Camping, hiking, back country set up

[kid44]

I've assembled what I think may be the perfect camping, hiking and back country setup. 6" L-frame in a Guide's Choice chest holster. 6" may be a bit long but it maximizes the potential of the .357 from a revolver. With the proper load it should handle anything I may encounter, guys with bad intentions, coyote, feral dogs and black bear. A lot of people shun the .357 for black bear, but it was around long before the .44 magnum and it killed plenty of black bear, and bigger game. This set up will most likely become my white tail deer choice, perfect for where I hunt. I'm open to opinions on my choice, and hearing what you may carry for your back country set up.

 

[id260]

I've assembled what I think may be the perfect camping, hiking and back country setup. 6" L-frame in a Guide's Choice chest holster. 6" may be a bit long but it maximizes the potential of the .357 from a revolver. With the proper load it should handle anything I may encounter, guys with bad intentions, coyote, feral dogs and black bear. A lot of people shun the .357 for black bear, but it was around long before the .44 magnum and it killed plenty of black bear, and bigger game. This set up will most likely become my white tail deer choice, perfect for where I hunt. I'm open to opinions on my choice, and hearing what you may carry for your back country set up.

Sounds like a great setup. Potentially easier to shoot accurately with the longer sight radius of the 6”. I’ve only used rifles on bear, but wouldn’t be concerned about the .357. If you are, you could look into hardcast bullets.

I went as light as I could go with a 4” barrel. Seemed like a good compromise. I have a Taurus tracker titanium in .41. Figured I’d be more apt to carry it if it was light. Not much fun to plink with if using mag loads obviously, but I have lighter loads for that.

Can’t go wrong with a .357 for an all-a rounder. I like that you can practice with .38s in your setup. I think you’ve done things right.

 

[kid44]

Sounds like a great setup. Potentially easier to shoot accurately with the longer sight radius of the 6”. I’ve only used rifles on bear, but wouldn’t be concerned about the .357. If you are, you could look into hardcast bullets.

I went as light as I could go with a 4” barrel. Seemed like a good compromise. I have a Taurus tracker titanium in .41. Figured I’d be more apt to carry it if it was light. Not much fun to plink with if using mag loads obviously, but I have lighter loads for that.

Can’t go wrong with a .357 for an all-a rounder. I like that you can practice with .38s in your setup. I think you’ve done things right.

If I thought bears would be an issue I would load a cylinder full of 180 gr hard casts from Buffalo Bore or
Double Tap, anything else gets 158 gr JHP or JSP.

 

[id260]

If I thought bears would be an issue I would load a cylinder full of 180 gr hard casts from Buffalo Bore or
Double Tap, anything else gets 158 gr JHP or JSP.

Yep. That all sounds right to me.

 

[Rob5589]

I have fired hot 180 hard cast from a Ruger. Stuff was beastly to fire. I wouldn't hesitate to carry it.