What caliber do you carry in the woods?

[superdown]

[quote Next came a chrome plated S&W 629 6', ][/quote], just out of curiosity why would someone chrome plate a 629 ?

[Ak.Hiker]

As mentioned earlier if you are limited to non lead bullets either the 357 or the 44 Magnum Mountain gun loaded with the Federal loaded with the Barnes bullet or the CorBon DPX would be you best option. If you can carry lead nothing wrong with the 357 loaded with either the 180 grain Nosler Partition or a hot 180 or 200 grain hard cast. If you do not handload lots of good cast 357 loads on the market. However if you are the lucky owner of a Mountain gun why not carry it? They are pretty light for a 44 Magnum but still have enough weight to make them more controllable. In your area I would see no reason to carry the heavy weights. Go with a good 250 Keith type load or a 240 JSP and you will be very well protected. 

[EdK]

My Ruger Security Six weights allot less than either of my S&Ws

From the best info I can get my hands on your security six (if 4") weighs 34 oz and your S&W 629 MG weighs 39.5 oz - that's a 5.5 oz difference. It doesn't seem like all that much to me but if you find it objectionable then OK. By the way a 4" Ruger GP100 weighs 41 oz!

[Freezer]

   I made a mistake om the S&W it's a 29 6". 

[Cottonwood]

I just got a S&W 629 6" and feel it actually has better ballance than the Ruger SBH 4 5/8ths SA, and I lilke the fact that it is double action instead of single action.  You just have to handle what your thinking about carrying as for myself, I would rather carry the .44 Magnum and not need it than to need it and not have it.

[myronman3]

10mm glock.  15 rounds with cast bullets.

[Cottonwood]

10mm glock.  15 rounds with cast bullets.

Not to get off the subject, but did you see where S&W has brought out the Mod 610-4 and 610-6 1/2" which is 10mm and can also shoot .40 cal?

For the guy who likes to carry a 10mm round, these would be nice.

Okay - now back on topic.

[myronman3]

the problem with that platform is that you are stepping down in power from a 41/44, and their is no gain in capacity.  and i believe it is still on a N frame, so i would think the gun would be heavier than a 41/44.
  that is why i like the glock.  high capacity, and power.  around here a person COULD be faced with bears, wolves, fischer, badger, stray dogs, and the possiblity of a rabid animal.  of those listed, i have faced off with bears a few times and believe it or not fischers twice.   
   there is another threat we havent talked about, and that is other people.  criminals are frequenting remote areas more and more, whether they are involved in manufacturing of drugs or other bad deeds, it is in reality the biggest threat we are likely to face today.   a few years back some really good people lost their lives because they had the misfortune of coming across the wrong person.   i hope i never am in that situation, but if i am, i plan to be WELL armed.   i have been fishing in some places and had people get threatening.  simply turning to face themso they can see i am armed, while remaining friendly has always done the trick to date.  a armed society is truely a polite society.   
  that is why a opt for a glock 10mm while i am out and about in the woods.

[Cottonwood]

myronman3 there is nothing wrong with your selection of carry firearm as a Glock 20 or any 10mm is a very good handgun to carry.

[blhof]

When I lived in south Miami(stationed at Homestead AFB) one of our night shrimping and fishing spots was a walkway under a bridge.  There was an article in the paper of several fishermen robbed at that spot one night, I open carried my 357mag after that and had no problem, even though some unsavory characters occasionally dropped by.  The sight of a 357 in a cowboy rig apparently kept iinquisitive minds at bay.

[30WCF]

Freezer,
In your case I would take the 44, wouldn't even consider anything smaller. Personally I prefer the 480 when handgun hunting and carry a 44 for backup.

[EdK]

   I made a mistake om the S&W it's a 29 6". 

I thought I saw you had both a S&W model 629/29 and Mountain Gun (which is 4"). The mountain gun was what I was referring to as not much more weight than a security six. Yes it recoils more than a standard weight/6" barrel 629 - what would you expect? Nothing like the alloy frame version though. If you are looking for a gun with more power/less weight than the security six and less recoil all at the same time the laws of physics will not allow for that.

[Freezer]

I made a mistake on the model, It's a SW Model 29 Nickle plated 6".  The Moauntin Pistol is a stainless  4" and the Security Six is also a 6".

[EdK]

Your confusing the heck out of me ... nickel/stainless/blued 6" model (6)29 no matter: all weigh about the same and that is a bit more than a 4" Mountain Gun. Is the Mountain Gun a S&W model 629 4" 44 mag stainless steel revolver? If so, it will be within a couple ounces of a Ruger security six with 6" barrel and pack a lot more punch.

Seems like we're going around in circles here - just trying to help though 

[Mikey]

It is the Model 629 Mountain Gun.  It weighs less than the 6" Security Six. Yes, it packs more punch.  I prefer 295-300 gn semi-wadcutters at moderate speeds and the recoil is fairly easy for a magnum.  Mikey.

