Author Topic: Which handi would Jeremiah choose? (Read 1505 times)

Muddy05 · « **on:** June 02, 2005, 02:18:17 AM »

If Jeremiah Johnson were still around today and wanted to trade his Hawken for a Handi-rifle, which would it be and what caliber would he choose??

EVOC ONE · « **Reply #1 on:** June 02, 2005, 02:55:01 AM »

As I recall, he started out with a .45 cal until he happened across Hatchet Jack's .50 Hawken. So he liked the big bores.

Now. If he had the opportunity to choose a modern cartridge, he would be inclined to choose the one that offers the biggest bullet, with the biggest thump downrange. In a Handi, that would include the .30-06, .35 Whelen, .45-70 or .450 Marlin. The '06 and .35 offer long range thump that the .45's cant, yet the biggest bullet he may be able to use would be a 220gr - 250gr. But, Jeremiah was from the era of big, slow moving bullets. As described in the movie "he was a man of sound mind and proper wit". The movie also portrayed him as a quiet, responsible and determined individual. He was a good tracker and knew where to go to find game. That in mind, he may not need beyond 200yd capabilities. It would seem that when he found something that worked, he stuck with it. So I think he would lean toward the Marlin.

EVOC ONE

TheCrowkiller · « **Reply #2 on:** June 02, 2005, 04:20:51 AM »

The Liver-Eater started out with a .30, the only thing available when he was outfitting himself. I think he would find any cartridge rifle of reasonable power an improvement.

LAREDOBOB · « **Reply #3 on:** June 02, 2005, 10:34:07 AM »

Jerimiah has always been my hero. I want to be just like him when I grow up (58 now) I tried to be like him but the wife would'nt let me wipe meat drippins in my hair, and insisted that i bathe daily

:-D :-D

Paul5388 · « **Reply #4 on:** June 02, 2005, 12:46:33 PM »

I would have to think he would be looking for that illusive 35 Whelen. It's a different world today and the shorter shots available in his day don't happen nearly as often today. 250 gr jacketed bullets are pretty common, but cast may go higher in weight. That's over 1/2 ounce and I doubt a .50 cal round ball would be any heavier than that weight.

Yep, the Whelen is flat enough and heavy enough to take on whatever you encounter in North America!

spikehorn · « **Reply #5 on:** July 10, 2009, 03:03:53 PM »

He would also be thinkin bout puttin a hurtin on Griz and droppin buffalo so that said 45-70 444 or 450 in that order!

mechanic · « **Reply #6 on:** July 10, 2009, 03:57:22 PM »

There is absolutely no doubt he would want a Buffalo Classic, and when he sold a good load of pelts, he would probably have it reamed to 45-120. That way if he could line them up right he could shoot two griz. at once.

mitchell · « **Reply #7 on:** July 10, 2009, 04:01:15 PM »

Quote from: mechanic on July 10, 2009, 03:57:22 PM

There is absolutely no doubt he would want a Buffalo Classic, and when he sold a good load of pelts, he would probably have it reamed to 45-120. That way if he could line them up right he could shoot two griz. at once.

+1 not a doubt in my mind

fredster22 · « **Reply #8 on:** July 10, 2009, 04:42:57 PM »

I do believe a 45/70 would have made him very happy and let him sleep at night! Fredster22

holahead · « **Reply #9 on:** July 10, 2009, 05:43:55 PM »

I am pretty sure he would have wanted a 45-70.

maglvr44 · « **Reply #10 on:** July 10, 2009, 05:58:43 PM »

If he had any sense, and was still living in grizzly country he would choose a rifled 12ga. with a Dixie slug in the tube!

trotterlg · « **Reply #11 on:** July 10, 2009, 08:23:11 PM »

Just because he would not know what to do with a cartridge if it bit him on the ass, he would probably have picked a .58 Huntsman. Larry

jeepmann1948 · « **Reply #12 on:** July 10, 2009, 11:42:55 PM »

with his reported trouble with the Indians , I reckon he would carry an AK47 and lots of loaded clips. The much toted M16 would give to many problems in his environment.Quantity would be a requirement of necessity

jeepmann1948 · « **Reply #13 on:** July 10, 2009, 11:47:05 PM »

Sorry hit the wrong button (comes with age)
That being said about firepower, He (in my opinion) would carry a 30-06 Handi same reasoning , Reliability,power,available ammo,and a proven track record

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #14 on:** July 11, 2009, 01:56:19 AM »

308 , key word is carry !

tykempster · « **Reply #15 on:** July 11, 2009, 03:39:43 AM »

Maybe I'm this Jeremiah guy's kin!

