handgun for bowhunter

[wildmanoutdoors]

Ill agree with you there on the 45 if its in the right hands. Given the other 99% of the hunters there better off with more power to increase there luck.

[DWP]

One revolver for backpack hunting that keeps my interest is one of the S&W 8 shot .357's.  Certainly not a lightweight package, but 8 shots of proper ammo with revolver reliability/simplicity is nice to have....
There are some 200 grain flatties from Double Tap that a guy/gal could use for bear...

[GoldTip]

I carry a Ruger alaskan in 454casull when bowhunting in Grizzly country, handloads with 300gr solids.  Your not going to stop a charge with a handgun unless you are in line to win the lottery, your best bet is to hit them hard enough with enough gun to turn them and give you a chance for a second more aimed shot.  Or enough gun to knock them off you once they've got ahold of you, and a  357 ain't it.  The griz that nailed the game warden back home in Montana in the late 80's had three through and through 357 bullets through it's brain cavity, three flattened on it's skull at point bite range and still needed 2 slugs for a 12ga to finish it off.  Believe it, I seen the skull.

[bowkid]

Well since we haven't been able to carry during bow season and I believe you have to have a weapons permit to be legal to carry while bow hunting (I could be wrong), anything would be better then nothing. But if you want to be ready for anything around SW WA then a .357 maybe ok if you practice and have the right ammo in it.  The .41 would be a better choice, but the .44 mag WILL do the trick no question about it.  Now as far as 2 legged defence the .45 ACP is the way to go, 1 or 2 good hits with a 200 grain hollow point and they will not bother anyone ever again.

[Phantom Gobbler]

Chuck Hawks quote: "Because I have received so many e-mails asking the question, I will go where wise men fear to tread and mention a couple of specific handguns. If I were buying a new gun for protection against large predators, I would get a Ruger Blackhawk revolver (6.5" barrel) in .357 or .41 Magnum, or a Ruger Super Blackhawk revolver (5.5" or 7.5" barrel) in .44 Magnum. The Blackhawk is 12.5" long and weighs 42 ounces; the Super Blackhawk is 11 3/8" long and weighs 46 ounces with a 5.5" barrel."

I need to practice more with my .44 Mag Ruger Super Blackhawk with 4 5/8 in. barrel to feel fully functional in wild grizzly country.

[Shootmoore]

Just finished the trigger job on my new carry gun for the woods.  Its an old model 19.  Its a shooter and the trigger is now as smooth as a baby's bottom.  Now I just need to find something that will take off the shake and bake coating that someone sprayed on it and refinish. 

Best part it was in pretty ruff shape, was someones truck gun just taking some elbow grease and a polish job on the trigger.  But it was so ugly and gummed up I got it for $50 bucks.  (I ran the serial number its not hot  )

[high country]

Just finished the trigger job on my new carry gun for the woods.  Its an old model 19.  Its a shooter and the trigger is now as smooth as a baby's bottom.  Now I just need to find something that will take off the shake and bake coating that someone sprayed on it and refinish. 

Best part it was in pretty ruff shape, was someones truck gun just taking some elbow grease and a polish job on the trigger.  But it was so ugly and gummed up I got it for $50 bucks.  (I ran the serial number its not hot  )

nice grab. if it cerakote, well that stuff is like herpes............you keep it forever. bead blasting is about the only way to make it go away. hit it with a solvent like acetone, if that does not budge it.....bead blast away.

[Oneshot1Kill]

What about a .410-45long colt? Or better known as "The Judge". That thing could mess up anything ya wanted it too. My teacher has one for hunting and i've seen some of the game he's taken with that. AWESOME. And if ya see a grouse, bam-o 410. Great gun, fun shooting. 

[ratherhunt]

Over kill I know, but I carry a S&W 500 with a 4 inch barrel

[Cylvertip]

For anywhere that brown bears don't roam, for a sidearm,  I'm comfortable with my Glock 17 - 17+1 and another 34 close by.  For anywhere that browns roam or if I am hunting bear with a handgun - 44.  

[bullchaser]

Hey I just found this pic But it makes a case for a backup gun on a bow hunt my pops and i were in the mountins in Idaho when this little dude tried to crawl in bed with me. ( I dont recomend sleeping with the cheezeits)

[poohdog]

What tried to crawl in bed with you?

[WDFW-SUX]

I've got a S&W 629 pd 44 mag. There's nothing in washington that will eat you though

[bullchaser]

Sorry here is that pic.

[blackhorn]

Nice work!  What is the sidearm in the pic?