ORIGINAL: mudtutl
ORIGINAL: stubblejumper
Perhaps I don't fully understand your post.Are you using a rifle to hunt with with the 9mm as a backup,or is the 9mm your only firearm?I personally would not set out to kill a bear with only a 9mm handgun.Are non expanding bullets even legal for big game hunting in your area?
I'll be huntingwith a 30-06. I might be stupid, but Iain't dumb. At least not dumbenough to hunt bear with a 9mm. I'll carry the 9mm with 147 gr hydra-shoks, and use itas a last resort.I shot a bunch of hydra-shoks, some Corbon 125 gr +p and cheapo PMC 147 gr FMJ today. I liked the performace of the hydra-shoks. An interesting article I read notes that a particular brand of HP 45 auto expands to .70 and penetrated to about 14 inches in balistic gel. The same brand in 9mm expanded to .57 and went 11.5 inches. It's been a few days since I read the article, and my memory of the exact penetration may be off slightly, but I thought it was interesting. I can find it again and post it if anyone is interested.
After sharing my dilema with a buddy, hisanswer was to carry bear spray.Maybe so.
I appreciate the responses to my question. I won't be shooting the 9mm at a bear unless I'm out of 06 bullets and I've already broken my rifle over the bear's head. But, I do think I'll feel better having it with me. Like Uncle Matt so kindly and graphically suggested, at least I can put myself out of my misery if it comes down to that.
See ya in the woods.