collapse

Advertisement


Author Topic: what size pistol should i carry for elk hunting?  (Read 40867 times)

Offline Wetwoodshunter

  • Non-Hunting Topics
  • Trade Count: (+8)
  • Sourdough
  • *****
  • Join Date: Dec 2014
  • Posts: 1320
  • Location: Sekiu & Goldendale, WA
Re: what size pistol should i carry for elk hunting?
« Reply #90 on: September 25, 2016, 01:48:25 PM »
I'm looking potentially at a Springfield XDS in .45 it's 5+1. Any thoughts?

Whqts the benefit of a semi auto if its only 6 round capacity?  Why not a .357 revolver?

Weight, profile, ease of reloading, everyday cc, and I prefer the feel of semis. (My opinions though)

Offline nicz

  • Business Sponsor
  • Trade Count: (+13)
  • Longhunter
  • *****
  • Join Date: May 2013
  • Posts: 635
  • Location: Redmond
  • Groups: nicz
Re: what size pistol should i carry for elk hunting?
« Reply #91 on: September 25, 2016, 01:53:06 PM »
I have a Taurus Judge in 45 LC/.410. It is awesome, you can use it for grouse too.
I would also look at Smith & wesson governor in the same caliber.
http://www.taurususa.com/product-details.cfm?id=199&category=Revolver
http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product4_750001_750051_786049_-1_757767_757751_757751_ProductDisplayErrorView_Y


Offline Bango skank

  • Political & Covid-19 Topics
  • Trade Count: (+9)
  • Old Salt
  • ******
  • Join Date: May 2014
  • Posts: 5880
  • Location: colville
Re: what size pistol should i carry for elk hunting?
« Reply #92 on: September 25, 2016, 02:02:31 PM »
I'm looking potentially at a Springfield XDS in .45 it's 5+1. Any thoughts?

Whqts the benefit of a semi auto if its only 6 round capacity?  Why not a .357 revolver?

Weight, profile, ease of reloading, everyday cc, and I prefer the feel of semis. (My opinions though)

My thought is that a cc gun and a woods gun are 2 different things.  Small 9mm for concealed carry, good enough for 2 legged critters.  Bigger gun for bears etc.  No need to conceal in the woods, so a revolver is where its at

Offline Hunterjordan21

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Pilgrim
  • *
  • Join Date: Jul 2016
  • Posts: 20
  • Location: Skagit
Re: what size pistol should i carry for elk hunting?
« Reply #93 on: September 25, 2016, 02:22:41 PM »
I carry a s&w 686 357 mag. I love it I carry it mostly for two legged protection and I love being able to throw a fmj 38 special in there when I see a grouse or rabbit

Offline copasj

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Hunter
  • ***
  • Join Date: Nov 2010
  • Posts: 124
Re: what size pistol should i carry for elk hunting?
« Reply #94 on: September 25, 2016, 02:40:29 PM »
I usually carry a 4" or full size 1911 in 45 ACP.  I have some cast lead TCN hand loads that are 235gr and leave the barrel of my full size at 875fps.  They are the same guns I CC, and I use the same holster.

My thought would be to get one that meets the legal definition for hunting.  Just to avoid the question of poaching by "hunting" with an illegal weapon.

Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk


Offline brush hunter

  • Political & Covid-19 Topics
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Sourdough
  • *****
  • Join Date: Mar 2007
  • Posts: 1099
  • Location: Somewere on Mt. St.Helens
Re: what size pistol should i carry for elk hunting?
« Reply #95 on: September 25, 2016, 03:32:48 PM »
Ran into a game warden on a trail in Wyoming I got to talking with him and I noticed he had a 44 and bear spray on the other side. I asked him oh so you have back up when the spray doesn't work. He said NO the gun is for crazy hunters and the spray is for the bears. He said on 4 different occasions he had bears charge him on a full run and he hit them with the spray and they stop on a dime and run off breaking everything they hit. Keep in mind most spray is for 10 to 15 feet. In Wyoming I carry bear spray.
Those whacky rangers will tell you anything. Fact is, if you use bare spray, 90% of the time your going to get it in your eyes.
That's my one shot.

