Ammo selection for a "woods" gun

[mkm]

I purchased a Glock 20 a few months back to use as a woods gun.  Unfortunately, I haven't got to use it as much as I would have liked thanks to being stuck in front of a computer all the time.  It did get me to thinking about what ammo would best suit my needs for carrying in the woods.  Therefore, I thought I would bring it up for discussion here.

First off, let me say what I'm not looking for.  I'm not looking for discussion of "best" caliber (.357, 10mm, .44, .454, .460, .500, whatever) or "best" gun (make, revolver, auto, etc.) as those are pretty much personal preference and won't ever be the same for everybody.  I've been around here long enough that I realize we'll probably venture that direction at some point anyway, but I wanted to make it known that it's not direction I want to go.   

What I'm looking for is ammo characteristics that are independent of caliber.  For example:  In an urban setting, we typically want a bullet that reliably expands, penetrates deep enough, but doesn't overpenetrate.  We're also typically focused on stopping 2 legged vermin.

What characteristics do you consider most important for woods carry:  penetration, as we're less concerned about collateral damage and 2 holes bleed more than one; expansion, as bigger is better; or something in the middle similar to urban?  Probably a bit oversimplified, but I'm just trying to get things kick started.  With this in mind, what type of bullet choice (FMJ, HP, something in the middle), weight (light, middle, heavy relative to respective caliber) and speed do you go with?

I realize that this will vary some depending on what part of the country you are in and what type of threats you are likely to encounter.  Therefore, we may need to have different selections for different regions and threats we expect to encounter.

I'm in the southeast.  My main threats are likely to be feral dogs, feral hogs, and feral humans (the order changes slightly according to location) with the occasional coyote or black bear.  Others may have to consider grizzlies, mountain lions, or aliens (not from space).

I know a lot of you make custom loads, and, although I'm not equipped to reload at this time, I still wouldn't mind hearing your choices and reasoning behind them.  I also wouldn't mind factory ammo reccomendations.  My main thing though is general characteristics and the reasoning behind your choices.  That way we can sort through everyone elses' opinions to refine our own opinion and make a more educated selection.

Wow, that was long winded.  I also just asked a "your opinion" question; so, this is likely to get crazy.  That's what makes it fun though.  When the drift ensues  , please make sure she's pretty and/or the toy is cool.     Thanks, and have at it.

[tombogan03884]

I think you've made a good choice, the 10mm seems to be the first "multi purpose" load for the modern semi auto pistol.
Previously some one considering hand gun hunting had only revolvers to choose from, while semi autos were only chambered in "combat" or anti people rounds .
To answer your question, I would suggest an FMJ round since while you may encounter predatory people your biggest threat will be from animals.
As you said, this is not a CCW gun, it is a Woods gun, so find out what the hand gun hunters in your area prefer and go from there.

[MikeBjerum]

If you are looking to hunt it is just like any other hunting ammunition:  Research the bullet choices for the size and strength of the animal and its hide thickness and toughness.  Match the bullet to maximize penetration and damage based on those factors.

If you are looking for a protection or defensive round it is much simpler:  You have the power in the handgun already, and now you need a tough full metal jacket that will hold its shape and mass as it rattles through brush, feeds reliably every time and puts holes in the target.  While a hunting round needs to do its job in one hit, a defensive round can sacrifice efficiencies of rounds for the ability to get the numbers on target.

[tombogan03884]

If you are looking to hunt it is just like any other hunting ammunition:  Research the bullet choices for the size and strength of the animal and its hide thickness and toughness.  Match the bullet to maximize penetration and damage based on those factors.

If you are looking for a protection or defensive round it is much simpler:  You have the power in the handgun already, and now you need a tough full metal jacket that will hold its shape and mass as it rattles through brush, feeds reliably every time and puts holes in the target.  While a hunting round needs to do its job in one hit, a defensive round can sacrifice efficiencies of rounds for the ability to get the numbers on target.

My reasoning on going with the hunting round was that what will stop a person may not work very well on a mountain lion or hog.
But if your ammo is appropriate for lions and hogs it will darn sure stop a person.
The OP listed far more varieties of animal threats than human so I would load for that .

[Rastus]

For me I'd probably have multiple mags to handle variance.  For a revolver maybe a speedloader.  

Really, for anything like deer and below I'd go with Critical Defense, Corbon DPX, something with Remington's Golden Sabre or to save $$$$'s Winchester Silvertips.  The Silvertips will do the job and in my mind have more penetration.

My first concern will be the hogs.  Hogs were always a concern when I was a child hunting...my dad spent the night in a tree once so I was taught concern for wild hogs because they will eat you.  So...I'd have a mag for hogs and one for hunting.  The hog mag will have a blunt lead nose and not be hollow because they are so tough and have heavy bones...I want penetration.  I may have the last few in the mag FMJ.  400 lbs or so of big hog the FMJ may make the difference.  

[Sponsor]

[PegLeg45]

I also live in the deep southeastern US and feral dogs and hogs is the primary "threat," followed by snakes. When in the woods (I don't walk in the woods, but we do have pathways cut for our ATV and golf cart) I have taken to carrying a combo of CCI snake-shot and Hornady LeverEvolution rounds. The LeverEvolution uses the FTX bullet which is a hollow point with a flexible rubber/plastic tip. Prior to that, I always carried two rounds of snake-shot, staged first, followed by four rounds of a semi-jacketed soft-point.

[kmitch200]

I like snake shot in the chamber followed by bonded hollow points in the mag.
The mags in reserve could have FMJs or more Gold Dots, depending on whether I feel like getting in some cheap plinking or not. I get great accuracy from Win PDX but haven't done enough penetration testing with them yet.

We don't have to deal with hogs here yet.
Feral dogs, mountain lion, snakes, illegals and meth cookers/weed grows are the things I'm most concerned with.

[twyacht]

Double Tap touts these as perfect woods/trail ammo (ain't cheap), but neither is your life....

http://www.doubletapammo.com/php/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=105

10mm 200gr WFNGC Hardcast 50rds.    $46.79


This is the load that you have been hearing about! This hardcast Wide Flat Nose gas - checked bullet will not deform on impact, and will create a large deep wound channel. Excellent for hunting or woods protection!

Caliber : 10mm

Bullet : 200gr Wide Flat Nose Gas Check Hardcast

Ballistics : 1300fps/ 750 ft./lbs. - Glock 20
1105fps / 542 ft lbs 100yds Glock 20
Glock 29 - 1240fps

Box of 50rds.

Hardcast makes "large, uniform holes,"....like deep ones....I would think a four-legged let alone a two legged animal would know the difference, as they would be going down.

Large dangerous game loads: Cape Buffalo, Lion, Tigers, and Bears, etc,....are usually Solids....You want big deep holes if you need them.

[Big Frank]

Buffalo Bore makes a 220 gr. Hard Cast - FN @ 1200 fps/ 703 ft. lbs. ME that they're claiming over 3 feet of penetration with.  

[les snyder]

as twyacht commented... largest meplat (flat nose) with a sharp cutting shoulder of an alloy that will not shatter when shot on steel plate.... gas checked to prevent base erosion... probably in the 180- 200grain range, with a good charge of VihtaVuory powder ...primer that will not flow into firing pin hole and be cut off... that reliable feeds in your Glock...