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Recommendations for 10mm Hard Cast Ammunition

Posted on 9/17/25 at 2:45 pm
Posted by Swamp Angel
Somewhere on a river
Member since Jul 2004
9658 posts
Posted on 9/17/25 at 2:45 pm
The boss is taking all of us PMs and estimators out to Montana again in a couple weeks. Time will be spent between hiking and and fly fishing. (I plan to tell them to drop me off at some point on the Middle Fork of the Flathead and pick me up on their way back to the chalet in the evenings.)

Bear season is in full swing right now as the grizzlies are fattening up for the winter, and it'll still be going full bore when we get there on Oct 3. I'll be sure to have a can of bear spray on my side at all times, but in the event that the bear spray doesn't produce the desired results I have my Sig P220 Elite 10mm for backup.

In order to have any hope of slowing down a 600 to 800 pound bear I'll have to keep both mags loaded with a 200 grain hard cast round for penetration without a lot of fragmenting and rapid dissipation of energy within the first few inches of hitting the target.

Does anyone here have a recommendation for good, reliable ammunition that fits the bill? I'm not too worried about cost and I probably will only need to purchase a small box of maybe twenty rounds since both mags are single stack eights. I also expect to return from our adventure with all the ammunition that I take out that way since I'm not looking for an opportunity to take on a big, toothy critter like a grizzly, but I also don't want to be completely unprepared should an unpleasant occur.

TIA for your thoughts.

For the record, we did have a close call during our trip in September/October 2023 with a sizeable boar grizzly that looked like he was seriously considering crossing the ford to come visit us up close and personal when we were fishing the North Fork of the Flathead about six miles below Polebridge. I just want to ensure all bases are covered this time.
Posted by MakersMark
Baton Rouge
Member since May 2007
655 posts
Posted on 9/17/25 at 2:50 pm to
Buffalo Bore Hard Cast.
I would get some well in advance so you can go to the range and make sure they cycle through your gun before you take it into the woods.
I have a Glock 20 and they cycle through mine just fine.
Posted by bbvdd
Memphis, TN
Member since Jun 2009
28073 posts
Posted on 9/17/25 at 3:01 pm to
Second Buffalo Bore, but they make a 190 gr monolithic dangerous game that I would use.

Buffalo Bore
This post was edited on 9/17/25 at 3:03 pm
Posted by DownshiftAndFloorIt
Here
Member since Jan 2011
70952 posts
Posted on 9/17/25 at 3:04 pm to
Just remember to file the front sight down so it doesn't hurt so bad when a bear shoves it up your arse.

Buffalo bore, HSM, and Underwood are the gold standards. HSM is the only one I've personally used out of those 3 in 10mm.
Posted by Loup
Ferriday
Member since Apr 2019
15626 posts
Posted on 9/17/25 at 3:06 pm to
quote:

The boss is taking all of us PMs and estimators out to Montana again in a couple weeks.


Are y'all hiring?
Posted by Swamp Angel
Somewhere on a river
Member since Jul 2004
9658 posts
Posted on 9/17/25 at 3:42 pm to
quote:

Are y'all hiring?


I think Will is always looking for estimators, PMs, and superintendents. He took us out to Montana/Idaho/Wyoming TWICE last year. Sometimes he just gets a bee in his bonnet and gives us anywhere from five days to three weeks to get geared up for a trip.
Posted by Swamp Angel
Somewhere on a river
Member since Jul 2004
9658 posts
Posted on 9/17/25 at 3:45 pm to
quote:

... go to the range and make sure they cycle through your gun before you take it into the woods.


Good advice there! I hadn't stopped to consider how hard cast will chamber in comparison to regular FMJ ball ammunition. I reckon I'll be spending a bit more than I had anticipated.
Posted by RogerTheShrubber
Juneau, AK
Member since Jan 2009
295457 posts
Posted on 9/17/25 at 4:16 pm to
Buffalo bore , Underwood or Grizzly

I use Underwood 200gr black cherry coating.





