LookinforDirt
WKR
A heavier bullet with more velocity, for bear, is better. Knowing that nearly all handguns are inadequate for killing angry, big bears, then you want the least inadequate you can get. To a point. If you can’t shoot it accurately and quickly under stress then it’s not a good choice of caliber or you need more practice until it is a good choice
It’s true, handgun bullets only destroy what they touch because of their low velocities. No hydrostatic shock like rifles. Handguns rely on penetration and shot placement. The 10mm’s 1mm larger bullet than the 9mm is insignificant. What matters is the cartridge and how fast it sends that bullet. A 10mm sends a 220gr hard cast 1200fps vs the 9mm sending a 147gr hard cast 1100fps (Underwood ammo stats). That faster moving heavier bullet is going deeper and breaking through more stuff (hide, meat, bone, organs). That’s better. Shot placement matters for all calibers. It matters a little more for a 9mm than it does a 10mm. And it matters a little more for a 10mm than a .44. And so on. Probably not quantifiable, but when you are already under gunned no matter the size handgun you bring (barring maybe the 454 Casull), it might be just enough difference to keep you alive. Take what advantage you can get.
Here is a good write up discussing everything being discussed in this thread, revolver vs semi auto, what caliber is best, how handguns kill. He talks in terms of self defense against humans but it all applies to large predators Penetration and shot placement is key to handguns.
www.militaryarmschannel.org
Even if ft lbs and knock down power is all a myth, bigger cartridges with bigger bullets are better for bears if you can shoot it well. I value a semi auto over a revolver for more rounds and easier to shoot accurately. And 10mm because I shoot it a lot (and consider it the minimum of acceptable inadequate). People who don’t think more rounds are useful have not read enough about bear DLP shootings or are cherry picking the info. That said, anyone proficient and confident with a big .44, .454, .500 revolver, great choice! I’m not even that keen on a 10mm so I just can’t get behind a 9mm even though there are examples of it doing the job. If there was such a thing as a .41 or .44 in semi auto I might chose it If I found I could get 3-4 accurate shots off quickly. But I can have fun shooting 500+ rounds in a day at the range with heavy 10mm loads. Anything bigger and I doubt that would be true.
It’s true, handgun bullets only destroy what they touch because of their low velocities. No hydrostatic shock like rifles. Handguns rely on penetration and shot placement. The 10mm’s 1mm larger bullet than the 9mm is insignificant. What matters is the cartridge and how fast it sends that bullet. A 10mm sends a 220gr hard cast 1200fps vs the 9mm sending a 147gr hard cast 1100fps (Underwood ammo stats). That faster moving heavier bullet is going deeper and breaking through more stuff (hide, meat, bone, organs). That’s better. Shot placement matters for all calibers. It matters a little more for a 9mm than it does a 10mm. And it matters a little more for a 10mm than a .44. And so on. Probably not quantifiable, but when you are already under gunned no matter the size handgun you bring (barring maybe the 454 Casull), it might be just enough difference to keep you alive. Take what advantage you can get.
Here is a good write up discussing everything being discussed in this thread, revolver vs semi auto, what caliber is best, how handguns kill. He talks in terms of self defense against humans but it all applies to large predators Penetration and shot placement is key to handguns.
What is the best handgun caliber for carry?
New shooters and long time shooters all ponder the age old question of "what is the best handgun caliber for defense?" The reality is, there isn't a single right answer. However, what I can do is explain my choice of calibers and my thought process in making that decision. This conversation is...
www.militaryarmschannel.org
Even if ft lbs and knock down power is all a myth, bigger cartridges with bigger bullets are better for bears if you can shoot it well. I value a semi auto over a revolver for more rounds and easier to shoot accurately. And 10mm because I shoot it a lot (and consider it the minimum of acceptable inadequate). People who don’t think more rounds are useful have not read enough about bear DLP shootings or are cherry picking the info. That said, anyone proficient and confident with a big .44, .454, .500 revolver, great choice! I’m not even that keen on a 10mm so I just can’t get behind a 9mm even though there are examples of it doing the job. If there was such a thing as a .41 or .44 in semi auto I might chose it If I found I could get 3-4 accurate shots off quickly. But I can have fun shooting 500+ rounds in a day at the range with heavy 10mm loads. Anything bigger and I doubt that would be true.
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