Looking for a deep penetrating round for my G22 to carry when hunting in Montana this fall. I normally carry federal HST but I am concerned that it will not penetrate deep enough to convince an angry beer to look else where for his dinner. I know that a 40 cal is not the optimal round to carry for bear defense but its all I have. I have been searching around online but thought the ido community would have some good insight.
Angry beer? 
Ha! BEAR! I like beer…even angry ones…
You’re confusing it with this guy Ralph
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You’re confusing it with this guy Ralph
I’d carry more than a .40 S&W for that!
40 cal is going to offer a slough of hollow pnt self defense bullets.
I think Barnes has a TSX version which would be awesome for what you want. I found these tipped Hornady with bonded core
http://www.cabelas.com/product/Shooting/Ammunition/Handgun-Ammunition|/pc/104792580/c/104691780/sc/104372280/Hornady174-Critical-Duty-Handgun-Ammunition/1315051.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fbrowse%2Fhandgun-ammunition%2F_%2FN-1100189%2B4294756900%2FNe-4294756900%3FWTz_st%3DGuidedNav%26WTz_stype%3DGNU&WTz_l=Unknown%3Bcat104372280
HERE found them!!
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/399934/cor-bon-dpx-ammunition-40-s-and-w-140-grain-dpx-hollow-point-lead-free-box-of-20
I would think for this situation I would go away from hollow points and take a page out of the African hunting book that prefers round nose “solids” that do not expand for dangerous game. The reason is that you’re not going to knock a buffalo or an elephant off his feet with anything, no matter how big of a cannon you shoot. The key is a long wound channel that causes massive blood loss. Essentially the same principle as archery broadheads.
I’d use an FMJ round or flat nose driven as fast as you can get it.
A HP is great for thin skin game like, say, an armed robber. The immediate expansion is going to cause massive shock and damage because it will penetrate enough regardless. Most 40 SW loads are tuned to defense against 2 legged predators.
A bear is a totally differnt story. Heavy hide, thick muscle and bone, etc.
Since we’re only talking about a velocity of just over 1000 FPS, I would want as much penetration as I can get. Every inch that bullet goes in tears up more tissue, potentially breaks more bone, and causes more bleeding. It’s the tissue damage and blood loss that you want. You’re not going to impress a bear with the shock of a HP, Thats just like hitting an oncoming freight train with a claw hammer.
Grouse
Just carry a couple extra cold ones. How mad could a bear get if you offered him one or two?
Thank you for the replies. I also was thinking along the same lines as grouse. Need deeper penetration and less expansion.
This is a round a found on the on line that I might have to try out.
https://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=347
I think between the Buffalobore or the barnes DPX, you have the best chance of a last defense effort on a bear. Both bullets will penetrate deep and do a LOT of damage along the way
I was going to recommend Buffalo Bore. I got some of there hot rounds for my 10mm and noticed they had a lot of 40 stuff as well.
You are on the right track with the flat nose hard cast ammunition. Buffalo Bore is a good brand to consider. Another option is Double Tap. http://www.doubletapammo.net/index.php?route=product/product&path=125_182&product_id=210
I ordered a box of these. Jumping a couple bears Grouse Hunting kinda nudged me in that direction.
For clarification I would not grab my sidearm if I have a shotgun in my hand.
i always had my third round as a slug while grouse hunting…
the FN will probably give you your best penetration. RNs if you can find them.
we’ve gone to a high density shot shell design for our own use. have only tested it in .45 and at 1200fps, but it put a 6″ channel thru a deer that i’ve never seen before. shot three and longest run was 36 INCHES… contact me if you are interested as i can make them in 40 as well.
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