10mm good for Black bear defense

[arbud]

Hey guys not a hunter here. Am however moving to an area in Florida where there have been black bear sightings And peoples dogs killed by them. Rare yes.
I have 2 10mm firearms and would love to just get a Glock 20 with some heavy hardcast ammo to walk around with just in case. I just do not trust Bear spray except for coyotes and bob cats which are also around down there.
Now I have opened myself up to all kinds of "funny" comments but if they could just be kept to yes that is the perfect way to go, no you have to get at least 44mag, bear spray is 100% reliable. no you have to make the perfect shot placement with 10mm.
I walk my dog down there early am in the light and late afternoon in the light. I keep my garbage under control but that does not mean all my neighbors do on trash days.
What do you think. I am Bud not OP

 

[MeatGrinder]

Another thing to consider is that my understanding of Florida Black Bears is that they are on the smaller size.

 

[trickg]

I've read in a few places that 10mm is possibly ideal for an anti-bear pistol, and not so much because it's so powerful - there are other guns, specifically revolvers, that pack more punch per round.

The advantage with 10mm is the double stack capability - you get 15 rounds in the mag with a Glock 20. Carry an extra mag, and that's 30 rounds of powerful bear deterrent.

 

[Occam]

I would trust a 10mm on a black bear, to the extent I could trust my own skills in getting the shots where they need to go while under tremendous pressure. Most black bears have zero interest in interacting with you. On the rare occasion they feel the need to attack you, that's going to happen very quickly, and that creature is going to be coming at you like a large guy on a scooter at 20-30mph across a short distance. Getting off more than a shot or two is hard in a situation like that. Sure, a 44mag is (placement being equal) probably going to do a little more damage. But unless you connect with the CNS, that mortally wounded bear can still close the gap and put the serious hurt on you (or your dog, or child). Bear spray - if it connects properly - essentially IS a shot to the CNS, in that effectively overwhelms all the sensory input that allows the bear to operate in a fight. Of course, if the wind puts it in YOUR face, it does the same to you (and your dog), too.

A relatively lightweight, reliable polymer gun in 10mm is going to be a lot easier to have along for regular walks than is a big ol' 44mag revolver. Pretty subjective topic, of course.

 

[Gun4Fun]

10mm is pretty much good for any bear defense. It will be absolutely fine for small Florida blackbears.

 

[TheOriginalMexicanBob]

No...you don't have to have a .44 Magnum but that's what I keep. I have a several 10mm pistols but I keep this ammunition for such events should they happened when I was living in MD...Winchester .44 Mag made for Black Bears. I had it for both my revolvers and Marlin .44 Mag Carbine. Now in AZ that's not such a requirement...lots of Coyotes and Bobcats around...as well as the occasional Cougar which I have yet to see.

Still...I would not feel underarmed with a 10mm.

 

[brianns]

Consider a long slide or pistol with a longer than standard barrel so you can get as much velocity into the projectile.
Then carry the strong stuff on those occasions.

I have a regular gen4 G20.

 

[arbud]

Thank you so much you all. You gave your opinions and stuck to the question asked.
I have also heard that the black bears are smallish down there.
I put this same type of question out on a forum down around where I will be living. Got alot of responses. Mainly you will never see one, dont want any gunslingers from the north around here firing off 44mags into my house, just use bear spray a whistle or an airhorn.

 

[teratos]

10mm is adequate. It's my go-to for being in bear country. Take a look at the Underwood Xtreme Penetrators.

10mm Auto 140gr. Xtreme Penetrator® Solid Monolithic Hunting & Self Defense Ammo

Underwood Ammo offers the most comprehensive and innovative Lehigh Defense™ Supersonic Lead Free Handgun Ammo for personal defense & hunting. Shop now 10mm Auto Copper ammo with Solid Monolithic.

underwoodammo.com

 

[Alphabrew]

A guy on Arfcom was attacked by a bull moose and he killed it with a Glock 20. I’d say it’s good for bear

 

[arbud]

yes that is the round the underwood fellow suggested

 

[sundaeman]

Another vote for Underwood. I've got 200 or 220 hard cast more so for Grizzly. I'm pretty sure the Underwood guys won't steer you the wrong way.

