45 lc or 9mm?

[bme27]

I agree that penetration is key, how else will your bullet get to the vitals? So Buffalo bore now offers their outdoorsman ammo in 45 colt that is a standard pressure round https://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=499

Will this out penetrate the Buffalo bore 9mm outdoorsman?https://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l=product_list&c=155

To those of you saying the 9mm is a better option, is it because of round count? Or does the 9mm actually penetrate better because of it’s smaller diameter?
I’m sorry for all of the questions, handguns is just something I do not know enough about.

 

[340PD]

Get a Ruger convertible 45 colt/45acp. Versatile, accurate with either cartridge, and fun to shoot.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

Any of You ever ACTUALLY been CLOSE to a REAL grizzly bear? Believe me You wouldn't be talking 9mm. LOL.

Keep Your bear spray handy and your brain engaged.

Yes, by accident. Fortunately that bear was intent on what it was doing and decided not to charge me. I was about 10 yards away, in utter awe, and managed to take some pictures, before I realized what a dangerous situation I was in. Being that close to wildlife can be hypnotizing, and I'm really fortunate I didn't end up in the news as one of those fools who didn't use their brains, and got too close to a dangerous animal.

After that incident, I realized that whatever cartridge I was carrying, in whatever platform, I wanted a minimum of a 200 gr bullet trucking along fast enough to pass through what ever I was shooting at.

Bear spray left hand, 10mm or larger in the other.

 

[Tallball]

45 Colt. I shoot both rounds. The 45 will make a bigger and deeper hole.

 

[IdahoSkies]

Whole I haven't had the same time in the back country that 308 Norma has, I've got 30 years in the idaho back country and I can count on one hand my bear encounters, and and they all involved bears wanting away from me. Carry the bear spray and be happy. It works really well and if you run into a bear that has problems with it, honestly you will probably not have time to transition from the spray to your handgun.

If you want to carry a firearm out and about anyway, I would probably take the one you shoot the best honestly. Put good ammo in it and feel comfortable.

For me and mine, I carry a Glock 29 in 10mm, but I only started doing that after I began bring my kids out with me. They are much easier meals than grown adults. Until then there really wasn't a need.

 

[exbrit49]

Get a Ruger convertible 45 colt/45acp. Versatile, accurate with either cartridge, and fun to shoot.

Amen to that, Mine goes to the range almost every trip! 45 ACP is cheap to shoot and the 45 Colt is great with a decent charge of Unique behind it!

 

[js8588]

Get a Ruger convertible 45 colt/45acp. Versatile, accurate with either cartridge, and fun to shoot.

I own this very gun. If I could only have one handgun, it would be this.

My favorite standard (not "Ruger only" or +P) loading is this. https://underwoodammo.com/product/handgun-ammo/45-colt-long-colt-250-grain-full-metal-jacket/

960fps and ~500ftlbs. Beats any 9mm

It will work as both range ammo and for your purposes, "bear ammo".

When you pick up the Redhawk (again, freaking love mine and have about 1000 rounds through it), practice with and carry this load:

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1...grain-lead-wide-flat-nose-gas-check-box-of-50

 

[js8588]

Amen to that, Mine goes to the range almost every trip! 45 ACP is cheap to shoot and the 45 Colt is great with a decent charge of Unique behind it!

Yeah, buddy. I always put a box through mine before playing around with whatever else I brought that trip.

 

[RETG]

I live in ID and go over to WY and MT and hike in Shoshone and Custer NFs and they are noted as having the highest concentration of grizzlies in the lower 48. I carry bear spray and have used it twice and since I am typing this with all my appendages, it worked.. I also carry a 4".44 mag with 320 gr Cor-Bon Hunter Hard Cast ammo. Bear spray does work however, the short barrel .44 is for the time the .spray doesn't and it will allow me to maneuver the gun into the bear's side as he is in the process of tearing me apart.

If anyone has seen a bear running at them, trying to shoot one with a handgun would be next to impossible, they are not running nice and even, but due to terrain and how they run, they are all over the place. Have someone bounce a soccer ball down a wooded hill and try and nail it with a handgun.

In my camp sites, I usually have a 12 gauge loaded with Brenneke 603 gr black magic rounds.