The Down Range Forum
Member Section => Down Range Cafe => Topic started by: garand4life on June 22, 2008, 12:34:41 AM
-
This upcoming weekend myself and a few friends are going into the mountains of New Mexico to spend a few days camping/back packing. Because of the dry year and especially the fires the past couple of years the wildlife is abnormally active and hungry. I am wondering what would be best to have for the purposes of person-on-person defense as well as person-on-predator. I do not yet have a .44 special/magnum as Michael tend to suggest. So I pose to all of you from what I have available what would be most likely to be the best all around choice considering I feel equally comfortable with the vast majority.
Long Guns:
Lee Enfield .303
Mosin-Nagant 7.62x54R
Mauser K98a 8mm
AR-15 .223
Mossberg 500 '00 Buck shot
Handgun
M&P .40
1911 .45ACP
I do not see the practicallity of taking more than say 1 rifle + shotgun and 1 handgun
Any thoughts?
-
I'd take what ever hand gun you shoot better. Whats the worst you critter you could meet up with? a mountain lion? maybe a small bear?
-
Concur with TAB on the handgun. Since you are in defense mode and threats may move quickly at short range, go with the shotgun and buckshot. Take a few extra shot shells just in case you see something smaller to fire roast. Enjoy the fresh air.
Mac.
-
And if you want to take a rifle as well the K98 8mm will stop just about anything.
-
And if you want to take a rifle as well the K98 8mm will stop just about anything.
+1 Take the .45 and the M&M's (Mauser and Mossberg). As a Mauser owner, 7.65mm, it will be the one your glad you brought if needed.
Take some pics. be safe, have a great time.
-
I backpack also and was wondering about how much weight you plan on caring?If you plan an using a walking stick? If both your hands are free by all means carry the shotgun loaded candy striped along with your.45. I hope you know that in that type of environment to check your boots in the morning before you put them on. Also there are some nifty little fishing poles that are made to look like very large pen that come with a small(but good)reel. Have a great time, enjoy the weather , stay safe and come back to tell us about it.
P.S. I just went about 3 week ago and got another trip planed next week, but this one will be in the U.P.
-
My vote is for the shotgun, .45 and a camera. That way you are protected from animals, people AND demands for pictures ;D
-
I am glad Tom is thinking , no pictures would disappoint all of us and you would not want to do that! >:(
-
Take the .45 and an extra mag.
Unless you are going to do some hunting out there, then everything else is probably just over kill.
-
Actually it sounds like a good reason to go get a good 44 mag (RedHawk would be my preference) ;D
http://www.davidsonsinc.com/consumers/subsites/inven_product.asp?dealer_id=62832&item=5026&instock=all&manufact_combo=Ruger&mod_ser_combo=Redhawk&category_combo=None&model=Redhawk&g_type=None&act_type=&finish_type=None&calib_combo=44M&sight_class_combo=None&price_range=None&left_handed=&youth=&Offset_rec=0&num_rec=50&item_num=
-
That what I carry of course there are black bears ,elk and the occasional fool.
-
I carry my Redhawk .45 with buffalo bore loads. ;)
http://www.buffalobore.com/ammunition/default.htm#45colt
-
Buffalo bore makes some crazy loads... There 44 mag +P+ is just nuts... too bad its longer then a normal 44 mag.
Thier 45-70 "mag" stuff is just scary... 3500+ KE
-
I love what they say about the .454 casull. It's enough as is! LOVE my lever .454, never feel under gunned. ;D
-
I would go with the 1911 followed up with a long gun. I am not the best with the long gun ideas, but the handgun I think I can give you a thought or two.
I would get 1911 with 230gr. FMJ. Now I know everyone is going to scream and say you need a hollow point, but the reason I would go with FMJ is I want to penetration.
The old saying is you might get a 9mm to expand to .40, but a .45 cant shrink.
I want to make sure that when that bear or even person is coming at me the twigs, brush, bone, outdoor wear, and tense muscle that the bullet will have in the way before hitting that organ or whatever, I basically want it to get there. I want the round nose to slide throw the leaves and branches. Also if you are me you are going to just empty your mag into a running bear so no matter what at least one of the bullets are going to hit square weather JHP or FMJ. Also you will be only using your handgun if your rifle is down or you ran out of rounds. There really is no time for a reload. Just drop the rifle and go for the handgun.
