Alaskan BackPackers are what I run in my 44, Ruger New Super Blackhawk with the 4 5/8" barrel. Garrett Hammerheads are awesome rounds too but are quite spendy @ $100 for a box of 50.
As others are saying, run 300's. If you handloaded, there might be better options, but a 300gr cast bullet at 1000fps+ is going to do the job. It isn't speed that allows them to work so well; it is momentum. Buy enough so you can run several cylinders beforehand, to make sure they shoot where they should, that they don't back out of the case and tie up your cylinder, and that you can handle the recoil effectively for follow-up shots.
Ok, I use primarily Buffalo-Bore Ammo, as well as some Alaska Backpacker 300gr & 320gr, you won't find the Alaska Backpacker Ammo any longer, as Bob, that would be Robert (Bob) Wiseman, that used to have the AMMO Shop in Soldotna, AK. ie... (The Kenai Peninsula) has Closed the Shop, as his Health has gone down hill. I've added some attachments below..... do as you like, but these are my Recommendation. Lj Oh, and by the way, I'm packing a Custom Ruger Bisley SBH Hunter .44Mag..... attached below
Last edited by AK375DGR; 11/10/20. Reason: Added Info:
What does "not Phil Shoemaket" have to do with the fact the 9mm with Hardcastle worked?
Absolutely nothing
I would argue it has absolutely everything to do with the fact that they worked. They worked because of where they were placed rapidly under duress. It was the driver that won that race, not the car.
Many bear encounters have been resolved with bear spray. Why would one need to spend more?
Ok,,,,, well, with a comment like that,,,, I'd say you don't get out much, because if you did,,, you sure as Hell wouldn't be making a statement as such, and by the way,,,,, how many Bear Encounters have you actually had,,,,, I would bet NONE. Lj
Many bear encounters have been resolved with bear spray. Why would one need to spend more?
Ok,,,,, well, with a comment like that,,,, I'd say you don't get out much, because if you did,,, you sure as Hell wouldn't be making a statement as such, and by the way,,,,, how many Bear Encounters have you actually had,,,,, I would bet NONE. Lj
A read that with a heavy accent of sarcasm.
22 would actually be cheapest, and we know that works.
Many bear encounters have been resolved with bear spray. Why would one need to spend more?
Ok,,,,, well, with a comment like that,,,, I'd say you don't get out much, because if you did,,, you sure as Hell wouldn't be making a statement as such, and by the way,,,,, how many Bear Encounters have you actually had,,,,, I would bet NONE. Lj
A read that with a heavy accent of sarcasm.
22 would actually be cheapest, and we know that works.
Ok,,,,, well, thats a Very Astute Observation on your part, Good on You..... Lj
Many bear encounters have been resolved with bear spray. Why would one need to spend more?
Ok,,,,, well, with a comment like that,,,, I'd say you don't get out much, because if you did,,, you sure as Hell wouldn't be making a statement as such, and by the way,,,,, how many Bear Encounters have you actually had,,,,, I would bet NONE. Lj
LOL, if you only knew anything about CWH2.
Last edited by 358Norma_fan; 11/10/20.
"243/85TSX It's as if the HAMMER OF THOR were wielded by CHUCK NORRIS himself, and a roundhouse kick thrown in for good measure."
What does "not Phil Shoemaket" have to do with the fact the 9mm with Hardcastle worked?
Absolutely nothing
I would argue it has absolutely everything to do with the fact that they worked. They worked because of where they were placed rapidly under duress. It was the driver that won that race, not the car.
Had to be both, location will not matter if the bullet is not up to the task I'm not Phil Shoemaker and I shot a grizzly with a handgun that came in on us cleaning a moose and it worked
I got banned on another web site for a debate that happened on this site. That's a first
Many bear encounters have been resolved with bear spray. Why would one need to spend more?
Ok,,,,, well, with a comment like that,,,, I'd say you don't get out much, because if you did,,, you sure as Hell wouldn't be making a statement as such, and by the way,,,,, how many Bear Encounters have you actually had,,,,, I would bet NONE. Lj
LOL, if you only knew anything about CWH2.
