02-28-2020, 03:53 PM
First question is, which "woods"? And, how far off-the-beaten-track? If in the Eastern US, that's one thing, if in Idaho/Wyoming, that's another... and if in Alaska, that's a whole beast of a different caliber.
Shot placement is of course, king! A "camp" 12ga would be nice no matter what...
But, I don't go with only a rifle into the woods, and don't recommend anyone else to do either.
Always, always carry a backup. And if winter camping, I wouldn't be having a semi-auto as my rifle-- lever or bolt-action for reliability.
a) in the Eastern US, a grendel plus a 9mm or .45 (Each of which is well-broken in) would do. A Grendel with Cxp2 ammo like the 123 sst, or better, will do its job on those style animals, even a black bear.
b) western US, depends if you're in grizzly country or not. If so, I would have any good centerfire rifle with Cxp2 or better ammo, plus a .45, 10mm or 41 Mag+ alongside. Rifle would be a 308-like or better, a magnum, with high-quality bullets for grizz areas.
c) Alaska, I would have a guide along, both of us armed as in b) or better, 2 are better than one in Alaska backwoods.
Shot placement is of course, king! A "camp" 12ga would be nice no matter what...
But, I don't go with only a rifle into the woods, and don't recommend anyone else to do either.
Always, always carry a backup. And if winter camping, I wouldn't be having a semi-auto as my rifle-- lever or bolt-action for reliability.
a) in the Eastern US, a grendel plus a 9mm or .45 (Each of which is well-broken in) would do. A Grendel with Cxp2 ammo like the 123 sst, or better, will do its job on those style animals, even a black bear.
b) western US, depends if you're in grizzly country or not. If so, I would have any good centerfire rifle with Cxp2 or better ammo, plus a .45, 10mm or 41 Mag+ alongside. Rifle would be a 308-like or better, a magnum, with high-quality bullets for grizz areas.
c) Alaska, I would have a guide along, both of us armed as in b) or better, 2 are better than one in Alaska backwoods.
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