Smallest caliber you routinely carry

[bigbrowndog]

Interesting that so many carry larger calibers, for chores and such, when in the field. Also interesting at the lack of mid caliber rounds, 35’s, 38’s, 9’s, etc. I tend to carry those for CCW purposes but not really in the field.

Trapr

[bushog]

I like hearing the bullet "thud".

[Thunderjet]

.22 for me at least 90% of the time.

[leftysixgun]

In the field its usually a 44spl or 45colt
Out and about in public CCW is a .357

[junebug]

Kind of depends on the day and where I'll be. Buddy has a farm ate up with copper heads and rattlers and I usually carry a 22 HIGH STANDARD THERE WITH SNAKE SHOT + my everyday carry 9. Rest of the time .44 special, or .45 colt + the 9mm. When I put on my jeans the 9 goes on ,the others are added as needed.

[45MAN]

Apr 21, 2021 11:29:43 GMT -5 Thunderjet said:

.22 for me at least 90% of the time.

WHY? FOR WHAT PURPOSES?

[blacktailslayer]

Out and about in the woods it is a 45 colt, either my Bisquero or FT #5. Urban jungle it is a 45 acp.

Don D.

[Robster]

Living in upstate NY, If I'm hiking it's a (gasp) glock 26 9mm

For going out on the horses, scouting, running hounds it's 85% of the time a Single Six in 22 mag. The other 15% is a .32 mag. I picked up a 4 5/8" barrel .32 mag that is getting some custom work. That will become the 85% carry when it is done.

My biggest prey is porcupine. I kill every one I come across. It is legal to hunt 24/7 365 with no bag limits and they are hell on hounds

[shorty500]

For ccw it’s either a S&W 340pd in .357 or a kimber evo in 9mm.
Around farm & fishing it’s the S&W governor
Those statements exclude the fact that if am dressed I am always toting 3
Mini-revolvers 2 in .WMRF 7 a lr

[500fksjr]

32 bearcat or 44 special CA 3 inch. If going west and out an about it is a 4 inch Ruger blackhawk 45/colt or a 500 L 4 3/4 Vaquero

[dougader]

Apr 21, 2021 12:25:36 GMT -5 junebug said:

Kind of depends on the day and where I'll be. Buddy has a farm ate up with copper heads and rattlers and I usually carry a 22 HIGH STANDARD THERE WITH SNAKE SHOT + my everyday carry 9. Rest of the time .44 special, or .45 colt + the 9mm. When I put on my jeans the 9 goes on ,the others are added as needed.

When I've been hunting in eastern Oregon, nearly all of us had snake shot in our sidearms. In 45 Colt, that's a good load of lead shot. I only saw one rattler shot in all my trips there, though. Denny climbed up over a rock face and a little rattlesnake was sitting there, coiled, and buzzing at him furiously. His little .22 came out and 3 quick shots ended the ordeal. He is about 20 years older than me, and I had never seen him move so fast!

[bigbrowndog]

It’s those times that not having to aim and knowing you’ve got about a 4-8” pattern makes things a wee bit easier.
I’ve made shotshells for my 41, 45, and 500 I always try and carry one in the gun, normally the first one up. If something requiring a bullet shows up I simply cock twice.

Trapr

[scotth]

327 fed. mag for me in a sp101 4.2" barrel

[bula]

I've what I think is at least a partial reason for the small bores being left home more often these days. The return of predators. Used to be boys ran traplines and men kept hounds. These things seldom done now. Then some predators were just shot on sight, to protect livestock, farm animals, and kids, people to some extent. Then the protection and even what I'll call over-protection of certain species, put on a pedestal even.. So, for some decades, man the undisputed head of the food chain was feared by all, but now and then a bear would just contest things ! Those days of fear and respect by critters has faded over the last few decades I think. Also the invasive species such as hogs to factor in. When I was a boy, we barely had any deer here. A good job was done to bring them back, turkey too. Now ? A walk along a country lane and it is RARE to see or hear pheasant or quail. Grouse few. Rabbits less too. A hawk or owl standing guard (perched) over near every field. I am happy to see certain species come back. Not so much others. There are 3 packs of coyotes within hearing of my house now. Yes, a balance needed, wanted I know. But now, on a night time walk or walk in the woods is more likely, for many of us, to find or come into contact with things over 40 lbs than the small pests, varmints of years ago. Hence the .22 rimfires just don't cut it for me and others. The 22/45 and the 22/22mag Single-Six come out to play here in the yard or at camp for group shooting fun. They no longer get holstered for a day in the woods or to walk the dog after dark. 

[x101airborne]

I actually live on 4.2 acres with several neighbors close by. I chose the FN 5n7 with hollow points. The neighbors behind us caught a mountain lion on game cam after losing 2 dogs, but I do have to worry about riccochets so the 5n7 was chosen because those hollow points dont hold together very well after striking something. During snake season I carry a 2 inch SP101 with 3 handloaded snake shot and two hot as safe for that weapon 160 grain hollow points.

When I am on the ranch and less likely to skip a bullet into the neighbors minivan, I carry at minimum a heavy loaded 44 special. Sometimes 44 Magnum or 45 Colt, just depends on my mood and what I want to carry at the time. Although I do think my FA 454 is going to see a lot more carry time this year.