Hi I just purchased a S & W 45 long colt mountain gun. I am using this as a sidearm in the mountains for bear protection. From what I have found the selection is limited. What do you guys recommend? Grain, flat nose lead, round nose lead, silvertip hollow point? Any suggestions or experience are greatly appreciated.

Hyde

If your S&W is rated for +P ammo I thinkCor-Bon has a pretty impressiveload that would be well suited for that kind of work . I could suggest a hand load or 2 .For that sort of protection I would stay away from HPs and stick to a semi wadcutter over 225 under 275 .

The Smith and Wesson MG is not rated for plus p.It sortais in the middle between SAA and Ruger pressures. It will wear with pluspand you won't be happy. But Grizzly Cartridge makes a 260 Wide Flat Nose for the 45colt that is a standard pressure loading. So does Buffalo Bore. I haven't used the Buffalo Bore but the Grizzly shot great out of my MG.

The Ruger Black Hawk is built to handle the heavy loads. If I was shooting the Smith I would load the heaviest cast bullet I could find. They make some 345 grain and heavier bullets for the 45 LC. For protection against bear it a hand loading firearm. I had a Smith I used for bowling pin shooting but you need the Ruger for Big Game.

In standard loads and short bbls even the 300s get doggie . Presumed Hyde had the Smith already . I'm a ruger guy too . I'd have a 454 or 460 in grizz county , presumed blacks or lil browns and a suited load to hunt on purpose . The big flat nose makes a big hole with 400 ftlbs of shock damage give or take 25lbs with 250s at the top end of std 45 colts .

Bear potection?? Use hard-cast, heavy, (270-325-grain) flatnose solid bullets that maximize penetration. Wait until the bear is about to bite you. If charging, and not bluffing, bear come FAST and on ALL FOURS! Believe me, you will KNOW when the bear is SERIOUS!! Put the bullet on the tip of his nose. The slugwill travel up the nasal passages into the brain, and kill him immediately.Be careful not to hit his sloping forehead, as the bullet can glance up over the bear's back. (Yes, this is a tricky business!!)

NEVER shoot a bear with a handgun unless it is coming for you and not bluffing, OR ifyou have someone backing you up with a .375, a .416, or .45 caliberRIFLE! ANY round that hits a bear and does not kill it immediately makes him more likely to do you serious damage, as they tend to get "upset" and vengeful, like a Cape Buffalo!

You do not need a lot of velocity with heavy flat nose bullets.