It all depends on perceived needs. If you want a gun in the event of two-legged emergencies that find you, most any K frame 4" in .357 Magnum will do. It's pretty much what the police carried for decades. If you're concerned about large animals such as grizzlies, you'll need a much more potent handgun starting with the 41 Magnum and up.

For years, I carried a Model 65 3" round butt while deer hunting or studying my hunting grounds prior to deer season. We only had black bears to be mindful of.