What caliber for defense in the field
#12
RE: What caliber for defense in the field
After reading everyones post, and talking to a few other people. I am now leaning towards the 44 Mag if I can find a relatively lite one. I don't want a big pistol that is heavy and bulky. Should I go for a single or double action? What would be the ideal barrel length for what I will be doing?
thanks
thanks
#15
RE: What caliber for defense in the field
One of the few hogs I've ever been too close for comfort with I shot with a .22 rifle. I accidentally walked up on a sow and some piglets right around darkthirty. I was lugging around camera equipment and a tripod, and had too much gear to take evasive action. I shot six times, and all six landed between the ears. The first three did the trick, the next three were for insurance. Not that I recommend using a .22, but it does serve to illustrate that shot placement is what matters. A shooter that can't kill a hog with a .32 H & R probably won't do any better with a .44.
BTW, most of the time I usually just stand my ground and clap or yell, and the hog will clear out. This one has been the only exception so far.
BTW, most of the time I usually just stand my ground and clap or yell, and the hog will clear out. This one has been the only exception so far.
#16
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Denver, Colorado
Posts: 192
RE: What caliber for defense in the field
ORIGINAL: bigbulls
Guys, a 44 mag does not kick all that hard. And if being charged by a dangerous animal you will never even know you pulled the trigger.
Guys, a 44 mag does not kick all that hard. And if being charged by a dangerous animal you will never even know you pulled the trigger.
#19
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: old pa mountain hunter
Posts: 382
RE: What caliber for defense in the field
i also agree with bigbulls. the .44 only kicks hard the first time or two you shoot it. after that you will get use to it. the more you shoot it the easier it gets to handle. after a week or two you'll be shooting it with one hand just to see how good you can do. i hold my shooting sticks in one hand and the .44 in the other. it's pretty deadly out to 80 yards or so for me.
#20
RE: What caliber for defense in the field
When I was a boy and we butchered hogs, if a .22 rimfire wouldn't penetrate the skull, we'd fetch the .32, never saw it fail. Never thought I'd agree with a Texan though, even one from the North.[:-]