factory .45 auto load for bear defense help
06-09-2008, 01:04 PM
#11
Typical Buck
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: North Central Idaho
Posts: 539
RE: factory .45 auto load for bear defense help
Go with the solid or FMJ. Penetration will be your main concern, you have to get thru the hide, bone, and muscle and into the vitals. Don't worry about expansion in this case, just penetration. The reliability of fmj's in most autos is a plus also, since if your fending off a bear your don't want a jam, and you may be shooting from an odd angle if you are fleeing or knocked to the ground.
06-11-2008, 11:48 PM
#12
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location:
Posts: 84
RE: factory .45 auto load for bear defense help
Back in the early 90s when a 45 ACP was still king in the IPSC Open class, I used a hard cast 155 SWC with 7 gr of Win Super Light powder that got an honest 1200+ fps from a 5" barrel with comp.
Super light is no longer made but the hard cast 155 is. I did tests for the PD I worked for and the 155 load punched through test medium 3x as far as any other 45 ACP load tested. And with little deformation.
I still had some loaded and shot them in my MechTec 16" upper. I planned on using them for short range whitetails but never got around to it.
Craig
Super light is no longer made but the hard cast 155 is. I did tests for the PD I worked for and the 155 load punched through test medium 3x as far as any other 45 ACP load tested. And with little deformation.
I still had some loaded and shot them in my MechTec 16" upper. I planned on using them for short range whitetails but never got around to it.
Craig