Offline JimmyHoffa

  • Non-Hunting Topics
  • Trade Count: (+2)
  • Explorer
  • ******
  • Join Date: Sep 2010
  • Posts: 14549
  • Location: 150 Years Too Late
Re: what size pistol should i carry for elk hunting?
« Reply #96 on: September 25, 2016, 03:55:46 PM »
I'm looking potentially at a Springfield XDS in .45 it's 5+1. Any thoughts?

Whqts the benefit of a semi auto if its only 6 round capacity?  Why not a .357 revolver?

Weight, profile, ease of reloading, everyday cc, and I prefer the feel of semis. (My opinions though)

My thought is that a cc gun and a woods gun are 2 different things.  Small 9mm for concealed carry, good enough for 2 legged critters.  Bigger gun for bears etc.  No need to conceal in the woods, so a revolver is where its at
few years back if you hunted archery or muzzy WDFW had a really stupid reg that you couldn't have a handgun on you....so most of the guys were carrying concealed something like the 1911s or the little Kahrs.

Offline 257wbymagkiller

  • Business Sponsor
  • Trade Count: (+12)
  • Longhunter
  • *****
  • Join Date: Oct 2014
  • Posts: 782
  • Location: Rainier
Re: what size pistol should i carry for elk hunting?
« Reply #97 on: September 25, 2016, 03:58:43 PM »
I carry my 357 sig glock 33. I think if you carry it should be a pistol you practice with as much as possible and something that you are accurate with.

Offline ghosthunter

  • Political & Covid-19 Topics
  • Trade Count: (+21)
  • Old Salt
  • ******
  • Join Date: Apr 2011
  • Posts: 7633
  • Location: Mount Vernon WA
Re: what size pistol should i carry for elk hunting?
« Reply #98 on: September 25, 2016, 04:11:51 PM »
I have a Taurus Judge in 45 LC/.410. It is awesome, you can use it for grouse too.
I would also look at Smith & wesson governor in the same caliber.
http://www.taurususa.com/product-details.cfm?id=199&category=Revolver
http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product4_750001_750051_786049_-1_757767_757751_757751_ProductDisplayErrorView_Y

Same here.
My hunting sidearm is a judge. And my shoulder carry is a Bond Ranger ll in same caliber.
GHOST CAMP "We Came To Hunt"
Proud Parent of A United States Marine

We are all traveling from Birth to the Packing House. ( Broken Trail)

“I f he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.” ― Theodore Roosevelt

Don’t Curse the Darkness.

Offline Buzz2401

  • Political & Covid-19 Topics
  • Trade Count: (+2)
  • Sourdough
  • *****
  • Join Date: Sep 2013
  • Posts: 1207
  • Location: Shelton
Re: what size pistol should i carry for elk hunting?
« Reply #99 on: September 25, 2016, 07:57:32 PM »
I carry a pistol daily but when I go to the woods I purposely leave it at home.  I know there are bads guys out in the woods but I go out in the woods to escape that mentality, I need to escape that.  I have yet to have a bad encounter with anyone out in the woods during the Fall but I am sure it happens.  I have been shot at multiple times and have had many guns in my face living in the city, if that *censored* gets out in the woods its all over for me I'll be cashing in my chips.  Probably naive' but a mans got to have some some place to escape.

Offline CAMPMEAT

  • CAMPMEAT
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Explorer
  • ******
  • Join Date: Sep 2010
  • Posts: 13347
  • Location: ARIZONA, A PLACE WHERE I DON'T WANT YOU LIVING !!
  • I love my gun rights in Arizona..
Re: what size pistol should i carry for elk hunting?
« Reply #100 on: September 25, 2016, 08:02:54 PM »
45 Long Colt.
I couldn't care less about what anybody says..............

