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9mm bear bullet?
I'm heading out on my first black bear hunt in about 10 days and I'm taking my Glock 17 along for the ride. I know it's not the best choice for a bearstopper, but it's all I got for now.Today I picked up a box of Federal HydraShock 147 gr to throw into themag in case blackie doesn't go to sleep right away or decides thatI look like dinner.Since I highly respect all of your opinions (:D), and I have some time before the hunt begins, can anybody suggest a better factory load for this trip that is readily available at most stores for less than my monthly truck payment?
Thanks, Mud |
RE: 9mm bear bullet?
I guess I would look for the heaviest FMJ That I could find.
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RE: 9mm bear bullet?
ORIGINAL: James B I guess I would look for the heaviest FMJ That I could find. Yeah, and extra magazines. If that bear keeps comin shoot fast and often  |
RE: 9mm bear bullet?
Well, I'll have two 17-round clips.
So, FMJ overthe hollow points, like the Hydra-Shok or the other so-called personal defense?The 147 grain is the heaviest I've found. Been looking at Hornady's TAP online. Wish I could splurge for a Ruger Blackhawk, but it's not going to happen right now. I won't be in Griz country this outing, so I'm sure I'll be fine. My partner's packing a .45 ACP, so I'll let him shoot the charging bear and I'll scare the circling ravens away with the nine. |
RE: 9mm bear bullet?
Here is my viewpoint on the 9mm... it is basically a .357 but not with enough push for medium to big living critters. Sometimes it works, sometimes the path of the bullet will be deflected by bone and not go to the vitals you were hoping to hit. The 357 magnum revolver round is a different story, at least in a decent barrel. It has enough powder behind it to penetrate relatively straight. I have a 9mm as well;if that was what I was toting in the weeds, I too would use the heaviest solid that I could shoot in the piece. Federal makes a 147 grain fmc flat tip for not much money. Otherwise, unless you drag food into your sleeping bag or otherwise smell like cinamon roll, bears probably won't be much trouble.
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RE: 9mm bear bullet?
You will get more penetration from the heavy FMJ. Lots more.
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RE: 9mm bear bullet?
Get the heaviest bullet you can find. Preferably a Jacketed soft point or lead round nose if you can find them. Most places wont let you carry a firearm with FMJ or Ball ammo whyle hunting. I hunt Black Bears here in PA and shot my first one 2 years ago with a .44 Mag and it took 3 shots from the .44 Mag at 35 yards and 2 from a .300 Ultra Mag (Whyle running away) to stop it. If i was you i would consider taking a 12 gauge with slugs or a rifle without a scope for tracking.
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RE: 9mm bear bullet?
A FMJ would be the absolute last choice for me. While they penetrate deeper than a hydrashock would they do absoluteminimal damage to anything it passes through and transfers an absolute minimal amount of energy to the animal.
Even though I think the 9mm is like peeing in the wind when shooting at an angry bear I think you have the right bullet for your intended purposes. If your gun will handle +P+ loads thenBuffalo Boreloads a 147 grain Speer Unicore at 1175 fps which offers another 100 foot pounds of energy. |
RE: 9mm bear bullet?
Carry a cross, it will be lighter and probably do you more good;). If you are close enough to a bear to shoot it with a 9mm pistol you will probably be dead before you empty the clip.
In my opinion the 9mm is OK for self defense against humans. A wounded or PO'd bear ain't no human! I have heard stories of people emptying 6 rounds of 357 hunting ammo into a bear at close range and the bear still killed them. And lived I believe. I might carry one for defense against a coyote, wolf or stray dogs, but not a freakin' bear. Then again I don't hunt bears, so take what I say for what it's worth. Paul |
RE: 9mm bear bullet?
9mm for bears? Your better off throwing rocks
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RE: 9mm bear bullet?
I asked my dad what round he would recomend for a 9mm for bear protection and he said your best be would be to take the 9mm load it as full as you can get it with any ammo and leave it in the truck. By the time you get close enough to the bear to do damage to it its gonna be too close to you.
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RE: 9mm bear bullet?
Some of you guys crack me up. I'm better off throwing rocks, or better yet leaving the 9mm in the truck. That's helpful, andfunny. :eek:
Thanks to thosewho offered up suggestions.FMJ vs. HP seems to be the issue left to consider. Maybe I'll just leave the 9mm at home and take my grandma's walking stick instead. Or even better, I'll just stay at home and play on the computer.Guess my sense of humor is out the windowtoday..... |
RE: 9mm bear bullet?
