Topic: 9mm round for hiking

[Grumblecakes]

ive got it in me to do some hiking once the weather gets a bit nicer.

i currently have 124gr speer gold dots for both my pistols. i was wondering if there is a better 9mm round i should use for hiking. getting a new pistol is out of the question since i cannot afford one as i know many of you will comment on the 9mm less than ideal performance on larger predators.

hand loading is an option since this would strictly be a hiking load. I think the most common predators in my area are black bears and large cats

[Nealio]

Mass = better penetration so I'd go with a 147gr plated myself...  But I'd go with pepper spray over that for a bear..

[eddymunster]

147gr. for 9mm if that is the round you have to use. +p is over rated IMO. http://ammo.ar15.com/project/Self_Defense_Ammo_FAQ/index.htm

[carharttfarmer]

you'll be fine chances are you'll never have ot use it 124s will get the job done if put down 2000lb bulls with less

[TrooperBrian]

Mass = better penetration so I'd go with a 147gr plated myself...  But I'd go with pepper spray over that for a bear..

Not necessarily, if you compare a 115gr projectile at 1100fps or a 147gr projectile around 900fps, the amount of gain you would have over a 115 due to velocity is negligible for the same caliber. The 115gr producing 2726.7 GMS (grams meters seconds) of momentum and the 147gr producing 2859 GMS. If a person dives into the ocean, the global water level rises. But not to any significance.

Depending on the kind of predators you would expect to encounter in the area, I would use a regular JHP for smaller predators, and FMJ for larger.

[ballardw]

Since you've ruled out .44 Magnum...I would stay with the 124g and go for penetration, that means full jacketed and leave the hollowpoints at home, in a +p or +p+ if your pistol can handle the + stuff. If going up against bear penetration is your friend.
Then again I would take a rifle if going into bear country.

Didn't we have a black bear in the North End of Boise a few years ago? So what should we carry in town?!?

[Scarecrow]

I've found that 22 is plenty effective at slowing my hiking buddy down enough.

[AR10ER]

I've found that 22 is plenty effective at slowing my hiking buddy down enough.

Note to self, never hike with you.

[NoviceHunter]

If I had to use 9mm for hiking, I'd use this: http://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=225

[rnrphoto98]

I see that Hornady has a 147gr boat tail for 9mm that should be good for larger animals.  I am hoping to reload some this summer and see how they do.

[TrooperBrian]

If I had to use 9mm for hiking, I'd use this: http://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=225

"FMJ-FN so if my target is taking refuge behind a stick frame wall or a sofa or a car door, etc, I can shoot through his cover and kill him."

This guy is just waiting to get slapped with a homicide charge. There is nothing defensive about continuing to fire after there is no more threat.

[9Shooter]

This guy is just waiting to get slapped with a homicide charge. There is nothing defensive about continuing to fire after there is no more threat.

Just because someone is behind cover doesn't mean they have stopped shooting at you.

[Scarecrow]

If you're carrying a gun for hiking that lets get the job straight:

You're more likely to get lost than have a problem with an animal.
You're more likely to have a problem with a 2-legged animals than any other type.
If you do have a problem with a 4-legged animal, you'll likely be able to avoid it.
If a 4-legged animal has a problem with you, you'll likely not see it coming.
If the animal has no legs it's probably not as big of a problem as you think.

So:

How do you signal with a firearm?  Three shots is a sign of distress.  Now, you're probably better off with a storm whistle, but as you're sitting two broken ankles at the bottom a ravine and the sun is setting you may decide the whistle you've been blowing for most of the day isn't cutting the mustard.  Three shots isn't going to bring immediate help - but god willing some old salt out for a walk will hear it and alert help.  What caliber works best for signaling?  The one you have on hand at the time.  Because this thread deals with 9mm, any popular 9mm handgun with one mag will give you 5 full signals.  That's one signal when you finally decide you're lost and need help, two on either side of dusk, another after dawn and one at noon.

What 9mm load for two legged animals?  Whatever your comfortable with.  Folks will blather about hydramagicshawk or TKO or incapacitation times.  Use what ever load you want.  If it's good enough for d-bags in down-town.  It's good enough for d-bags in the wilderness.  FBI tests have conclusively shown the flannel and/or performance fleece has no more effect on bullets than denim.

What 9mm load for four legged animals?  That's the wrong question.  A predators entire being is tuned to locating and eating prey.  Your senses are sharpened to spot Member Discount Deals in the frozen food aisle.    Don't think you'll see an animal intent on eating you.  If you see the animal first, take the hint and be somewhere else.  

Because you are weak and smell funny you won't see a hungry saber-toothed-grey-bear-alope coming. This means whatever you're carrying needs to be accessible.  The best test for this is to put on a whatever you plan on hiking with (pack, water, gun), lie down on your stomach in a pile of trailmix and have a hiking buddy jump up and down on top you while stabbing you with a knife.  You may have to this experiment several times to determine which method of carry is most easiest available under the likeliest conditions of it's use.  The best question is how you're going to get to your gun - not necessarily what your shootin' iron is stoked with.  Here's why:

Don't plan on just shooting once - mag dump that bitch.  If you intend on pulling the trigger once and then re-holstering - secure in the knowledge that the 147gr Lollercast Bullet will stop a charging puma will me your TV before you go hiking.  The Crocodile Hunter (RIP) pretty much proved that the Southern Idahoan Rock Buffalo and Fish & Game* have the same opinion regarding shooting wildlife:

Dead shit can't eat you.  Err on the aide of caution when killing things.

