Woods gun thoughts?

[lupinus]

So I've been considering a gun for woods/hiking/carry hunting(sidearm use, not primary weapon). Thinking something more than my current line up of 9 mm would be better suited.

Keep in mind I'm in SC. We've got some black bear, pigs, a few scattered mountain lions, coyotes and feral dogs, two legged varmints, etc. I don't exactly need to fend off grizzlies and rampaging rabid moose here. And I'm NOT a fan of revolvers, I'd like an autoloader.

So what auto loading caliber works here? 10mm? Would 45 be sufficient?

Also to consider. Full size? Compact?

[vaskidmark]

I'd say a Coonan in .357Mag http://coonaninc.com/ , but I am guessing you are not thinking of that pricepoint http://www.gunbroker.com/Coonan-357/Browse.aspx?Keywords=Coonan+357

Depending on what loading you use .45acp might be do-able.  Lighter/faster in JHP rather than heavier/slower in FMJ would probably be the direction to consider.  Some folks have sucessfully hunted hogs while afoot using .45acp.

You might want to check out www.ballisticsbytheinch.com to compare calibers/loads. 

9mm http://www.ballisticsbytheinch.com/9luger.html

vs.

.45acp http://www.ballisticsbytheinch.com/45auto.html

vs.

10mm http://www.ballisticsbytheinch.com/10mm.html

If you shoot anything will you be having a BBQ?

stay safe.

[lupinus]

Of course. Aside from perhaps long pig...

I want to keep it something reasonably available. I'm mainly debating if 45 is enough gun in an auto loader or if the step up to 10mm would really be waranted. If I was looking to use it as a hunting gun at any sort of range it'd be a simpler question. But I'm talking defensive use at I'd imagine closer ranges.

[brimic]

I always felt a .45 adequate companion in the U.P. where there are cougar/bear/wolves, I kept it loaded with 200gr lswc loads. Never had to shoot anything with it though.

[Brad Johnson]

Might want to reconsider wheelguns. The Smith 329PD (AirLite 44 Mag) is a 25oz featherweight perfectly suited for backpacking. It won't add appreciable weight to your loadout but packs a mighty big whallop if large, toothed, growly things are breathing down your neck.

Brad

[lupinus]

I have, and those would pretty straight forward. But I just don't like revolvers all that much and would like to keep with a auto loader.

[brimic]

I have, and those would pretty straight forward. But I just don't like revolvers all that much and would like to keep with a auto loader.

Admit it. You just want to justify a 10mm.   

[Brad Johnson]

I have, and those would pretty straight forward. But I just don't like revolvers all that much and would like to keep with a auto loader.

10mm or .45 stoked with Buffalo Bore max nasty, then. About as good as you're going to get for Growly Mean Things unless you step into a wildcat like the .460 Rowland.

Brad

[Ben]

Seems like for what you'll encounter, and your desire for a semi-auto, you're pretty much talkin' yourself into .45ACP or 10MM. :)

[brimic]

10mm or .45 stoked with Buffalo Bore max nasty, then. About as good as you're going to get for Growly Mean Things unless you step into a wildcat like the .460 Rowland.

Brad

Wut? You forgot the Deagle

[lupinus]

Admit it. You just want to justify a 10mm.  

You aren't saying that like there's something wrong with that notion are you? lol

[Perd Hapley]

A suppressed SBR in .223, and a debarked Chihuahua.

[HankB]

An S&W 1911 Sc stoked with Winchester Ranger T 230grain +P would be suitable.

[lupinus]

Seems like for what you'll encounter, and your desire for a semi-auto, you're pretty much talkin' yourself into .45ACP or 10MM. :)

More or less.

Just debating if 45 would be marginal enough and 10mm a better enough fit to justify the increased cost, size, and what not.

[41magsnub]

An S&W 1911 Sc stoked with Winchester Ranger T 230grain +P would be suitable.

That's what I do except Hornady CD or Gold Dots.  If it is wet I do my M&P45c instead with the same ammo.  I also have some BB 255gr hard casts but those drop like crazy so I'm not super confident in my ability to hit anything with them.  Need to practice more.

I kind of want a 10mm auto, but haven't totally talked myself into it yet.