Posted by DownshiftAndFloorIt
Here
Member since Jan 2011
70952 posts
Posted on 9/17/25 at 4:30 pm to
quote:

Grizzly


Forgot about them. I've used their stuff in a couple different calibers and it seems good quality. The .45 colt +P they make is a real arse kicker.
Posted by RogerTheShrubber
Juneau, AK
Member since Jan 2009
295457 posts
Posted on 9/17/25 at 4:32 pm to
Grizzly is huge up here. I find more Griz 10mm on the shelf than almost anything else.
Posted by texag7
College Station
Member since Apr 2014
40555 posts
Posted on 9/17/25 at 4:42 pm to
The owner of Buffalo Bore swears by 45 acp +P hard cast for bear defense over 10mm. He has several videos on it
Posted by Swamp Angel
Somewhere on a river
Member since Jul 2004
9658 posts
Posted on 9/17/25 at 4:43 pm to
Glad you chimed in Roger. Good to get some advice from someone up where the really BIG ones live. Just got a chest holster from Diamond D Outdoors in Wasilla to carry that 10mm while I'm fishing. It'll provide a whole lot easier access than a horizontal carry shoulder holster hidden under a pair of waders.

Looks like I'll be purchasing several brands of ammunition now and comparing in the next few days.
Posted by RogerTheShrubber
Juneau, AK
Member since Jan 2009
295457 posts
Posted on 9/17/25 at 4:46 pm to
quote:



Looks like I'll be purchasing several brands of ammunition now and comparing in the next few days.




Most mfgrs underload 10mm, particularly target rounds. Buffalo Bore, Underwood and Grizzly load them correctly.

Sportsmans Warehouse in Ak has a wide variety of hardcast 10mm. As you may suspect, its a very popular product here.


Posted by RogerTheShrubber
Juneau, AK
Member since Jan 2009
295457 posts
Posted on 9/17/25 at 4:48 pm to
quote:


The owner of Buffalo Bore swears by 45 acp +P hard cast for bear defense over 10mm.


Ive seen his videos and I'm not convinced. He thinks the size makes up for the energy difference, which if you are breaking bones I wouldnt bet on.

Gun folks can get hung up on calibers, like drivers do truck brands. I'm no different, I'm a huge 10mm fan



Posted by KemoSabe65
70605
Member since Mar 2018
6316 posts
Posted on 9/17/25 at 5:25 pm to
No solid copper underwood??
Posted by RogerTheShrubber
Juneau, AK
Member since Jan 2009
295457 posts
Posted on 9/17/25 at 5:28 pm to
I have no issue with it, its just rarely on the shelf here (and I cant order online and have shipped here.)

Its got 700 ft lbs of energy, so even at 140 grains its a beast.
Posted by texag7
College Station
Member since Apr 2014
40555 posts
Posted on 9/17/25 at 5:33 pm to
quote:

Ive seen his videos and I'm not convinced. He thinks the size makes up for the energy difference, which if you are breaking bones I wouldnt bet on.


He’s killed a lot of dangerous game and bears specifically. I trust his advice
Posted by RogerTheShrubber
Juneau, AK
Member since Jan 2009
295457 posts
Posted on 9/17/25 at 5:42 pm to
quote:



He’s killed a lot of dangerous game and bears specifically. I trust his advice



Not arguing with him, just saying thats his preference. 10mm will kill the same.

Posted by texag7
College Station
Member since Apr 2014
40555 posts
Posted on 9/17/25 at 5:51 pm to
Maybe. But he’s killed bears with both and prefers one over the other. How many bears have you killed with them?
Posted by RogerTheShrubber
Juneau, AK
Member since Jan 2009
295457 posts
Posted on 9/17/25 at 5:55 pm to
quote:


Maybe. But he’s killed bears with both and prefers one over the other. How many bears have you killed with them?


Youre trying to start a bizarre argument where one doesnt exist.
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