Here is a dumb question

[Blowmax10]

Lets say your going out to the woods and there is a chance to run into a black bear but your only option to carry is a XD .40

Would you load it with FMJ for penetration or some of the crazy hollow point self defense ammo??

[610Alpha]

I would buy some ballistic gel and see what kind of penetration I would get off of these crazy hollow points. I guess it all depends on the hollow point. Might alternate the loads in the magazine. Might try those jacketed rounds that break apart after penetrating. Or go out with a shotgun.

[Matt In Oklahoma]

Lets say your going out to the woods and there is a chance to run into a black bear but your only option to carry is a XD .40 Would you load it with FMJ for penetration or some of the crazy hollow point self defense ammo??

Why make a choice? Stagger them with an HP up front. Just check your points of aim and find 2 brands that hit close.

[protus]

From my btdt encounters with black bears ( with in spitting distance) is that If you yell loud enough, and act big enough . they run.
though it makes me feel better if i have a firearm of sorts ;)

[Jerry D Young]

Either straight FMJ or a 1:1 mix. Just my opinion.

[jmsneorrcom]

what ever load you use just make sure you shoot often.

[Taxed in Maine]

As a life-long Mainer who has lived in bear country most of my life, there is a lot more to fear in the woods than a black bear.

They have a far better sense of smell and hearing than you. They are more scared of you, than you are of them.

If you do run into one, whatever you normally shoot in your pistol will be fine. They are not grizzlies. I've killed a couple with my bow, ... easily.

[Blowmax10]

Thank you everyone!!

[jloneill17]

i carry a 12 gauge staggered with 00 buckshot and slugs when I camp or hike in the north GA mountains.

[Klayton]

I would use all hollowpoints if using a .40, if I was using my .45 I would probably stagger them FMJ/HP.

WHY? Bullet Energy!

We know that ENERGY = SPEED x WEIGHT, so if we up either the speed or the weight we increase energy.

9mm get all their energy from their speed. Read light bullet at high speed.
.45 get all their energy from their weight. Read heavy bullet at low speed.
.40 is actually right in the middle, heavier than a 9mm, and faster than a .45. Read moderate weight at moderate speed.

.45 HP with their inherent slower speed, would tend not to penetrate past a grizzly skull if at all, but a FMJ should.
On the other hand the extra speed of the .40 should carry any HP to have satisfactory penetration even after skull contact...

Not an expert by no means, just remembering what I learned about bullet energy many many years ago...

[lungs]

so why is that my "only option", hmm? If you were REALLY worried about bears, you'd be a fool to not always be carrying a 308 autorifle. you are not, so you carry only a pistol. Men are by far the more common threat and the more deadly threat. So I carry my pocket 9mm everywhere, regardless of woods, or city, and I keep the same ammo in it for all cases, too. Only brain hits can be relied upon to stop charging, large critters. So penetration is not an issue. All you have to pierce is the same amount of bone you have to pierce on a cover using man.