The wilderness is no place for the weak and defenseless. Even the cute little rabbit is fast and agile, making it hard prey to catch. When you’re walking in the woods, navigating your way into your hunting spot, you’ve got to have a weapon to defend yourself with.
For that purpose, we’re going to discuss the top five hunting guns that’ll protect you from any predators that may bushwhack you on the road.
The Only Hunting Guns You’ll Need For A Walk-out
This was originally posted on OutdoorWarrior.com and is shared with full permission
Hunting guns to defend you from surprise attacks need to be easily accessible. Plus, it must be able to take down predators with a single shot ’cause who knows if you’re gonna be able to pull off a next one. Lastly, you wanna look cool carrying it ’cause that’s the main reason you’re into outdoor sports! But kidding aside, let’s see what we have for the best hunting guns for wilderness walk-out protection!
Marlin Model 1895
One thing I like about the Marlin 1895 is the ability to shoot a follow-up without having to point the barrel away when cocking. It’s because of its lever-action mechanism that allows you to hold the gun with one hand while you cock it with the other.
image via Wikimedia Commons
Mossberg 500
The Mossberg 500 is the most widespread shotgun there is to date. However, it’s not popular for no reason at all. It is, by far, the most reliable and smooth shotgun I’ve ever handled.
image via Wikimedia Commons
Furthermore, there are a few varieties, stock options, and barrel lengths. Once you’re up against a black bear, you’ll be thankful you’ve got the Mossberg 500 by your side!
Remington 870
Another hunting shotgun to consider is the Remington 870, that’s cheap but reliable. If you’re not really into waterfowl, it’s less likely that you’d have to fire the Remington 870.
The 870 serves only as a backup gun in case you get attacked by some wild animal but I tell you, it’s got excellent recoil management. In addition, the overall feel of the gun is superb. I had a chance to shoot this gun at the range and everything feels right from the slide-action, recoil, and even just holding it gives you confidence.
Henry 45-70 Government
Considering how ridiculously rare it is to spot a bear crossing your path, the 45-70 Gov’t. might be the best wilderness gun. I know how hard the government’s kick is, but having to fire once in a blue moon wouldn’t really matter.
image via Wikimedia Commons
Plus, the 45-70 is sure to stop any large predator n its tracks with a single bullet. Furthermore, it’s very accurate for a shotgun and will leave bears laying on the ground once you pull the trigger. It’s not called the deep shoulder bruise for nothing!
AR 15
I know that I’m kinda contradicting myself here ’cause the AR 15 isn’t exactly a one-shot one kill type, but bears aren’t the only predators in the field. There are fast, agile predators like mountain lions, wolves, and coyotes in the backcountry as well.
image via Wikimedia Commons
On these occasions, the best rifle to be holding is a semi-auto that can fire multiple rounds in a few seconds. There’s very little time to aim, shoot and reload when facing a dangerous predator. As such, a reliable AR 15 isn’t such a bad idea when having other predators to worry about.
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These five hunting guns are the best in the business and in their respective categories. If you’re out to hunt some big game from a long-range like whitetails and elk, get a bolt-action. But when you’re out scouting and got nothing to defend yourself, you’ll regret not bringing a good ole’ Mossberg to aid you. If your favorite gun isn’t on this list, tell us in the comments below!
You can find more tips about hunting right here.
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Editor’s Note – This post was originally published on December 20, 2016, and has been updated for quality and relevancy.