Im sorry what we have said is bothering you. I know i didnt mean it in a bad way and im sure most of the others feel the same way. A 9mm is just not a great chioce for bear.
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RE: 9mm bear bullet?
ORIGINAL: Retaks Im sorry what we have said is bothering you. I know i didnt mean it in a bad way and im sure most of the others feel the same way. A 9mm is just not a great chioce for bear. Thanks. Mud |
RE: 9mm bear bullet?
The 9mm will do nothing but make him more pissed off. If your going for bear with whatever weapon of your choosing, you should have full confidence not only in your equipment, but also yourself. If you injured a bear, what good is the 9mm? What makes you so sure you will be able to hit a bear in his vitals if GOD forbid he charges you? You and everyone will be scared. I'm not trying to be rude, but I've hunted bears numerous times in the past here in my home state and Canada, also I'm in Law Enforcement, why do you think almost all Law Enforcement agencys have done away with the 9mm? If it has problems stopping a person on herion, then it surely will have problems stopping a mad bear
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RE: 9mm bear bullet?
Like i said before get the heaviest Jacked Soft Point of Lead Round Nose you can find. They seem to hit harder then a hollow point will.
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RE: 9mm bear bullet?
ORIGINAL: BOWHUNTERCOP The 9mm will do nothing but make him more pissed off. If your going for bear with whatever weapon of your choosing, you should have full confidence not only in your equipment, but also yourself. If you injured a bear, what good is the 9mm? What makes you so sure you will be able to hit a bear in his vitals if GOD forbid he charges you? You and everyone will be scared. I'm not trying to be rude, but I've hunted bears numerous times in the past here in my home state and Canada, also I'm in Law Enforcement, why do you think almost all Law Enforcement agencys have done away with the 9mm? If it has problems stopping a person on herion, then it surely will have problems stopping a mad bear |
RE: 9mm bear bullet?
thats a good question. i rather have that 9mm with 17rds than nothing thats for sure. id say the hyrdashocks are a good choice. probably wont get good penetration...but they are going to do lots and lots of damage..the FMJ will penetrate better...ALOT better...but wont do the damage the hyrdashock will. id probably go with the hyrdashocks.
good luck on your bear hunt. make the shot count with the REAL weapon...you wont need to worry about a backup. be smart and be safe...a wounded bear aint nothin to shake a stick at...post pics when ya get back!! |
RE: 9mm bear bullet?
All right! All right! I call this forum to order!
Now let's go over a few things before I present Mr. mudtutl with my most important and critical piece of advice regarding his question. In addressing Mr. Jake Biscuit ............ if you are somehow comparing a 9mm Luger round to a .357 magnum - it is not comparable other than the fact that they are both bullets. You may be seated Mr. Biscuit (Is that french? Biscuit? Bisquit? Interesting) Mr. Mohr,Mr. Mohr! Do not sleep in my courtroom! Would you please stop counting sheep and approach the bench. This court would also like to thank Mr. Mohr for his , as usual, excellent advice. But would also like to further recommend that Mr. mudtutl make a valid will, increase his life insuranceandgo to confession before heading out on this suicide mission. Certainly we all have a few things to get off our chests - even if it could wind up beinga bear chewing our beating heart out. As to the choice of 9mm ammunition for your Glock, just about any commercially available ammunition will suffice for this dilema you foresee encountering. The recommendations made will work nicely. There is one very, very important thing thatyou must remember Mr. mudtutl. If you were to forget all else - DO NOT FORGET THIS! No matter how many rounds of this 9mm ammunition you manage to fire at this charging, attacking bear; be very, very sure that you do not fire your last round! You may want to even tape the weapon to your hand so that you will be assured that you will be able to use this last round toblow your brains out! It will be much less painful and dignified than what the bear will do to you. Oh the bear will kill you alright. And it's gonna hurt - ALOT I would guess. Feeling your bones snap as his HUGE jaws crush down on your arms, flailing in the air, firing errant shots as you try to fend the beast off. The smell of your own blood. The smell of the beast! The smell of his hot putrid breath. HUGE teeth snapping fingers off. His RAZOR SHARP CLAWS tearing over your ribs like Jimmi Hendrix's fingers on the guiter strings during a20 minute pot-induced solo!POWERFUL jaws crushing your leg bones, tearing at your feet. Your boots pooling inside with blood. The sound inside your head as the teeth, those HUGE TEETH give you a scalping that wouldbring a smile to the face ofGeranimo! Then once you stop moving one of two things will happen. Either the bear will bury you to rot so he can come back later and eat you (this is a bears prefered method of tenderizing). Or another bear will do it. They may even battle over or share your carcus, using your rib cage like a wishbone at Thansgiving dinner. IMO: If there was even the most remote chance of this scenario playing out. If is was my lifeat stake. I would either NOT GO! Or go trade my Glock 17 in for a .44 Magnum (or similar) that can shoot BIG, HEAVY BULLETS. (There has to be something at the gun shop to trade for - something) Maybe a friend could loan ya something? Disclaimer: Of course all of my reply is just in fun. We would love to have you back to at least make 100 posts. We don't want to read about you in some issue of Outdoor Life. I mean I don't think we need another Timothy Treadwell. ;) |
RE: 9mm bear bullet?
