From: ems@michael.apple.com (E. Michael Smith)
Newsgroups: rec.guns
Subject: Re: Weapon for defense from cows
Date: 22 Nov 92 20:20:04 GMT
Organization: Apple Computer Inc, Cupertino, CA

You left out option number:

5) A cattle prod.  Designed for exactly the task of nudging ornry
   cattle in the direction you want to go.  While not as flashy as
   a decent .44 magnum, it doesn't make as much of a mess and the 
   'cow' learns to respect you... after using the .44, you will 
   just have to 'train' the replacement 'cow' too ...

   My dad used these with great effect on his 'cows' ... even the 
   particulary onry young bull that got its attitude adjusted
   along with a name change to 'Mr. Steer' ... (For the non-farmers,
   a steer is a used-to-be-mle bovine.)

In article <1992Nov21.134449.10187@reed.edu> todd@reed.edu (Todd Ellner) writes:

#My question is, what is a good weapon to carry in case we run into the nastier
#one's far from our vehicle? So far the recommendations are:

#1) A 12-gauge pump shotgun loaded with slugs and kept with the tools wherever
#   we work. Pro: we can afford it, and my wife (who is not as strong as I)
#   can handle it. Should stop cows. Con: If it's with the tools it might not
#   be near enough. Actually carrying it strapped on one's back is painful,
#   tedious, and downrught dangerous when clearing brush or doing construction
#   work.

This would work, but I think it is serious overkill ... they use .22 LR
to dispatch cows in some slaughter operations.  The .22 has to be placed into
the brain in a head shot, though.

#4)  A good .44 magnum. One informant swears by the single action Rugers.
#   Another says a more expensive double action pieces are the only way to go.
#   Pro: Should stop a cow. Can be carried in holster  while working. Not too
#   expensive. Con: My wife's does not feel whe is strong enough to handle
#   this weapon right now. 

This, or a .357 Magnum, is what I'd go for.  (Provided the local laws
let you transport handguns without too much grief...)  The person in
the cubical across from mine is about 110 lbs, female, blond, vegetarian,
about 21 years old, very quiet and somewhat introverted, and packs a .44 Mag.

I think you will find that a decent .44 Mag isn't all THAT hard to shoot...

Some issues:  Get a heavy one.  The Ruger RedHawk is great for what 
you want to do.  Get stainless steel unless you really like taking
care of guns.  If the .44 Mag load is too hot for your spouse, she
can load it up with .44 Specials (which should also be enough for
what you want to do...but alot less kick..).  Why a heavy one?
I once shot a Thompson Contender with a light 10" bbl (a very light
gun) in .44 Mag.  It was a, um, religious experience for a novice...

If your friend is recommending it, borrow his for your spouse to try!
Why speculate when a trip to the range can solve the question.

For what you want to do, either the single or double action would
be fine, just practice till you know how it works without thinking.

#5) Various smaller caliber handguns. I'm not sure I want to just hurt over
#   1000 lbs. of angry muscle at close range. The person who recommended these
#   said that the steer would probably not be killed outright but would decide
#   to take its business elsewhere. Great, a wounded dangerous animal in the
#   brush. That';s not my idea of a good time.

You want a head shot in any case.  A soft tissue injury with a .44 Mag
or even a shotgun slug in a grazing shot to the rump will also give you 
a mad bull... The slug to the head is THE shot to practice.  Besides,
the bull WILL be comming at you when you shoot, won't it???

The only other smaller caliber I'd consider is the .357 Magnum.  It is
also able to do the job, and is widely available.  I've had both the
Ruger single and double actions in this caliber and they have worked
flawlessly.  While Ruger is somewhat politically incorrect lately, he
still makes some darned good revolvers...

#Does anyone here have any other suggestions? Currently we're leaning towards
#1) and 4) on the assumption that if six shots and a bunch of slugs from the
#shotgun don't stop it the bull deserves to stomp a mudhole in our collective
#body.

I'd put a .357 on the wife's hip, a .44 mag on me, and a cattle prod
on the other hip of both of us...  If the 'cow' presents a broadside or
rump, prod it.  In case of charging bull, draw and fire.  If it just
moos stupidly from >20 feet away, shout at it ... and call it names
like 'rump roast' and 'hamburger' ;-)


-- 

E. Michael Smith  ems@apple.COM

'Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it.  Boldness has
 genius, power and magic in it.'  -  Goethe

I am not responsible nor is anyone else.  Everything is disclaimed.