr. TC "The Outdoorsman" (BHN 15) Nice heavy weight bullet for the .40 S&W and the 10mm. 3 boxes will fit in flat rate box This is a custom bullet used by Buffalo Bore Ammo Co.

https://rimrockbullets.com/xcart/-40-10mm-200-gr-tc-the-outdoorsman-per-700.html

[Kenk]

With Buffalo Bore using them, they would  likely be just fine

[kmcdonou]

Interestingly, Rimrock lists an almost identical bullet with a BHN of 22: https://rimrockbullets.com/xcart/tsh-10mm-200-gr-fp-per-300.html.  Same meplat and bullet weight, but cheaper. Listed as TSH vs TC for the bullet your referenced.  Not sure the difference.

[Kenk]

From my limited understanding, I would think either one would work well as long at the OAL was short enough to feed reliably, plus the 22 BHN sounds about perfect.

[Markwell]

     I load the 200gr Montana Bullet Works hard cast RNFP GC over a goodly charge of A#9.  Has worked on several bears for my son out of his DW Bruin.



     

[kmcdonou]

Markwell, thanks for that input. If you may, can I ask a few more questions since your son has had experience with hardcast on bears?

• Which of the bullets on MBW's site for 10mm did you use?  I don't see a RN model as they describe them: https://www.montanabulletworks.com/product-category/pistol/?filter_caliber=10mm
• What was the context for shooting bears, e.g. over bait or from a tree with hounds, and approximately how far of a distance?
• How did the bears react when shot?  DRT or did they run? I have heard some complaints about hardcast sailing right through animals when shot in the vitals, allowing them to run a little before expiring. Not that there are a lot of deep penetrating and expanding bullets in 10mm such as the newer Swift A-frames and and Hornady XTPs.
• Did you have any feeding problems at any point, assuming you used these bullets with the wide .325 meplat? https://www.montanabulletworks.com/product/10mm-lbt-200gr-wfn-pb/.
  

Thanks much.

[Alabusa]

I use Brass Monkey Bullets. They're 15bhn and shoot great with zero leading thanks to the HiTek coating.

https://brassmonkeybullets.com/40-10mm/200-gr-fp/

You won't believe how fast they get to you. When I order, they are usually at my door in 2 days, 3 at the latest.

Sent from my SM-S918U using Tapatalk

[1BadDart]

This is what was recommended for bear protection by Montana Bullets.

https://www.montanabulletworks.com/product/10mm-noe-200gr-wfn-gc/