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Bear hunting with the .40 Super

Sig220_Ruger77Sig220_Ruger77 Member Posts: 12,754 ✭✭✭
edited March 2015 in General Discussion
I received a black bear tag for this Fall. I decided I am going to practice and hunt with the .40 Super. It should be a fun challenge.
DSCF1353_zps9dad36c3.jpg

Jon

Comments

  • Sam06Sam06 Member Posts: 21,244 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I would use the heaviest bullet that shoots the best in your pistol.

    How will you be hunting:

    Stand hunting over bait?

    With Dogs?

    Spot and stalk?

    or just putting up a stand where bear are in the area?

    If you have never hunted Black Bear before make sure you familiarize yourself with the bears anatomy. Most people tend to shoot low on a bear thinking they are put together like a deer.
    RLTW

  • RocklobsterRocklobster Member Posts: 7,060
    edited November -1
    Somebody else who likes the .40 Super! I've been playing with it for quite awhile - its ballistics beat 10mm by a large margin.

    You'll do well to invest in some loading dies to get the maximum the caliber has to offer. While the factory loads you have there will perform well, with that 6" Glock you can safely push a 180 gr bullet down range at better than 1600 fps. That's superior to .44 Magnum performance.
  • Sig220_Ruger77Sig220_Ruger77 Member Posts: 12,754 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by Rocklobster
    Somebody else who likes the .40 Super! I've been playing with it for quite awhile - its ballistics beat 10mm by a large margin.

    You'll do well to invest in some loading dies to get the maximum the caliber has to offer. While the factory loads you have there will perform well, with that 6" Glock you can safely push a 180 gr bullet down range at better than 1600 fps. That's superior to .44 Magnum performance.


    Yeah, I have to find a set of dies. I love the caliber. The 10mm is nice and obviously a lot easier to find, but I like that I can use this barrel in my Glock 21.

    What are you shooting the .40 Super in?

    Jon
  • Sig220_Ruger77Sig220_Ruger77 Member Posts: 12,754 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by Sam06
    I would use the heaviest bullet that shoots the best in your pistol.

    How will you be hunting:

    Stand hunting over bait?

    With Dogs?

    Spot and stalk?

    or just putting up a stand where bear are in the area?

    If you have never hunted Black Bear before make sure you familiarize yourself with the bears anatomy. Most people tend to shoot low on a bear thinking they are put together like a deer.






    That is some good stuff Sam. I will be hunting in a treestand, over bait. I have hunted black bear before, but never have shot one.

    Jon
  • Sam06Sam06 Member Posts: 21,244 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Hunting over bait is a great time to use a handgun. I killed a truck load of Black Bears with a 6" 629 when I lived in WA.

    Those 220gr hard cast at 1350 should do the trick as far as penetration goes.

    Good luck and if you connect please post a picture.
    RLTW

  • v35v35 Member Posts: 12,710 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Outside of the 220 grainers the rest about equal the old 38-40 high speed.
    I'd use the 220 grain loads for bear.
  • Mr. PerfectMr. Perfect Member, Moderator Posts: 66,437 ******
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by Rocklobster
    Somebody else who likes the .40 Super! I've been playing with it for quite awhile - its ballistics beat 10mm by a large margin.

    You'll do well to invest in some loading dies to get the maximum the caliber has to offer. While the factory loads you have there will perform well, with that 6" Glock you can safely push a 180 gr bullet down range at better than 1600 fps. That's superior to .44 Magnum performance.
    Superior how? The 44 mag can push 180 gr hard cast in excess of 1900fps.
    http://www.handloads.com/loaddata/default.asp?Caliber=44+Magnum&Weight=All&type=Handgun
    Some will die in hot pursuit
    And fiery auto crashes
    Some will die in hot pursuit
    While sifting through my ashes
    Some will fall in love with life
    And drink it from a fountain
    That is pouring like an avalanche
    Coming down the mountain
  • RocklobsterRocklobster Member Posts: 7,060
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by Sig220_Ruger77
    quote:Originally posted by Rocklobster
    Somebody else who likes the .40 Super! I've been playing with it for quite awhile - its ballistics beat 10mm by a large margin.

    You'll do well to invest in some loading dies to get the maximum the caliber has to offer. While the factory loads you have there will perform well, with that 6" Glock you can safely push a 180 gr bullet down range at better than 1600 fps. That's superior to .44 Magnum performance.


