.44mag for 2 legged threats?

[GotGlock]

Living in florida the only thing I worry about out out in the county are wacked out hunters, what round would you suggest for use aganist 2 legged threats that still has enough punch for a mutant zombie gator. I carry Win. JSP 240gr. now in a 6.5 inch Taurus 44.

 

[Ditchtiger]

12ga. 00 Buckshot, then Hydro-Shoks

 

[MachIVshooter]

In a revolver, I'd say your choice is fine. Since I carry an auto, I would stick with my 10mm, but probably switch to FMJ for the gators. Using 200 gr. FMJ, 10mm has given me as much penetration in soft pine as 325 gr. JHP's from my Desert Eagle .50 AE (which don't expand in such mediums).

 

[azredhawk44]

I'd say 240gr LSWC or JSP's in 44mag are a great choice.

But that's my side-carry when hunting in cat/bear territory in AZ.

 

[.38 Special]

If you're fast and accurate with it, I don't see any problem.

 

[cookekdjr]

.44 specials. All the power and penetration you need but with lower recoil for faster follow-up shots. I personally prefer the CCI Blazers (200gr gold dots at about 875 fps).
Enjoy.
-David

 

[Confederate]

For two-legged threats and gators, a .44 should do the trick, but my preference would be a good .357 magnum 4-inch in a pancake holster and stoked with 125-gr. JHPs. Gators are most dangerous up close and a heavy .44 is heavy to carry and doesn't point and shoot in close and as instinctively as a good .357 -- plus recovery from recoil is longer.

If I carried a .44, it would sport a 4-inch barrel and be downloaded a bit with perhaps a 180-gr. JHP/JSP.

I hate gators. They're dangerous, ugly, and have no personality. Three-fifty-sevens also pack more punch into a single shot as far as people and critters that size go and don't overpenetrate like .44 mags do.

The Smith 66s and Ruger Security-Sixes were just perfect for this kind of packing. Just my opinion, though.

 

[10-Ring]

S&W mod 29 and some hydra shoks...Instant attitude adjustment

 

[frayluisfan]

If your taste runs to factory ammo and you can handle the recoil (sounds like you can), I have had very encouraging results with the Win 210 silvertips and the Federal and Hornady 240 HPs. All raise a bit of dust, but seem to have good bullets that combine penetration and expansion well. I've been very impressed with what they've done to milk jugs, both bare jugs and after going through a 2x10. All three were high on the destructive scale, and I wouldn't hesitate to use them for hunting.

If you handload and have a bit of difficulty controlling rounds this powerful in rapid fire (like I do) then you can work up a gentle pet load. Mine is a 240 LSWC doing about 1000-1100. Though not quite as impressive as the above rounds it is still no slouch for just about any kind of self defense, and I can shoot them straight and quick, which is what matters. This load is very mild in my Ruger Redhawk (7.5 barrel).

 

[TexasRifleman]

.44 specials.

I'll second that motion. The Special is PERFECT for the animal of 2 legged kind. As a bonus it's usually a SWEET shooter in a gun made for the Magnum.

 

[RCL]

"Living in florida the only thing I worry about out out in the county are wacked out hunters.........."

 

[rockstar.esq]

Another vote for the .44 special, in specific the Black hills ammo loaded for "Thunder Ranch" as they are loaded with 250 grain Keith style wadcutters. Should you not fully appreciate these bullets you may rest assured that they represent the most impressive cast bullet ever designed for a large bore revolver. You might consider the performance of this load out of a SNUBBIE to be equivalent to a 230 JHP out of a 45 ACP. If you shoot it out of a longer barreled .44 Mag, you'll surely see a marked improvement therefrom.

 

[dairycreek]

There is ammo available in 44 special that ranges from Heavy to lite. There is a lot of "lite" 44 mag ammo. Gives one a nice choice continuum so you could meet just about any contingency. I like the Heavy 44 special made by Buffalo Bore. Light shooting and heavy hitting. Nice combo.

 

[Dr.Rob]

If I'm carrying a .44 it's loaded with enough power to take down a big game animal... while Hydrashocks make fine defensive bullets I prefer a Winchester 240gr JSP @ 1180fps for woods carry.

If it's just 'nightstand duty' I load it up with a 240 gr lead wadcutter around 1000 fps.