bluffhunter

Whats the best ammo used for 44 cal. handgun for protection( not hunting) for cats, wolves, and black bears? i have heard from gun dealers only to use hard cast bullets and other say hollow points? what about bonded soft points? HELP[]

pahntr760

With bears involved, i would not shoot hollow points. Hard cast is the best bet for all of those listed. 240-310 grain.

the Razorhead

agreed.
hollow points will provide a spectacular surface would on bear, but will fail to disrupt the nervous system enough to matter.

hard cast or JFP's

bluffhunter

what brand are you using? cor-bon, magtech, federal, winchester????

Retaks

I shoot 240gr JFP in my 44 mag but im only protecting from PA Black Bears and the occasional Deer hunt with it. If i was protectiing from something bigger i would eb fine with what i use but would like to get some heavier bullets in the 300gr area. I use Magtech in mine for protection. They seem to have more power but are dirtier to shoot so i dont use them for practice much.

dadsbuckshot

Buffalo Bore Ammo. It hits hard and keep em' down...

Edcyclopedia

I listen to everyone talk about how their bullet is 9 fps faster than that one. Their bullet drops .3" less at 500 yards than that one, blah-blah-blah.[:@]
How far do you intend to shoot? If it's for predator protection, maybe 50'?
What do you intend to kill with it? Again, you say it's for protection, so I would guess that if you shoot at the predator with just about any gun, the noise alone would make it retreat. How about using pepper spray, I'm sure the animal would react the same way?
Pepper spray isn't as much fun, but it does the job.
I hunt with the cheapest ammo I can find...
240 grain Desert Eagle Hollow Point, as I won't shoot past 60-70 yards anyways and how dead do my deer/bear have to be?
It's cheaper for target practicing, that's for sure and it works for me.
I would change my mind if I were to use it for Grizzly though!