Another What If...

[rfurtkamp]

Given I don't anticipate taking dozens of 100+ yard shots against either game or threats, I'd rather sacrifice in the rifle cartridge department than be stuck with a 5 or 6 shooter as a defensive handgun.

9mm wins out in this category - I'm not stuck with grandpa's levergun for either fun or plinking or defensive situations, and 9mm with the right bullet choice can kill plenty of game if it comes down to that. Double-taps are laughable with my MP5k-PDW out to 100m or so against human-sized targets, and anything closer is just not sporting.

And with 147gr JHP (which my carbine of choice and handgun will both shoot without issue or complaint), it's easily suppressed and is good enough with proper shot placement.

Any one-size fits all scenario creates compromise, and I'd rather keep a nice package of fun, affordability of ammo, firepower, size, and field-proven technology together than sacrifice it for something that's an extreme compromise (12g pistols, big rifle calibers in a pistol) as a handgun at best and fits realistic needs.

 

[Ed Ames]

Not gonna wing-shoot too many birds with any of those other calibers, but a 12 will.

If I am down to just one gun...

If I am down to just one gun, I don't think I'll be wasting ammo trying to wing-shoot birds. If I'm destitute (which is about the only reason I can see for being down to a single gun) I'm going to use methods that are more likely to succeed. Many a bird has fallen to the .22 rimfire revolver, and would fall just as easily (if not quite so cheaply) to a 9mm or .45C. But I don't think the OP was talking about being down to one gun so much as down to a set of guns that fire a common cartridge.

9mm? It wouldn't be bad but if I was going semi-auto I'd look for something more modern. Maybe 5.7x28.

I'm not a huge fan of lever guns (I didn't grow up watching The Lone Cowboy or whatever) normally, but semi autos are pickier about ammo. You can load a revolver or lever/bolt gun down to levels that would not cycle (or may jam) a semi-auto but would be just fine for knocking a pigeon off a branch...and then turn around and load them (even the .357) up to levels that would kill a charging grizzly and will blow a MP5k-PDW to pieces. And they'll take a suppressor just fine. With semi-autos you must balance velocity and projectile weight far more carefully if you want even a semblance of reliability.

 

[C-grunt]

Either the .357, .44, or .45 Colt.

 

[mgkdrgn]

Ed,

Sounds like you have the same Puma/Rossi M92 that I have (454/45C). I'd wager you could load some 45C that would beat the 357 on hitting power out of that rifle. Probably have to go to a plated/jacketed bullet to get the velocity up. "Ruger Loads" shouldn't be an issue for a rifle capable of handling 454. (one of the reasons I chose this rifle)

But yes, it is a 150 yard max gun ... but I can't see anything further away than that anyway. ;-)

Have you tried shooting the 686 at 200yds??? OK, I kid... but aim high 'cause at 200 you've got to hold about 17" over the target with the M92. 125 yards would be my outside limit if I actually cared about hitting cleanly.

I think the .357 is a great choice if you already have and like .357 guns. The main reason I went with the .454 is that I already had and like .45C guns. The rossi feeds .454 and .45C with seemingly equal ease.

Modern 45C and .357 are pretty similar in a lot of ways, with the edge going to the .357:

.45C energy @ 100yrds= 630fpe, drop @ 100=11"
.357 energy @ 100yrds= 700fpe, drop @ 100=6.5"

Both are basically 125 yard guns.

Of course, full house .454 loads are another beast.

.454 energy @ 100yrds= 1890, drop @ 100=5"

The full house .454 loads kick like a mule. Well, like a magnum centerfire rifle. With 10+1 rounds of those you don't have any reason to feel undergunned. It's still at most a 150 yard gun.

 

[gideon_70]

My choice

I actually faced this recently and decided on a 9mm.

I purchased a Hipoint 9, and a carbine that shoots 9's.

Oterwise, Iwould get a black powder gun that shoots 50 slugs.

 

[Evnldr]

.22 Gota love holding 5K Plus rounds and still not be loaded down.. Id get a .22 AR, .22 1911 .22 Revolver and 10K of ammo.. im not killing a bear.. but I wont starve.

 

[ArfinGreebly]

Flex

Near as I can tell, the .357 has the broadest flexibility.

Loaded down to .38 -p, it should be able to take small game.

Loaded hot, it will take buffalo (going from photo evidence) and, I imagine, somewhat larger game.

It's a very credible defensive round. There are plenty of sidearm platforms for it.

I have a Marlin 1894C carbine chambered in it, and with decent sights (tang sight or optic) it's a credible 200 yard gun, despite the drop.

So, let's see,
* _ _ _ _ _ defensive round? -- check
* _ _ _ _ _ _ _ small game? -- check
* _ _ _ _ medium/big game? -- check
* _ effective past 150 yards? -- check
* _ _ _ _ _ broadly available? -- check
* _ _ _ __ reasonably priced? -- check

Honorable mention for the .22 LR cartridge. It is effective in a broad range of applications, light enough to carry lots of it, inexpensive, meaning more practice, and is the subject of dozens and dozens of platforms.

Its only real shortcoming (aside from being pretty marginal for self defense) is its lack of adequate power to close the deal on medium-to-big game at a hundred yards.

I'll take the .357 across a wide variety of loadings and bullet types.