45 ACP ammo for outback defense? - XDTalk Forums - Your HS2000/SA-XD Information Source!

Bill in San Jose · 08-15-2007, 02:30 PM

I'm going to Oregon for archery elk season. Oregon law allows legal carry of a sidearm during an archery-only season. I recently bought an XD45 Compact I'll carry. I've already mounted the Blackhawk paddle holster on the hip belt of my elk pack.

So far, I've only fired FMJ. I think in descending order of what I could possibly use the sidearm in a defensive role are:

- Cougar (lots in the area, many reports of attacks. None are published by their department of fish and wildlife)
- Bad-ass pitbull/ rottweiler mutt
- Black bear

I definitely want a hollow-point round, what would folks recommend? And are these +P rounds safe to use in the XD? From what I've read they seem to be.

AlaskaXD · 08-15-2007, 02:59 PM

Why hollow point? For furry critters you may prefer hide pentrating, bone crushing bullets if using your 45. If that's your pistol of choice I would suggest Buffalo Bore 230 grain +P FMJFN. In one test it was shown to have 30+ inches of penetration. Hollow points may not do the job IMHO.

AlaskaXD · 08-15-2007, 02:59 PM

Oh, and yes +p is safe in yor XD

Verk · 08-15-2007, 04:19 PM

Stopping a Black Bear with a 45 ACP is going to be a iffy proposition to say the least. Its better than throwing rocks but I sure wouldn't want to count on it to save my life in a bear attack, especially at close range where you might only get one or two shots off before its closes the distance. That being said, I would not use a HP bullet but a solid one this purpose.

If I know I am going someplace where four legged animals might pose a bigger problem than two legged animals I leave my .45 home and strap on either my S&W 629 or my Ruger Redhawk loaded with 300 grain jacketed flat points.

ichy_trigger · 08-15-2007, 04:36 PM

I would NOT use hollowpoints and i would use the hottest load that you can find.

TYFOON · 08-15-2007, 04:49 PM

I live in Oregon and hike it all extensively. A .45 ACP will get er done here. Black bears are small and skitish. Cougars are elusive, I've been looking for them for years with no luck!

Bill in San Jose · 08-15-2007, 05:13 PM

Thanks for comments. I agree 45 ACP is not the preferred weapon/round for black bear, but it's a heck of a lot better than "lie on the ground, put your hands behind your head covering your neck, and try not to scream as it beats you around with it's claws".

1/2 of my concern is should we put an elk down, there will be raw meat laying there as it's being quartered, or if we're packing-out a portion, coming back to the elk could be a whole party pi$$ed we're returning for our elk. The cougar in San Jose are really brazen, they seem to know humans can't hurt them (by stupid law).

Tyfoon, there are cougars in the North Fork John Day Wilderness, right around the burn being extinguished at Trout Meadows. I've seen tracks in stream beds there, met a guy in Granite who stuck one with an arrow in self-defense. BTW, the cougar was in the air coming at him when he shot.

enfurno · 08-15-2007, 05:18 PM

Per bear attack experts the best way to fend off a bear is to fight back. Any resistance is likely to send the bear in a different direction. Now, you either fight back with your fists, or you pump 3 or 4 chunks of smoking hot lead his way. Either should do the trick. Bears aren't out to attack you for the hell of it. They are either scared, or hungry. Either of those two can be deterred.

Now if you are looking to waste the bear and hang him on your wall then you might want to pack something with a bit more umph but a handgun should be enough of a deterrent.

RobFMJ · 08-15-2007, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlaskaXD

Why hollow point? For furry critters you may prefer hide pentrating, bone crushing bullets if using your 45. If that's your pistol of choice I would suggest Buffalo Bore 230 grain +P FMJFN. In one test it was shown to have 30+ inches of penetration. Hollow points may not do the job IMHO.

+1 on this

fredj338 · 08-15-2007, 07:03 PM

Cougars are soft skinned & pretty reclusive. A bear may want you off your kill (happened to a freind of mine). I would go w/ a deep penetrating JHP like the XTP. They open to 60cal+ & penetrate deeper than any other JHP I have tried. They alos offer a 200gr+p which might jkust be the ticket in your compact. A 230gr cast LFP @ 900fps wouldn't be too shabby either.