*I'm not speaking for any federal, state or local government agency.  Steve Irwin is.  From the grave.  Don't argue with the man.

Note: All the advice here doesn't have a damn thing to do with caliber or cartridge.  Imagine that.

...and finally.  Snakes.  I hate me some snakes.  I've shot them with snakeshot, birdshot and ball.  Much like zombies, I'm only convinced they're actually dead after removing the head or destroying the brain (and then burying that shit.)  They don't roll over and stick their feet in the air like a proper dead animal.  I think NGO has mentioned that he's seen snakes coil and strike whilst being headless, so better safe than sorry.  My preferred caliber for snake is a shovel.

Most snakes just want to stretch out and soak up some sun.  Other times they enjoy the cool of the shade.  If snakes drank beer, I think I could probably get along with them pretty well.  Snakes are still slimy looking and have creepy eyes and alien intellect - but there should be a serious public safety concern before you start bustin' caps.  Live and let live.

Now, this is all assuming we're talking about local stuff.  If you're hiking on Isla Nublar and you see a Verlociraptor you're boned.  Not from the one you saw -  pffffffffip - but from the sides, and the two raptors you never knew were there.  That's how they got Tupac.

In closing:

[9Shooter]

If you're carrying a gun for hiking that lets get the job straight:

...

Great post, instant classic!

[NoviceHunter]

Great post, instant classic!

+1, that was full of win.

[Steve N]

Take your 9 in whatever form you are used to and carry it. An attack by a cat is rarer than hen's teeth and bears even less so. I lived in the back country for several years in tipis, small tents, the open air, on horseback and foot. I was stalked once by a cat and bears always opt for escape. I only know of one guy who had an issue with a bear and that was a mama with cubs. And she just ran him off.

The absolute best defense against any large predator is a good dog. The rest, 4-legged variety, can be taken care of with a stick or a 22.

[agunforeachhand]

Scarecrow that was awesome, thanks for the smile!!!

[RGinIdaho]

Is it just me, does anyone else think it strange that the Scarecrow just told us all we need to know about;




















 Lions and tigers and bears

























Oh my!





 

[fj40mojo]

OK, I must confess that I (until just now) did not read any part of this thread cuz the title itself struck me as silly. And I only read it cuz one of you thought enough of it to link it to the facebook page, but now I'm glad I read it. THAT WAS FREAKIN CLASSIC!

[egress81]

what round for saber-toothed-grey-bear-alope?

[danno12345]

Scarecrow, I enjoyed that very much.  Thank you!

 

[ballardw]

what round for saber-toothed-grey-bear-alope?

PaK 38 in 50mm comes to mind.



For those that won't get the reference and don't care to look it up, that's a German light anti-tank cannon from WW2.

[bigjoey]

After a long day of dealing with this floor that was just what I needed. Scarecrow, you rock   
FJ great recomendation for a cap to a  long day of b.s.!

[Joey]

THANK YOU!!!
 

[luvmy45]

The best test for this is to put on a whatever you plan on hiking with (pack, water, gun), lie down on your stomach in a pile of trailmix and have a hiking buddy jump up and down on top you while stabbing you with a knife.  You may have to this experiment several times...

This was awesome!

[Pow]

     In the contiguous US, if ya see any large predator in the wild that you're not specifically hunting, you're lucky. Be quiet, be really still, check it out, shoot it with a camera, be grateful, it doesn't happen that often.
     If a bear seems like it might actually attack you, shooting it would probably make it more likely to attack you. Bear spray, worn on your belt, is much more effective and you don't have to do any of the paperwork that comes with a dead bear out of season and in the wrong place. Plus, you get either the satisfaction of knowing there is a very grateful live bear somewhere out there, or the tension of knowing that you have created a bear adversary for yourself that you will one day have to epically battle with only a knife and your wits, which ever you prefer.
     Bear spray will work even better on big cats or whatever, if they don't just suddenly latch on to your neck.
     Unless you're in Alaska, the human predators are the only real threat that requires a gun. I don't know why anyone would mess with a dirty, stinky, smiling jerk like me, but, I go in the woods with women and children and other people who I feel chivalrous about protecting. When you can't call the "authorities" for help, you are their last line of defense. I prefer my .45 and a couple mags. If you shoot well with a 9mm then use it. You bring it because it's the correct tool to protect yourself and your loved ones.
     If I had any money I'd get one of those composite-polymer-kind revolvers that're really light, in the biggest caliber I'm comfortable with, and a couple speedloaders. It's more reliable than an automatic especially in the dirty woods, and weighs way less.
     Scarecrow, you're hilarious.
     Note to bad guys in the woods: In Idaho, that innocent looking chick is probably a better shot than her boyfriend.   

[Grumblecakes]

Didn't consider bear spray seems like I saw it reasonably cheap. Probably would work on people too...

Can it attach to a belt or do I need to buy a plate carrier? I think a pc would also be usefull even soft steel woul protect against beArs

[Kcboats]

Nothing else needs to be said!  Scarecrow summed it up for the next twenty generations...perfect!!