Depends on terrain, vegetation, likely threats, likely distances, etc. A .22 is a given. Any of my standard defensive handguns will do for two-legged critters. However, in bear country, a .44 Magnum might be added, or in wooded country, a .30-30 carbine (much handier at close quarters). In more open terrain, with longer-ranged shots, a more suitable cartridge/firearm combination would work better. And so it goes on . . .
I prefer a .357 revolver with JHPs heavy enough for mid size carnivores (large dogs or cougars, basically). First choice would be the old FBI favorite, 158gr JHP or SJHP (much heavier than my "city" favorite of 110 or 125 gr JHPs for the same gun). (Yes, lighter bullets will put down a cougar or large canine -- but frankly, the careful deliberation you can employ in hunting may not happen if attacked -- I'd rather have something that goes deep enough to incapacitate quickly even if I don;t get a clean kill.)
Of course, I don't live in the Rockies or Alaska, where running into a predatory bear is a real possibility -- nor do I think ANY handgun is realistically more than a rabbit's foot against attacks by large carvinores like bears or gators.
Long arm, if carried, suitable for anything in the area my handgun would not be -- .10/22 around here, a .308 rifle or 12 Ga shotgun with a mix of available shells in wilder territory, maybe an honest-to-God large game rifle in grizzly country.
8 comments:
Depends on terrain, vegetation, likely threats, likely distances, etc. A .22 is a given. Any of my standard defensive handguns will do for two-legged critters. However, in bear country, a .44 Magnum might be added, or in wooded country, a .30-30 carbine (much handier at close quarters). In more open terrain, with longer-ranged shots, a more suitable cartridge/firearm combination would work better. And so it goes on . . .
My .357mag and a .22LR handguns. And a 10/22 for plinking.
Peter nailed it, basically.
I prefer a .357 revolver with JHPs heavy enough for mid size carnivores (large dogs or cougars, basically). First choice would be the old FBI favorite, 158gr JHP or SJHP (much heavier than my "city" favorite of 110 or 125 gr JHPs for the same gun). (Yes, lighter bullets will put down a cougar or large canine -- but frankly, the careful deliberation you can employ in hunting may not happen if attacked -- I'd rather have something that goes deep enough to incapacitate quickly even if I don;t get a clean kill.)
Of course, I don't live in the Rockies or Alaska, where running into a predatory bear is a real possibility -- nor do I think ANY handgun is realistically more than a rabbit's foot against attacks by large carvinores like bears or gators.
Long arm, if carried, suitable for anything in the area my handgun would not be -- .10/22 around here, a .308 rifle or 12 Ga shotgun with a mix of available shells in wilder territory, maybe an honest-to-God large game rifle in grizzly country.
Usually my .38 with JHP +P's, either my Rossi .22/20 ga combo gun or my .22 pump and a 12 gauge pump.
S&W Model 13 (.357 Mag) and an M6 Scout Survival Rifle (.22LR/>.410) Over/Under.
The .357 Ruger is stainless steel.
Perfect for me at a campsite.
Marlin .357 Lever-Action rifle with S&W Model 66 as a sidearm.
What Peter said... :-)
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