Polar Express
Member
While I thought about putting this in the 'general' section, I decided to start this in the 'autoloader' sub-forum. I did this because I'm specifically asking for info/experience/opinions/ideas about the cartridges that would be best for carrying an AUTOLOADING handgun while out in the woods.
Some of the critters that live in areas I enjoy recreating in are: Bears, (black around 'home', brown where it’s fun to fish) coyotes, and potentially cougar, wolf, moose. While I understand animal behavior suggests that most of those will move away when a human approaches, the only one of those I haven't seen in the wild is a moose. Let me be clear, I try to AVOID, but sometimes, we/the critter gets surprised. While fishing, sometimes that darn bear just wants your fish. (let them have it)
I've often thought that the 10mm would be the best available, while out in the woods. Where I live, the toughest, nastiest thing you'd be likely to encounter is a black bear. But... having stood on the banks of a river fishing in Alaska, those fuzzy critters get a bit bigger. While I whole-heartedly believe the best option is to AVOID angry critters, on the off chance you surprise one, or are surprised, what would be the best option?
10mm?
357 Sig?
.45 ACP?
9mm?
.40 S&W
anything I'm missing?
I've heard that the 10mm resembles 41 Magnum performance, but... (is it that the high-end of 10mm, resembles the low-end of 41 Mag? Or ?????) Since each caliber has a range from low to high. As I was reading in another active thread, that 357 Sig seems to get close to the .357 Mag, if you get the hotter loads. Is the extra mass of that 10mm bullet going to work better against a grumpy bear?
I fully understand that there are different bullet weights, designs, construction and materials that can be used. So, I’m also curious about which specific load/bullet works well against those types of critters.
It’s worth mentioning, that I'd prefer a factory load, over a home-brew option.
Thanks,
PE
Some of the critters that live in areas I enjoy recreating in are: Bears, (black around 'home', brown where it’s fun to fish) coyotes, and potentially cougar, wolf, moose. While I understand animal behavior suggests that most of those will move away when a human approaches, the only one of those I haven't seen in the wild is a moose. Let me be clear, I try to AVOID, but sometimes, we/the critter gets surprised. While fishing, sometimes that darn bear just wants your fish. (let them have it)
I've often thought that the 10mm would be the best available, while out in the woods. Where I live, the toughest, nastiest thing you'd be likely to encounter is a black bear. But... having stood on the banks of a river fishing in Alaska, those fuzzy critters get a bit bigger. While I whole-heartedly believe the best option is to AVOID angry critters, on the off chance you surprise one, or are surprised, what would be the best option?
10mm?
357 Sig?
.45 ACP?
9mm?
.40 S&W
anything I'm missing?
I've heard that the 10mm resembles 41 Magnum performance, but... (is it that the high-end of 10mm, resembles the low-end of 41 Mag? Or ?????) Since each caliber has a range from low to high. As I was reading in another active thread, that 357 Sig seems to get close to the .357 Mag, if you get the hotter loads. Is the extra mass of that 10mm bullet going to work better against a grumpy bear?
I fully understand that there are different bullet weights, designs, construction and materials that can be used. So, I’m also curious about which specific load/bullet works well against those types of critters.
It’s worth mentioning, that I'd prefer a factory load, over a home-brew option.
Thanks,
PE