    Yeah, I have to find a set of dies. I love the caliber. The 10mm is nice and obviously a lot easier to find, but I like that I can use this barrel in my Glock 21.

    What are you shooting the .40 Super in?

    Jon
    Glock 21, but mine's a standard-length Lone Wolf barrel.
  • RocklobsterRocklobster Member Posts: 7,060
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by Mr. Perfect
    quote:Originally posted by Rocklobster
    Somebody else who likes the .40 Super! I've been playing with it for quite awhile - its ballistics beat 10mm by a large margin.

    You'll do well to invest in some loading dies to get the maximum the caliber has to offer. While the factory loads you have there will perform well, with that 6" Glock you can safely push a 180 gr bullet down range at better than 1600 fps. That's superior to .44 Magnum performance.
    Superior how? The 44 mag can push 180 gr hard cast in excess of 1900fps.
    http://www.handloads.com/loaddata/default.asp?Caliber=44+Magnum&Weight=All&type=Handgun
    WELL, EXCUUUUSE MMEEEEE! PERHAPS I SHOULD HAVE SAID FACTORY 44 MAGNUM PERFORMANCE. DOES THAT MAKE YOU HAPPY?
  • select-fireselect-fire Member Posts: 69,534 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Just make sure you can out run the other person going.
  • Mr. PerfectMr. Perfect Member, Moderator Posts: 66,437 ******
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by Rocklobster
    quote:Originally posted by Mr. Perfect
    quote:Originally posted by Rocklobster
    Somebody else who likes the .40 Super! I've been playing with it for quite awhile - its ballistics beat 10mm by a large margin.

    You'll do well to invest in some loading dies to get the maximum the caliber has to offer. While the factory loads you have there will perform well, with that 6" Glock you can safely push a 180 gr bullet down range at better than 1600 fps. That's superior to .44 Magnum performance.
    Superior how? The 44 mag can push 180 gr hard cast in excess of 1900fps.
    http://www.handloads.com/loaddata/default.asp?Caliber=44+Magnum&Weight=All&type=Handgun
    WELL, EXCUUUUSE MMEEEEE! PERHAPS I SHOULD HAVE SAID FACTORY 44 MAGNUM PERFORMANCE. DOES THAT MAKE YOU HAPPY?
    I was never unhappy. No ill intent intended.[:I]
    Some will die in hot pursuit
    And fiery auto crashes
    Some will die in hot pursuit
    While sifting through my ashes
    Some will fall in love with life
    And drink it from a fountain
    That is pouring like an avalanche
    Coming down the mountain
  • Sig220_Ruger77Sig220_Ruger77 Member Posts: 12,754 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by select-fire
    Just make sure you can out run the other person going.


    How do I outrun myself!? Im screwed....

    Jon
  • yoshmysteryoshmyster Member Posts: 22,071 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I forget but wasn't Norma loaded 10MMs pushing more than this .40 Super back in 1990's? Figure most 10MMs are being loaded to .40S&Ws?
  • Sig220_Ruger77Sig220_Ruger77 Member Posts: 12,754 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by yoshmyster
    I forget but wasn't Norma loaded 10MMs pushing more than this .40 Super back in 1990's? Figure most 10MMs are being loaded to .40S&Ws?


    The companies that load both calibers are pushing the Super 100 to 150 FPS faster. Underwood Ammo is the way to go if you don't reload.

    Jon
  • captnobodycaptnobody Member Posts: 426 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I use these for bear from underwood and they do just fine looks like the 40 super comes very close to the .41 Mag
    Technical Information
    Caliber: 41 Magnum
    Bullet Weight: 230 Grains
    Bullet Style: Hard Cast Keith 21 BHN
    Case Type: Brass

    Ballistics Information:

    Muzzle Velocity: 1450 fps
    Muzzle Energy: 1074 ft. lbs.
  • yoshmysteryoshmyster Member Posts: 22,071 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Kind a small gains from full load 10MM. I guess 10MM set the bar and .40 Super had to up it a bit [:D]. 10MM keeps on spuring after they said .40S&W killed it.
  • Sig220_Ruger77Sig220_Ruger77 Member Posts: 12,754 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by yoshmyster
    Kind a small gains from full load 10MM. I guess 10MM set the bar and .40 Super had to up it a bit [:D]. 10MM keeps on spuring after they said .40S&W killed it.


    Yeah, the gain is not huge, but it is an easy way to turn a .45 ACP into a hunting pistol.
    Nothing will kill the 10mm. It is a great round.

    Jon
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