Large game and minimum calibers

[kevman65]

Let's say I get an employment opportunity in another state. Let's also say I can line up an inexpensive rental property for the duration of the stay but it is in remote rural setting containing bears, mountain lions, and wolves. What would be my minimum caliber choice for a sidearm for carry and then what is the minimum caliber choice for a long gun for backup in either truck or the cabin? The cabin is situated in the foothills of a decent sized range in the SW.

I've hunted, but only in Indiana so big game and large caliber is out of my zone of knowledge.

I can't afford to break the bank, so exotic need not apply

 

[halfmileharry]

30.06 w/.44mag back up on the bears. I did some bear hunting and I wouldn't go less than the 06.
It's good on about anything on the N.A. Continent.

 

[kevman65]

I've got a .30/30 lever, so I might just go with that, but guess 9mm won't cut it (already knew it was too small) for a side arm. Was really hoping to hear .357 mag would be enough because I've been hankering for one in a wheel gun anyway.

 

[LionWeight]

30.06 w/.44mag back up on the bears. I did some bear hunting and I wouldn't go less than the 06.
It's good on about anything on the N.A. Continent.

This is my choice. The 06 will handle the black bear without too much problem if your aim is passable. The 44 will work on same even if it's a large black bear. I would not go less than either.

 

[kevman65]

These won't be for hunting but for protection. Land owner informed me up front its nothing for any of the three to be "sitting in the yard" at any time.

With that said on the rifle I will stick with my .30/30 rifle since a defense shot is going to be well under 100 yards and that's where the difference between .30/30 and .30/06 kick in. But I will look at .44 mag wheel guns.

 

[hammer24]

For bear defense nothing beats a 12. gauge. Like you said close quarters shots. Load heavy, slugs would be my choice. Then a .44 mag revolver with 240 swc for a handgun.

 

[kevman65]

For bear defense nothing beats a 12. gauge. Like you said close quarters shots. Load heavy, slugs would be my choice. Then a .44 mag revolver with 240 swc for a handgun.

That's the "house" gun and will be going any way.

 

[rkesar]

If it's just for defense I'd use a slug gun. If its a hunting gun I'd go with the 06 or 308. As for the pistol I'd pick 44mag or S&W 500

 

[Yeah]

Not that there will ever be an end to the conflation of caliber and chambering, but there is no minimum for either.

I've flopped bears and wolves both at ranges far exceeding self defense with a 243AI, and I've seen others do it with 'less'. I've seen yet others muff it with 'more' and demonstrate that there is good correlation between muffs and the belief that using a boomer cartridge is a trump card.

You want something lithe and quick handling that you will shoot a lot and you want to shoot good bullets. Everything else is way back behind that.

 

[jgreiner]

isn't the .308 the new 30.06?

 

[Lancem]

isn't the .308 the new 30.06?

Except when you get into heavy bullets, the 06 shines in the 220gr+ range

 

[jgreiner]

Except when you get into heavy bullets, the 06 shines in the 220gr+ range

Good to know...thanks. I know .308 ammo is very easy to find...30.06 less so.

 

[kludge]

As for minumim caliber on bears, I will take bear spray on the trail. A multi year study that I'm to lazy too look up again indiacated that bear spray is more effective than a gun.

The following is all conjecture, not based on any experience whatsoever...

To answer the gun question I would take my 4" .45 Colt Redhawk on my hip. If you're not into handloading then the same in .44 Magnum would be my minimum. Either one with 300gr bullets.

And in some areas that would always play backup to an adequate long gun, for the times when I had to set my rifle/shotgun down.

As for what rifle... it would have to spit out something 200gr or heavier. In my dreams, my "one rifle" for big animals would be a .338-06.

For the moutain lions and wolves (and I wouldn't give a second thought to the wolves, unless the bear left me for dead) my XD-40 would suffice.

 

[Yeah]

Good to know...thanks. I know .308 ammo is very easy to find...30.06 less so.

Luckily bullet weight is one of the most meaningless considerations.

 

[clt46910]

Luckily bullet weight is one of the most meaningless considerations.

Try telling that to people that hunt seriously dangerous game.

 

[Yeah]

Really? What game do you consider dangerous?

If I ever meet one I hope I remember to ask!

 

[clt46910]

Really? What game do you consider dangerous?

If I ever meet one I hope I remember to ask!

Lets start with most larger bears, lions, buffalo, elephant, larger hogs, Should I go one for you?

Also a good kill with larger game does take more weight at times. I know it is popular to claim humane kills with smaller bullets, from my forty years of hunting over a large part of the world, it is just not so.

 

[Yeah]

How many grains is enough for, say, an African buffalo?

How many grains per pound of bear?

Is there a certain bullet you've used on lions that you'd say was more effective than others you've used?

Thanks!

 

[mjones]

x2 for a slug gun and a large caliber revolver with a short barrel i think 4'' would be pretty good easy to draw fast

 

[24Carat]

.454 Casull in an 8 inch barrel, don't need no stink'n rifle.