Your Choice in Field Revolvers

[SLT223]

I happen to like my tapered barrel .44 Magnum. It's lighter than 4" 686 and can launch a 240gr slug over 1000fps if required.

 

[silversnake]

Y'all don't have the lumbering desert tortoises down there like we do....(they're harmless & protected). If someone gets bit by a Gopherus agassizii, they're either incredibly stupid, drunk, stoned or a combo of all three.

What you southern boys have are armor plated pygmy gators!! My grandmother was from E. Texas. She never had any love for those ill tempered, ugly reptilian anachronisms from the Cretaceous period.

On topic, I carry a Beretta 96A1 in the sticks. However, I'm in the process of buying one of the new 586 'Classics' which is LNIB. That too will have some field use.

What is the best ammo for shooting a snapping turtle? Do I need a hard cast bullet at high velocity to pierce its armor? Last thing I'd want is a hollow point to deform on the shell, and do no damage.

 

[M29since14]

Here in Indiana I relied on either a Model 19 or a Model 34 for most of my woodsloafing. When the stainless guns came along, eventually I was able to retire those guns in favor of stainless versions of the same thing, though I was never as pleased with my Model 63 as I was with the Model 34. I don't believe my 63 shot as well as I hoped it would. As to the 66, no complaints. Mine was a -1 version and I was always well satisfied with it. Out west I would take my .45 Commander because it was so light and handy, and where I was there was always plenty of other gun-horsepower close by. Once one of my western friends, who was not impressed with my Commander, insisted on loaning me something he thought more suitable (his old .45 Blackhawk, which I liked - sort of ), and my old Model 29 did make one trip out that way. It was heavy, but manageable. All of them were great guns to have along.

 

[Shark Bait]

I admit that I have a decent assortment to choose from, but I guess my primary choices would be the 686-4+ or the 629-4, both with 4 inch barrels. Covers most requirements.

629-4:

 

[Scott B.]

What is the best ammo for shooting a snapping turtle? Do I need a hard cast bullet at high velocity to pierce its armor? Last thing I'd want is a hollow point to deform on the shell, and do no damage.

Turtles are headshots only. Don't mess up what little meat they have.

 

[Scott B.]

Instead of telling you which of your guns would be good I'll just generalize my response. In my opinion a 3-6 inch barrel stainless 357 Magnum with a minimum of 6 shots would be nearly ideal. There are many others available that will also work but I am looking at the whole spectrum. That includes the cost of ammunition, availability of ammunition, cost of the holster and holsters available. You want something that is reasonably economic yet enough to handle whatever danger you come across. A black bear with cubs nearby can be nearly as formidable as a grizzly if she believes you pose a danger to her cubs. My grandpa was chased up a tree by one in Virginia. All he had was a single shot shotgun with birdshot. A few birdshot to the face and the black decided to go elsewhere. Also in today's society a bear may be the least of your troubles. The criminal element can now be found in the woods as well as the street corner. Also while I don't like the idea of putting down a dog there are more dogs around than bear. Some are sweet and friendly, others can be vicious, and others can be rabid. Use good judgement no matter what you carry in the woods.

I got my selection sorted out. Just wanted to hear about yours. Thanks for posting not only your opinion (which I agree with 100%) but also the story about your Grandpa. Pretty cool!

 

[Muley Gil]

I was wondering the same thing....why shoot turtles? Snakes yes, but only when absolutely necessary.

I'm guessing you have never had a catfish pond. Turtles will wipe out the fish population in no time.

 

[ColbyBruce]

Big turtle population in Atlanta? Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

The population holds it's own despite the best efforts of concerned citizens. I had a neighbor lose a beagle puppy to a snapping turtle on Lake Sinclair in 2015.

 

[JohnRippert]

For me at least, a "field gun" is a 6inch revolver in either .22 or .38 that I carry to plink whilst wandering around the back 40. With that as a caveat, I personally would take a K38 Masterpiece.

 

[shell627]

My favorite woods carry guns are my 625-9 mountain gun or a ss Ruger Blackhawk in 45 colt.Probably backed up with a 640 in the pocket.

