Hornady markets Backcountry Defense for carry in wild country and calls its 240-grain bullet the DGH. The load leaves the muzzle at 1,620 fps with 1,398 ft-lbs of energy, a power factor of 389 that clears the 165 major floor by 224 points. From a 25-yard zero the bullet sits 0.4 inches low at 50 yards and 4.4 inches low at 100.

Speed is what keeps that path so flat. The bullet gives up only 153 fps by 50 yards and still carries 1,147 ft-lbs there, so a revolver zeroed at 25 yards needs no change of hold anywhere inside 50. Past that point the drop builds quickly, and a shot at 100 yards calls for holding over. The same speed drives the recoil. In the same revolver this load kicks well above the caliber's lighter 240-grain range and cowboy loads, and the gap is wide enough that a few cylinders on the range should come before it goes in a holster for the trail.

Buy it if you carry a Magnum revolver outdoors, want a fast 240-grain load that Hornady built for that job, and will put in the practice its recoil demands. If you would rather carry a heavier flat-nose bullet, HSM Bear Load 305-grain reaches almost the same power factor, 384, at 1,260 fps, with about 4 percent more recoil in the same revolver. For range sessions, Ammo Inc Signature 240-grain TMC kicks about 20 percent less and keeps the same bullet weight, so you can build familiarity with the revolver before switching to this load for carry.