9mm Bear defense pistol ammo?

[Dan23]

I want to start carrying my glock 26 in black bear woods when i go hunting. What ammo do you recommend for bear? i know a 9mm is underpowered and blah blah blah but that's what im carrying. I was looking at Buffalo Bore 9mm Luger +P+ PENETRATOR Ammo 124GR FMJ OR Buffalo Bore 9MM +P OUTDOORSMAN 147gr. Hard Cast. If anyone recommends anything else i would like to hear it, if not which ammo would you recommend?

 

[jpmulk]

Im running the outdoorsman's 147 grain hardcast. I think either is good. But from some basic research I did, the 147 grain outdoorsmans will have more foot pounds of energy. Do your own research though.

I also think pistol caliber arguments regarding bear defense are somewhat over rated to a point. It doesn't matter what pistol caliber you pick, they don't cause the high pressure waves that cause tissue damage the way a rifle does. So at the end of the day, all you are fighting for in the caliber argument is penetration to reach vital organs. When it comes to bear defense, whatever ammo you can shoot quickly and accurately will be the best. you ultimately want to let that bear know you are biting back. From my understanding, 9mm outperforms .45 or .40. So honestly, its not as bad of pick as others say it is. It is definitely enough for black bear.

 

[PredatorSlayer]

I want to start carrying my glock 26 in black bear woods when i go hunting. What ammo do you recommend for bear? i know a 9mm is underpowered and blah blah blah but that's what im carrying. I was looking at Buffalo Bore 9mm Luger +P+ PENETRATOR Ammo 124GR FMJ OR Buffalo Bore 9MM +P OUTDOORSMAN 147gr. Hard Cast. If anyone recommends anything else i would like to hear it, if not which ammo would you recommend?

9mm is not underpowered for black bears. I don’t think they are tough animals. If no grizz in the area, I carry my Glock 43 with XTPs. Really you could use anything, you don’t need hardcast or +P, they aren’t the apex predator that the grizz and browns are. I always compare them to a big coyote, they are super easy to kill and aren’t very aggressive.

 

[AZ_Hunter_2000]

I run the Outdoorsman line in my 9mm and 10mm.

 

[Wrench]

I load 147 berry's hybrids for my g43x.

 

[BLJ]

What would the opinion be of 115 FMJ’s? I would think they would hold together, penetrate bone, and begin to tumble, causing a lot of of internal damage. Am I off base on this?

 

[Dan23]

thanks for the info guys

 

[303TrophyHusband]

I bought some 124gr Woodsman from G9 defense, looks good on paper...

 

[MattB]

What would the opinion be of 115 FMJ’s? I would think they would hold together, penetrate bone, and begin to tumble, causing a lot of of internal damage. Am I off base on this?

From what I have read, FMJ bullets are more prone to deflect. You want maximum penetration, and deflection or tumbling do not further that goal.

 

[BLJ]

Bones(shoulder,skull,scapula) would deflect a FMJ? Genuine question. Do you have a link? Thanks.

 

[just.mark]

Just Get some +p personal defence ammo and a glock 19 magazine or 17 if you want to get crazy and keep pulling the trigger until she's empty.

 

[thinhorn_AK]

I like those Buffalo bore 147g outdoorsman’s. The leg high 115g penetrators are also good stuff.

 

[TrapMessiah33]

I want to start carrying my glock 26 in black bear woods when i go hunting. What ammo do you recommend for bear? i know a 9mm is underpowered and blah blah blah but that's what im carrying. I was looking at Buffalo Bore 9mm Luger +P+ PENETRATOR Ammo 124GR FMJ OR Buffalo Bore 9MM +P OUTDOORSMAN 147gr. Hard Cast. If anyone recommends anything else i would like to hear it, if not which ammo would you recommend?

124g Speer Gold Dot

 

[Dan23]

124g Speer Gold Dot

Great ammo but i feel like the JHP won't penetrate deep enough

 

[PredatorSlayer]

Great ammo but i feel like the JHP won't penetrate deep enough

You are overthinking it. Its a black bear, they aren’t tough animals. We kill several every year. Hollow points are perfectly ok.

 

[Cubby]

308 Winchester or . 30-06 Springfield loaded with a 165- or 180-grain spitzer bullet will handle black bears

No offense meant but did you even read this thread before posting? The OP wants to carry a pistol for defense of bears, he's not hunting them

 

[MattB]

Bones(shoulder,skull,scapula) would deflect a FMJ? Genuine question. Do you have a link? Thanks.

I should clarify my comment as pertaining to round nose FMJ which is what I presume was being reference. You can look at the Buffalo Bore website for their perspective which mirrors what I have read elsewhere.

 

[CoStick]

I like those Buffalo bore 147g outdoorsman’s. The leg high 115g penetrators are also good stuff.

I have this in 9mm m/p sheild. I will carry in for grizzly as well. It is what I have and apparently it has worked previously

 

[BLJ]

@MattB. I was referring to the normal run of the mill round nose FMJ. I’ll check out Buffalo Bore. Thanks.

 

[Estiva]

I want to start carrying my glock 26 in black bear woods when i go hunting. What ammo do you recommend for bear? i know a 9mm is underpowered and blah blah blah but that's what im carrying. I was looking at Buffalo Bore 9mm Luger +P+ PENETRATOR Ammo 124GR FMJ OR Buffalo Bore 9MM +P OUTDOORSMAN 147gr. Hard Cast. If anyone recommends anything else i would like to hear it, if not which ammo would you recommend?

I think a 9MM is adequate for black bears, especially with specialty (non-range) ammo. However, I would not recommend hollow point bullets. You want more penetration to get through the tough hide, fat, and bone of a bear. I am assuming you are clear of Grizzly country. The range for a Grizzly is only in Montana, Wyoming (near Yellostone), and the Bitteroot area of Idaho. It would be EXTREMELY rare to encounter one in say, Colorado. Black bears are smaller and not as aggressive a grizzlies, and they are more timid. I have backpacked in the Smoky Mountains several times and never encountered one. An alternative to Buffalo Bore is Underwood Xtreme Penetrator +P in 115gr. MAKE SURE YOUR PISTOL CAN SAFELY FIRE A +P+. Many standard pistols can not, and it would be dangerous to do so. Also, have bear spray.