Backcountry revolver selection

[goatpoop]

I need insight from you guys about my next revolver purchase. Currently, I carry a 6.5” Taurus Raging Bull 454 casull while bowhunting, scouting, berry picking, shed hunting and fishing in griz country. As you guessed, I’m looking for a lighter slimmer revolver for bowhunting and fly fishing.

Revolver criteria:
Barrel length: 4-5 inches
Caliber: 44 mag ( I have also been looking at 41 mag)
Weight: No ultralights.
Carry: Shoulder holster (or sew a holster on my pack)

Please no arguments/discussion about bear spray or semi-autos (i.e. 45 acp, 10mm). I usually carry bear spray along with my revolver. Not only do I carry for bears but also for lions and bipedal animals. I have a 10mm and 45 acp but I prefer a revolver over autos in griz country. Also my gun collection lacks a 44 mag.

Give your insight on length, brand, model, caliber, weight, and carrying technique while in griz country. Thanks

 

[luckynv]

I carry a Ruger Super Blackhawk Stainless 4 5/8s Barrel length in a Double Diamond Guide Chest Holster with Buffalo Bore 340 Grain +p+ ammo. I wanted a 44 because of the availability of ammo for practice and being able to find it almost anywhere. I prefer a double action for Quick follow shots but prefer the lighter weight single action that I can afford to practice with. I wanted the shortest barrel length that I could take with me to Alaska if I drive through Canada, must be over 4.2 inch's. This may not be ideal in anyone elses book it was the best of all of my criteria. I still am debating Magnaporting but the recoil is very managable with the set of Pacmyers that cover the backstrap. I took a small black bear earlier this year with this gun and the Buffalo Bore rounds, my buddy described it as "It looked like you hit him with a Sledge Hammer". Good luck and God bless

 

[RANGER619]

I carry a Taurus Tracker 44mag with a 4 inch barrel. It isn't a feather weight or a heavy weight so I don't mind carrying it. They aren't horribly high priced for something that I am going to drag through the mud, snow, rain, and dirt all week. It always goes "bang" when I pull the trigger, kind of an important part there.

 

[RICMIC]

I have the same .454 Taurus, and agree that it is a bit of a load to haul. OK if it is your primary hunting weapon. No question the top quality .44 SA is Freedom Arms, but you may have to wait a while after you order one and they are more $ than the good old reliable Ruger. I saw an evaluation on "Gun Stories" about the new S&W .44 DA that is using the L frame instead of the N frame. 5 shots instead of 6 so they could beef up the cylinder; might be worth checking out.

 

[shootbrownelk]

Ruger Alaskan in .454 Casull. Nice short barrel, and the muzzle flash may frighten the bears off!

 

[buckbull]

Its pretty hard to beat a smith and wesson when it comes to revolvers. I'd look at the 629.

 

[OregonJim]

No real expertise to add on this thread.

I did add a S&W Govenor to my Christmas list.
I really like the .45Colt and the ability to use .45acp for economy (and range recoil for the wife) steers me toward it.
Keeping one .410 shell loaded up for snakes and birds is a nice plus too.
(Not to mention I already have a .44 mag)

 

[sheephunter]

I carry a Taurus Titanium 41 mag (not a Tracker, tho). It's nice and light and way easier to carry than my RSR 44 mag. I do not live in grizzly country, but I did have an actual black bear encounter once, and in my head I felt way undergunned with the 41 mag. Fortunately (for both me and the bear) the incident ended without shots fired. If I lived in grizzly country I would suck it up and carry the RSR 44 mag.

 

[mntnguide]

I carry a Ruger Redhawk with the 4" barrel in a shoulder holster. . My first rounds are 240 grain...followed by a load of bird shot...then the rest back to 240 grain. My first shot is always a shot in front of them to hopefully steer them away. . if they keep coming the bird shot is to deter them once more, if they keep coming after that, then i am protecting myself and my clients.

 

[AKaviator]

My wife carries a S&W 329PD 4" .44 mag. It's not a gun you spend a day out plinking with but she shoots it very well and keeps it in an "across the chest" holster. It's a constant companion with her when she's picking berries. She had a close encounter with a grizzly one year and now never leaves home without it.
Personally I carry a Delta Elite 10mm on the same trips and my son has the bear spray, probably to use on me while he runs for the truck.

 

[goatpoop]

Ruger Alaskan in .454 Casull. Nice short barrel, and the muzzle flash may frighten the bears off!

How is the recoil in the ruger alaskan? Also have you shot "bear loads" i.e. lead gas check bullets? If so how is the recoil?

 

[shootbrownelk]

How is the recoil in the ruger alaskan? Also have you shot "bear loads" i.e. lead gas check bullets? If so how is the recoil?

To tell you the truth goat, I don't own one. A guy let me try one after he saw me drooling all over it at the range. He was shooting 300 Gr. Hornady XTP's. I shoot the same load in my Ruger Super RedHawk so I was ready. It's pretty stout, as you can imagine, but not hurtfull. You can burn weeds with it though...Nice flame!
I shoot HS "Bear Loads" and Cor-Bon .454 +P. My gun is a bit heavier (Not much) due to 5 inches more barrel.
It would sure be easier to pack with that short barrel, compared to my 7 1/2". Not sure about accuracy, he wasn't doing too well @ 25 yds. But hey, he had just bought it.

 

[Hilltop]

My vote for the 41 mag... for me it is easier to control on follow up shots and still packs a heck of a lot of power. I'm a Ruger fan- never owned a bad one. I prefer a hip carry as it easy to access and always with you.

 

[newguy220]

The 41 is a good choice if you reload. It is hard to find factory ammo for it and usually the heaviest bullet you can find in factory stuff is 210gr. There are some 250+gr lead bullets out there that would work good for what your wanting.

This last year I packed a Ruger Blackhawk in 45LC, it was plenty light for me. I usually carry it on my hip because than I don't have to worry about it getting in the way of binos and rangerfinder that is hanging on my neck.

newguy220

 

[coastalarms]

My answer to the same question (although I don't live in grizzly country) is a SW 629 in a Diamond D Guide chest holster. 629 with a 4" barrels is a good balance of power/shootability/carryability (ok, so carryability might not be a word). The chest holster is kinda pricy, but oh so worth it!