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Old July 31, 2011, 06:52 PM   #76
Mercenary
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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:
Regards the OP, you SURE you got mtn. lions in NC?
I have personally never seen one alive. A few years ago my uncle shot one on his farm that was taking his calves. He thought it was coyotes but spotted the cat one winter day. Since then, no more calves have went missing. Other similar stories have surfaced over the years.
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Old July 31, 2011, 07:01 PM   #77
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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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Old July 31, 2011, 08:24 PM   #78
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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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Old July 31, 2011, 08:37 PM   #79
RalphS
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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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Old July 31, 2011, 08:42 PM   #80
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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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Old August 1, 2011, 06:41 PM   #81
agtman
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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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Old August 2, 2011, 01:09 AM   #82
GM2
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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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Old August 2, 2011, 01:16 PM   #83
temmi
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Ruger Blackhawk in 45 Colt...
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Old August 2, 2011, 02:10 PM   #84
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Quote:
Of all of the 10mm votes, how many of you have one?

It's not an everyday cartridge. I don't know anyone with one, nor have a I met anyone with one. I've only read about it.

Is it gaining popularity?
Ya might just be looking in the wrong places and talking to the wrong people. 10mm Glocks are very popular here in Colorado; most of my friends have one. Mine is a custom one I made back in 2004/2005 that became a major motivator for Lone Wolf Distributor's long slide offerings. Yes, most people who have one reload to keep the ammo costs in line but in truth I don't see why everyone doesn't reload by now. All 8 calibers I shoot are made by me, they save me 70-80% on ammo costs over commercial, and I can make them as mild or hot as I choose.

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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Old August 2, 2011, 03:13 PM   #85
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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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Old August 2, 2011, 03:15 PM   #86
SRH78
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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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Old August 2, 2011, 04:04 PM   #87
8shot357
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Son, you just bought a .357mag!
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Old August 2, 2011, 08:17 PM   #88
Eghad
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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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Old August 4, 2011, 01:00 AM   #89
SadistAssassin
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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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