- My Forums
- Tiger Rant
- LSU Recruiting
- SEC Rant
- Saints Talk
- Pelicans Talk
- More Sports Board
- Coaching Changes
- Fantasy Sports
- Golf Board
- Soccer Board
- O-T Lounge
- Tech Board
- Home/Garden Board
- Outdoor Board
- Health/Fitness Board
- Movie/TV Board
- Book Board
- Music Board
- Political Talk
- Money Talk
- Fark Board
- Gaming Board
- Travel Board
- Food/Drink Board
- Ticket Exchange
- TD Help Board
Customize My Forums- View All Forums
- Show Left Links
- Topic Sort Options
- Trending Topics
- Recent Topics
- Active Topics
Started By
Message
Recommendations for 10mm Hard Cast Ammunition
Posted on 9/17/25 at 2:45 pm
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.
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 on 9/17/25 at 2:50 pm to Swamp Angel
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.
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 on 9/17/25 at 3:01 pm to MakersMark
Second Buffalo Bore, but they make a 190 gr monolithic dangerous game that I would use.
Buffalo Bore
Buffalo Bore
This post was edited on 9/17/25 at 3:03 pm
Posted on 9/17/25 at 3:04 pm to Swamp Angel
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.
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 on 9/17/25 at 3:06 pm to Swamp Angel
quote:
The boss is taking all of us PMs and estimators out to Montana again in a couple weeks.
Are y'all hiring?
Posted on 9/17/25 at 3:42 pm to Loup
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 on 9/17/25 at 3:45 pm to MakersMark
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 on 9/17/25 at 4:16 pm to Swamp Angel
Buffalo bore , Underwood or Grizzly
I use Underwood 200gr black cherry coating.
I use Underwood 200gr black cherry coating.
Posted on 9/17/25 at 4:30 pm to RogerTheShrubber
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 on 9/17/25 at 4:32 pm to DownshiftAndFloorIt
Grizzly is huge up here. I find more Griz 10mm on the shelf than almost anything else.
Posted on 9/17/25 at 4:42 pm to Swamp Angel
The owner of Buffalo Bore swears by 45 acp +P hard cast for bear defense over 10mm. He has several videos on it
Posted on 9/17/25 at 4:43 pm to RogerTheShrubber
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.
Looks like I'll be purchasing several brands of ammunition now and comparing in the next few days.
Posted on 9/17/25 at 4:46 pm to Swamp Angel
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 on 9/17/25 at 4:48 pm to texag7
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 on 9/17/25 at 5:25 pm to RogerTheShrubber
No solid copper underwood??
Posted on 9/17/25 at 5:28 pm to KemoSabe65
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.
Its got 700 ft lbs of energy, so even at 140 grains its a beast.
Posted on 9/17/25 at 5:33 pm to RogerTheShrubber
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 on 9/17/25 at 5:42 pm to texag7
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 on 9/17/25 at 5:51 pm to RogerTheShrubber
Maybe. But he’s killed bears with both and prefers one over the other. How many bears have you killed with them?
Posted on 9/17/25 at 5:55 pm to texag7
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.
Popular
Back to top


6





