what size pistol should i carry for elk hunting?

[smittyJ]

I heard 40's and 45's are both too low on energy/penetration for bear..  Of course its better than nothing, but I would rather have a .357 mag or better.  Now heres the funny part, I don't even own a handgun besides a ruger mark 3 .22.  So I carry bear spray 

I have had a bear running right at me before by the way.  I was calf calling and the guy came right at me.  I stood up and he took off like crazy.  So did I    The following season is when I started carrying bear spray...

+P & Hard Cast flat nose.
http://backwoodshome.com/blogs/MassadAyoob/2016/08/29/handguns-for-defense-against-dangerous-animals/

[craigapphunt]

whatever you take just load it with hard cast.

Check out Underhill Extreme Penetrator Ammo.  All the benefits of hard cast plus you get some hydraulic action of the fluting down the sides that adds a good sized wound channel as a bonus.

For the wet side of the state I carry a Glock 17L ( Long Slide - 6") with two extra mags and this year it was loaded with the above mentioned ammo in +P+. (usually it is full of FMJ).  When I finally get the coastal Rosie I am on a quest for and start hunting further east, I will get the Glock 40 (10mm Factory Long Slide - 6") and load/ carry  it in a similar fashion.

Almost went wth the 29 before I found a sr 1911 held it and fell in love. Gonna build some homemade hardcast for it soon good luck on the rosie.

[NSAECHIN]

I never understood people who complain about carrying a full sized Glock or a pistol in general while hunting with a side arm because if your life depended on it or was ever threatened by a bear or cougar you wish you would've been semi-ready.

I've been hunting since I was 12, and now 27 and like you all may know it's rare that you'll see a bear or cougar but I have seen about a few each in my 15 years of hunting.

It all comes down to getting used to carrying it and practicing your draw/shooting your weapon.

I have a full size Glock 20 10mm 15+1 rounds loaded with 230 gr Double tap hard cast ammo and 200gr double tap Nosler JHP. Alternating rounds in my magazine for each ammo. That way you get penetration and big wound channels. The 10mm round is as powerful or even more then a small frame .357 mag. 

I have the Blackhawk thigh holster and have hiked over 20 miles a day with it on and no issues.

Whatever you get, get used to carrying it and it will feel like it isn't even there. 

[pianoman9701]

  ...and a comfortable and functionable holster for the equipment you'll be using at the time makes all the difference.

[NSAECHIN]

...and a comfortable and functionable holster for the equipment you'll be using at the time makes all the difference.

nice to see you on the forum pianoman! Hope you are healing and recovering well.

[pianoman9701]

Kickin' butt and taking names, Nai. Had leg day Monday, upper and core yesterday, archery day today, and the Round Lake walk tomorrow. Pain is almost completely gone 5 weeks after surgery.

[NSAECHIN]

GREAT! I am glad you are doing well.

[Thefishguy77]

I carry a 3rd gen glock 21. Not because it's the best but because it's what I am best with. I should also look at bear spray now and I am in very east Lewis county and have seen several Cougars not more than 300 meters from my house.  Yes they are mainly hunting elk here but when you have seen 2 Cougars sitting together more than once it lets you know the population size your dealing with.

I shoot a lot of 45 and am decent with it. But need to reload so I can practice more.  I have a good place to try the basket ball drill. Going to try that after hunting season as I don't want to F up they guys doing archery right now.
The Glock is what I EDC so that's what I have the most experience with. 1911 stays in the safe and I sold my FNP 40sw because I could hit anything with that gun on the second shot. Hated that trigger.

Hard cast bullets for hunting and 185 +P for EDC.


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[Cylvertip]

whatever you take just load it with hard cast.

Check out Underhill Underwood Extreme Penetrator Ammo.  All the benefits of hard cast plus you get some hydraulic action of the fluting down the sides that adds a good sized wound channel as a bonus.

For the wet side of the state I carry a Glock 17L ( Long Slide - 6") with two extra mags and this year it was loaded with the above mentioned ammo in +P+. (usually it is full of FMJ).  When I finally get the coastal Rosie I am on a quest for and start hunting further east, I will get the Glock 40 (10mm Factory Long Slide - 6") and load/ carry  it in a similar fashion.

Fixed my earlier post - Underwood Ammo Extreme Penatrator , not Underhill

[craigapphunt]

ah yes ive seen them before i wonder what the wound channel they make looks like. one of the things i like about a swc hard cast is they tend to "cut" a hole as they penetrate through soft tissue which tends to leave generous blood trails. 

[E35alex]

.357 magnum. Single/double action.


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[Rob]

Read this book, great info and changed the way I view bear protection

https://www.amazon.com/True-Stories-Bear-Attacks-Survived/dp/1558686797

[Cylvertip]

Of course, if you are worried about bears (I bet this goes for cats and Squatch too), you can always take Blacktail Sniper's route..... 

http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,95347.msg1232779.html#msg1232779

A .22 pistol.

Reasons:

1. Small, light weight, easy to carry.
2. Mild report and almost non-existant recoil.
3. Affordable ammo so can practice with alot without breaking the bank.
4. When your hunting partner is shot in the knee/shin area with a .22, the resulting thrashing and flopping around on the ground along with the high-pitched screamming like a little girl, not only will distract what may be a threat to you, but can also double as an attractant for predators allowing a chance at an additional trophy.

Again - NOTE TO SELF - DO NOT HUNT WITH BLACKTAIL SNIPER!

[Allen23]

I'm ya huckleberry............ that would have to be some doc holiday pistol work!!! Hahaha

[Blacktail Sniper]

Of course, if you are worried about bears (I bet this goes for cats and Squatch too), you can always take Blacktail Sniper's route..... 

http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,95347.msg1232779.html#msg1232779

A .22 pistol.

Reasons:

1. Small, light weight, easy to carry.
2. Mild report and almost non-existant recoil.
3. Affordable ammo so can practice with alot without breaking the bank.
4. When your hunting partner is shot in the knee/shin area with a .22, the resulting thrashing and flopping around on the ground along with the high-pitched screamming like a little girl, not only will distract what may be a threat to you, but can also double as an attractant for predators allowing a chance at an additional trophy.

Again - NOTE TO SELF - DO NOT HUNT WITH BLACKTAIL SNIPER!