ORIGINAL: uncle matt All right! All right! I call this forum to order! Now let's go over a few things before I present Mr. mudtutl with my most important and critical piece of advice regarding his question. In addressing Mr. Jake Biscuit ............ if you are somehow comparing a 9mm Luger round to a .357 magnum - it is not comparable other than the fact that they are both bullets. You may be seated Mr. Biscuit (Is that french? Biscuit? Bisquit? Interesting) Mr. Mohr,Mr. Mohr! Do not sleep in my courtroom! Would you please stop counting sheep and approach the bench. This court would also like to thank Mr. Mohr for his , as usual, excellent advice. But would also like to further recommend that Mr. mudtutl make a valid will, increase his life insuranceandgo to confession before heading out on this suicide mission. Certainly we all have a few things to get off our chests - even if it could wind up beinga bear chewing our beating heart out. As to the choice of 9mm ammunition for your Glock, just about any commercially available ammunition will suffice for this dilema you foresee encountering. The recommendations made will work nicely. There is one very, very important thing thatyou must remember Mr. mudtutl. If you were to forget all else - DO NOT FORGET THIS! No matter how many rounds of this 9mm ammunition you manage to fire at this charging, attacking bear; be very, very sure that you do not fire your last round! You may want to even tape the weapon to your hand so that you will be assured that you will be able to use this last round toblow your brains out! It will be much less painful and dignified than what the bear will do to you. Oh the bear will kill you alright. And it's gonna hurt - ALOT I would guess. Feeling your bones snap as his HUGE jaws crush down on your arms, flailing in the air, firing errant shots as you try to fend the beast off. The smell of your own blood. The smell of the beast! The smell of his hot putrid breath. HUGE teeth snapping fingers off. His RAZOR SHARP CLAWS tearing over your ribs like Jimmi Hendrix's fingers on the guiter strings during a20 minute pot-induced solo!POWERFUL jaws crushing your leg bones, tearing at your feet. Your boots pooling inside with blood. The sound inside your head as the teeth, those HUGE TEETH give you a scalping that wouldbring a smile to the face ofGeranimo! Then once you stop moving one of two things will happen. Either the bear will bury you to rot so he can come back later and eat you (this is a bears prefered method of tenderizing). Or another bear will do it. They may even battle over or share your carcus, using your rib cage like a wishbone at Thansgiving dinner. IMO: If there was even the most remote chance of this scenario playing out. If is was my lifeat stake. I would either NOT GO! Or go trade my Glock 17 in for a .44 Magnum (or similar) that can shoot BIG, HEAVY BULLETS. (There has to be something at the gun shop to trade for - something) Maybe a friend could loan ya something? Disclaimer: Of course all of my reply is just in fun. We would love to have you back to at least make 100 posts. We don't want to read about you in some issue of Outdoor Life. I mean I don't think we need another Timothy Treadwell. ;) |
RE: 9mm bear bullet?
Uncle Matt,
Dont you mean so he can come backa nd get 200 posts? He is at 99 already. |
RE: 9mm bear bullet?
I've never seen a forum so full of nancies![8D]
I would stick with the Hydrashocks. I've used them on hogs before, and they worked pretty good. I would use it a lot more if I could shoot a pistol very well. A couple weeks ago I came across a dangerous situation myself. I was walking along checking coon traps, and jumped a sow with 9 two day old piglets. When I jumped the sow, she was < 10 yards away. I stood my ground and defended myself with the gun I was carrying at the time. It was a Ruger 10/22. What you are using doesn't have to be much if you can make the shots count. |
RE: 9mm bear bullet?
