Will my SKS do the trick?

[mokin]

Unless you want to do some plinking with a rifle, I'd leave it behind. There isn't much ammo around these days. One thing I didn't notice anybody mention is that bears are likely (hopefully) hibernating. Your Glock should accommodate most other situations.

Enjoy your stay!

 

[Phantom 309]

^^^ .455 speaks the truth. If you're gonna carry some extra weight at altitude make it water, some snacks with nutritional value, chapstick, sunglasses, and clothing in layers. Do not forget the sunglasses. You're gonna be just fine with your Glock. Have fun!

 

[.455_Hunter]

Just looked it up... Idaho Springs is 30 miles away from downtown Denver. Google has it as a 25 min drive away from a couple subdivisions and a Home Depot. Definitely not out-in-the-boonies rifle country.

When I was camping or motorbiking in backwoods Idaho, I'd carry a handgun on me (to be honest, it's the only time I carry a handgun), but even there I never felt like I needed a long gun. And that close to Denver, you're going to see a lot fewer wild animals and a lot more spooked CA transplants warily eyeing your SKS.

Mostly correct.

There are PLENTY of wild animals in the Colorado urban/mountain interface. I live in the middle of it. However, there is much more to the equation of what gets carried on a hike. For 99.999% of the population who hikes, a pistol of reasonable performance than can be concealed on the Open Space trails and OC'ed on the NF trails, if you wish, is perfectly fine. If the OP said he was car camping in July, I would say bring the rifle, because it doesn't hurt anything to have in your campsite, and the bears could be more of an issue.

 

[Ignition Override]

Maybe don't be seen carrying a rifle Back to any building, where somebody might then watch you leave on an errand and break in for a Free Gun.
Or watch for you to leave the next day.

If you return with a rifle to a remote area with no strangers aware of where you are staying, then ok.

 

[Hog huntin Harry]

Loaded with quality soft points of tough construction like the Federal Fusion 123 grain 7.62x39 you'll be set. I myself would use a Remington model 7 chambered in 7mm-08 loaded with Federal 150 grain Power Shoks and topped off with a 1-4x scope.

 

[.455_Hunter]

Loaded with quality soft points of tough construction like the Federal Fusion 123 grain 7.62x39 you'll be set. I myself would use a Remington model 7 chambered in 7mm-08 loaded with Federal 150 grain Power Shoks and topped off with a 1-4x scope.

You would carry that on a 10 mile round trip hike starting at 8000 feet with a 3000 foot delta?

 

[Hog huntin Harry]

You would carry that on a 10 mile round trip hike starting at 8000 feet with a 3000 foot delta?

Yes sir I would

 

[Caplock]

Don't plan on any fun shooting. Been fire bans all year long. No campfires or shooting.

 

[.455_Hunter]

Yes sir I would

Well OK then.

 

[Hog huntin Harry]

Well OK then.

Would you rather I said I'd use a Kimber Mountain Ascent ?

 

[JCooperfan1911]

No.

While the cartridge is decent in terms of power, the poor magazine capacity of 10 rounds puts it out of the running as a defensive weapon.

Keep in mind an attacker could have 30 or more rounds for his AR15 yet you’ll be stuck with just 33% of his firepower. They are very slow to load as well and no fun when the charger jams (often).

I enjoy my SKS for what it is now, a plinking weapon. It can also be used for hunting but it has been totally obsolete for defensive use for decades.

 

[bearcreek]

I’m LE so mag capacity shouldn’t be an issue. If it is we’re closer to communism than I thought!

In a free society, the fact that you're LE shouldn't make the slightest bit if difference. I don't think there's anything in CO law that grants exceptions to the mag capacity rules to non resident, off duty LE.

 

[JCooperfan1911]

You are aware that your SKS can do anything a 30-30 can do right??

Not true,

The .30-30 is much more potent than the .30 Russian Short and has the ability to fire far heavier bullets with a flat profile for increased wounding. Reliability is also superior to any automatic rifle, and there would be no comparison in terms of accuracy. The SKS is simply not an accurate arm. The lever gun would not be ideal, though, if needed for defense against two legged threats.

 

[bearcreek]

Keep in mind an attacker could have 30 or more rounds for his AR15 yet you’ll be stuck with just 33% of his firepower. They are very slow to load as well and no fun when the charger jams (often).

What if his "attacker" has an Ares Shrike with a 200 rd belt? For his hikes around Denver, it's probably too dangerous to bring anything less than an M240.

 

[P5 Guy]

.30-30 Winchester vs 7.62x39mm Ammo Comparison - Ballistics Info & Cha – Foundry Outdoors
"Furthermore, the muzzle energy of a .30-30 Winchester round averages out to 1890 ft-lb, while a 7.62x39mm round averages out to about 1590 ft-lb."

 

[Robert]

Well this went off the rails rather quickly...