handgun for bowhunter

[AKBowman]

Colt Anaconda 6" barrel revolver in .44mag, 350 gr. Barnes brass solids in brown bear country. Around here I just pack 250 grain round nose in the .44mag

[wildmanoutdoors]

Like HC said. Its about bullet placement. You dont have to carry a 44 mag worth of weight if you know how to hit.

I carry a SP101 and feel absolutely confident in its and my ability it will get the job done on blackies or cougs...

A hot loaded 357 is plenty for anything under 400 pounds. If I run into a 500 plus Blackie, Ill make sure my first shot counts.

[bonkellekter]

Like HC said. Its about bullet placement. You dont have to carry a 44 mag worth of weight if you know how to hit.

I carry a SP101 and feel absolutely confident in its and my ability it will get the job done on blackies or cougs...

A hot loaded 357 is plenty for anything under 400 pounds. If I run into a 500 plus Blackie, Ill make sure my first shot counts.

The blackies have never worried me but this year I will be hunting mulies and elk (If drawn) in the cabinet mtns in montana so it is the grizzlies that have encouraged me pack the 44 mag worth of weight and like DWP said it will help me sleep easy.

[wildmanoutdoors]

Cant argue that! If I ever travell to Grizz country Ill be packing a cannon too!

[Hunterman]

The animals have never bothered me, it's the tweekers and meth magots I either carry a .380, or my 1911 .45.. If I pull it I shoot it. No time for talk..

Hunterman(Tony)

[bullchaser]

My new 629 .44 mag with double tap 320grn solids. I am only coung to carry it in the backcountry . I cant figure out how to carry it with my pack yet?

[uplandhunter870]

fullsize kimber custom 2 .45acp carry it on my hip whenever i go out got used to the small amount of added wieght but as a friend of mine once said "carrying a sidearm should be comforting not always comfortable"

Steve

[high country]

fullsize kimber custom 2 .45acp carry it on my hip whenever i go out got used to the small amount of added wieght but as a friend of mine once said "carrying a sidearm should be comforting not always comfortable"

Steve

for the cost of a spring you can go 45 super. add a barrel and a you can go 460rowland.....those make it even more comforting.

[uplandhunter870]

fullsize kimber custom 2 .45acp carry it on my hip whenever i go out got used to the small amount of added wieght but as a friend of mine once said "carrying a sidearm should be comforting not always comfortable"

Steve

for the cost of a spring you can go 45 super. add a barrel and a you can go 460rowland.....those make it even more comforting.

quite true, wasnt necessarily advocating that 45 is the only way, just my way.  my full-time college student budget only allows for 1 sidearm right now and i got a really good deal on it.  would love one of those 460's

[high country]

I have shot 45 supers with my stock spring in my 1911sc.....but it's a handful. they are pretty cheap to shoot if you stuff em' yourself.

[Kain]

I carry a S&W 29 Classic 44 mag with a 6.5" barrel.  It is extremely heavy but with the shoulder holster I hardly notice it and it is easy to access.  I tried carrying it on my hip and I almost left it in the woods...did I mention it is heavy.

[Thefisherman83]

Springfield XD .45!  If the first one don't stop em' the other 13 will surely do the trick!

[hillbilli]

greetings all, as i am new here. military move to Whidbey Island. I hunt with about everything, for about everything, but the northwest is new to me, so i'm sure i'll have questions for youall. I've been lurking for awhile, but this topic i wanted to offer my 2 cents. In a carry gun for dangerous critters, the .357 will do, with a penetrative bullet, like hardnosed 158's. The .41 or .44 is better, I've used just about all the double action .44's, and bulk is a consideration. (at least for me, as i tend to carry inside the waistband, and i'm tall and slender) The ruger super blackhawk has a smaller diameter cylinder, is much lighter than my old redhawk, and in the 4 5/8" barrel is quite carryable, and will still handle heavy loads. The single action does require a little practice to be able to shoot quickly. For those who like an auto, theres nothing wrong with that, just choose a bullet the penetrates well- and practice enough to hit with it. Most of my experience in this is in carrying in areas where i'm more likely to deal with a 400lb boar than a bear, but that my opinion, for what its worth.

[wildmanoutdoors]

Bullet placement is were its at. I would bet 99% of the hunters who carry a 44 mag or a auto couldent hit the broadside of a barn if something was trying to eat/get them at close range. Also, if you think you can get 15 or so rounds off in the 25 feet or less from your auto on a full charging beast and you dont shoot a few hundred rounds a month at some kind of timed event to help with stress your kidding yourself. But whatever makes ya feel comfy. I carry 5 rounds. 4 for the beast and one for me just in case. Lol

A 45 ACP is a great people or thin tissue round. But bears, no way unless your PERFECT at hit placement at short range under the scariest senerio's possible. And still its be a allot of luck. Penetration in a head shot or a spine shot is the only thing that will stop them in there tracks. A bear can charge 300 yards at full speed after its heart stops.

[high country]

Bullet placement is were its at. I would bet 99% of the hunters who carry a 44 mag or a auto couldent hit the broadside of a barn if something was trying to eat/get them at close range. Also, if you think you can get 15 or so rounds off in the 25 feet or less from your auto on a full charging beast and you dont shoot a few hundred rounds a month at some kind of timed event to help with stress your kidding yourself. But whatever makes ya feel comfy. I carry 5 rounds. 4 for the beast and one for me just in case. Lol

A 45 ACP is a great people or thin tissue round. But bears, no way unless your PERFECT at hit placement at short range under the scariest senerio's possible. And still its be a allot of luck. Penetration in a head shot or a spine shot is the only thing that will stop them in there tracks. A bear can charge 300 yards at full speed after its heart stops.

I agree 100% on the number of shots, but not so much on the size of gun. any gun tossing big meplats with fair weight is gonna make a deep hole. autos can't bring the same size to the table, but offer better follow up shot opportunities. hardcast flats is what I pack in the super. I have spent a great amount of time in big bear country and one common thing with charges is that often they are fakes. I am not one to offer the opportunity to find out if it was a fake or not. if you smoke a bear in the chest with a 500 smith it is still gonna eat you. cranialocular or the cord are your only hopes. to make that kind of shot is gonna take practice, luck and nerves of steel.

bear in mind that most bear encounters are going to be in thick brush enviorments where a bear is spooked. every bear I have ever seen in my life (better then 100) has let out a bawl and turned and ran as fast as it could. only one was encountered in thick brush. I had my bow and we both fell over backwards in fear.....that was about embarrasing