Camp guns, what do you take?

TMS said:

Thanks Witold. Sometimes running shoes are safer around camp...

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I agree with you Simon.
Witold

Marlin 1895GBL 45-70, and a Rock Island 1911 in 10mm. The Rock goes everywhere with me; too many two legged varmints in my neck of the woods....

Slugs Away said:

Do you folks mount flashlights to your firearms?

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I do on my .22 and 357 carbine. I would definitely mount one to a bear gun for around the camp.
You can't shoot what you can't see.

Hi Slugs Away,

Even though my house is technically within the boundary of Anchorage City Limits, it is in a forest environment.
I have had a grizzly in my yard once, a wolf twice and black bear several times.
So, I keep handy a .375 H&H Mauser with open sights and 300 grain round nose softs in the magazine but, maintain an empty chamber until some greasy old bear or hungry wolf is made known to me, either by a neighbor's phone call or the rare occasions that my lazy dog barks the alarm for us.
It's not camping but large animal encounter / concerns are the same once you walk out of my house.
As for tent camping, such as during a wilderness fishing / hunting trip here in Alaska, I usually keep that .375 handy (and I have also used it to take both caribou as well as deer ,during hunting seasons here).

Regarding handguns, I am the clumsiest fly fisher in history so, I often get lazy about struggling with both fly rod and rifle simultaneously and leave the .375 in camp while wading around and flailing the water with fly line, etc.
My revolver for fly fishing activities is a S&W Model 629, in .44 Magnum with 4" barrel, carried in a chest harness/holster with Federal brand 300 grain "Cast Core" loads only.
In the two speed loader pouches of this harness, I carry two HKS brand speed loaders with the same ammunition in them.
I've never had to shoot a bear off me and hope to never have that experience, especially with the handgun.

Also regarding handguns for defense against aggressive animals (4 legged or 2 legged either one), I have recently examined the newest 10mm caliber Sig pistol.
I believe it is called the P220 10mm or something like that.
It retails for about $1300.US dollars here in Anchorage and seemed like it would be a real fine choice for those who prefer an auto-pistol over the revolver mechanism.
I like both designs and if I did not already have my excellent .44 as mentioned, I could easily be talked into this relatively new Sig 10mm instead - it is a real dandy IMO.

Well anyway, no matter what firearm you carry, practice often with it and get comfortable with the idea that someday, probably when you least expect it, you or a loved one, (perhaps even some unknown innocent victim) will be suddenly in need of you and your weapon.

Stay on that front sight,
Velo Dog.

Slugs Away said:

Do you folks mount flashlights to your firearms?

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yes, when trying to hunt Hippo!

if my hunting rifle cant kill it, then nothing else will either. when out hunting in eastern WA I'm usually camping but the only firearm in camp is my hunting rifle. having other firearms in camp gives either another hunter or a tweaker (drug addict) something to steal.

sometimes if I'm worried about two legged problems then I will carry a S&W 638 or a Chinese T54.

-matt

Jimbob said:

We are depressingly low on big predators
However, if we weren't, 45-70 lever gun or big double rifle.
I'd rather carry more than I need than not enough but hey, I have zero experience dealing with grumpy Grizzlies!

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Single eh.

To OP, I sleep with a 1911 - 45, served my country well. There is usually a 45-70 handy for after I'm moving.

TallGrassHunter said:

Single eh.

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You've lost me

For years I had a Ruger Super Blackhawk 44 on my belt cross draw. But once I bought a Glock 10mm I never looked back. The 10 is plenty backup in black bear country and a hell of a lot lighter and handier than that old 44!

Jimbob said:

You've lost me

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Sorry Jimbob, it was a stab at humor. When you said " I have zero experience dealing with grumpy Grizzlies!" that was what the "single eh" referred to. Please, not meant as a reflection upon you or yours in any way, speaking of my own experiences purely.

^^^

I would have voted it as post of the day if this site had that function.

I was beginning to think maybe it was just me that brought that out in them... you got the touch too do you Royal?

A bottle of good jamaican black rum !!!
There is nothing that can hurt you in the bush here in New Zealand .
But the rain keeps you awake some nights .
Hence the alcohol to help me sleep .

TallGrassHunter said:

I was beginning to think maybe it was just me that brought that out in them... you got the touch too do you Royal?

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Mucking around the place I have a S&W titanium trail gun in .357. Two chambers loaded in rat shot and the remainder .38+P's - tried the 158 gr .357 exactly once out of it. The rat shot is for rattlers (we have dogs) and the remainder for any other hostiles. I keep a Sako Vixen .223 by the back door for coyotes (two since September) and a .22 for squirrels (when you live on a pecan farm, they are a mortal enemy - have replaced the wiring harness on the tractor (twice) and the land rover once. The local caracara population is considering voting me human of the year (I toss a squirrel in the field and two or three are debating its food value within minutes).

When in our bush camp I keep a Rossi M92 "trapper" model stainless steel .44 mag carbine hanging by the door with 240 gr. JSP ammo in the magazine. I have only used it to chase a couple of black bears away with warning shots, but it could be used for serious defensive purposes if necessary. We can't carry handguns in the bush, so this is my choice for something small/light and still reasonably capable as a bear rifle.

TallGrassHunter said:

Sorry Jimbob, it was a stab at humor. When you said " I have zero experience dealing with grumpy Grizzlies!" that was what the "single eh" referred to. Please, not meant as a reflection upon you or yours in any way, speaking of my own experiences purely.

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Not at all mate! I get you now. I'm on codeine for a torn latt so that one must have gone right over my head!
No offense taken, I am a sailor after all

Hunting the U.S. I never leave my S&W 329 PD home if in bear country. When down south I usually carry an auto loader of some sort as I'm more concerned with undocumented dip shits than I am bears and lion. My primary rifle isn't ever to far out of reach either when in camp.
Interesting Subject
Cody

shuter said:

View attachment 55027

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Nice scatter gun, like the magpul furniture.