 

[alucard0822]

IMO an EDC in 9mm with defensive hp ammo would be sufficient. Florida black bears are pretty shy and spook easily, also not much bigger than a large dog or person. Think there have been 0 people killed by bears in FL over the last 50 years, and basically all injuries were by people F-ing with cubs or someone walking a dog that went after the bear. Gators are kinda the same way, long as you are not doing anything stupid, the chances of getting attacked are pretty low. If you are hiking in remote trails, you are a whole lot more likely to encounter venemous snakes and meth heads. Even then, snakes, gators and bears will either hide from you, or run away if they see you. Meth heads, not so much.

 

[John from MD]

I would trust a 10mm on a black bear, to the extent I could trust my own skills in getting the shots where they need to go while under tremendous pressure. Most black bears have zero interest in interacting with you. On the rare occasion they feel the need to attack you, that's going to happen very quickly, and that creature is going to be coming at you like a large guy on a scooter at 20-30mph across a short distance. Getting off more than a shot or two is hard in a situation like that. Sure, a 44mag is (placement being equal) probably going to do a little more damage. But unless you connect with the CNS, that mortally wounded bear can still close the gap and put the serious hurt on you (or your dog, or child). Bear spray - if it connects properly - essentially IS a shot to the CNS, in that effectively overwhelms all the sensory input that allows the bear to operate in a fight. Of course, if the wind puts it in YOUR face, it does the same to you (and your dog), too.

A relatively lightweight, reliable polymer gun in 10mm is going to be a lot easier to have along for regular walks than is a big ol' 44mag revolver. Pretty subjective topic, of course.

I agree. While I used to carry a .44 Mag loaded with custom made Buffalo Bore ammo, if I were still hunting or hiking today, I would carry a 10mm loaded with either Buffalo Bore or Underwood ammo.

 

[RFBfromDE]

The advantage with 10mm is the double stack capability - you get 15 rounds in the mag with a Glock 20. Carry an extra mag, and that's 30 rounds of powerful bear deterrent.

Coco Chanel sees what you did there...

 

[Ammo Jon]

Get a Glock 20 with a Kriss Vector extension and you’ll have 30 rds of 10mm ammo on you ready to go.

 

[Ski169]

Living in New Mexico, I go hiking in the mountains often. Sometimes with the dog. I always pack a 10mm and never feel inadequate. I was using the G20 but sighted in the G40 so I’m using that now. Underwood 180 or 200 grain fmj. This is my backup in case the spray doesn’t work. There are bears, big cats, coyotes, and the two legged predators out here but I have yet to come across any. Even the coyotes that occasionally transit through my yard run when they spot people. So I’m not too worried.

Edit to add that the Kenai Chest Holster is the easiest way to carry and works for all of my large frame Glocks.

 

[TI-tick]

No...you don't have to have a .44 Magnum but that's what I keep. I have a several 10mm pistols but I keep this ammunition for such events should they happened when I was living in MD...Winchester .44 Mag made for Black Bears. I had it for both my revolvers and Marlin .44 Mag Carbine. Now in AZ that's not such a requirement...lots of Coyotes and Bobcats around...as well as the occasional Cougar which I have yet to see.

Still...I would not feel underarmed with a 10mm.

Watch out for the AZ cougars as they may be CA transplants.

10mm WILL NOT do the job to put them down.

 

[outrider58]

I've used rocks on brown bear. Wasn't trying to kill it, just chase it away.

 

[Park ranger]

Considering I shot 17 rubber 12 ga slugs at bears last summer and am still alive, yeah, 10mm is plenty