 

[JohnRippert]

I was wondering the same thing....why shoot turtles? Snakes yes, but only when absolutely necessary.

When I used to spend a lot of time out at my roommate's grandfather's ranch he asked me to pop as many turtles as I could. They were getting too many of the younger fish. I would also kill any cottonmouths that I could find. The stock tanks were swimming and fishing holes for kids and adults alike.

 

[muddocktor]

I was wondering the same thing....why shoot turtles? Snakes yes, but only when absolutely necessary.

Turtles taste good when fixed right. That's one good reason. And Muss posted a second good reason for turtles too.

 

[Abbynormal]

Here in Indiana, for normal woods walking, I pack my K-22 6" with 2 rat shot and 4 .22LR HP.

When camping, a 4" M-28 w/.357 (2 hand loaded Rat shot and 4 125 gr Fed 357-2 factory loads and when hunting, a 6" M-27 with either 158 gr HP or HP cast handload.

In areas out West, below 5K feet a 6" M-29 with Buffalo Bore 240 gr HP and above 5K altitude, a M-629-4 Mountain Gun with Buffalo Bore 240 gr Solid .44 Magnums.

Note: I also carry 4 speed loaders to balance me on the left side whenever I pack a revolver!

 

[Det-Sog]

Depends... For light hiking where there are no big clawed or fanged critters, I keep my ultra light PD 340 with 5 x .357 handy. Don't even know it's there.

For deep woods with big critters, I'll be packing a 629 v-comp.

 

[3S16]

I'm pretty much "Old School" - because I'm really old. I have quite a few older S&W revolvers, but my go to woods walking gun is my Model 58 .41 magnum. I down load it to a comfort level that I like. It carries nicely and will be adequate for cottontails to T-Rex.
Plus - I really like the way it carries

 

[.455_Hunter]

In just the past week, my field revolver has varied from a 1908 production Colt New Service in .38 WCF to a 2017 production Ruger Bisley Blackhawk in .44 Special.

 

[silversnake]

Turtles are headshots only. Don't mess up what little meat they have.

Looks like I'll have to start practicing... The head could be a hard target if one of them charges. Good thing snapping turtles can't hide in the shell.

 

[hkcavalier]

I'm with the OP. Stainless revolvers for the field.

Pics are toast with the whole Photobucket debacle. 686-4 Plus 6" and a 629-3 5" Classic, depending on the type of country and what I might run into.

 

[roguegamma]

There are plenty of black bears,mountain lions and illegal pot grows in the mountains of Southern Oregon. Consequently, when I did wildlife surveys back in the '90's I would carry a stainless Ruger Police Service Six, 2.75 inch barrel in .357 magnum. I usually carried the revolver wrapped in a bandana and placed in the inside pocket of my cruiser vest. Given the less-than-ideal carry method, I always wondered if I would be able to access the Ruger in a timely manner. I got my answer the day I was picking my way through a thick jungle of manzanita and a bear, or maybe a sasquatch, exploded from its hiding place about ten feet away and started tearing through the thicket. I had that revolver in hand with the hammer back pretty much instantly and kept it there until I figured out that the bear was charting a course away from me.

 

[mazer]

For field carry, I always carry a 44mag, doesn't matter if the biggest thing I will run into is a black bear or a gopher!
So if I'm hiking, it's my S&W Backpacker with 44spl, a mix of expanders and lead penetrators in the 200gr range. When hunting, in the Carolinas I bring my Ruger Alaskan 44mag as backup with nothing but 44mags with 240gr SWC's. The Ruger is a LOT heavier than the Backpacker, but you can shoot 44mags all day long with it and it is very accurate out to 25yds, you can shoot a man size target out to 100yds, but you need to be relaxed and leaning against a tree to make that shot reliably! I am considering a chest rig for my new S&W PC XVR with 7.5" bbl, but the 460S&W is LOUD...not sure I'd want to shoot that without any hearing protection, but when hunting Mountain lions and Black Bears, it's a great firearm that I wouldn't feel undergunned with. Heck, the noise alone might scare any critters away! Of course, this is only as a backup to my Rifle which has never failed me yet!