yooperpat
Member
No Griz around here. I carry a 624 loaded heavy with 250 LSWC most of the time. Close to home walks I often carry a 60-4.
What's YOUR Pick for a Woods Gun?? Play Along Please...
- Thread starter Nalapombu
- Start date
Whenever there is a 'bear' post, I always put up these links to add a little perspective from someone with first hand experience (JJHack posts): Model 29 Mountain - Topic
Lucky guy: Bear Killed in Self Defense with Ruger .454 Casull Revolver - Takdriver's Forum
For a little more perspective, I lived in SE Alaska home of the really big browns, back in the day before the time of the S&W .500's or Ruger Alaskan .454. I started out carrying a 6.5" M29, and quickly realized how the extra barrel length just slowed everything down. I quickly switched to a 4". My buddies carried Ruger Blackhawks with 7.5" barrels, in western rigs....and I felt sorry for them! As for long guns (Marlin .444 and a shotgun in my case), we always had some in camp, but nobody ever volunteered to carry one while hiking!
Lighting is all important as well! Most nasty wildlife stuff goes down at night, so you better have lighting along with your weapons.
Also, more folks are killed by cattle every year than by bears, so even if you aren't in 'bear' country, keep that in mind. Particularly in the west, you can run into free ranging cattle almost anywhere.
Lucky guy: Bear Killed in Self Defense with Ruger .454 Casull Revolver - Takdriver's Forum
For a little more perspective, I lived in SE Alaska home of the really big browns, back in the day before the time of the S&W .500's or Ruger Alaskan .454. I started out carrying a 6.5" M29, and quickly realized how the extra barrel length just slowed everything down. I quickly switched to a 4". My buddies carried Ruger Blackhawks with 7.5" barrels, in western rigs....and I felt sorry for them! As for long guns (Marlin .444 and a shotgun in my case), we always had some in camp, but nobody ever volunteered to carry one while hiking!
Lighting is all important as well! Most nasty wildlife stuff goes down at night, so you better have lighting along with your weapons.
Also, more folks are killed by cattle every year than by bears, so even if you aren't in 'bear' country, keep that in mind. Particularly in the west, you can run into free ranging cattle almost anywhere.
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riversalmon
Member
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Here in Idaho most of what I would get a shot at, has been handled by a shortened 1917 45AR . I've found as years go by I like to pack less weight . A 4in '17 weighs a tad more than a 66 but has bigger holes. The 238gr Keith SWC around 850fps works well, even on some bigger stuff.
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SgtSam
Member
Well, not particularly caring for the traditional big boomers (.44Mag, and up, etc), I would have to pick:
1. S&W M25 in .45 Colt (using some of the hotter loadings available, not the hottest)
2. Ruger Redhawk in .45 Colt (using the best loadings available)
3. Ruger Bisley Blackhawk in .45 Colt (using the best loadings available)
4. Ruger Blackhawk in .357 Mag (using the best loadings available)
5. (Distant 5th just to include autos) Any of the strong 10mm platforms (Delta Elite, Glock, S&W 1006)
Why the .45 Colt? From all that I have dug up on the internet, the .45 Colt can be loaded to equal .44 Mag in a modern gun like the newer S&W M25s, with less recoil due to less pressure generated by the loading. In a gun like the Rugers, the round can be loaded to fully out perform the .44 Mag, still with less recoil. Less recoil means more gun control and better follow-up shots.
The Ruger .357 Blackhawk can stand using the "rifle" loadings and almost, if not all of the Buffalo Bore, and equivalent, loadings. Those make this .357 something to behold. However, there is the recoil issue which gets to be quite high in that load arena.
The 10mm: Well, let's just say; If you must use an auto, that's reasonably comfortable to carry, then 10mm is about it. But, you'd better be a damn good shot, and able to follow up that first good shot with several more just as good. And be using the hottest 10mm stuff available. Even then, I really wouldn't want to depend on it with some of the creatures mentioned.
So, that's this old fart's opinion on the matter, even though I really didn't care!
