Get Loaded For Bear With Hornady Backcountry Defense Ammo

Daniel Y
by Daniel Y

Hornady has a new line of handgun ammo for people who go into bear country. The Backcountry Defense lineup is optmized for putting down four-legged predators. This ammo is loaded with the new Hornady Dangerous Game Handgun (DGH) bullet, which offers the straight-line penetration needed for the thick muscle and bone found in bears.


Hornady @ TFB:


The Backcountry Defense caliber options include many of the usual suspects for bear defense guns, as well as a few surprises. The load options include:


  • 9mm Luger +P - 25 rounds per box
  • 357 Magnum - 25 rounds per box
  • 10mm Auto - 20 rounds per box
  • 44 Remington Magnum - 20 rounds per box
  • 454 Casull - 20 rounds per box
  • 460 S&W Magnum - 20 rounds per box
  • 500 S&W Magnum - 20 rounds per box


All are loaded with the DGH bullet, with a protected point. Unlike hollow point defensive bullets, which balance expansion and penetration, deep penetration is the key for dangerous game bullets. That penetration needs to be in a straight line to hit the vitals, even when they are protected by layer upon layer of fur, bones, fat and animal rage. Flat-pointed bullets are ideal for this use because they offer minimal deformation and tend to travel straight through tissue.


From the manufacturer:


“In the remote wilderness, there is no 911, and yelling “Hey bear!” doesn’t always work. Stay at the top of the food chain – Hornady Backcountry Defense™ handgun ammunition.
For those backcountry encounters when a reliable round can be a lifesaver, Hornady introduces Backcountry Defense™ ammunition. Featuring the DGH™ (Dangerous Game Handgun) bullet, providing maximum penetration and no deflection, Backcountry Defense™ delivers peace of mind from your favorite backcountry sidearm. Available in popular cartridges from 9mm up to 500 S&W.”

Find out more at www.hornady.com

Daniel Y
Daniel Y

AKA @fromtheguncounter on Instagram. Gun nerd, reloader, attorney, and mediocre hunter. Daniel can still be found on occasion behind the counter at a local gun store. When he is not shooting, he enjoys hiking, camping, and rappelling around Utah.

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 2 comments
  • Steve Steve 2 hours ago

    That didn't really tell me much about any of those loads?

    • Austin Austin 7 minutes ago

      From what I can tell it's a variation of their old silhouette shooting bullets, should work just fine but I'm curious how the performance stacks up against FMJ, hard cast and monolithic bullets



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