Putting the Argument to Rest: The Indisputable Best Self-Defense Caliber/Cartridge.

Listen here, cowpoke... If y'all wanna carry a .45-70 Derringer as a second piece, then I plum reckon ya ought to, s'long as y'all are confident with it n' proficient with it.

Personally, I ain't been fixin' to pick a fight with no buffalo, 'n my primary ain't no Sharps Rifle or no Marlin 1895 neither, so that just plum doesn't make no gosh-darn sense fer me to go carryin' somethin' with no commonality b'tween 'em.

So y'all listen here, pardner! If I were 'bout to select a backup, then I s'pose it'd be at least a six-shooter, 'cuz it ain't the mid-1800s no more n' ain't about to go two-steppin' into a quickdraw showdown at high noon with the Crackerjack Boys at the Golden Corral with no .45-70 Derringer.
Now, if somebody'd bring back that there MIL Thunder Five in .45-70, then I'd consider it, but I just don't see that happenin' no more.

But thanks fer the input, maybe I'll check out one of those Magnum Research Biggest Finest Revolvers in .45-70 'n consider it as a potential BUG. Heck, if Henry ever makes one of them Mare's Legs in .45-70, then I might just reconsider my primary too. Y'all come back now, ya hear?
 
Last edited:
IMHO. Point of impact is everything. Considering someone would probably miss with a Howitzer.
 
I think the best caliber is the one i will carry and preferably practice with some. That caliber can change for me depending on my situation. Others should stay in their comfort zone as well i tend to think.
 
For generations folks have argued over what's the best Caliber/Cartridge for Self-Defense? The argument is generally a worthless waste of time with most people just arguing in favor of their preferred cartridge with little or no objective facts to backup their claims, meanwhile there was always one objectively ideal cartridge for Self-Defense, but few folks are bold enough to come right out and say it because they know they'll get bombarded with baseless arguments against their claim.

Fortunately, I'm bold enough to say it once and for all, right here, right now...

The best Caliber is .729 and the best Cartridge is none other than the mighty 12 Gauge Slug Shell.
That really ought to be a mic drop right there, but obviously folks will attempt to argue against the fact, so I'll keep going to explain why it's the best.

Obviously a 12 Gauge Slug packs a heck of a punch, delivering over 3000 Foot Pounds of Kinetic Energy at the muzzle and still maintaining over 1200ft-lbs at a distance of 100 Yards.
In other words, a Brenneke Black Magic Magnum Slug delivers as much energy at the Muzzle as a .500 S&W Magnum — The Most Powerful Handgun in the World — at the muzzle, and as much energy at a distance of 100 Yards as a .44 Remington Magnum — The Former Most Powerful Handgun in the World — not to mention the 5.56x45 NATO — The standard issue rifle cartridge in NATO Armed Forces — at the muzzle, and it does it all with a 602 Grain, .729 Caliber Projectile.

Some would argue that it's too powerful, too punishing, and delivered from a Firearm too large/heavy to carry concealed.
NONSENSE, I SAY! Nothing more that anti-gun rhetoric designed to pacify the masses and encourage citizens to carry less-than-adequate tools for Self-Defense.

In the modern-era, 12 Gauge Firearms are available in compact, concealable packages such as the Serbu Super Shorty and the Mossberg 590 Shockwave.
Furthermore, there exists a plethora of lower-powered yet still extremely effective 12 Gauge Slug Shells on the market, ranging from Federal Mini Shells for those of smaller stature all the way up to the aforementioned Bear-Slaying Brenneke Black Magic Magnum.

attachment.php

When you strap this on when you head out and you don't have to question whether or not you're adequately prepared to defend yourself.

Also, it's time to say it, people... Carrying a firearm isn't enough! If everyone maintained a rigorous daily exercise routine then nobody would argue that it's "unrealistic" or "impractical" to EDC a 12 Gauge.
Furthermore, if folks had some actual confidence and weren't overly concerned about what others think of them, then they wouldn't have to hide a Pocket Pistol in their pants when they go out to the store.

Folks need to start taking their Self-Defense seriously! You can't just carry whatever happens to be convenient, you've got to carry what gets the job done, and for all the endless arguments over which suboptimal handgun cartridge is the best of the worst option for minimalist Self-Defense, nobody has ever disputed that a hit from a 12 Gauge Slug is a fight-stopper!
I have the exact same knife!!!
 
A duo of Southern hospitality.
45 and sharp steel.
Gator on the 18th.
Might be roasted Gator for dinner.
BattleFlagKnife.jpeg

IMG_1243.jpeg

When in NOLA.
A 45, shinny Knuckles, and a
Clarinet 🎶🏴‍☠️🎶

IMG_3513.png
 
Last edited:
Now that I think about it ...

A 12 ga. pump shotgun , loaded with buck shot ...
has stood between my bed and night stand for a good 40 years ...

I'm going to have to agree ... It don't get much better than a 12 Gauge Shotgun and Buckshot for personal defense !
Gary
 
Back
Top