Mountain Pistols?

[badkneesbro]

I find myself in total agreement with Snyd. Seems there are millions of experts on the internet on this subject, but only a few that have really studied, experimented or experienced what we are talkin about here. Its pretty hard to argue with experts like John Linebaugh, Randy Garret or John Taffin, & their writings are easy to google.

 

[Daniel_M]

http://www.customsixguns.com/writings/common_sense_handgun_hunting.htm[/url]

Snyd,
What part of that doesn't apply to an animal?

It's the same reason why guides don't hunt brown bears with a .22. Same reason why you don't hunt elk/moose/deer with small game heads. Back country defense with 124 gr against a coyote or lemming might be the ticket, but the comparison here is black bears and other 300#+ game.

Mass and penetration.

Clear as mud?

 

[Snyd]

Snyd in your opinion what would you take to the woods a 357 mag with 200gr casts or a 10mm with casts disregarding preference for wheel guns over auto just on straight performance? Been debating between the two but haven't had much time to research cast loads and ballistics between the two.

Well I'll say this. MY opinion doesn't matter and really ain't worth a hill of beans. I've tried to become a student of handgunners that paved the way and figured out all this stuff. I try to point others that direction. I've then applied those findings to my own world. For me that's been casting, loading and shooting 45's... 45 auto, 45 Colt ( standard and Ruger only loads), 454 Casull and soon to be 500 Linebaugh. Well, and 38 spec for plinkin. I continue to seek to learn.

I have no experience with the 10mm but guys like Daniel and some others have killed with them. A local guy here who used to work with Fish and Game who has dispatched hundreds of moose and bear both griz and blackies and is on the board of NRA, teaches local handgun and bear defense classes always goes back to the Ruger GP100 with 180gr cast boolits. He says most people can't accuratly shoot much more than that. I tend to beleive him. I'd say his opinion matters and makes sense for one that does not shoot a lot. Also, he like myself believe that the revolver is more reliable and easier to deal with in the field for most people. I realize servicemen run autos but they also receive a lot of training in what to do when they run into problems. A revolver is a no brainer. Pull the trigger or cock the hammer and pull the trigger.

It seems to me that for woods defense and/or hunting that a guy might as well carry the largest caliber in a firearm that he is willing to carry. And load it with the heaviest boolit practical for that cartridge. For example. If you are willing to pack a 7.5" Ruger Blackhawk it might as well be in a 45 Colt instead of a 357. Why? The 45 Colt in the Ruger will shoot up to a 360gr .452 at 1200fps and do it at lower chamber pressure than a 300gr 44mag. It will punch a larger, longer hole which give us more margin for error in an "oh shit" moment. I'd rather have the 360gr .452 hitting hide, muscle and bone off angle than a 180 or 200gr .358. the beeger heavier boolit will make a beeger looonger hole. More chance of hitting cns. And more than likely 2 holes. 2 large holes will bleed more than one small one. Dont' forget fat on a critter like a bear, it can close up up a small hole in a hurry and stop that small, light bullet from getting where it needs to be. Having said that, a guy needs to be able to shoot, that's why I cast and load my own. Price Corbon, Buffalo Bore or other handgun hunting ammo and it's spendy. It'd cost a pretty penny to shoot 2 or 300 pounds of lead using that ammo.

If a guy is dead set on packing an auto then might as well shoot the 10 but why stop there? Why not shoot a 45 win mag? 300gr .452 at 1100ish. Or a Desert Eagle 50 AE? I'll stick with the wheelguns.

My next gun is a custom 500 Linebaugh in a Ruger Blackhawk 5.5 inch barrel and is being built. .510 525gr at about 1000-1100 fps or 450 gr at up to 1400 and it's a 30,000psi cartridge. Should be fun! well and maybe a little painful

 

[Daniel_M]

It seems to me that for woods defense and/or hunting that a guy might as well carry the largest caliber he can shoot accurately and consistently. And load it with the heaviest boolit practical for that cartridge.

Snyd I fixed it for yah!

 

[badkneesbro]

Snyd, I hope when u get that hand cannon, youll give us a detailed review complete with the weight of that gun, & just how much it hurts.

 

[ohhiitznik]

I use a .44 Ruger Super Redhawk Alaskan. I feel confident when I carry it and I can shoot it decently well. I have a hogue grip that allows me to use my big hands to keep it steady during multiple shots.

 

[desertcj]

I use a .44 Ruger Super Redhawk Alaskan. I feel confident when I carry it and I can shoot it decently well. I have a hogue grip that allows me to use my big hands to keep it steady during multiple shots.

This is what I have my eye on! I'd like to go find a range that has one and try shooting it first. I don't have huge meat hooks, but I'm no girl either...

 

[Snyd]

Snyd, I hope when u get that hand cannon, youll give us a detailed review complete with the weight of that gun, & just how much it hurts.

Check this gal...