Offline SniperDanWA

  • Trade Count: (+1)
  • Sourdough
  • *****
  • Join Date: Jul 2011
  • Posts: 2421
  • Location: Auburn
  • Groups: NRA, SCI, WFW
Re: what size pistol should i carry for elk hunting?
« Reply #101 on: September 25, 2016, 10:17:04 PM »
345 Ruger.
"We would accomplish many more things if we did not think of them as
impossible." - Vince Lombardi

Offline jackmaster

  • Non-Hunting Topics
  • Trade Count: (+1)
  • Old Salt
  • ******
  • Join Date: Nov 2010
  • Posts: 7011
  • Location: graham
Re: what size pistol should i carry for elk hunting?
« Reply #102 on: September 26, 2016, 09:52:37 AM »
AR15 with 4 30 rnd mags taped end to end, ready to :mgun: :mgun: :pee:on mean tree huggen leaf lickers :tup:
my grandpa always said "if it aint broke dont fix it"

Offline pianoman9701

  • Mushroom Man
  • Business Sponsor
  • Trade Count: (+5)
  • Legend
  • *****
  • Join Date: Mar 2011
  • Posts: 44844
  • Location: Vancouver USA
  • WWC, NRA Life, WFW, NAGR, RMEF, WSB, NMLS #2014743
    • www.facebook.com/johnwallacemortgage
    • John Wallace Mortgage
Re: what size pistol should i carry for elk hunting?
« Reply #103 on: September 26, 2016, 09:55:45 AM »
Whatever you think you'll need to stop a tweeker or grow operation bandito. Bears are the least threat to us in the woods unless you're hunting grizzly territory.
"Restricting the rights of law-abiding citizens based on the actions of criminals and madmen will have no positive effect on the future acts of criminals and madmen. It will only serve to reduce individual rights and the very security of our republic." - Pianoman https://linktr.ee/johnlwallace https://valoaneducator.tv/johnwallace-2014743

Offline Timberstalker

  • Non-Hunting Topics
  • Trade Count: (+3)
  • Old Salt
  • ******
  • Join Date: Apr 2008
  • Posts: 9266
  • Location: Tri-Cities
  • Just one more ridge
Re: what size pistol should i carry for elk hunting?
« Reply #104 on: September 26, 2016, 11:52:52 AM »
Whatever you think you'll need to stop a tweeker or grow operation bandito. Bears are the least threat to us in the woods unless you're hunting grizzly territory.

Sad P-man, but true.
If you aint hunting, you aint livin'

 


* Advertisement

* Recent Topics

North Sea Fishing trip by Machias
[Today at 12:31:31 AM]


Early Huckleberry Bull Moose tag drawn! by Limhangerslayer
[Yesterday at 09:35:37 PM]


Hunting bears in the thick stuff by J-Bone
[Yesterday at 09:23:26 PM]


49 Degrees North Early Bull Moose by ghosthunter
[Yesterday at 08:57:31 PM]


I'm Going To Need Karl To Come up With That 290 Muley Sunscreen Bug Spray Combo by highside74
[Yesterday at 08:47:15 PM]


Mt. St. Helens Goat by Pete112288
[Yesterday at 08:25:57 PM]


Calling in August in Western Washington by J-Bone
[Yesterday at 06:44:50 PM]


How To Get Your $0.00 Tax Stamp - Black Hammer Arms by dreadi
[Yesterday at 06:39:00 PM]


Crabbing at cornet bay? by swanderek
[Yesterday at 06:32:44 PM]


Wyoming elk who's in? by bobcat
[Yesterday at 06:23:38 PM]


Fishing rod repair by pickardjw
[Yesterday at 05:00:11 PM]


West side antler buyers by Feathernfurr
[Yesterday at 12:45:10 PM]


Need information on having a gunsmith thread a barrel for thin walled chokes. by EnglishSetter
[Yesterday at 10:46:44 AM]


10 years ago- Now by scotsman
[Yesterday at 10:38:24 AM]


Westside muzzy bull by ELKBURGER
[Yesterday at 06:08:20 AM]


Easy To Use GMRS Radios by Machias
[Yesterday at 01:38:37 AM]


AKC lab puppies! Born 06/10/2025 follow as they grow!!! by scottfrick
[July 14, 2025, 09:08:47 PM]


Lots of bear but scattered feed by Pete112288
[July 14, 2025, 08:32:45 PM]


KODIAK06 2025 trail cam and personal pics thread by kodiak06
[July 14, 2025, 07:20:18 PM]


Archery elk gear, 2025. by geauxtigers
[July 14, 2025, 02:56:29 PM]

SimplePortal 2.3.7 © 2008-2025, SimplePortal