[AJ Dual]

Glock 20, and you can get a Lone Wolf barrel/conversion to change it to almost anything else you'd want for cheaper shooting like 9mm, or to mess around with other calibers, .38 Super. 9x25, .357 Sig, .40, .400 Cor-Bon, ...

https://www.lonewolfdist.com/Products.aspx?CAT=241

[charby]

Admit it. You just want to justify a 10mm.   

I was thinking the same thing. :)

[Ron]

Assuming you go for 45...

For black bear I would think 230gr ball ammo would be better than all the fancy hp rounds mentioned. Penetration is what you need with a bruin.

Either that or a heavy lswc loaded hot.

[Northwoods]

Bear have pretty heavy bones such that most auto-loader pistol bullets will be sketchy in terms of adequate penetration if you hit bone, and the way their skulls are raked can make head shots tricky to pull off effectively.  But the blackies aren't near as big or tough as a griz, so you don't really need .44mag+ power levels.  I'd probably lean towards to 10mm, or .460 Rowland or equivalent if bear is your main concern.  If 2-legged varmints, or the occasional coyote/feral dog or even cougar is a concern .45ACP (or even 9mm) would probably be my preference.  Coyotes/dogs and cougars are pretty thin-skinned and the bones aren't near the issue as with bears.  Lots of cougar hunters shoot the cats with .357 revolvers (and often smaller rounds) once treed by their dogs.  Coyotes are actually pretty small, usually a big one is 50lbs, and 35-40lbs is more typical.  Lots of feral dogs are a lot bigger, but even at 150lbs most dogs won't withstand even 9mm.

Bacon on the hoof is a different category.  The gristle plate can make even .308Win an unreliable stopper for the really big ones.

[bedlamite]

Glock 20, and you can get a Lone Wolf barrel/conversion to change it to almost anything else you'd want for cheaper shooting like 9mm, or to mess around with other calibers, .38 Super. 9x25, .357 Sig, .40, .400 Cor-Bon, ...

https://www.lonewolfdist.com/Products.aspx?CAT=241

^^^This. Like the one I picked up last summer.

[griz]

I live in Virginia so the critters I would deal with would be about the same.  I've always thought the 45 was enough for any likely task and ideal for most.  Revolvers are more my speed but even then I've carried a S&W in 45 ACP and been happy with the choice.

[MikeB]

Wildey? More expensive than the Coonan suggested earlier. The Coonan's do sometimes require changing springs for different loadings, the Wildey has a gas adjustment. I actually own both, but rarely shoot either, and I would personally use a wheel gun for a woods gun.

[lee n. field]

So I've been considering a gun for woods/hiking/carry hunting(sidearm use, not primary weapon). Thinking something more than my current line up of 9 mm would be better suited.

Keep in mind I'm in SC. We've got some black bear, pigs, a few scattered mountain lions, coyotes and feral dogs, two legged varmints, etc. I don't exactly need to fend off grizzlies and rampaging rabid moose here. And I'm NOT a fan of revolvers, I'd like an autoloader.

So what auto loading caliber works here? 10mm? Would 45 be sufficient?

Also to consider. Full size? Compact?

Yep.  Excuse to get another gun.

full size or compact?  May as well get full size.  Not that much heavier or more unwieldy, and easier to shoot well.

Don't like revolvers?   Too bad.

XD45 Service or Tactical would be my thought.  Though, the Glock equivalent would be much more field-repairable.  Contemplate the .460 Rowland conversion, just for kicks.

[dogmush]

A .45 stoked with something heavy and solid will probably be just fine.  Buffalo Bore makes some deep penetrating ammo. (255 gr Hard Cast at 925fps)

From a guy that has actually shot at aggressive bears, even if dealing with a small black you'll be shooting "LEO style" (Shoot to slide lock while screaming in a command voice and backing away)

That said: Excuse to get a new gun!!!!!  Do you have a stout .45?  You could put a .45 Super conversion in it. 230gr FMJ at 1100 FPS is a paddlin, anywhere.

I'm coming around on the 10mm round.  It's pretty cool and versatile.  My own 10mm project should be done by summer, but a Witness Hunter is a cool gun.  Also I see used Delta Elite's around FL for about $1000 pretty regularly.

.50 GI?  Pricey, but....yeah, 300gr bullets.

[charby]

And I'm NOT a fan of revolvers, I'd like an autoloader.

I'm curious why? Is it just a preference?