Posted on 01/19/2018 4:31:53 AM PST by marktwain
I would rather use semi-jacketed soft points in wheel guns or FMJ in auto loaders. Penetration is preferable to expansion for heavy bears. I shot a 300# boar sideways behind the shoulder with hot 240 gr SJSP .44 loads and they did not exit. The bear took a few minutes to settle down.
I’d like to know more about how a revolver “jammed”.
My take, given the number of shots recounted, is that he ran it empty, and he was out of ammo.
300 grain hard cast bullets have superb penetration.
I have found 300 grain loads at 1000 fps to have excellent accuracy and to be quite controllable.
Seems bullet Placement is Key.
That and simply the count, 12+1 or 17+1, depending on the pistol in my case, has got to have impact. On my recent trip to Sitka, felt comfortable with my Sig Sauer P320SC and its 12+1.
Revolvers jam all the time tho I am surprised that a Ruger did .
That makes more sense.
Yes. Since that time I have loaded 300 gr hard cast and Sierra 300 gr SJSP. I would choose one of those next time.
In my experience, .44 mags in general are accurate.
I have never had that happen. Also see post #42
Agree ...... Linebaugh or Bowen ?? make’s a 5 inch “Alpine” version of it that is less weight and bulk ..... when loaded with 44 mag hammerheads it makes for a best “handgun” option IMO.
When I was stationed up in Alaska observed lots of locals carrying double barrel 12 or 10 gauge shotguns. Based on short receiver, shortest “legal” barrels, 2 triggers, 2 firing pins, wont jam etc ... 1st load was high brass 00 buckshot, 2nd barrel was a sabot slug .
They said / taught that a bear charge from dense brush was so fast two rounds from a double was average if at all. Dog and a double barrel was my companion for fishing after watching what the locals used ...... as was a SW 29 at the time.
Dogs are multi-purpose in alerting you, buying you time, and or running off a threat in my experience. Were I to visit again today I’d bring my same set of “bear tools”. Dog, Double and maybe the Redhawk Alpine versus the SW29.
Stay Safe ...
I taught skeet at The University of Southern Mississippi for two years. The range was at the Hattiesburg PD’s old firing range which was still used pretty heavily.
Sometimes when a qualification was being conducted and I was between classes, I would sit in the bleachers behind the fring range and watch them.
They were using what appeared to be S&W model 13 revolvers and after just about every string a cop would bring his revolver to the range master to clear a jam. I imagine most were a shell being caught under the extractor star but not certain.
During this time they switched to Glocks and I don’t recall seeing a single one jam after that.
I have personally had high quality revolver jam. Sometimes by short stroking the trigger in DA. Sometimes by a build up of powder etc between the cylinder and barrel. Lots of other things, too numerous to list or remember right now but they definitely do jam.
I no longer have mine. I traded it for a 1937 Gibson prototype Hawaiian guitar.
I have had Ruger revolvers jam. It does happen. The Security Six was notorious for backing out the center pin, making it impossible to reload until the problem was fixed.
I have had high primers prevent cylinder rotation, and bullets move forward under heavy recoil and prevent cylinder rotation.
With good ammo, not much jamming. But revolvers tend to be more dirt sensitive than combat type semi-autos. A grain of sand under the rim of a cartridge can prevent the cylinder from closing, for example.
Revolvers are less ammo sensitive, overall.
I guess I did see a buddy lock up a S&W 686 with a pushed out primer. That was from a too hot hand load. I have had my Dan Wesson .44 get gritty because the barrel/cylinder gap is set pretty tight so I suppose if I had fired it enough more it could have bound up.
I have a Colt Python that locked up so tight once it needed a gunsmith to fix it. Was using .357 FMJ practice ammo when it happened. A bad crimp made one of the bullets back out, apparently.
L
I’ve had a ejector rod unscrew on an older Smith, locking up the cylinder (they changed to a left hand thread in 1961, which was the dash-1 models), and had some unburned Unique powder get under the extractor star, same result. So twice in 40 years of revolvers... It happens, but not enough to worry about betting my life on a wheelgun coming through for me.
Appreciate the tip - was thinking that at “defense from bear” range, the hollow point might still penetrate well and the expansion would cause more damage inside. Will defer to those who have more experience - only deer hunting I did was with shotgun and haven’t hunted in decades. Used to do some “woodchuck plinking” with a .22 hornet round but didn’t consider it “hunting”....
Ahh, bummer. I only use .38+P in my Python anymore. When I shoot it at all. Safe queen.
Sounds right. With factory ammo, quality wheel guns are stone cold reliable.
Well, just my opinion of course. Bears are tough so deep holes are good.
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