44 Mag Rec's for Bears

[KneeShot]

Trying to find 45 Super Ammo in Anchorage, AK has become a true saga (I think GJM bought all of it). My HK USP field pistol capabilities are on hold until I get ammo. This has forced me (a real arm twister :) to buy a Ruger SRH Alaskan 44 mag 2.5" bbl.

Looking for 44mag ammo for bear protection. Considering Buffalo Bore, Underwood, Garret's and Federal Premium Core Cast.

Around 305gn'ish. Desired velocity above 1,100 FPS but nothing obscene that makes follow up shots extremely slow.

My main concern is reliability, anyone had excellent or negative experiences w/ this caliber in any of the manufactures mentioned?

My buddy had some Buffalo Bore jump crimp and tie up the cylinder in his .454 SRH w/ 2.5" bbl...

Thanks for any input.

Jeremy

[GJM]

I would consider the Federal 300 grain, hard cast load:

https://www.federalpremium.com/ammunition/handgun/family/vital-shok/vital-shok-castcore/p44e

[Hizzie]

Garrett's suggests not using their ammo in revolvers with shorter than 4 inches.

There is a 6.5" version of the SRH in 44 Magnum (5519). It compares nicely in size to the 454 Toklat.

[GJM]

Actually, Garrett makes a specific load for the Scanium and four inch guns, that I use. I once shot a mule deer buck up the butt with it at 42 yards, with a 329 four inch, and got complete penetration and an exit, out his chest.

I didn't mention the Garrett load, as ammo can not be air shipped to AK, and my experience is the Federal Cast Core load is commonly available in Anchorage.

http://www.garrettcartridges.com/44defendertech.html

[Clusterfrack]

I carried BB 340 gr hard cast in Alaska. One of the guides I was with also carried that load. (The other had the lighter BB hard cast .44). The 340gr chronos at 1360fps from my SBH 3.75". Recoil is stout, but controllable. The crimp seems very solid on these, but you should test of course.

[GJM]

I carried BB 340 gr hard cast in Alaska. One of the guides I was with also carried that load. (The other had the lighter BB hard cast .44). The 340gr chronos at 1360fps from my SBH 3.75". Recoil is stout, but controllable. The crimp seems very solid on these, but you should test of course.


For hunting, I understand the thumper BB and Garrett loads, as you want to flatten trajectory and have options to shoot heart/lung and break an oppposite shoulder. For a defensive handgun load, where penetration of the skull is what you are after, I don't see the advantage of the thumper loads, over something like the Garrett Defender, which penetrates the skull and recoils much less, allowing faster follow-up shots?

[Clusterfrack]

For hunting, I understand the thumper BB and Garrett loads, as you want to flatten trajectory and have options to shoot heart/lung and break an oppposite shoulder. For a defensive handgun load, where penetration of the skull is what you are after, I don't see the advantage of the thumper loads, over something like the Garrett Defender, which penetrates the skull and recoils much less, allowing faster follow-up shots?

George--your logic and experience are compelling, and I don't have any justification for my choice other than hoping that bigger is better, and that a miss on a head shot could yield an effective body shot.

[GJM]

What I want is the easiest to shoot projectile, that will reliably penetrate the skull of a brown bear.

Where reasonable people do differ, is what is the threshold of "reliably penetrating" the skull. I "think" a .44 Magnum with Garrett Defender (340 or so grains at 1,020 GPS) or Federal Cast Core will penetrate. I am "certain" full test BB/Garrett or equivalent loads will. I "hope" the USP with .45 Super Lehigh loads will.

[Velo Dog]

I like GJM's thinking on the matter, however, here's another option
https://www.lehighdefense.com/products/44-remington-magnum-220gr-xtreme-penetrator-ammunition?variant=1066304

During my first visit to AK during the early 90's, I could barely wait to check out the exotic hand cannons that surely awaited in an Anchorage gun store. I was shocked to find a shop full of mostly 9mm autos and .357 revolvers.

[GJM]

I like GJM's thinking on the matter, however, here's another option
https://www.lehighdefense.com/products/44-remington-magnum-220gr-xtreme-penetrator-ammunition?variant=1066304

During my first visit to AK during the early 90's, I could barely wait to check out the exotic hand cannons that surely awaited in an Anchorage gun store. I was shocked to find a shop full of mostly 9mm autosomal Underwood Lehigh and .357 revolvers.

Been using the Underwood Lehigh ammo since last summer, and yet to experience a stoppage. Have it in 9, 40, 45+P and 45 Super. By chance was sighting in a USP FS 40 Tactical this afternoon, and here is how it looks at 25. See the distinctive Lehigh profile.

18274

[Xrslug]

I like GJM's thinking on the matter, however, here's another option
https://www.lehighdefense.com/products/44-remington-magnum-220gr-xtreme-penetrator-ammunition?variant=1066304

During my first visit to AK during the early 90's, I could barely wait to check out the exotic hand cannons that surely awaited in an Anchorage gun store. I was shocked to find a shop full of mostly 9mm autos and .357 revolvers.

Slightly off topic, but during my trip to AK I was also somewhat surprised by what I saw locals carrying and I think it was GJM who mentioned to me when I brought it up that most bears are actually taken by locals with .223/5.56.

[GJM]

Slightly off topic, but during my trip to AK I was also somewhat surprised by what I saw locals carrying and I think it was GJM who mentioned to me when I brought it up that most bears are actually taken by locals with .223/5.56.

Apparently a bunch of grizzly bears around native villages fall to department store 55 grain ball, shot through the neck, out of mini-14 carbines.

[DocGKR]

The .44 Mag Hornady 300 gr XTP is a versatile general purpose load.

[KneeShot]

All, thanks for the input! I will keep my eye out for the quality rounds to test. Ran some cheaper 240gn 44special rem (felt like a stout 45acp) and armscor 240gn 44mag before jumping to a cylinder of BB "heavy 44mag" 305gn. It felt controllable as Iam dialing in my revo technique. I did have to adjust my grip after the 3 shot. Not getting to scientific, dumping them into in 8" target at 7yds as fast as I can.

During my last couple of cylinders the trigger stared feeling "sticky" half way through. Revolver shooting is somewhat new to me. Iam assuming this is due to leading. I wanted to measure OAL after each BB round but I was in a rush and couldn't find my calipers.

Jeremy

[willie]

About the sticky trigger feeling. The cause may be unburned powder crud getting under the extractor star. This occurrence frquently confuses many. The cure is easy. Clean with a brush and dump brass with the barrel straight up and down. Enough crud can tie up a revolver.

[CDR_Glock]

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Instagram: MuzzleblastMD

[Malamute]

About the sticky trigger feeling. The cause may be unburned powder crud getting under the extractor star. This occurrence frquently confuses many. The cure is easy. Clean with a brush and dump brass with the barrel straight up and down. Enough crud can tie up a revolver.

Ejecting shells slowly to save the brass is a good way to cause problems like that. Muzzle straight up and sharp slap on the rod seems to help reduce it to a great degree. Deal with the brass when youre done shooting.

[Hizzie]

The .44 Mag Hornady 300 gr XTP is a versatile general purpose load.

Not that unpleasant a load to shoot either.

[GJM]

I can't imagine carrying a .44 Magnum for grizzly bears and not loading it with a wide meplat, hard cast load.