"tomorrow, going to be working up loads with Cast Performance's 525-grain slug. I'm not interested in driving it at Mach 10, just moving it along to get all that weight into motion"
RUSS, let me know what you have come up with this,as I have alot of 525 HC and I have not seen any loads for the Linebaugh in this bullet weight. I think as no one has tried,I would use H-110, I bet you are going to get 900-1000fps,Kev

Your title struck me in a different way than it has the others. they are thinking of four legged critters and the LEO in me is thinking 2 legged bad guys.

I thought back on 29 years of cop work and the times when I've had some warning that the S**t was about to hit the fan. Situations where your called out to assist with something potentially dangerous, barricaded felons,escaped felons,etc.

The common thread with all of these over the years was that I seldom even considered a handgun at all. Instead opting for either the Rem 870 with a good variety of 1 oz slugs or OO buck, or in more recent years our issued M14 "patrol rifles" and a few 20 rd mags.

But the funny thing was, that despite a safe full of wonder nines/forties,etc. And our issued 9mm's.
The few times when I could get away with it, I chose my 1911 .45 auto as my sidearm. That IMHO says a lot about the .45 auto. A proven performer that was comforting beside you.

OK........ Go back to big bears. BTW..... I agree 100% on quality hardcast lead,wide meplat bullets over ANY softpoint. For big bears or general hunting.

FN in MT

What was said about mindset is very true. Even w/ our best intentions though, bad things can happen, it's better to be prepared. Where I can, I carry a 4 5/8" SSBH in .45colt w/ 300grLFP @ 1000fps. I have tested these in wet pack & they penetrate farther than my 225gr .338mag loads. True, there is no expansion, but a .45 caliber hole some 20" deep should get someones attention. I can load it hotter, but it's comfortable shooting w/ one hand if I have to.