A friend of mine said he read a magazine article about a man taking down a lion with a .45 handgun. I have been on safari and have heard of lions charging through large caliber rifle shots, so I find it hard to believe a .45 handgun would do much. Any insights?
2007-01-13 10:00:31 · 14 answers · asked by btmead21 2 in Sports ➔ Outdoor Recreation ➔ Hunting
To answer your question, "Can a lion be taken down with a 45?" The answer is yes. If you do some internet searches, you'll find stories of people taking down some pretty big bears with a 22 rimfire.
However, I am not saying it is a good idea to shoot a 500 lb+ animal with a 45 (or a bear with a 22 rimfire for that matter). My guess is if a person was shooting at a lion with a 45, it was out of despiration. If they really killed a charging lion with a 45, I'd recommend they go buy a lottery ticket as that is one lucky shot.
2007-01-13 12:51:54 · answer #1 · answered by Slider728 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
If you are lucky, but I wouldn't recommend it. I have the S&W 500 magnum for any game that could eat me, I suggest at least a .357 magnum, and a .44 magnum better yet.
The .45 is an outstanding round for home defense as it is an effective man stopper. The slug has good mass but moves with pretty low velocity. It will not travel through multiple walls and people (a bad thing).
The .500 can also be obtained in Taurus handguns for less money, but if even these are more than you can afford, buy a .44 magnum and load the ammo with the heaviest slug/powder charge allowed. Be careful with this, as you could make a mistake and blow your gun/you up. Also select a full metal jacketed bullet, as this will penetrate well rather than flatten out on a lion's skull. Believe me you don't want to piss off a lion that already wants to eat you;)
2007-01-14 10:55:04 · answer #2 · answered by Eric K 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Best answer to D58, beat me to the punch, A TC single-shot-pistol in .45-70 (.45 Gov.) is technically a 45 caliber handgun and packs a hell of allot more punch than a .45 "Long" Colt which packs more punch than a .45 ACP which packs more than a .45 GAP. That said in dire circumstances with a well placed shot, even a .45 GAP could take down a lion.
But with a .45-70 I would feel confident in my ability to kill a full grown male lion. It is twice as powerful as a .44 Magnum and I would not feel that the .44 would be inadequate if it's use was required.
2007-01-14 03:30:50 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
My understand you are referring a active card caring member of the African Big 5.
Are we talking 45 ACP, 45 LC, 45-70 ( as offered in TC Encore) ect ect ect.
It by far is not what I would suggest using.
But it would beat a rock or sharp stick.
One thing for sure any one pulling that stunt would be the first to know if it worked or not.
My bet is he will discuss that transgression with a lion with a really good grouch going on.
2007-01-13 21:47:29 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Could you kill a lion with a .45, or could you stop a charge? The answer you get depends on the question you ask. Lions have been killed with spears and small-caliber rifles, so it's perfectly reasonable to think one could kill a lion with a .45, especially a "long Colt" with a heavy bullet and a heavy load. Would I want to bet my life on braining a charging lion with a 45 ACP? Thanks, I think I'll pass on that one.
2007-01-13 18:16:35 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
I have a 454 Casull that could do the trick. It is like a 45 long colt magnum. 300gr bullet that can stop a bear. It was the most powerful commercialy made handgun in the US before SW's 500.
But you still have to hit them just right.
2007-01-14 12:48:03 · answer #6 · answered by webb1socoolguy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It all depends on where you hit that lion. A .45 ACP can really mess up creators with thin skin. The only thing that will effect the killing power on a lion is how pissed off the lion is...If it is really really pissed off then they are damn near imposible to kill.
2007-01-14 12:11:30 · answer #7 · answered by Spades Of Columbia 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
.45 yea right maybe but i think a 458 Winchester magnum is called for here and ya know what ''I HAVE ONE'' cant afford to shoot it much but what a wallop ought it years ago and now it's more than doubled in price
2007-01-16 12:31:00 · answer #8 · answered by L J 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A shot in the face/forhead would do something, but you would be so freaked out you'd probably miss and one swipe of a paw from a 600lb lion could bleed you out.
2007-01-13 18:15:08 · answer #9 · answered by david m 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
sure with a single well placed shot! but the question is can you place a shot well while facing a charging lion ?
2007-01-13 18:12:52 · answer #10 · answered by wyzrdofahs 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