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#76 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: April 28, 2011
Location: NC
Posts: 311
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Wow, I didn't suspect that a simple question would cause such argumentative responses. I am not in fear of any critter getting me or the boogy man hiding behind the next tree. I asked the question to know which gun and caliber would be best suited to down any of the aforementioned animals without having to carry a rifle or hand cannon.
I grew up in western NC and know that the likelihood of getting attacked in the woods is slim to none. However, it would be completely naive to ignore the fact that situations can and do arise in which you may have to defend your life or the life of your family from a predator four legged or two. Quote:
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#77 |
Junior member
Join Date: April 3, 2010
Posts: 1,231
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Seems to me that most have been in agreement on .357 magnum, .44 magnum or 10 mm as the best contenders. I have actually been surprised that there has been more agreement than disagreement on this thread. For N.C., any of these or similar powered handguns would fit the bill. There was even a man in Alaska who killed a grizzly in Denali park last year with a .45 ACP of all things.
http://www.nationalparkstraveler.com...d-preserve5943 I think a lot of folks have their own pet guns, but for the most part, a lot of good information on this thread with a great deal of general agreement. The rest comes down to personal preference. The take home message from most is DO take a weapon and/or pepper spray while in the woods. Why take a risk, no matter how small that is preventable by carrying a handy little gun if nothing else. Just basic common sense in my opinion. Which caliber, that is just your choice in the end analysis, whatever tickles your fancy the most and that you can comfortably shoot reliably. |
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#78 |
Senior Member
Join Date: April 20, 2009
Location: Helena, AL
Posts: 4,514
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Anything that can eat me will have a minimum of .41 caliber, 200SP or Hard Cast at 1050fps on my hip. If you haven't looked at the Ruger Bisley Lipsey's Edition 44 Special, it is the perfect packing piece in a cross draw El Paso. If you don't load, go with a 44 Mag.
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#79 |
Senior Member
Join Date: December 24, 2010
Posts: 111
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Concerning the question of mountain lions in NC, check out this story
http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2011/06/...in-milford-ct/ If there are mountain lions in Milford CT, then there sure as hell can be mountain lions in NC. However, I believe the Federal Gov't still insists that there are no mountain lions in the East. |
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#80 |
Junior member
Join Date: July 15, 2009
Location: East of the Missississippippi
Posts: 675
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N.C.? S&W J-Frame Model 60 3" 24 oz. 5-shot Stainless with adjustable sights.
Use Federal Core Cast hard bullets -- will stop even those black bears with little weight and size. http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/w...layErrorView_Y |
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#81 |
Junior member
Join Date: July 26, 2001
Location: midwest
Posts: 2,374
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Armed for Bear ...
The 15+1 capacity 10mm Glock 20 - loaded hot and carried where it can be accessed quickly by someone who knows how to shoot it.
Fills the need, if required, to take down 2- and 4-legged predators ... ![]() Preferred boonie load = 200gn 10mm FMJ-FP @ 1275fps+/722fpe+. ![]() |
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#82 |
Senior Member
Join Date: March 31, 2011
Location: Southeast, USA
Posts: 350
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Concerning the question of mountain lions in NC.
About two years ago my wife and I were jeep riding a trail across the mountains of South Carolina about five miles below the North Carolina line when we saw a cougar on the trail about thirty yards in front of us. He turned and looked our way and then disappeared into the trees off to the side of the trail. We were thrilled to see the big cat. Yes they are in the Mountains of both SC & NC and other South east states as well but are rarely seen. As for my Preference of a sidearm to carry in the woods : Smith & Wesson Model 686- Plus - - 357 Mag. 6" Barrel . |
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#83 |
Senior Member
Join Date: June 13, 2006
Location: Texas
Posts: 531
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Ruger Blackhawk in 45 Colt...
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#84 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: September 6, 2009
Posts: 1,344
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Quote:
Now to a woods gun. I think either the 357mag or 10mm is a great choice as long as you get either in a 6" barrel over their shorter versions to allow them to reach their energy potential and give you a longer sight radius. If I'm just bumming out in the woods, I'll take my custom G20L. All I do is remove the magwell and I'm got to go. With 17+1 rds of either 165grn HP at 1,503fps or 180grn hardcast at 1,423fps, I'm comfortable I can stand up to any 2 or 4 legged threat. The longslide's 6" barrel gives me much higher velocities with the high energy Power Pistol powder I use over a stock length barrel and with a 28% longer sight radius and better sights, I've got much better accuracy with it too. Best of all, even with triple the ammo load aboard, its got slightly better performance, is lighter, and more compact than a 6" S&W 686 357mag with only 6 rds ready for use. ![]() However, if I'm out with my 357mag carbine in the woods, I naturally take my 357mag Cavalry model SA instead because of both the ammo consistency as well as the period consistence. Even though it only holds 6 rds, it's along for the ride with my 357mag carbine that holds 12+1rds of my hot handloaded 158grn JSP producing almost 2,100fps. That'll give most anything that moves out here a very bad day at close, defensive ranges. Besides, I can also take along some really light loaded plinking ammo for it too. ![]() |
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#85 |
Senior Member
Join Date: December 18, 2010
Location: New England
Posts: 125
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My choice would be my 5 1/2" Ruger Blackhawk in .44 Mag.
By the way, the mountain lion killed on Rt. 15 in Milford, CT, has been "officially" determined to have come from North Dakota. (Makes me wonder why no one noticed a large cat paying the tolls over the Mississippi, Susquehanna and Hudson Rivers. Maybe he used EZ-Pass? ![]() |
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#86 |
Senior Member
Join Date: April 19, 2011
Location: Texas
Posts: 517
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For starters, if you prefer a semi-auto, I don't think there is any real question that 10mm is the way to go as far as "common" cartridges are concerned. For a revolver, I wouldn't carry anything less than a 357 magnum. With either of these, I would obviously stick with heavy bullets. Depending on how large a gun you are willing to carry and how comfortable you are with recoil, you could obviously go even larger. A 45 Colt would be a very good and versatile option as well.
I think something with a 4"-6" barrel in either 44 Magnum or 45 Colt would be a good choice. Regardless of what you choose, if you ever need it, I highly doubt you will feel overgunned. |
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#87 |
Junior member
Join Date: September 7, 2010
Posts: 1,740
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Son, you just bought a .357mag!
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#88 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 28, 2005
Location: Texas
Posts: 6,231
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I have a S&W Model 625 Mountain Gun in .45 LC I would pack with me. You can get some good loads for it from Buffalo Bore. The Mountain Gun is on the N frame.
http://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l=product_list&c=8 I hear some good things about this ammo also http://georgia-arms.com/45longcolt.aspx Last edited by Eghad; August 2, 2011 at 08:22 PM. |
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#89 |
Senior Member
Join Date: October 6, 2010
Location: Fairbanks, AK
Posts: 219
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I'm originally from NC.....I used to carry my Glock 20 10mm (15 rounds!!).....no mountain lions only black panthers i think
Last edited by SadistAssassin; August 4, 2011 at 01:15 AM. |
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