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #16 on:** July 11, 2009, 05:12:30 AM »

Not me he was on the run and ate human parts . Also he was a cold blooded killer . And would appear to have a mental disorder . Interesting fellow but no hero or role model .
Then again looking around at todays role models , he just may have been born before his time !

n2light · « **Reply #17 on:** July 11, 2009, 06:25:40 AM »

Quote from: SHOOTALL on July 11, 2009, 05:12:30 AM

Not me he was on the run and ate human parts . Also he was a cold blooded killer . And would appear to have a mental disorder . Interesting fellow but no hero or role model .
Then again looking around at todays role models , he just may have been born before his time !

Yes, the legends!! JJ was the early adopter of Psych Ops!!

My pick is whatever everyone else is shooting, so he can reload the common available brass of the day...308

Empty Quiver · « **Reply #18 on:** July 11, 2009, 07:00:51 AM »

Now remember, he would be carrying this thing and all the ammo. I would not be suprised in the least to see a .223 or more likely a .243 in his hand. I've read many stories of the Inuets and other Northern Indians using .243 in volume to take anything walking. The man would have been a good tracker, so letting a bullet work a bit isn't a big deal. As a fur trader you can't sell bullet holes for as much as undamaged hides. Think about the speed of a cartridge reloading verses that Hawken. I'll bet on 3 .243 rounds over a single .50 round ball in a grizzly. I think he would be pretty dang impressed with a .22mag for that matter.

billy_56081 · « **Reply #19 on:** July 11, 2009, 07:03:07 AM »

Quote from: SHOOTALL on July 11, 2009, 05:12:30 AM

Not me he was on the run and ate human parts . Also he was a cold blooded killer . And would appear to have a mental disorder . Interesting fellow but no hero or role model .
Then again looking around at todays role models , he just may have been born before his time !

It is claimed that John Johnston, aka known as liver eating Jeramiah Johnson never did eat an indians liver. It was reported that he slashed an indian across the abdomen in a fight and the indians liver was stuck on the end of his knife and the other indians took it as he was eating the livers. This at the time put great fear in the local indians and that was a good thing at the time. John Johnston actually went on to a law enforcment career later in life and killed 2 indian braves on night that were drunk and fighing when he grabbed both by the headand cracked thier heads together.

Datil · « **Reply #20 on:** July 11, 2009, 07:50:38 AM »

Aw Hell he would have all, That he could get. Datil

Skunk · « **Reply #21 on:** July 11, 2009, 07:56:55 AM »

I agree with Paul. Jeremiah would fall head over heals for a 35 Whelen. Probably even make his liver quiver.

Spanky · « **Reply #22 on:** July 11, 2009, 08:26:37 AM »

I think he would choose something in a pistol caliber.
He could carry alot more ammo with the pistol calibers.

Spanky

Sourdough · « **Reply #23 on:** July 11, 2009, 02:07:39 PM »

The only time he shot much was when attacked by Indians. Back then people did not waste shot and powder on game they could take with traps, snares, or deadfalls. They even built traps for bears, I don't mean the leg hold type either, but log ones big enough for the bear to go inside and the door close, and strong enough to hold one.

Therefore the main factor in determining cartridge would be for protection. Up close and personal. I'd opt for the 45-70. Yes the 30-06 is my favorite, and the .35 Whelen is my second favorite. That is in todays world. For back then I feel there was a whole different standard.

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #24 on:** July 13, 2009, 06:48:18 AM »

billy where did you get that imfo ? I have watched 2 documentrys (SPL.) and read several historical accounts and thats the first time i heard that . It would be nice to read it .

billy_56081 · « **Reply #25 on:** July 13, 2009, 08:18:31 AM »

Do a search on John Johnston liver eating and you will come up with a ton of stuff. Where I read it I am unsure it was in a magazine many many years ago and I have a very very good memory for things like that.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liver-Eating_Johnson

Try this wiki reference efor a start.

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #26 on:** July 13, 2009, 08:51:33 AM »

Thanks i tried the link .

spacer · « **Reply #27 on:** July 13, 2009, 10:04:24 AM »

Quote from: jeepmann1 on July 10, 2009, 11:42:55 PM

with his reported trouble with the Indians , I reckon he would carry an AK47 and lots of loaded clips. The much toted M16 would give to many problems in his environment.Quantity would be a requirement of necessity

While I'd agree that a bunch of stripper clips would provide a better weight/round density for packing purposes, I'd probably carry at least a few magazines, too.

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #28 on:** July 13, 2009, 10:55:59 AM »

If you don't fight fair and trap or fish to eat you don't need as much ammo !