I’ve been reading all I can regarding heavy hard cast bullets for bear defense. I understand they penetrate very well. My question is, why not a heavy FP FMJ (I’m thinking 200gr. from a 10mm, 147gr. 9mm)? Is HC lead really that much better? I understand heavy FMj’s may not be an option for big bore revolvers, but I would guess most people just want to use the same gun they use for defense against two legged varmits!
Just thinking out loud!
Thanks for your replies in advance,
Elk Country
I'm sure such loads could be made and would work. I don't think they have been.
Obviously metal plating a hard cast should penetrate as should any other coating. I can say that in my experience
existing bullets most especially military ball type
don't penetrate that well. Certainly in factory loads and factory equivalent handloads in handguns. I have no knowledge and limited experience in such pistol bullets from a rifle.
Never shot a bear and won't by choice for what I consider sufficient reason. If I intended to in open country then I'd use something like a .375 rifle; my choice for wandering known high activity bear country though it's all bear country to some degree. In a .38/.357 handgun I like the true Keith 173 grain from wheel weights as I cast it and heat treated and I would cheerfully use that on black bear over bait or from a .35 Whelan One of the most memorable meals of my life was cooked by a recent immigrant from China who did her traditional family recipes with bear in place of pork and I don't condemn those who shoot bears.
As we all know one expert recently chose a 9x19 as adequate for the task and it worked. Another respected gun writer assures us that in the last need a rim fire worked for him and will do the necessary assuming the aiming point and impact is the tear duct. A heavy FP FMJ is no doubt adequate for the job - all the more in practiced hands. If you want a blessing to use what you have I'll say it: use what you have.
HC lead really is that much better among existing loads if penetration is the sole criterion IMHO.
As noted for reasons of using familiar equipment I've tried a .460 Rowland in a 1911 and a switch barrel 9x19/.357 Sig/40 S&W. I found penetration from the semi-auto pistols quite disappointing compared to hard cast from a magnum revolver - I think the N frame is maxed out at .41 Remington Magnum so that's what I own and tested; bigger cartridges need bigger guns, too big for me.