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Who carries a sideram when they go deer hunting? What is it? Ammo?

LonewolfMcquade said:
I always carry a pistol when hunting. I use a drop leg holster, easier to draw wether sitting (ground blind/tree stand), standing or walking. Bears aren't abundant here, so mostly for defensive purposes from two legged varmint .
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I like your member username! I have a 1990 Dodge Ramcharger my son and I are rebuilding. The dash was busted up and in pretty bad shape. So I got a dash out of a 1984 Ramcharger from a junkyard to replace it. Now I like to think my Ramcharger has the spirit of Lone Wolf McQuade in it ;)

Sorry for the off topic post. Just love that movie and the Dodge Ramcharger
 
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I've never in my life (42 hunting years) carried a handgun on a centerfire rifle hunt. Never wished I had one with me either. Seems like extra weight with no benefit

I've carried handguns for chasing lions and bobcats with hounds, hiking, and for snakes when no rifle was along.
 
tylerw02 said:
Deer rifles are crummy defensive tools. Especially in close quarters.
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Yeah? Is that speaking from experience?

I’ve drawn a rifle on a bull moose coming my way up the mountainside and he wasn’t about to go around me. I backed off slowly as he advanced grunting and puffing about 10-15 yards apart from each other until I could get good clear of him while not having to turn my back. And I’ll tell you what, I wouldn’t have wished I had anything but the 338-375 Ruger rifle in my hands that I was packing that day. That is a massive animal. If he would have charged there’s no handgun I would have wanted in that situation over my rifle.

Same goes for grizzly bear. I’d much rather have a large hard hitting magnum rifle in my hands over any handgun. I definitely feel less safe thinking about encountering a pissed off grizzly bear during archery season when all I have is a handgun vs rifle season when I have my rifle with me.

The most powerful 44 magnum loads using 300-340gr bullets still only have a scant 1200-1600 ft lbs of energy at the muzzle. That pales in comparison to the 4,000-5,000+ ft lbs you can generate at the muzzle of a large magnum rifle.
 
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I often carry anyways.
After a run in with a 400 lb black bear the other year i started carrying a rifle while scouting, setting/checking game cameras, and especially picking blue berries.

I still carry durring archery season.
1911 in 45 ACP loaded with either 185gr Sierra Tournament Masters, or 185gr LSWC.
 
Ledd Slinger said:
I don’t see the point in carrying a handgun deer hunting when also carrying a rifle. Carrying a handgun for protection when archery hunting makes sense of course, but not really when rifle hunting.

...And I live in the heart of Grizzly, mountain lion, and wolf country.
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So my buddy tells his wife he needs a sidearm to carry while rifle hunting...
I asked him if the rifle in his hands wasn't sufficient???
Well I suppose if the wifes giving you permission to purchase another firearm ya better do it. Lol

Then there was my orthopedic surgeon who was bow hunting elk in Montana who was carrying a sidearm.
He got in a wrestling match with a mad sow, seems he wasn't able to clear leather before being mauled, his hunting partner shot the bear.
 
Ledd Slinger said:
Yeah? Is that speaking from experience?

I’ve drawn a rifle on a bull moose coming my way up the mountainside and he wasn’t about to go around me. I backed off slowly as he advanced grunting and puffing about 10-15 yards apart from each other until I could get good clear of him while not having to turn my back. And I’ll tell you what, I wouldn’t have wished I had anything but the 338-375 Ruger rifle in my hands that I was packing that day. That is a massive animal. If he would have charged there’s no handgun I would have wanted in that situation over my rifle.

Same goes for grizzly bear. I’d much rather have a large hard hitting magnum rifle in my hands over any handgun. I definitely feel less safe thinking about encountering a pissed off grizzly bear during archery season when all I have is a handgun vs rifle season when I have my rifle with me.

The most powerful 44 magnum loads using 300-340gr bullets still only have a scant 1200-1600 ft lbs of energy at the muzzle. That pales in comparison to the 4,000-5,000+ ft lbs you can generate at the muzzle of a large magnum rifle.
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I'm not talking about defense from animals...
 
Ledd Slinger said:
Yeah? Is that speaking from experience?

I’ve drawn a rifle on a bull moose coming my way up the mountainside and he wasn’t about to go around me. I backed off slowly as he advanced grunting and puffing about 10-15 yards apart from each other until I could get good clear of him while not having to turn my back. And I’ll tell you what, I wouldn’t have wished I had anything but the 338-375 Ruger rifle in my hands that I was packing that day. That is a massive animal. If he would have charged there’s no handgun I would have wanted in that situation over my rifle.

Same goes for grizzly bear. I’d much rather have a large hard hitting magnum rifle in my hands over any handgun. I definitely feel less safe thinking about encountering a pissed off grizzly bear during archery season when all I have is a handgun vs rifle season when I have my rifle with me.

The most powerful 44 magnum loads using 300-340gr bullets still only have a scant 1200-1600 ft lbs of energy at the muzzle. That pales in comparison to the 4,000-5,000+ ft lbs you can generate at the muzzle of a large magnum rifle.
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I carry a good rifle a sharp knife and a length of rope. If I run out of bullets I can still hang myself.
 
I carry a 38 special S&W, 3" barrel when hunting or hiking. I have a carry "protection" permit.

It's loaded with a +P load of 231, and 125 XTP Hornady's. I carry it mainly for feral animals. I had a bad experience in the 70's in a remote area with a feral dog. I'll let it go at that.

Since that one episode, I've only had a need for it once, to dispose of a rabid racoon. But that one experience in the 70's continues to motivate me to carry a side arm. You never know what you are going to encounter in remote areas, probably 99.9% of the time, nothing threatening. But for the 0.1%, a side arm is nice to have.

If you carry a lightweight hunting rifle that is highly maneuverable, then you probably don't need a side arm. However, if you are hunting with a heavy cumbersome varmint rifle, a side arm has value for threats in my opinion.
 
When I plan on hunting in tight cover on stand, I'll always take one of my .44 Mags (either a S&W or Colt revolver) stoked with 240 grain copper. I do this so I have the option of taking the first shot with the pistol instead of the rifle. Have gotten a few doing that. If I'm going on a trek - I leave them behind. Self defense? If somebody wishes me harm and they are armed, I'm guessing I'm are in trouble if they get the drop on me. That said, raising a high powered rifle and popping one off within pistol range will certainly render the assailant warned and a bit deaf -and possibly dazed enough to rush him. Don't know that I'd be any faster pulling my pistol on him (shoulder holster). I don't practice quick-draw. If he shoots you from afar - maybe best to have a good funeral plan.
 
I cary a pistol any time im out. Just an incase thing. You never know who is also out there. Element of surprise since its concealed.
 
I usually carry my standard carry 9mm loaded with 127gr Ranger T's with me, some times ill carry my 357 with some sort of 158gr bullet. I have put down allot of animals with the 9mm and Rangers
 
in Pa out highly intellegent leaders allow us to carry a semi (pistol)for concealed carry protection with a CCW permit while hunting or fishing but not lawful for hunting or "finishing off" an animal
so you have to carry a revolver for that.
or a sportsmans permit for revolver not concealed.
so ya carry the G22 on one side and the 686 on the other side lol. ?
guess it's so we can look cool?
 
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