1. S&W M25 in .45 Colt (using some of the hotter loadings available, not the hottest)
2. Ruger Redhawk in .45 Colt (using the best loadings available)
3. Ruger Bisley Blackhawk in .45 Colt (using the best loadings available)
4. Ruger Blackhawk in .357 Mag (using the best loadings available)
5. (Distant 5th just to include autos) Any of the strong 10mm platforms (Delta Elite, Glock, S&W 1006)
Why the .45 Colt? From all that I have dug up on the internet, the .45 Colt can be loaded to equal .44 Mag in a modern gun like the newer S&W M25s, with less recoil due to less pressure generated by the loading. In a gun like the Rugers, the round can be loaded to fully out perform the .44 Mag, still with less recoil. Less recoil means more gun control and better follow-up shots.
The Ruger .357 Blackhawk can stand using the "rifle" loadings and almost, if not all of the Buffalo Bore, and equivalent, loadings. Those make this .357 something to behold. However, there is the recoil issue which gets to be quite high in that load arena.
The 10mm: Well, let's just say; If you must use an auto, that's reasonably comfortable to carry, then 10mm is about it. But, you'd better be a damn good shot, and able to follow up that first good shot with several more just as good. And be using the hottest 10mm stuff available. Even then, I really wouldn't want to depend on it with some of the creatures mentioned.
So, that's this old fart's opinion on the matter, even though I really didn't care!
gunblade
Member
M66 4" for anything less than a brown bear, 629 4" when in brown bear country. I don't use my M66 much up here and usually carry the 629 with 300 grain solids at about 1250fps.
geneboy
Member
pepper spray,
VaRecon
Member
I would feel safe with my 4in 66, but ideally I would probably go with a model 57 to pack a little more punch.
1911bphil
Member
I would carry my Ruger Blackhawk 45C w/ a 4 5/8" barrel loaded to the max that I feel comfortable shooting. No one has mentioned a Thompson. You could have a real rifle cartridge in a handgun. Would a single shot be bad? I think the advantages out-weigh the negatives.
Smith357
US Veteran
A field gun in Grizzly territory and I'm not allowed a 12 gauge riot gun loaded with slugs, ...a 629 Mountain Gun.
Andy Taylor
Member
M25 .45Colt-4"
S&W 10
Member
I've never felt under-gunned while carrying a good 'ol basic Model 58 in the field, but then again we don't have tooooo many Grizzlies around here.
I would have to go with my plan ole 4"29, Got a 500, but I love my 29 and it carries great!
GF
Member
A .22 cal is all the handgun you need.
But I guess a 4 inch 44 mag can be loaded, or downloaded to 44 spl. to meet any needs you might need for a "woods gun".
GF
But I guess a 4 inch 44 mag can be loaded, or downloaded to 44 spl. to meet any needs you might need for a "woods gun".
GF
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thomasinaz
US Veteran
If in big bear country; a 454 of some kind like the BFR or Casull. If in "normal" country then a 625 MG in 45 Colt with hard cast SWCs....
Sir, for the critters and conditions described, I'd opt for a .45 Colt, probably a short Ruger Blackhawk with warm (but not "Linebaugh") loads.
A cast 250 around 1,000 fps has a good record for penetration and is also about the upper limit of what I can place accurately at a distance. A well-placed .45 does me more good than a miss (or worse, a bad hit) with a .500 mag.
Lack of grizzlies would not change my choice.
JMHO, FWIW.
Hope this helps, and Semper Fi.
Ron H.
A cast 250 around 1,000 fps has a good record for penetration and is also about the upper limit of what I can place accurately at a distance. A well-placed .45 does me more good than a miss (or worse, a bad hit) with a .500 mag.
Lack of grizzlies would not change my choice.
JMHO, FWIW.
Hope this helps, and Semper Fi.
Ron H.
G.T. Smith
US Veteran
I totally agree, almost
Here in the Ozark Mountains, which is much different than your imaginary scenario, I generally carry a .38 snubby. That would surely stop, or turn, a frenzied herd of stampeding wild turkeys
be careful out there,
Gordon
I would carry the same thing but mine has the 4" barrel. and I would carry it for all the same reasons, plus, I am not really that good of a shot with the bigger calibers. My M-65 is very accurate and I would think that with a 158 gr. Hornady XTP placed where you're looking would do the job.
Here in the Ozark Mountains, which is much different than your imaginary scenario, I generally carry a .38 snubby. That would surely stop, or turn, a frenzied herd of stampeding wild turkeys
be careful out there,
Gordon
a good pair of running shoes and a one leg companion.