Ok,,,,, you are correct, but with that being said, with his comment,,,,, I stand by my Post. .... Lj
I certainly don't get out much, and I don't have nearly the bear encounter experience of some, but the point is this:
Just because it worked once, doesn't mean it is a good idea. It could mean that it is the bare (pun!) minimum that could possibly work. So, drawing conclusions based on a small sample size is generally a bad idea.
JWP is a smart feller, and as I recall the bear he mentions shooting wasn't shot with a 9mm, regardless of bullets.
I certainly don't get out much, and I don't have nearly the bear encounter experience of some, but the point is this:
Just because it worked once, doesn't mean it is a good idea. It could mean that it is the bare (pun!) minimum that could possibly work. So, drawing conclusions based on a small sample size is generally a bad idea.
JWP is a smart feller, and as I recall the bear he mentions shooting wasn't shot with a 9mm, regardless of bullets.
No I didn't use a 9mm. Phil tested that 9mm ammo and concluded that it had enough penetration to work without exiting and endangering his clients. Phil had the unfortunate encounter that proved his conclusion was correct
I got banned on another web site for a debate that happened on this site. That's a first
I certainly don't get out much, and I don't have nearly the bear encounter experience of some, but the point is this:
Just because it worked once, doesn't mean it is a good idea. It could mean that it is the bare (pun!) minimum that could possibly work. So, drawing conclusions based on a small sample size is generally a bad idea.
JWP is a smart feller, and as I recall the bear he mentions shooting wasn't shot with a 9mm, regardless of bullets.
Ok,,,,, just trying to follow your thoughts here,,,,, are you implying that Phil should have tried Bear-Spray 1st, before using his 9mm in that type of situation,,,,,,, wow, I'm not sure Phil even carries Bear-Spray,,,,,, but even if he does, from what I know of that particular instance, I doubt Bear-Spray was the 1st thing that came to his mind,,,,,, I don't carry Bear-Spray, and never will,,,,,, if needed, my .44 will do the job, it has, and will continue to do so. LJ
No, I'm not implying that anyone rely on bear spray. In no way am I recommending bear spray. I don't care if people use it, but I personally don't. Aside from the lack of effectiveness, there are other concerns with bear spray. As I recall from previous posts, Phil does carry and use bear spray, but is a long ways from "relying" upon it. My use of the example of spray was in relation to the 9mm comment and meant as sarcasm and a bit of hyperbole. Wolverine, I thought about using "22", but fell back to bear spray as the minimum that might work
Moving back from that tangent... In re-reading JWPs comments, it was more around "why spend more money on bullets besides hard cast" and less about the particular chambering. As I recall the little 9mm isn't even Phil's normal sidearm in bear country, but he certainly made it work. I think there are certainly arguments for folks using a firearm they are comfortable with, and many are either not comfortable or competent with a .44. I'm not sure I'd want to recommend the 9mm universally as a brown bear defensive gun, but if that's what someone had and was comfortable with, I'd certainly go that way over sticks, spray or rocks.
No, I'm not implying that anyone rely on bear spray. In no way am I recommending bear spray. I don't care if people use it, but I personally don't. Aside from the lack of effectiveness, there are other concerns with bear spray. As I recall from previous posts, Phil does carry and use bear spray, but is a long ways from "relying" upon it. My use of the example of spray was in relation to the 9mm comment and meant as sarcasm and a bit of hyperbole. Wolverine, I thought about using "22", but fell back to bear spray as the minimum that might work
Moving back from that tangent... In re-reading JWPs comments, it was more around "why spend more money on bullets besides hard cast" and less about the particular chambering. As I recall the little 9mm isn't even Phil's normal sidearm in bear country, but he certainly made it work. I think there are certainly arguments for folks using a firearm they are comfortable with, and many are either not comfortable or competent with a .44. I'm not sure I'd want to recommend the 9mm universally as a brown bear defensive gun, but if that's what someone had and was comfortable with, I'd certainly go that way over sticks, spray or rocks.
Ok then,,,,, I'm understanding your thought process now,,,, and I concur, so were Good..... for now. Lj
There are times I carry bear spray and from the few sample times I have used it, it worked and was a great educational tool that hopefully saved the bear some future grief. But bear spray and handguns for bear protection are similar to wearing a life jacket in a boat ot keeping a fire extinguisher in your home. They are last ditch tools .
), but it is dealer's choice.