08-15-2007, 02:30 PM	#1
Bill in San Jose XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 1,518	45 ACP ammo for outback defense? I'm going to Oregon for archery elk season. Oregon law allows legal carry of a sidearm during an archery-only season. I recently bought an XD45 Compact I'll carry. I've already mounted the Blackhawk paddle holster on the hip belt of my elk pack. So far, I've only fired FMJ. I think in descending order of what I could possibly use the sidearm in a defensive role are: - Cougar (lots in the area, many reports of attacks. None are published by their department of fish and wildlife) - Bad-ass pitbull/ rottweiler mutt - Black bear I definitely want a hollow-point round, what would folks recommend? And are these +P rounds safe to use in the XD? From what I've read they seem to be.

08-15-2007, 02:59 PM	#2
AlaskaXD XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Talkeetna, Alaska Posts: 156	Why hollow point? For furry critters you may prefer hide pentrating, bone crushing bullets if using your 45. If that's your pistol of choice I would suggest Buffalo Bore 230 grain +P FMJFN. In one test it was shown to have 30+ inches of penetration. Hollow points may not do the job IMHO. __________________ Tim XD 45 ACP Service Compact

08-15-2007, 02:59 PM	#3
AlaskaXD XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Talkeetna, Alaska Posts: 156	Oh, and yes +p is safe in yor XD __________________ Tim XD 45 ACP Service Compact

08-15-2007, 04:36 PM	#5
ichy_trigger XDTalk 5K Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Dayton, Ohio Posts: 8,316	I would NOT use hollowpoints and i would use the hottest load that you can find. __________________ "The person who has nothing for which he is willing to fight, nothing which is more important than his own personal safety, is a miserable creature and has no chance of being free unless made and kept so by the exertions of better men than himself." http://militarysignatures.com/signatures/member2645.png

08-15-2007, 05:13 PM	#7
Bill in San Jose XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 1,518	Thanks for comments. I agree 45 ACP is not the preferred weapon/round for black bear, but it's a heck of a lot better than "lie on the ground, put your hands behind your head covering your neck, and try not to scream as it beats you around with it's claws". 1/2 of my concern is should we put an elk down, there will be raw meat laying there as it's being quartered, or if we're packing-out a portion, coming back to the elk could be a whole party pi$$ed we're returning for our elk. The cougar in San Jose are really brazen, they seem to know humans can't hurt them (by stupid law). Tyfoon, there are cougars in the North Fork John Day Wilderness, right around the burn being extinguished at Trout Meadows. I've seen tracks in stream beds there, met a guy in Granite who stuck one with an arrow in self-defense. BTW, the cougar was in the air coming at him when he shot. Last edited by Bill in San Jose; 08-15-2007 at 05:15 PM.

08-15-2007, 04:19 PM	#4
Verk XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 376	Stopping a Black Bear with a 45 ACP is going to be a iffy proposition to say the least. Its better than throwing rocks but I sure wouldn't want to count on it to save my life in a bear attack, especially at close range where you might only get one or two shots off before its closes the distance. That being said, I would not use a HP bullet but a solid one this purpose. If I know I am going someplace where four legged animals might pose a bigger problem than two legged animals I leave my .45 home and strap on either my S&W 629 or my Ruger Redhawk loaded with 300 grain jacketed flat points.

08-15-2007, 04:49 PM	#6
TYFOON XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 411	I live in Oregon and hike it all extensively. A .45 ACP will get er done here. Black bears are small and skitish. Cougars are elusive, I've been looking for them for years with no luck!

08-15-2007, 05:18 PM	#8
enfurno XDTalk 500 Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 891	Per bear attack experts the best way to fend off a bear is to fight back. Any resistance is likely to send the bear in a different direction. Now, you either fight back with your fists, or you pump 3 or 4 chunks of smoking hot lead his way. Either should do the trick. Bears aren't out to attack you for the hell of it. They are either scared, or hungry. Either of those two can be deterred. Now if you are looking to waste the bear and hang him on your wall then you might want to pack something with a bit more umph but a handgun should be enough of a deterrent. __________________ XD9 Service model Owner/Operator Net Presence, Inc.

08-15-2007, 07:03 PM	#10
fredj338 XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 1,449	Cougars are soft skinned & pretty reclusive. A bear may want you off your kill (happened to a freind of mine). I would go w/ a deep penetrating JHP like the XTP. They open to 60cal+ & penetrate deeper than any other JHP I have tried. They alos offer a 200gr+p which might jkust be the ticket in your compact. A 230gr cast LFP @ 900fps wouldn't be too shabby either.

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