Cartridges for hunting and home defense

TJ Freak · November 9, 2006, 11:25 PM

I just bought a new Ruger BH .45 Colt. I was wondering what a good hunting/bear defense round would be. A buddy of mine told me to always use jacketed bullets, he said that it would be easier to clean. My wife and I also have J-frame .38's by the bed, along with a 12 gauge 870. I was wondering which cartridges would be the best for self defense. For all three firearms. I realize this thread is probably worn out. I'm just too lazy to look them up, and I may miss a valuable answer.

Thanks

The Terminator · November 9, 2006, 11:47 PM

http://www.buffalobore.com/

Majic · November 10, 2006, 06:53 PM

If you understand cast bullets and use them correctly then clean-up is actually easier than using jacketed bullets (no jacket material to possibly clean out the barrel).
For a short barreled .38 spl load the old FBI load (158gr SWCHP +P) has always been a solid performer.

TJ Freak · November 10, 2006, 11:15 PM

Thanks!

Syntax360 · November 11, 2006, 01:02 AM

I can't speak for the .45 Colt, but your wife's revolver would be well served with Speer Gold Dot 135gr. +P's. I believe they are supposed to be ballistically superior to a 125gr. .357mag load from an equal length short barrel, and are generally considered the best load for a snub nose.

The 870 will be most effective with #1 buckshot. A lot of people will tell you 00 buck, but #1 will provide 30% more wound trauma and is the smallest shot that will reliabley penetrate the vitals. Another common recommendation is #4 buck - this would be a good choice if overpenetration/thin walls are a MAJOR concern. Stick to #1 if you can.

firearmstactical.com is a great resource for info like this.

blume357 · November 11, 2006, 06:11 AM

That's one more big hunk of lead, no matter what the type.

Georgia Arms makes a round called the deer stopper in 45 colt and I bet it will 'stop' anything up to 4-500lbs. I got some for my father last year and they at least look like they will do the job.

Socrates · November 11, 2006, 06:34 AM

Buffalbore's 260 grain HP, at 1450 fps was my choice for defense against black bear, and home defense.

The owner told me that load had been VERY effective in culling black bears.

I figured it would work well, even if it didn't open up against humans, and, I have safe back stops for home defense.

Brown bear, you need more gun.

I'd now use the 45 for home defense, and, in 38 J frames, I used the Corbon 125 grain HP's at something like 1150 fps. Nothing wrong with the 158 load, but, not a great stopper.

The shotgun OO loads I'm not up on. If you don't have to worry about over penetration, I like 12 gauge slugs.

S

November 9, 2006, 11:47 PM	#2
The Terminator Senior Member Join Date: February 3, 2002 Location: Georgia, 35 miles Northwest of the armpit Posts: 833	http://www.buffalobore.com/ __________________ The Terminator John 3:16 (I hope to see You over there.)

November 11, 2006, 06:11 AM	#6
blume357 Senior Member Join Date: August 2, 2005 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 3,156	With a 45 long, I think it's not nearly as important. That's one more big hunk of lead, no matter what the type. Georgia Arms makes a round called the deer stopper in 45 colt and I bet it will 'stop' anything up to 4-500lbs. I got some for my father last year and they at least look like they will do the job.

November 9, 2006, 11:25 PM	#1
TJ Freak Senior Member Join Date: December 3, 2005 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 143	Cartridges for hunting and home defense I just bought a new Ruger BH .45 Colt. I was wondering what a good hunting/bear defense round would be. A buddy of mine told me to always use jacketed bullets, he said that it would be easier to clean. My wife and I also have J-frame .38's by the bed, along with a 12 gauge 870. I was wondering which cartridges would be the best for self defense. For all three firearms. I realize this thread is probably worn out. I'm just too lazy to look them up, and I may miss a valuable answer. Thanks

November 10, 2006, 06:53 PM	#3
Majic Senior Member Join Date: May 24, 2004 Posts: 3,888	If you understand cast bullets and use them correctly then clean-up is actually easier than using jacketed bullets (no jacket material to possibly clean out the barrel). For a short barreled .38 spl load the old FBI load (158gr SWCHP +P) has always been a solid performer.

November 10, 2006, 11:15 PM	#4
TJ Freak Senior Member Join Date: December 3, 2005 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 143	Thanks!

November 11, 2006, 01:02 AM	#5
Syntax360 Senior Member Join Date: April 17, 2006 Location: Grand Prairie, TX Posts: 619	I can't speak for the .45 Colt, but your wife's revolver would be well served with Speer Gold Dot 135gr. +P's. I believe they are supposed to be ballistically superior to a 125gr. .357mag load from an equal length short barrel, and are generally considered the best load for a snub nose. The 870 will be most effective with #1 buckshot. A lot of people will tell you 00 buck, but #1 will provide 30% more wound trauma and is the smallest shot that will reliabley penetrate the vitals. Another common recommendation is #4 buck - this would be a good choice if overpenetration/thin walls are a MAJOR concern. Stick to #1 if you can. firearmstactical.com is a great resource for info like this.

November 11, 2006, 06:34 AM	#7
Socrates Senior Member Join Date: January 5, 2005 Location: East Bay NorCal, People's Republik of Kalifornia Posts: 5,866	Buffalbore's 260 grain HP, at 1450 fps was my choice for defense against black bear, and home defense. The owner told me that load had been VERY effective in culling black bears. I figured it would work well, even if it didn't open up against humans, and, I have safe back stops for home defense. Brown bear, you need more gun. I'd now use the 45 for home defense, and, in 38 J frames, I used the Corbon 125 grain HP's at something like 1150 fps. Nothing wrong with the 158 load, but, not a great stopper. The shotgun OO loads I'm not up on. If you don't have to worry about over penetration, I like 12 gauge slugs. S