[video=youtube_share;SKO2po9nnVI]http://youtu.be/SKO2po9nnVI[/video]

 

[brucemt]

Snyd has it right. Forget the people popguns. My favorite packable pistol is the taurus tracker 44 mag. It's a 5 shot, built on a smaller frame than the full size smiths. Has a ported barrel. Nice grip that fits my medium hands. handles like a 357 smith, size and balance wise. AND, is NOT painful to shoot. Also can be found for 500 or under with a little searching.

 

[gethuntin]

Snyd, I appreciate the reply. I already have a GP100 in a 6" barrel. Not the most backpackable option but I already own it so it may do for this year. Otherwise I would like to pick up a 10 or 44. I have shot and carried the 44 mag with some Buffalo Bore loads but it was in a Smith 629 with 7.5" barrel and after the 3rd day I left it in the tent. I was leaning towards the 10 because the smaller 44 mags that I would actually carry are a bit harder to find and cost quite abit more than a Glock 20 but looking at the ballistics 44 wins hands down and yeah they push a lot heavier bullet!

 

[Spike_Sniper]

I love the 10mm. Even sold my 44 cuz I never carry it any more. The glock 20 is a bit heavy and bulky so I opt for the 29. It's the sub compact 10mm. It's not great for distance like the 20 but perfect for in the tent and carry. With the 10mm round I like 180 grains. Not the biggest but my glocks shoot it well. For non backpack trips I like the glock 20. The 10mm is not a 44mag more like a 41.

 

[Spike_Sniper]

Also the 454 in the Alaskan is on my list to get someday.

 

[coastalyeti]

I'm certainly not an expert, but.. I have a Ruger 44 mag too, but it's the 1897 Bisley, with a "7 barrel. And sure, the damn thing is heavy, but for a tank, handles more like a Peacemaker, or a Scofield because of the different angle of the 'moment' or whatever you call the top part of the grip.
I Really like it. And have had my Blackhawk toting friends Really like it too. Trades have been offered, but declined.
My point is: it's huge, but it handles well, and in an "oh shit" moment, you kinda LIKE that weight. Feels Solid. Like, Hope.
Hell, you might think it slows down the shakes even! Try one. What's a good nights sleep worth? At least a few pounds. And it's nice to look at too.

 

[rye_a]

I carry a S&W 329PD in the back country with Hornady cast hunting rounds. It is a full N frame but only weighs 25 oz. with the Hogue grip that comes with it recoil isn't too bad and follow up shots are very possible.

 

[nwcassels]

For those S&W 329 PD fans and others carrying the larger/heavier revolvers, what is your carry method with a pack on? I currently have a SBH in 44 Mag shooting 290gr hardcast lead bullets, but end up with my G27 in a Blackhawks Serpa because I haven't found a good way to carry the big gun while wearing my Eberlestock. Good thread and thanks everybody for the insight.

 

[badkneesbro]

For those S&W 329 PD fans and others carrying the larger/heavier revolvers, what is your carry method with a pack on? I currently have a SBH in 44 Mag shooting 290gr hardcast lead bullets, but end up with my G27 in a Blackhawks Serpa because I haven't found a good way to carry the big gun while wearing my Eberlestock. Good thread and thanks everybody for the insight.

I carry a ruger bh .45 in a "Simply Rugged" pancake holster threaded on to my waistbelt of my ku3700 & I hardly know its there. This holster will put some serious holster marks on your gun though.

 

[Trout bum]

I keep my S&W 329pd in a leather CQC Holster (blackhawk.com) on my hip on a KUIU belt. It rides below my KU3700 or Longhunter waist belt just fine. Used to carry it with an Eberlestock X1 the same way. The 329pd is light so I can carry it on a low profile webbed belt comfortably with a pack. Hope that helps.

 

[Hunt'nFish]

First let me say I'm lower 48, so no big bears.
My general woods carry gun belt is a 1911 w/ .45 Super conversion and handloaded 230gr XTP's at 1150fps. (I used to make and sell 45 conversion kits.) I took a doe with it once at 25yds, clean broadside pass through. Last year I got a rd into a cougar at 50yds, but unfortunately we could only find a couple drops of bloods. Bummed about that one.

My backpack gun is a 10mm G20 w/ 200gr handloaded hardcasts at 1100fps alternated w/ 180gr HP's. The advantage for the G20 is w/ a +2 floorplate on the mag I can carry 17rds w/o one chambered. So no need for a spare mag. I run a Blackhawk Serpa holster so I can run it strongside or cross draw just by moving 3 screws. And I also have a CC 3way shoulder rig I sewed/made for the G20/21 as well.
Hunt'nFish

 

[fillthefreezer]

For those S&W 329 PD fans and others carrying the larger/heavier revolvers, what is your carry method with a pack on? I currently have a SBH in 44 Mag shooting 290gr hardcast lead bullets, but end up with my G27 in a Blackhawks Serpa because I haven't found a good way to carry the big gun while wearing my Eberlestock. Good thread and thanks everybody for the insight.

bladetech with teklok

 

[MAT]

FYI - I just bought a Taurus 740 Slim in .40 S&W (in 48 hours that is). Lets hope I never have to use it for anything but fun. Thanks for all the advice, especially the boolits. Nothing but heavy FMJ ammo for me.