Wilderness hiking weapons

anomad said:
Oh I see. I prefer to load all slugs for bear protection, specifically brenekke or other non expanding slugs. I do like 00 or 000 buck for other purposes.
Click to expand...
Yes. Thanks for translating ;)

SSG is indeed the same thing as buckshot.

I understand your point, as slugs are a lot more powerful. But when the bear charges, you don't have much time to aim, and it's easy to miss under such stress. However, that's probably not enough to quickly kill a bear (unless at very, very close range). So alternative loading with slugs seems to be a good compromise. First slow the bear down, then finish it once you've bought yourself some time to aim.

Cheers,

David
 
As a Canadian I have no option for carrying a handgun. In Polar bear Country I favour the guide gun concept and have a 450 Marlin and a Rem 660 in 350 Rem Mag. With 300 grain bullets at 2300ft/sec the 350 Rem Mag is an awesome penetrator. Much better than any slug. Special heavy-weight hard cast bullets turns the 450 M or 45-70 into an incredible performer but I have found the 300 Nosler Partitions at 2200 ft/sec to be completely adequate and much easier to shoot.

After a lot of experimentation I have to say the 350 is the ultimate. Light and compact and capable of putting a caribou into the meat locker at 300 yards. Amazing utility with 225 Noslers at 2700ft/sec. When you see a polar bear at close range anything short of a quad 50 will make you feel inadequate but a carbine in an adequate caliber is much..much better than any handgn and IMO better than a shotgun too.

A 9.3x62 full length stocked BRNO carbine would be my choice of new on the market firearms. Almost as handy as the 600's and in an even better caliber.
 
I would opt for something shorter in a whip. Something in a heavy loaded snake or signal whip of 3.5-4 feet would be easier to wield in the wild, and double as a truncheon.

I would question using any whip for any kind of climbing, but they are extremely effective for dogs. Most critters know what the sound of a lash cutting through the air means, and these whips can easily cut flesh. A good pocket whip is often overlooked for this application.

http://www.davidmorgan.com/proddetail.html?product_number=257&ticket=054750-4032433&sequence=199742
 
I think a whip might put you at a disadvantage if an animal such as a dog was to just charge through to you. If you have had good luck with your whip against dogs, I would guess it was more because you were being aggressive with them than because of your particular weapon.

You don't want to mess your timing up either. Dogs can be pretty fast, and some will simply not be intimidated.

Scott
 
The ability to adjust range and timing is an advantage of the short whip. With a heavy load, they hit as hard as a longer whip. I have yet to encounter a dog that required an actual strike as the crack will make your ears ring. A strike will leave a 2-3 inch cut about 3/16 inch deep. I can cut denim fabric and pop balloons. (Think of how hard you have to hit a balloon with a bit of string to pop it)

A cracking whip is at least as good as a whistle. With a lot of practice the lash can inflict considerable damage. The butt is a very effective blackjack carrying maybe 8oz of lead shot.

A sjambock is a semi rigid whip that does not require skill and is also very effective against critters.

A multi purpose "light" weapon that can be worn around your neck or stashed in a pocket.
 
Not thinking so much "wilderness survival", but when camping I tend to carry:

4-5" fixed-blade knife (Entrek Companion or DM Knives "Bowie")
small flashlight (Mr. Bulk VIP or SureFire A2)
FRS radio
Leatherman Wave (love the bottle-opener)
lighter (Colibri GPI, which I seem to have misplaced...)
Glock-34 (9mm) w/Surefire X200 LED

I tend to carry a Mr. Bulk "Space Needle II" around camp. It's just "fun".

Note the Wilderness 1 3/4" instructors belt.

Rig-1.jpg

Rig-2.jpg
 
lagre knife is generally a cold steel bushman
Walking sticks are either my white oak crook neck (with a tip that fits the bushman) or my 5.5 foot ironwood staff.
small knife is usually my edc of a crkt bearclaw and a buck nxt

if going into rough terrain (read bramble and blackberry bushes etc.) a long knife (usually a dexter breaking knife 14 inch high carbon blade razor sharp, nice rosewood handel, though I dont think they make tham anymore)

if I was hiking in grizzly country I would prefer a stronger argument e.g. a 12 guage with pumpkin balls :D , and a locharbor axe :eek: for a walking stick
 
In Florida most of the time there is too much underbrush to use a whip, I carry a CS small Kukhri,(not very small), it chops like a demon. I also take along a folding knife with about a four inch blade. A whistle and a snake stick,(just like a hiking stick but with a short Y at one end). No gun, I'm there for peace and quiet.
 
Jedi, as others have suggested, leave that black powder pistol at home, when you're thinking of "survival," or "self protection" out in the boonies. You have an excellent handgun in that Beretta 92FS. Carrying an additional loaded magazine and a box of 9mm in your day pack is much, much more efficient than all the black powder stuff you'd need for your cap 'n ball .36.

For me, it really depends on where I'm hiking/hunting/camping, but no matter, I always have several knives, sometimes my hatchet, sometimes my machete, etc. The trip and terrain dictate what I take. I always carry a MODERN handgun, but again, it depends where I am and what I'm doing as to the caliber and type.

Good luck on your hikes.

L.W.
 
Michael Aos,
What is that fixed blade in your pic? Is it an Entrek? What model? Can you tell me more - edgeholding, sharpness NIB, toughness, specifications etc?

Where did you get it from? Price? Is it heavy or lively in the hand?

I really like it - if you don't want to hijack the thread (sorry, I'm doing so), you could email me....

thanks,
 
thanks - that's a really nice shape. I think I'll be emailing David soon...
 
I'm glad to see someone else mention whips. I always carry my 10ft whip when I go hiking. And I have to admit the reason I did it was not for dogs. I bring it along for snakes. I don't like carrying a staff and the whip has the range I like. I am pretty good with the whip and strike a full 10ft out as well as up to a foot away from my body. It's funny though, I watch Indiana Jones movies and wonder, why the hell is swinging from his whip? That would practically destroy it. I'd have no problem if I didn't spend a great deal of hard earned money on the bloody thing! That and him using it as his sole weapon against the baddies. Now a whip/knife combo is a deadly thing, but I carry my HK USP9 to deal with everything this side of bears. So it's simply snakes and occasionally to grab something from afar. Granted it's once in a blue moon, but every once in a while there is a vine I need to reach hanging out over the creek. The whip feels pretty good then. Lets see someone do that with a staff!
 
a staff rope combo can be used as a grapple betwee trees or set between trees for short rapelling, of cource my staff is mage of iron wood and is quite stong and not flexible, but then I am not a light weight either
 
ilbruche said:
Holy resurrection!

I was gonna ask if he had a cool fedora to go with the bullwhip.
Click to expand...

:p

OK, I'll play.

When hiking my first line of defense consists of two telescoping hiking poles with titanium tips. The are strong and the tips are sharp. I could use them to fend off dogs or even a cat if I had to.

Backing them up, I usually have at least a Keltec P32 in my pocket, but often something larger available.

After that, a belt knife of some kind.

Andy
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top