Defense in the Back Country

[garand4life]

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?

[TAB]

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? 

[DDMac]

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.

[Hazcat]

And if you want to take a rifle as well the K98 8mm will stop just about anything.

[twyacht]

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.

[Sponsor]

[gunman1911]

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.

[tombogan03884]

My vote is for the shotgun, .45 and a camera. That way you are protected from animals, people AND demands for pictures

[gunman1911]

I am glad Tom is thinking , no pictures would disappoint all of us and you would not want to do that!

[ericire12]

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.

[Hazcat]

Actually it sounds like a good reason to go get a good 44 mag (RedHawk would be my preference) 

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=