Now this is all hypothetical and I have never been in a mountain fighting situation. So maybe everything I just said it dumb but in my mind if the FMJ is going to make me feel safer than I am going to load that. Thats really the bottom line whatever you feel comfortable with.
-
I would go with the 1911 followed up with a long gun. I am not the best with the long gun ideas, but the handgun I think I can give you a thought or two.
I would get 1911 with 230gr. FMJ. Now I know everyone is going to scream and say you need a hollow point, but the reason I would go with FMJ is I want to penetration.
The old saying is you might get a 9mm to expand to .40, but a .45 cant shrink.
I want to make sure that when that bear or even person is coming at me the twigs, brush, bone, outdoor wear, and tense muscle that the bullet will have in the way before hitting that organ or whatever, I basically want it to get there. I want the round nose to slide throw the leaves and branches. Also if you are me you are going to just empty your mag into a running bear so no matter what at least one of the bullets are going to hit square weather JHP or FMJ. Also you will be only using your handgun if your rifle is down or you ran out of rounds. There really is no time for a reload. Just drop the rifle and go for the handgun.
Now this is all hypothetical and I have never been in a mountain fighting situation. So maybe everything I just said it dumb but in my mind if the FMJ is going to make me feel safer than I am going to load that. Thats really the bottom line whatever you feel comfortable with.
Excellent observation!
-
I would actually not recomend carrying FMJs... here is why, the last thing anyone needs is a prob with a game warden/ ranger.
I would also see if there is a barrel lenght req for "hunting". Game wardens just love to come over and make sure your fallowing the law... I've had it happen to me in ever state I've hunted in. ( CA, OR , WA, AR, ID, MO and CO)
-
OT suggestion:
Haz,when you(or anyone else) want to post an extremely long URL,I've found it helps to shorten it with the website TinyURL.
All you do is copy & paste the long URL into the box on TinyURL http://tinyurl.com (http://tinyurl.com),click a button and it's automagicly shortened.
For example: your 338 character URL becomes... http://tinyurl.com/3osljd (http://tinyurl.com/3osljd)
Now to get back On Topic...
If not hunting,but only carrying for defense,I'd bring only the .45 and 12 ga.
-
Provided that you have confidence in the gun, I would say either the 1911 or the M&P and a couple of mags for each. As long as you don't soak your underwear in meat you won't have a critter problem.
-
OT suggestion:
Haz,when you(or anyone else) want to post an extremely long URL,I've found it helps to shorten it with the website TinyURL.
All you do is copy & paste the long URL into the box on TinyURL http://tinyurl.com (http://tinyurl.com),click a button and it's automagicly shortened.
For example: your 338 character URL becomes... http://tinyurl.com/3osljd (http://tinyurl.com/3osljd)
Now to get back On Topic...
If not hunting,but only carrying for defense,I'd bring only the .45 and 12 ga.
Thaks jim. IF I can remember I wikll use this.
-
you can also do this...
click me (http://www.shootinggallery.tv)
by doing this...
(url=www.yourlink.com)what you want the link to say(/url)
replace the ( and ) with [ and ]
-
My suggestions, .45 and the 12 gauge with some mixed birdshot, buckshot and slugs. If you handload I like 185 - 200 semi wadcutters for small game, rabbits, squirrels, snakes and such, fmj for all around use, and hp's for blowin stuff up, or personal protection. In the 12, I would load 3 rounds, 7 1/2 shot, and depending on the laws there, 2 rounds of slugs, that gives you, 3 rounds of field expediant, ( small game ) and 2 rounds of serious, + if you feel the need, jack those 3 rounds out and put in what you think the situation will take. If you don't have to pack 3 guns, this is my advice, if your excursion allows for some target shooting, and not carrying 3 guns up a mountain, take what you like for the 3rd weapon.
-
That what I carry of course there are black bears ,elk and the occasional fool.
Bring a couple of extra fools to feed the bears (they're probably voting BHO).