180 grain Hi-tek coated for hunting?

[Huntchick]

I recently got some Bayou Bullets 180 grain TC bullets to develop loads for my G20 Gen 5. My question is, does anyone use this bullet for hunting or have thoughts on how it performs on game? I load Montana bullets 200 grain WFN for this pistol but honestly when I'm not in an area that has anything larger than a black bear i don't really think i need the 200 WFN. Ive not had any reliability problems with the WFN-GC bullets even with mag dumping 3 magazines full back to back to back, however i feel the 180 grain Bayou TC bullet would be more reliable and more than adequate for my woods use when not in places with moose or brown bear. Anyone with thoughts on performance or experience with these give me some insight? I'm currently loading them over longshot around 8.2 grains.   

[Alabusa]

I have a stout 200gr Brass Monkey Bullets load and have zero issues. I see no reason that it will not be overly effective on deer.
My load is pushing the 200gr to an average of 1230fps.

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[Huntchick]

thank you for responding, I'm running the Montana Bullet works 200gr. WFN-GC bullet (24 BHN) over AA#9 around 1150-1170 where i feel its performance is about best i believe.
I Just think In my mind the 180 gr. coated ( 16 Bhn) would be more likely to be better reliability and i would think have good performance on mid size critters under 300lbs but have nothing to support
that thought besides my own belief.

[Huntchick]

Nobody taken any game of have input on how a 180 grain coated cast bullet does on game or how it pernitrates compared to say a 200 grain WFN or 200 grain XTP?

[Kenk]

In my experience, whitetail, large or small go down well with a 180 or 200gr JHP. As far as I can tell their hide isn?t that difficult to penetrate

[Huntchick]

I agree Kenk, deer aren't difficult to take down with JHP's. The majority of the time I'm carrying a rifle or shotgun of some type even in areas without large predators. I've only had a couple times where a black bear got to close. One time at night one was hell bent on going though my gear while i was in a hammock tent just few feet away. Just wouldn't quit coming back. She had 2 cubs with her and was an area hikers had used for a camp recently so that's the last time I've camped in a spot someone else used before. Guessing they had dumped cooking grease or something around the area? Had one once come and put Its front feet up on the tree I had my portable stand in but that was actually pretty cool. Anyway I was thinking the 180 hardcast TC bullet might be a better choice than a JHP for double duty round hunting and for a Black bear if need. It would  be. Kinda like hunting  with a Muzzleloader performance on a deer and yet would perform on a bear bit better than a JHP. Normally unless fishing, butchering, small game hunting or something rifles are my hunting gun and handguns are my backup defense gun that's always with me. I used to carry a large revolver but its heavy and slow so now that i have the 10mm ive loaded  200 grain WFN in it at 1.240 COL. ive tested it and its feed reliably at that COL. So far.  At 1.245 I had couple Fail to feed. So even at 2.140 i have concerns of possible FTF. That's the main reason I'm looking at the 180 TC bullet because i know those run without question and i would think be plenty for a black bear and better than a 200 XTP. I realistically believe people, dogs, and other animals are more likely a threat when out but think being loaded for the toughest threat i may encounter is the way to go and that would also work on lesser sized threats too.  Once i get the 180 TC load dialed in on a Chrono im going to try it on some 2x4's and see how it does compared to a 200 WFN and 200 XTP.  If im in an area with bigger than black bear critters moose ( they scare me) or larger bear i either carry Casull or something.

[sep]

I don't have any experience with the bayou bullets but you could do some penetration testing into various media to see how they perform. I'm also using the MBW 200 grain WFN-GC. I don't think it is too much bullet for anything. Granted, I live in Alaska and may have different woods defense needs than most folks but I've never heard anyone say they shot their black bear (or grizzly/brown bear) in defense of life or property with "too big" a bullet.     

[Huntchick]

Lol. I agree that not anything is too big for the big bad critters. Slugs or 45-70 are my choice. I admit im carrying the 200 wfn-GC in the woods and if i think there might be an issue around vehicles or places i want maximum pentation.  Everyone talks Griz and bears but a grumpy moose, ma'ma elk and others a concern too. Im planning to try the 180's vs the 200's against stacked 2x6 at some point. I totally expect the 200 WFN to pernitrate best but curious on how the 180's will compare to a 200.  I once went with my brother to Yellowstone fly fishing for trout on the Firehole river. Bison kept coming up close feeding along the shore , made me nervous . Bison, moose and bears OH MY. lol. I pretty much always carry a long gun  of some kind whenever possible. handguns are pretty much just a last ditch deal to me.  There are lots of big bad things including unsavory folks in vehicles. I just recently spent some time up your way for fork i stayed in Anchorage. went to a number of remote sites from there,( N/E of Anchorage) mostly air in day or overnight. Always beautiful there. Yep, you got some serious animals but then I figure its there living room and im the one trespassing.

[Kenk]

I would be relatively comfortable with a short barrel slug gun, along with a 10mm chest rig setup, and even then, you don?t really know for sure

[Huntchick]

Kenk, agree. I normally carry in a chest rig too. Even with a rifle and a handgun it doesn't guarantee you wont be caught without time to react. Even then there are no guarantees even a well placed shot would stop the threat before it had ya. Many a dead animal has gone a long ways dead on its feet.

[Huntchick]

Im thinking about the only Guarantee stopper would be an airstrike or Naval gunfire.

[Kenk]

😂, that?s pretty accurate I think