The first bear attack fatality I had the misfortune to become familiar with was in the vicinity of Itasca State Park Mn; bear wounded with 22. Everyone had to round up us kids while rangers went out with the real "guns." They got him.
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RE: 9mm bear bullet?
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?
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RE: 9mm bear bullet?
i personally don't think a 9mm will do much more than make the bear madder. if it was me i would carry the biggest backup gun that i can. in my case i would take a 12 gauge and have it loaded with slugs.
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RE: 9mm bear bullet?
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? 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. |
RE: 9mm bear bullet?
Penetration is much better with the FMJ bullets because they do not expand. Expansion limits penetration in any caliber of rifle or handgun. Expansion limits penetration and causes the bullet to alter the straight path that is had been traveling. Thus also limiting penetration. With non expanding bullets the 45-70 will penetrate further at 1600 fps than the 460 Weatherby at 2700 fps. This because ven though there is little expansion, the bullet at high velocity will be deformed enough to alter its path.
Use which ever bullet you like but keep this in mind. Good luck on your hunt.:D |
RE: 9mm bear bullet?
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? 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.    |
RE: 9mm bear bullet?
Nice description Rebel. Funny how we forget things can go wrong until you see a picture. I dropped a bear at my feet once with my 41mag. I will tell you this I thought I was a brave man until then. 41mag bearminimum lol. Especially if they coming towards you and not running away.
You could load your 9mm with hard honey bullets and pray. |
RE: 9mm bear bullet?
ORIGINAL: Cherokee_outfitters Nice description Rebel. Funny how we forget things can go wrong until you see a picture. I dropped a bear at my feet once with my 41mag. I will tell you this I thought I was a brave man until then. 41mag bearminimum lol. Especially if they coming towards you and not running away. You could load your 9mm with hard honey bullets and pray. |
RE: 9mm bear bullet?
I thought that bottom pic was of a leg that got shot with a 12 ga? I have seen it before I know that.
Paul |
RE: 9mm bear bullet?
Wonder what his Weapon of choice and side arm was!:eek:
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RE: 9mm bear bullet?
ORIGINAL: James B I guess I would look for the heaviest FMJ That I could find. BTW, when in bear country, NEVER set your rifle someplace where you can't grab it instantly!! |
RE: 9mm bear bullet?
ORIGINAL: Rebel Hog Wonder what his Weapon of choice and side arm was!:eek:
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RE: 9mm bear bullet?
Good Grief RH where did you find that picture?
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RE: 9mm bear bullet?
The first couple of posts nailed it.
Penetration is the only thing that might help you. Go with the heaviest bullets you can find, with the most powder behind them, and get as many of them in the air as you can before you get mauled anyway. Maybe he'll bleed out before you get killed. ;) |
RE: 9mm bear bullet?
ORIGINAL: James B Good Grief RH where did you find that picture? |
RE: 9mm bear bullet?
trade your 9mm in for a real handgun.:D My father is a police officer and said 9mm bullets would bounce of rubber tires, sometimes never penetrate a care seat and carry no knock down power at a person shooting at you. His friend had to hit a guy like 8 times with a 9mm while this bad guy kept firing back at him. Buy yourself a 45 colt and 230 grain ACP's, even a 357 or 44 mag if you are afraid of bears. The best thing you could buys is a can ofBear Fogger pepper spray.
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RE: 9mm bear bullet?
ORIGINAL: tmeservey trade your 9mm in for a real handgun.:D My father is a police officer and said 9mm bullets would bounce of rubber tires, sometimes never penetrate a care seat and carry no knock down power at a person shooting at you. His friend had to hit a guy like 8 times with a 9mm while this bad guy kept firing back at him. Buy yourself a 45 colt and 230 grain ACP's, even a 357 or 44 mag if you are afraid of bears. The best thing you could buys is a can ofBear Fogger pepper spray. I wouldn't pick a 9mm as my sole bear hunting weapon, but I wouldn't be afraid to carry it as an emergency backup weapon with FMJ or good 147 grain hollowpoint though. I've hunted black bear witha bow and no backup (do to being illegal in my state) with no worries. The 9mm would be worlds better than having nothing at all. |
RE: 9mm bear bullet?
If a 9mm out penetrates a 45, try setting up some bowling ball pins or some oldsteel truck tire rims and tell me which has more penetration and knock down power. At a charging bear i want the largest caliber possible. We've tested both calibers and there is really no comparison. the 9 is alot faster but the 45 has a heavier bullet/energy especially idf you are using solids. I too prefer a hollow point.
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