better than no gun at all, but a rifle purchased specifically for protection should be powerful enough to decisively put down any aggressive predator that might be encountered. The generally recognized starting point in terms of cartridge power for use on the world's dangerous predators is the .30-06 shooting a 180 grain bullet. (A 200 or 220 grain bullet is an even better option in .30-06.) For use at close range (normally 50 yards or less) we can also include the .338 Federal (200-225 grain bullets), .358 Winchester (220-250 grain bullets) and .444 Marlin (265-300 grain bullets). These and similar cartridges will be our minimum acceptable calibers. They are particularly applicable to rifles intended primarily for use against the smaller dangerous predators that average less than 350 pounds in live weight. This includes animals such as the wolf, hyena, cougar, leopard, jaguar and black bear. In a 24" or longer barrel the various 7mm, .300, and 8mm Magnums outperform our benchmark .30-06, but their performance is greatly attenuated in a short barreled rifle, while their recoil in a lightweight rifle and the muzzle blast from a short barrel becomes very unpleasant. The standard small bore magnums should probably be eliminated from consideration. Ditto the WSM and Remington SAUM series of short magnums. Their rebated rims, fat bodies, sharp shoulders and other design features are contra indicated for use on dangerous animals. Better choices for use against the largest dangerous predators such as bull alligators and crocodiles (ashore), lions and tigers,