Anyone reloading for bear defense?

[Pgohil]

Is anyone reloading for grizzly defense? I'm getting ready to work up a load for my 329 PD and I'm torn between using the 240 grain SWC Keith bullets I got from Missouri bullet company, and buying some heavy hitting factory loads possibly heavier bullets.

Obviously the main thing is going to be maximum penetration With a solid lead / copper bullet.

I looked at some of the Lehigh defense bullets that claimed great penetration but you might as well buy the factory ammo with them as to the bullets separately.

PGohil
WV

 

[nhyrum]

I do. I've got two loads for my 454 casull. A 300 grain hard cast solid, and a 300 grain solid copper Keith style bullet from cutting edge bullets. I've shot the solid copper ones clean through a 4 cylinder engine block. The issue with solid copper bullets, is they are longer for the same weight, so you lose a bit of capacity. The solid copper load is probably 300 fps slower than the lead load

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[Pgohil]

I do. I've got two loads for my 454 casull. A 300 grain hard cast solid, and a 300 grain solid copper Keith style bullet from cutting edge bullets. I've shot the solid copper ones clean through a 4 cylinder engine block. The issue with solid copper bullets, is they are longer for the same weight, so you lose a bit of capacity. The solid copper load is probably 300 fps slower than the lead load

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One day I'd like to have a 454 for sure. What powder are you putting behind the hard cast and the copper? Also on that hard cast, what's the hardness rating on it?

The Keith bullets I bought are bn 18, but elsewhere I read you need at least 19 for better penetration. I'm completely out of my league here and really don't know what the hell im talking about, but doing my best to learn

 

[nhyrum]

H110 behind both, the charge for the copper bullet was about 25% less powder (22 ish vs 30 grains). I don't have a hardness tester, so I couldn't tell you a number, and I cast them myself with a bit of an odd alloy (alloyed with copper, supposedly 2% copper can get the hardness up to the high 20's to low 30's without making the bullets brittle) They crushed very well.

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[AkMtnRunner]

I buy the Buffalo Bore Dangerous Game rounds loaded with Lehigh copper bullets. Seeing as I don't need the best accuracy, I trust Buffalo Bore, and put my limited reloading time towards making the most accurate hunting rounds that I can.

I am also using the 329pd, and I think the lighter weight copper bullet is a perfect match for it.

 

[Pgohil]

I buy the Buffalo Bore Dangerous Game rounds loaded with Lehigh copper bullets. Seeing as I don't need the best accuracy, I trust Buffalo Bore, and put my limited reloading time towards making the most accurate hunting rounds that I can.

I am also using the 329pd, and I think the lighter weight copper bullet is a perfect match for it.

The problem is that the dangerous game bullets tends to creep forward with the high recoil of the 329 PD. Even Buffalo bore agrees to that. That's why they made the reduced recoil loads for the 329 PD

 

[AkMtnRunner]

The problem is that the dangerous game bullets tends to creep forward with the high recoil of the 329 PD. Even Buffalo bore agrees to that. That's why they made the reduced recoil loads for the 329 PD

Good to know, I haven't had any issues with my rounds. Always good to have a some calipers at the range and measure the COAL after a round or two.

 

[Pgohil]

I think the jump is way more noticeable than is needed for calipers. Shoot five and checks the sixth and usually it's grown out of the cannular.

 

[dla]

For some ideas on crimp pulling:

Christian Ed and Hobby info - S&W 329pd info

Overview I reload and probably shoot more rounds through my 329pd than 90% of owners and this write up reflects wear and tear that many owners will never see. This revolver sees a steady diet of real 44 mag loads. Some of the issues I bring up are unique to this revolver due to it's light weight

sites.google.com

And there is load data too.

I like 23.5gr of H110/W296 behind MBC's 240gr Keith for 1250fps from my 329.

 

[Pgohil]

For some ideas on crimp pulling:

Christian Ed and Hobby info - S&W 329pd info

Overview I reload and probably shoot more rounds through my 329pd than 90% of owners and this write up reflects wear and tear that many owners will never see. This revolver sees a steady diet of real 44 mag loads. Some of the issues I bring up are unique to this revolver due to it's light weight

sites.google.com

And there is load data too.

I like 23.5gr of H110/W296 behind MBC's 240gr Keith for 1250fps from my 329.

Have you done any penetration tests with those bullets?

 

[PA Hunter]

Load up the heat treated hard cast.

 

[dla]

Have you done any penetration tests with those bullets?

I tested 255gr Cast Performance WFN and 240gr XTP against back to back Elk knuckles. They penetrated and stayed together.
I also tested 240gr Oregon Trail SWC - they exited in pieces.
It is hard to do gel penetration tests as the WFN usually penetrate 5+ feet (from other testing I've seen).

You can search and see if you can find "linebaugh penetration tests" ~30yrs ago.

 

[popapi]

Yep 10mm MBC's 200grn WFN-GCs.