Hunting sidearm

F

familywgn

New member
I just recently took up hunting last weekend, however, I find myself worrying about needing a gun for the other critters our there. I live in the desert of Arizona, so my list includes; rattlesnakes, mountain lions & and of course humans.

What would you carry in this case, in addition to a rimfire rifle?

Thanks
 
If I were hunting with a rimfire rifle I would opt for a centerfire handgun. If I were hunting with a CF rifle I would probably opt for a rimfire handgun. Unless of course I was hunting for deer or something where there was a posability I could use the handgun instead of the rifle.
 
Your 686 should perform admirably in that role.

Personally, I carry a revolver (SA or DA) in either .41 mag or .44 mag if I'm in an area where I could expect to deal with large, 4-legged predators. Most of the time when I'm loafing around in the wood, I carry a 1911 in 45acp.
 
Thanks so far. I was carrying my 686 with me loaded with 2 chambers of shot and 4 of .357, but I wanted to get some other ideas.

keep 'em coming
 
For deer hunting, I sometimes take along a .22 rimfire revolver for opportunistic squirrel shots or delivering coup de grace to deer. But we don't have many apex predators (mountain lions) here, as you do. So I'd probably have a 4" revolver in .45 colt or .44 mag if I lived out where you do, with me while hunting.
 
I don't hunt but I always carry just my XD service .40sw with a few extra 12rd clips. I don't feel the need to go out and buy a gun just for when I'm in the rocky moutains, when I can just use what I already have

or I sometimes carry my SC XD
 
I come from the hunting philosophy that says just because you see something dangerous, like a snake, it doesn't mean you have to kill it. If it becomes an obvious threat, like a mountain lion near your kids, that's a different matter. But most of the time , if you can go around it without either of you in danger, please do. I am not a PETA type but I do believe in not disturbing things if possible. That being said, I carry a Ruger SS Security Six .357 Magnum with a 4" barrel when I hunt wild boar/pigs...

Feral Cats are a different matter. They do not belong in the wild. Kill them on sight.
 
Love the 357. Keep sharp with cheap and easy 38 special loads, and load up to full power when you need it. What more do you want??

Also, how does your birdshot work? My uncle shoots it in his 357, but I always thought you would have to spend hours scrubbing the lead out of the rifling.
 
Actually, come to think of it, since you mention snakes too, the ultimate in your situation may be "The Judge" from Taurus - with the 2.5" bbl - load the first 4 with .45 colt for mountain lions, then the last 2 with .410 for the snakes (or 3 and 3). Rotate the cylinder before shooting a snake if you have time, or unload the .45s and .410 in rapid succession if you don't.
 
Your rimfire rifle should be able to handle any threat (2 or 4 legged) that comes your way. It will be more accurate and more effective than any revolver or auto pistol against most threats you are likely to encounter. Your 686 would do a good job if you feel you need something of that sort, but if you feel a need to carry around another 3 lbs out in the desert, perhaps you should think to carry a canteen.

I feel kind of the same way FWB does: if it's no threat to you, why go out of your way to shoot something just because you are intimidated by it?
 
Be sure to check your local game laws. It is often illegal to carry a rim-fire during big-game seasons or a center-fire during small-game seasons. In addition, it's illegal to carry more than one gun (while hunting) in many states.
 
When I was in southern California and hunted the San Bernandino mountains where rattlesnakes, mountain lions, coyotes and the outlaw 2 legged varmint, I packed my 6" GP100 and like you I had the first 2 chambers loaded with snakeshots then I'm loaded with 158 JSP. There were times when I used the snakeshots but range was a bit far and end up shooting the darn snake with 158 jsp. josh
 
Any handgun will do:)

Last year I carried a Ruger .44 Blackhawk

This year it is gonna be a S&W .41 Mag.

I mainly am taking it in case I see a 20 yard shot to fill my Doe tag (Or buck if he is dumb enough to be that close).
 
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