"Will a .44 mag kill a Siberian Tiger?"
- Thread starter HHank
- Start date
mc5aw
Member
A I grew up in NYC during the '60s and '70s, I recall two hi-profile episodes where zoo polar bears were destroyed because of idiots putting their limbs through cage bars and getting mauled. If memory serves, both attacks came roughly 35 years ago, and I believe each ended with NYPD shooting the bears with service/duty revolvers.
Texas Star
US Veteran
For what it's worth, I have a book by a Swedish girl who shot some Bengal tigers in India in the 1960's. She used a rifle, I think a Husqvarna .30/06, with a S&W K-38 for a sidearm. Thankfully, she never had to use the .38.
I know of one grizzly put down by a game warden whom it was attacking. He used an S&W M-66, with 158 grain .357 ammo of unspecified brand and type.
The polar bear in the NYC zoo was shot by a cop with a heavy barrel M-10 and lead HP ammo, according to Massad Ayoob. I asked him if he was sure that the ammo was HP, which wasn't allowed in New York cop duty then, and he assured me that it was. He's a member here, and may see this and expand on it.
Be aware that a frontal head shot on a big cat may cause the bullet to glance off of the rounded skull. A number of men were killed by lions in Africa for that reason. The mane also caused some to think that there was more forehead than there was.
I know of one grizzly put down by a game warden whom it was attacking. He used an S&W M-66, with 158 grain .357 ammo of unspecified brand and type.
The polar bear in the NYC zoo was shot by a cop with a heavy barrel M-10 and lead HP ammo, according to Massad Ayoob. I asked him if he was sure that the ammo was HP, which wasn't allowed in New York cop duty then, and he assured me that it was. He's a member here, and may see this and expand on it.
Be aware that a frontal head shot on a big cat may cause the bullet to glance off of the rounded skull. A number of men were killed by lions in Africa for that reason. The mane also caused some to think that there was more forehead than there was.
J. Galt
US Veteran
+1
A wolf had to be shot at my zoo a couple of years ago. If anyone is wondering, it was with a .45 ACP. Everyone was more upset about the wolf than the idiot woman who put her arm through the fence so she could pet it.
It's not hard to kill a tiger, it's just hard to do before it gets to you!
marvin knox
Member
Jim Corbett killed quite a few tigers in India with a regular 7mm Mauser. A famous ivory hunter (Bell) of the early 20th century killed dozens of African elephants with the same kind of rifle.
Lots of folks have killed lots of things with less than ideal weapons just to say that it can be done. But those weapons are less than ideal and leave no margin for error.
Shot placement is king and you'd better have a back up in case your shooting isn't perfect that day.
Lots of folks have killed lots of things with less than ideal weapons just to say that it can be done. But those weapons are less than ideal and leave no margin for error.
Shot placement is king and you'd better have a back up in case your shooting isn't perfect that day.
SuperTroll
Member
- Joined
- Jan 17, 2009
- Messages
- 34
- Reaction score
- 0
I'm surprised at the comparisons of cougars to tigers. There is really no comparison.
Average Cougar 175 pounds.
Average Tiger 700 pounds.
Next, when Peterson shot the Polar bear...
Polar bear had not seen him.
At about 25 yards, Peterson was able to put five .44 Magnum rounds into the heart/lungs in about seven seconds with the Polar bear still unaware of his location....and the bear just happened to be positioned for perfect shot placement so none of the rounds had to penetrate the shoulder of the bear.
It was dangerous and risky business and it went well because conditions were perfect.
Yes, you can kill a tiger with the .44 Magnum.
Yes, if it was after you, you would be lucky to survive.
Your survival would probably be because you put one in his ear as he chewed your other arm, and you'd probably be scarred for life.
Average Cougar 175 pounds.
Average Tiger 700 pounds.
Next, when Peterson shot the Polar bear...
Polar bear had not seen him.
At about 25 yards, Peterson was able to put five .44 Magnum rounds into the heart/lungs in about seven seconds with the Polar bear still unaware of his location....and the bear just happened to be positioned for perfect shot placement so none of the rounds had to penetrate the shoulder of the bear.
It was dangerous and risky business and it went well because conditions were perfect.
Yes, you can kill a tiger with the .44 Magnum.
Yes, if it was after you, you would be lucky to survive.
Your survival would probably be because you put one in his ear as he chewed your other arm, and you'd probably be scarred for life.
Similar threads
