Hornady Critical Duty 9mm for woods carry

[BigWoolyBanjo]

First off, let me say that I have more appropriate (.357 mag & 10mm) calibers for woods carry / black bear protection.

This is a theoretical question. I read about this new Critical Duty Ammo from Hornady that is supposed to pass the FBI tests. If this stuff will penetrate auto glass, sheet metal, marine plywood, etc. and still expand reliably, then shouldn't it be effective against black bear?

Thoughts, opinions?

-Jeff

 

[hardluk1]

I would use the critical duty round should do well.J ust shoot some to be sure your pistol like them. Seen the test on them and it seems they don't mushroom to heavly and penatrate well. Short of a BB wad cutter I would say yes.

 

[Lawdawg45]

Sorry, but the 9mm and the light, under powered Hornaday line are terrible choices for Bear. Some experienced hunters even feel the .44 magnum isn't enough to stop a bear, and I personally know a Knoxville Firefighter that shot a charging Bear 7 times with a 30-30, before he dropped.

LD

 

[allaroundhunter]

ANY 9mm round is ineffective against a black bear. Windshield glass does not correlate to black bear..... And fwiw, I have a pellet gun that penetrates sheet metal and plywood and still have energy to kill game on the other side. Does that make it effective against a black bear? I will take a 10mm on the low end for woods carry.

Sent from my HTC One X

 

[smalls]

I'm a fan of the 9mm, and carry one daily. But... if I had a .357 mag or 10mm, i'd carry that instead. It's not what's about what could get the job done, it's what's going to give you a better advantage.

 

[murf]

the critical duty is an expanding hollow point bullet. not the best thing for trying to crack a bear's skull.

if i had to use it on an angry bear .... no, i would not be carrying that, or any other hollow point ammo in any handgun.

147 grain truncated cone lead bullet as fast as it can go. that is what i would use in my 9mm for bear defense.

murf

 

[hardluk1]

Use the +p critical duty round. It is not know to be a great expander and should be fine for trail gun. I would pack a bear spray if you think you may run into one. Guys have killed bears on hunts up here with 9mm's . Amassing the damage a few quick rounds 9mm can do to a blacky . More likely to find wild dogs than a bear wanting to do bodily harm. Now don't let that 9mm be a short barrel 7 shot pistol.

 

[Mikey Idaho]

DoubleTap's 9mm+P 147gr FMJ flat nose is my woods carry choice, best choice I've found if you want 9mm. Brass jacketed with lots of penetration and +P power.

Sent from my T-Mobile G2 using Tapatalk 2

 

[CraigC]

Depends on your needs, expectations and perspective. Some folks approach it like concealed carry and think their 9mm is plenty for anything they might encounter. Others have actually used our handguns outdoors and on critters and know that more is better. IMHO, useful outdoor handgun cartridges 'begin' at the .357 and 10mm and lightweight jacketed pills need not apply.

 

[Manny]

I have 147gr Winchester Ranger +p bonded that I'd use for woods duty, but any bear I'm likely see in my area will probably be small. Though we have a sighting now & again, bears are darn sparse in NE Ohio, enough so that it isn't a defining issue that enters into my choice of weapon.

My main consideration is feral dogs, rabid raccons & feral people......

 

[jeepnik]

Way too many better choices (even in 9mm) to pick from. Now if it was all you had, of course.

That said, you are much more likely to have to deal with a two legged critter than a four legged one. And, in that role the round should suffice. Though I personally prefer a long gun for either type of encounter.

 

[BigWoolyBanjo]

Manny: I like that "feral people"!

Thanks for everyone's input. I'd never carry below .357 mag in the woods, but it's an interesting thing, this Critical Duty ammo. Not sure what a civilian really needs with it. Thought woods carry might be one reason.

-Jeff

 

[Lawdawg45]

Manny: I like that "feral people"!

Thanks for everyone's input. I'd never carry below .357 mag in the woods, but it's an interesting thing, this Critical Duty ammo. Not sure what a civilian really needs with it. Thought woods carry might be one reason.

-Jeff

Friend, don't buy into Hornaday's advertising gimmick, it's nothing special. In fact, it's the only round they sell that would meet minimum FBI penetration requirments, and it's on level with almost every SD JHP out there. Speer, Federal, Buffalo Bore, Golden Saber, etc. They would have you believe you'd need a Federal permit to buy this round.

LD

 

[smalls]

Not sure what a civilian really needs with it

It does the same thing every other good JHP does, they just need to show everyone they can do it now, too.

And it may be rare, but I'm sure civilians have had to shoot through car doors (think car jacker), doors, glass, etc.

 

[Steve C]

There's a big difference between hunting a critter and defending yourself against them. When hunting you are initiating the contact under your terms and interested in killing quickly from as far away as you can be and having the animal die ASAP so you don't have to spend a day tracking a wounded animal or having to haul a carcass a couple miles back to the truck. You are also under obligation to follow game laws and conventions. You can take your time and aim carefully.

Self defense is about staying alive when the animal initiates contact. The first indication you are being attacked is as likely to be when you wake up as you are being dragged out of your tent or the sudden blur of black or brown as the animal rushes your from ambush on your rear or flank. IF you can deploy your weapon the shots will be up close and personal, probably while the critter is latched on to you. Not a lot of time to take aim. Certainly not the TV version of bear attacks where they stand up and paw the air then wrestle with the stunt man.

Bear have been killed with knives, spears, archery, handguns and even rim fire rifles. The 9mm most assuredly will kill a bear, though you'd be better off with FMJ for penetration and put a lot of lead on target. Would I choose a 9mm to hunt bear with, no way, but if it can be brought into action it can do the job.

3 bear attacks in AZ this year and in every one the victim was sleeping in cabin or tent.

http://www.dcourier.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSectionID=1&ArticleID=108155

 

[One_Jackal]

99.99% of the time if you leave a wild black bear alone, it will leave you alone. If I had to fend off a black bear with a 9mm I would prefer WWB ammo to Hornady Critical Duty.

 

[rhinoh]

3 bear attacks in AZ this year and in every one the victim was sleeping in cabin or tent.

http://www.dcourier.com/main.asp?Sec...ticleID=108155Wow.

DNA exonerated 2 of the bears killed by officials. They really don't know for sure if the third was involved either since they couldn't get good "crime scene" DNA.
http://www.abc15.com/dpp/news/region_northern_az/payson/dna-shows-2-bears-not-involved-in-most-recent-attack-in-arizona
Highly unusual for 3 Black Bear attacks that close together.
I get bears occasionally at my camp.
I'm now rethinking my choice of sidearm. I was more worried about meth heads and coyotes than bear.

 

[BSA1]

Thanks for everyone's input. I'd never carry below .357 mag in the woods, but it's an interesting thing, this Critical Duty ammo. Not sure what a civilian really needs with it. Thought woods carry might be one reason.

Yep, not sure why a civilian wants to go into the woods and piss off the bears by shooting them with a 9mm either.

I take it from your post that you are not familiar with handgun stopping power and bullet performance.

 

[Pyro]

Something hardcast and +P+ from Buffalo Bore.