Florida Shooters Network

Handgun Ammunition for Carrying in the Woods

http://www.marksmanshipmatters.com/hand ... the-woods/

Interesting conclusion: Notice that certain 9 mm loads penetrated as much as the most powerful calibers tested here. As far as penetration, is concerned it appears the bullet being used is more important than the caliber.

for some 65+ years I was comfortable with just a .22 as a woods revolver. I have moved up to a .38 or .357 in the past few years

Good old 9x18 Mak in a CZ 82 the last couple of weeks. I carried my M&P40 for many years, but have been hiking lately with just a sling bag with essentials. Hogs dislike dogs, and also loud noises, so I'm relatively confident in my safety. An AR7 IS in the works, though

Currently the .357 Magnum is way out in front with double the votes of the next closest caliber, which is the 10mm. 40S&W has only several votes, of which one is mine. I've still got the Sig P250 as my dedicated 'woods carry' pistol. I see it as a 14-shot DAO 357 Magnum-comparable platform. Thought about a 357sig barrel for it but essentially I think a 40 S&W is just as good, if not better since I can go heavy with it.

Surprisingly the .22lr has zero votes right now. I'd have figured that would a be a popular caliber for the woods.

Traded off my P250 so I'll need to figure out another woods carry platform.

Still surprised that 22lr has zero votes.

Just out of curiosity, why the larger rimfire rounds for FL woods carry? In my experience, the worst you’re likely to encounter is a moccasin, maybe an ornery young boar but those usually clear out way before you even see them. Black bears run like heck when they hear you and panthers are like unicorns. If it’s skunk apes you’re worried about, they can jam your gun psychically anyway.

That said, camping I carry a smaller 9 like a Sig 365 or a CZ P10 S on my hip and leave an AR in the tent. For just hikes or fishing I carry the Sig. If it’s a colder day which we’ve been getting more of in recent years I slap on a Colt 1911 Government or a metal Cz 75.

Deputydave wrote: ↑Mon Oct 18, 2021 10:48 am Traded off my P250 so I'll need to figure out another woods carry platform.

Still surprised that 22lr has zero votes.

As I mentioned previously, I traded off the P250 quite a while ago. I purchased a Gen 3 Glock 21 police trade-in for a dedicated woods carry pistol. Got if for $399 at Shark Coast Tactical down in Sarasota.

FloridaMan wrote: ↑Wed May 04, 2022 4:08 pm Just out of curiosity, why the larger rimfire rounds for FL woods carry?

Not really needed overall for the reasons you mentioned. My first concern in the woods is a rabid animal. As such I want to be able to put it down as rapidly as possible. As much as I like a revolver, I think a semi-auto is a better choice overall because of capacity. If you're out in the wilds...you're out in the wilds. Which means you may not have quick access to more rounds as well as you are your own cavalierly.

A second reason is that the universal signal for rescue is three of something i.e. three signal fires, three flags, three X's and of course three shots in the air spaced a few seconds apart. If you have to signal for rescue you're in a bad way to begin with. So having more rounds in which to do so is only a benefit.