what size pistol should i carry for elk hunting?

[high country]

I am with ya carpy, not many are truly good on a gun......I sure would not want to be getting shot at by me either....lol.

[carpsniperg2]

LOL I guess it comes with comfort level. If I only shot a few rds a year maybe I might think I would be better off with some fog. Just like with anything including firearms the more time you spend and the more you to something you get. The more confident a guy becomes with something.

[True Sportsman]

Man I would never take spray over lead. I put between 3000-5000 rds threw handguns every year. Countless drills and have taken professional self defense classes. I carry a handgun every day of my life and trust it to save my life in a bad situation. Ever seen what bear spray does in a heavy wind, or wind that is blowing into your face? I have seen it. I will trust my side arm.

Man, 3000-5000 rnds a year... You should be decent at pistol shooting. 
 
One summer I put 1000 rounds through a 9mm and a 45. I felt like I could hit anything.

[Yak-NDN]

454 baby I really like mine.

[carpsniperg2]

Man I would never take spray over lead. I put between 3000-5000 rds threw handguns every year. Countless drills and have taken professional self defense classes. I carry a handgun every day of my life and trust it to save my life in a bad situation. Ever seen what bear spray does in a heavy wind, or wind that is blowing into your face? I have seen it. I will trust my side arm.

Man, 3000-5000 rnds a year... You should be decent at pistol shooting. 
 
One summer I put 1000 rounds through a 9mm and a 45. I felt like I could hit anything.

I am a good shot with a long gun but handguns are my cup of tea. I have taken more then a few big game animals with them as well. I hope to add another 4 this year

[True Sportsman]

Man I would never take spray over lead. I put between 3000-5000 rds threw handguns every year. Countless drills and have taken professional self defense classes. I carry a handgun every day of my life and trust it to save my life in a bad situation. Ever seen what bear spray does in a heavy wind, or wind that is blowing into your face? I have seen it. I will trust my side arm.

Man, 3000-5000 rnds a year... You should be decent at pistol shooting. 
 
One summer I put 1000 rounds through a 9mm and a 45. I felt like I could hit anything.

I am a good shot with a long gun but handguns are my cup of tea. I have taken more then a few big game animals with them as well. I hope to add another 4 this year

That is really awesome. What is the pistol you killed the most with? How many animals have you killed with a pistol?

[carpsniperg2]

It's a tie between my 454 casull and one of my 357mags for big game. I have shot tons of yotes with my 357mag as well. Along with my tc contender and cfp.

[CAMPMEAT]

People might be very good with a handgun target shooting but, when it comes to real life, different story.

[grizzlyadams]

Glock 20 10mm. It has some thump and is super accurate. (In my hand anyway)

 

Thats exacrly why I bought my Glock 20. both mags loaded with Double Tap 200 grains bookin at 1350 fps. I wouldn't carry anything less than that. Start there and go bigger. Besides, the 10mm is rated as an ok to hunt with as long as you have a 4 inch barrel for a reason. Not that you're going to be hunting with it but it will put a cat or a bear down. No matter what you carry, make sure you practice with it. It does you no good to bring it if you cant hit a moving target under stress. I throw a basketball as far as I can up a hill and then draw on it and shoot. Pretending that its a bears head bouncing around as he trucks toward me. Bear spray is good to but just hope you dont have to deploy it upwind, otherwise your going down and the bear gets a tasty cajun meal   

[grizzlyadams]

sorry i might have missed it, but are you bow huntn? if so, is it even legal to carry a handgun during elk archery season, sorry if i am way off thread..

Yes, Jack the laws changed in the last couple of years.  I believe you still have have Concealled permit.

Nope, don't need the concealed permit while participating in outdoors activities. I learned that here. Someone will paste the regs, I'm sure, as I'm to lazy to look for them.

pianoman is correct. I picked up the new book on the regs a few months ago. Have to locate it to give you the exact RCW but it basically states that while participating in outdoor activities, you may conceal carry without a permit. I will locate the book and repost with the specific RCW

[grizzlyadams]

Here is the RCW as it pertains to conceal carry while engaged in outdoor activities:

RCW 9.41.060 Exceptions to Restrictions on Carrying Firearms.
The provisions of RCW 9.41.050 shall not apply to:

(4) Any person engaged in the business of manufacturing, repairing, or dealing in firearms, or the agent or representative of the person, if possessing, using, or carrying a pistol in the usual or ordinary course of the business;
(6) Regularly enrolled members of clubs organized for the purpose of target shooting, when those members are at or are going to or from their places of target practice;
(7) Regularly enrolled members of clubs organized for the purpose of modern and antique firearm collecting, when those members are at or are going to or from their collector's gun shows and exhibits;
( Any person engaging in a lawful outdoor recreational activity such as hunting, fishing, camping, hiking, or horseback riding, only if, considering all of the attendant circumstances, including but not limited to whether the person has a valid hunting or fishing license, it is reasonable to conclude that the person is participating in lawful outdoor activities or is traveling to or from a legitimate outdoor recreation area;
(9) Any person while carrying a pistol unloaded and in a closed opaque case or secure wrapper

[actionshooter]

People might be very good with a handgun target shooting but, when it comes to real life, different story.

 Just target shooting once in a while, thats a true statement. For guys who shoot a lot in a competitive atmosphere, muscle memory comes into play. Also controlling stress while shooting under a timer might not be real life, but thats about as close as you can get.
 I shoot close to 1000 rounds a month when I'm actively competeing.

[jdb]

surprised no one mentioned the .45 colt. In a ruger b-hawk it will do anything the .44 mag will and w/ a 4 5/8" barrel it weighs like 36 oz. You'd have to talk long and hard to convince me there is a better handgun for outdoor activities.









you

[TheHunt]

I was at Sportco about two months ago waiting for my son.  Anyway, I asked for a light weight 44 Mag.  They handed me a revolver that was sooo light weight it was unblievable. So you could pack this around and it would be about 25 Oz loaded.  It would break your wrist while shooting but I would not think your thoughts would be on your wrist but your target.

[CAMPMEAT]

People might be very good with a handgun target shooting but, when it comes to real life, different story.

 Just target shooting once in a while, thats a true statement. For guys who shoot a lot in a competitive atmosphere, muscle memory comes into play. Also controlling stress while shooting under a timer might not be real life, but thats about as close as you can get.
 I shoot close to 1000 rounds a month when I'm actively competeing.

Competition shooters and recreational shooters are 2 completely different aniimals. But, have you had to pull a gun on someone ? I have, and they didn't like it.