New for 2025: Hornady Backcountry Defense

by
posted on January 28, 2025
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
Backcountry Defense Lede

It seems human/bear conflicts are becoming more prevalent each hunting season, and with the recent governmental decision not to delist the grizzly, this shows no signs of slowing down. Hornady’s new Backcountry Defense line of handgun ammunition helps to make sure you come home in your current anatomical status, should you have the misfortune to need to rely on your sidearm to save your life.

Bullet Cutaway

Using the new DGH bullet (Dangerous Game Handgun) bullet to deliver straight-line penetration, the Backcountry Defense line opts for heavy-for-caliber bullet weights to help deliver maximum stopping power from your chosen cartridge. Hunters of dangerous-game species around the globe have long relied on round- and flat-nosed bullet profiles to give that straight-line wound channel which greatly aids in the stopping of a charging animal, and the DGH bullet has the qualities needed. With a very slight hollow cavity at the nose, Hornady rolls the DGH’s thick jacket at the nose to lock jacket and core together, and the recovered projectiles show a bit of expansion, with the ogive blown out to a ‘swollen’ look.

Cartridges

The copper jacket helps avoid the smoke associated with hard-cast lead bullets, allowing the shooter to make faster follow-up shots when it is most important. We all hope that we will never need to reach for that sidearm, but if you should be in that unfortunate situation, Hornady’s Backcountry Defense is a logical choice to get the job done. Backcountry Defense is offered in 9mm Luger (in a +P configuration) with a 138-grain DGH; .357 Remington Magnum with a 165-grain DGH; 10mm Auto with a 200-grain DGH; .44 Remington Magnum with a 240-grain DGH; .454 Casull and .460 S&W Magnum with the 300-grain DGH; and 500 S&W Magnum with a 500 DGH. The 9mm Luger and 357 Magnum are sold in 25-count boxes, while the rest of the bunch are sold in 20-count boxes. For more information, visit hornady.com.

Backcountry Defense boxes

Latest

Lede250th Anniversary Cases
Lede250th Anniversary Cases

First Look: Eylar X Brownells 250th Anniversary Rifle and Pistol Cases

Eylar has launched its 250th Anniversary rifle case and pistol case, created in partnership with Brownells to celebrate America's 250th anniversary in 2026. Featuring patriotic artwork, tan hard-shell construction and purpose-built foam interiors, the commemorative cases offer firearm owners a distinctive way to protect and transport their gear while honoring a major milestone in American history.

Says Me: ‘Rocky Mountain Harry’ Lies Within Us All

I have always been intrigued by what possibly could lie beyond the next hill. I suppose that is a primary reason I am a hunter. Surely hunters everywhere share this sentiment. Surely Harry Yount did. That’s him above.

Hardware Review: Spandau RL Bolt Action

Based in Knoxville, Tenn., SDS Arms works with manufacturers worldwide to develop and import some of the finest firearms, many tailored to specific needs. Its latest is the RL bolt-action rifle, manufactured by Spandau. Emulating the famous bolt action of yesteryear, this rifle is capable straight out of the box, and it is compatible with nearly any aftermarket part that fits the Remington Model 700.

Divide Gun Company Launches MTN Lite Ti Suppressor

Divide Gun Company has announced the MTN Lite Ti Suppressor, delivering lightweight sound suppression to backcountry hunters and long-range shooting enthusiasts.

Cartridge Legacies: The .375 H&H Magnum Family Tree

The latest in our mini-series on famous cartridges and the chamberings they spawned. Let's take a look at .375 H&H Magnum!

New for 2026: KJI K-Series Tripods

KJI has launched an all-new K-Series tripod lineup. Replacing the original K-700 and K-800 tripods, the new K-Series represents a complete modernization of KJI's shooting support platform, offering a broader, stronger and more adaptable family of tripods built for hunting, long-range shooting, competition, photography and professional field use.

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.