Back packing gun

I have a Ruger Super Blackhawk Hunter Bisley .44mag that I carry for the backwoods. I'm not sure why but .44mag in SA just shoots easier and less recoil compared to my 629 Magna Classic.
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the SAA clone crip grip frame.. it sort of rolls rather than snaps. I can shoot mine all day and not feel it..
 
I carry S&W 29 6" which i feel perfectly safe with,while i have never had to use it i seen my friend take a bear with a 29, one shot to the chest and it was all over for mr. bear.(gn luver)
 
Bear

Unless shot placement is perfect do not expect the bear to stop. I knew a AK State Police Officer that told someone in a firearms training class that he should grind off the front sight of his .357. When asked why, the officer said it would hurt less when the bear shoved it up his behind.

Talk with AK outdoorsman and you'll find out they carry the biggest, baddest, firearm (rifle, shotgun, pistol) even when they are taking care of basic bodily functions.
 
Blackhawk in 45lc

The 44mag is nice.

45lc is also quite handy. With the blackhawks, you can fire 45lc +P which is a bit easier on the wrists and followup shot than 44magnum.

454 is my FIRST choice for dealing with bears that want to deal with me.

If you are more comfortable with shot placement, but want something for fast followup, then either a S&W or Taurus 8shot .357magnum. Federal American Eagle rounds appear to be the hottest factory rounds I can find. (158gr JSP)

I have handloaded some 180gr 357 that felt like a 45lc +P. (IMHO)

Me, I like having those extra 2 shots... Cause when you need them, you need them.

But then, I don't go around pissing off bears all that often.
 
One of each please

Mossberg 500A with pistol grip, pump .12 GA with slugs and extended tube. Carries like a handgun. For a handgun my standard camping/hiking HG is a Colt Delta 10mm with softpoints heavy and fast...
 
As the owner (and fan) of a .44 Mag Vaquero with companion EMF-Rossi 92, for situations with fair likelihood of aggressive bears, I also like 100A Warlock's list...and the idea of a hotted up .45 round in Blackhawk/Vaquero with a companion Rossi/LSI .454--able to shoot the .45 stuff too (judging from another thread here)--nearby (in camp).
 
If you use a .357, use heavy loads and at least a 4" barrel, better still a 6".

I would use my Vaqueor in .45 Long Colt with heavy hunting loads.

I would also carry some anti-personnel type ammo for 2 leggers - they are your more likely trouble source.

Mark
 
You don't say what your worst case scenario is, something the size of cougars or feral dogs or bear. If the potential is for the Cougars/dogs a your .357 will be fine. For anything larger a .41, .44, or heavy load .45 would be better IMHO. IIRC a 4 5/8 Ruger weighs less that your 686. I seem to recall an account several years back of a Game Warden releasing a live trapped grizzly. He and the bear got tangled up and the warden killed him with six shots from his .357. It worked that time.
 
I have carried all sorts of handguns backpacking in the Whetstones (Cochise County, AZ) But they should be handy, like in a fanny pack that clips over the chest.
 
.357 is marginal on black bear, IMO.....and will get you killed on a grizzley.


If you are in black bear country, its certainly better than nothing....load it up with 200 grain Cor-Bon penetrator and cross your fingers...

Just IMO, YMMV
 
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