45acp vs attacking (Indiana) game

[norsk]

What is your opinion, and why, on the effectiveness of 45 acp with FMJ ammo as a "woods" round for Indiana? Specifically, using a Glock 21 as protection against any mean critters that I may come across while out in the woods?
Please dont go into what other calibers would be better. I know there are better options, so that's not what I'm asking. I am only curious about the effectiveness of 45 acp FMJ against things like an attacking dog, a meth head, a coyote, or whatever else could possibly be a threat in the woods of Indiana.
Thanks in advance.

 

[Who Dares Wins]

I bet it would work for most things. Maybe a wild pig would be the biggest problem. Why not hollow points?

 

[shibumiseeker]

Not the best you can carry, not the worst. I'd use HPs in .45, but that's me. With the G21 you have plenty of rounds available. I carried my G20 with 200gr hard cast solids hiking in Glacier NP last year and with that and bear spray I felt I had reasonable protection against anything. I was doing many miles of hiking on established trails and wasn't going to carry what would have been optimal, my .458 socom...

 

[Hogwylde]

I'd think that the only mean critters you'd have to worry about in Indiana is the two legged variety........

 

[BehindBlueI's]

It's plenty for dogs and coyotes. We routinely dispatched both out of the chickens with a .22 rifle and a .38 revolver, depending on who was dispatching the chicken thief. Meth heads, about as good as anything you're going to carry.

I'd still stick with HP for Indiana, though. Not much in the way of large dangerous game. I'm generally more concerned with snakes than anything else when in the woods, especially near creeks and ponds. Stupid water moccasins.

 

[ModernGunner]

I carry the same gun(s) with the same ammo as the EDC for '2-legged varmints'.

 

[INDY-1911]

I like to go by the rule of protection ammo in home and FMJ for target and other. FMJs are heavier and rounded. We use them in the military for everything. They pack a punch and keep going through soft targets.> FMJ it

 

[Leadeye]

No problem on most varmints four or two legged.

 

[packard]

Two legged critters are always a concern, but my biggest problem has been packs of dogs bent on mayhem. I would not have felt under gunned with a 45 ACP either time, but both times I was carrying a rifle, and needed it both times.

 

[norsk]

Thanks all for the thoughts so far. I dont think hardcast would be necessary here, and my concern with HPs is that they would clog and/or not have the penetration after going through fur.
Any more thoughts are welcome.

 

[shibumiseeker]

I'm generally more concerned with snakes than anything else when in the woods, especially near creeks and ponds. Stupid water moccasins.

Where are you finding water moccasins in Indiana? Other then a small population near the Ohio river, the snakes you see in or near the water are not Water Moccasins AFAIK.

 

[1775usmarine]

I think if it could win us WW1,WW2 then you'll have no issues in the woods against your long line of enemies.Now if you run into this then your pretty much screwed.
View attachment 37222

 

[shibumiseeker]

Thanks all for the thoughts so far. I dont think hardcast would be necessary here, and my concern with HPs is that they would clog and/or not have the penetration after going through fur.
Any more thoughts are welcome.

If they clog then they are no less effective than round nose. Penetration is going to be plenty adequate with either regardless.

 

[littletommy]

A few years ago, I thought I was gonna have to use my 45 ACP against some 2 legged varmints in the woods here in Southern Indiana, couple of meth/crack heads trying to strike up a conversation.......I wasn't in the mood to talk, and knew they were up to no good. I often pocket carry a small 7+1 45 auto, and had it that day. Long story short, they figured out I wasn't an easy target, and went away, and I never drew my gun, but I was damn glad I had it with me, and am very confident that those rounds would have solved any issues that came up.

I carry a Ruger SR45 or 1911 most of the time now, even on our hikes in the Smokey Mountains (well, I usually have my Alaskan with me there) and don't feel unprepared for the what ifs.

I usually have nothing but FMJ in my 45s.

 

[sparkyfender]

I think you would be good to go with your GLOCK 21 stoked with fmj ammo.

Feral hogs and wilding dogs are my main concerns, along with random miscreants you sometimes find in the woods. I like my S&W 629 for country carry, but would be just find with .45 acp.

 

[Bfish]

I'd think that the only mean critters you'd have to worry about in Indiana is the two legged variety........

To this guy and all the others that said the only thing you have to worry about around here in the woods is other people... EDC will work.

 

[norsk]

To this guy and all the others that said the only thing you have to worry about around here in the woods is other people... EDC will work.

See my EDC is Gold Dots, usually in 9mm. Another way to ask my question is: are my EDC 45 acp HPs better than FMJs for woods carry in Indiana?
My 3 year old son and I were charged by a growling dog, while out on a hike, that thankfully stopped in time. That has made me wonder if FMJs would be better than my EDC HPs if I would ever have shoot in a situation like that.

 

[GodFearinGunTotin]

FWIW...and I'm no self defense expert but I'm agreeing that the most dangerous thing you're likely to meet in the woods in Indiana is another person. When I'm out on my property or maybe taking a walk around my "block", I'm carrying my EDC with my EDC ammo which is HP's.

 

[Bfish]

See my EDC is Gold Dots, usually in 9mm. Another way to ask my question is: are my EDC 45 acp HPs better than FMJs for woods carry in Indiana?
My 3 year old son and I were charged by a growling dog, while out on a hike, that thankfully stopped in time. That has made me wonder if FMJs would be better than my EDC HPs if I would ever have shoot in a situation like that.

Dogs are no bigger than people... HP's will kill a coyote or a dog no problem that goes for 9mm or 45acp, heck I saw a guy kill a pig with his handgun once. You'll be fine.

 

[BehindBlueI's]

Where are you finding water moccasins in Indiana? Other then a small population near the Ohio river, the snakes you see in or near the water are not Water Moccasins AFAIK.

One bit and killed my last dog near the Clark/Scott County county line. That's about 20 something miles from the Ohio river, so I guess it depends on how you define "near".