[R Jones]

Freezer, Carry what you are comfortable with. If you hit what you shoot at with the .357 mag, you will be much better off. I personally carry a Ruger BH in .45. I have been shooting this handgun for a lot of years. I have no doubt in it as my weapon of choice for the woods. A heavy load in a .357 will stop a black bear, if you do your part.  R Jones

[j104wd]

I have a .357 and a Blackhawk in 45 colt the colt wins hands down. I live in the south and a .357 is plenty but its nice to know I have a little extra.

[Masterblaster1]

I carry a .45 Colt Ruger old model vaquero. At close range the fixed sight are fine....

[nickE10mm]

I carry my Dan Wesson Razorback in 10mm with about 8 nice STOUT rounds in the mag... for deer, 200gr XTP's at 1270fps or a Wide Flat Nose 200-230gr Beartooth at 1200-1300fps.  For defense, usually a 155gr Barnes XPB or Gold Dot at 1450fps.

I carry it in either a nice Nick Matthews IWB (when carrying or shroom huntin in the spring.... or a nice chest rig when in my climber in deer season.

[S.B.]

Ditto what Mickey and Redhawk1 said! You already own a mountain gun.

[LarryL]

It depends on whether you are talking primary or backup. 

If I am carrying a rifle or shotgun as my primary, I have a Ruger .44 SBH with 5-1/2" barrel in a western style hip holster as my backup.  I either carry a heavy hollow point handload or a factory load like the Corbon 265gr.  I also have a box of the Corbon 320gr penetrator heavy cast loads, but there is nothing in the NH woods that really needs that much firepower. 

If I'm carrying a handgun as my primary, then it is my .480 Ruger SRH 7-1/2" bbl with 2X scope in a Pistol Packaging bandoleer holster, with a Colt Huntsman .22 concealed in a lefty shoulder holster in case I see a bunny or partridge for the pot.  I'll also use the .22 as a close range finish off shot on a deer if needed.

If I'm just going for a walk in the woods, most dangers up here are from the 2 legged variety.  For that, I carry my one of my .45s (Gold Cup or Kimber).  I suppose I might come across a rabid fox or a New England coyote, but the .45 will do fine on those too.

[Freezer]

     B zone opened this weekend and I decided to hunt the top of the ridge again.  Got a nice 3x3.  I chose the SW Mountian with an Uncle Mikes holster and an extra wide belt slung a little loose and not through my pants.  It rode very well and I didn't feel it until I got into my truck.  I loaded four 240 gr hard lead then two Winchester Supream HPs for close in work,  I figured after five shots the HP would do a nice job on finishing me off    I like to extra power the .44 has over th .357.  No bears this time, figures, I have a tag this year.

[mcwoodduck]

Congrads! Any pictures?

[Ladobe]

When I lived in CA mid 60's to mid 70's I hunted both deer and bear in the Feather Falls area; deer and boar in the north coast mountains and boar in the central coast mountains.   I carried either a S&W Mod 19 6" or Herter's 401 Power Mag for boar/bear and a Win 94 for deer and never felt under gunned.

I spent most of my life before/after CA in grizzly country though and was often alone in wilderness areas in the Rockies.   I carried a heavy sidearm for years, had dozens of encouters in the back country with grizzlies and blacks, but never had one escalate far enough to need the side arm luckily.   Got to where I carried a Ruger Bearcat for pot meat and didn't worry about the big stuff. 

If you are really worried about attack and want to be on track for protection, carry pepper spray instead.     Way more effective than any sidearm on short notice up close and personal.   If you can't stop an attack with PS, you probably wouldn't have stopped it with a sidearm either.   That from a pard who owns a dude ranch/hunting and fishing guide service east of Yellowstone, and has to deal with bear encounters almost daily spring to fall.   Like me, Ric and his hands carried sidearms for years until they learned PS was more effective and didn't leave wounded bears to deal with.


     

[Freezer]

    How effective is it against cougar.  Nine chances out of ten the bear isn't interested in you but it's the one chance that puts the tingle up my spine.  There are a number of cougar where I hunt is it just as effective against them?  I also carry a side arm to hunt with.  If a close shot comes I'd like to take it with a revolver.
    What is a Pard?

[SHOOTALL]

THE 44 mag. is always a good choice , as are several other BIG bore revolvers .
I have had several and liked most of them , well as i got older I began to shead weight that i carried , no more than i needed , ie: didn't need 25 extra rounds , 3 knives , rope , binocs , 3 ways to start a fire , extra first aid , etc. etc . my hand gun became a mod. 38 body guard air weight  in my front pocket . WE DID NOT HAVE BEAR OR BIG CATS THEN ! Well over the last 5 or so years we got bear , we got big cats and drug growers as an extra . SOOOO
i wanted a larger hand gun , went with a S&W mt. gun , but it is heavy and bulky , I know it is better in both respects over the guns it replaces BUT still big .
Well after looking for some time i got a Glock 10 mm , then a Colt DELTA ELITE . They carry easy , shoot nice and have good power . NO they don't equal a 44 mag or even a 41 mag but they are close to the 41 in SOME loadings , and thecarry alot of ammo in the Glock for sure .
If you are like me and don't like extra weight then check out the glock in 10 mm . I use a shoulder rig alot and it stays out the way and protected ( DRY ). I have started taking it fishing here lately .

[dpe.ahoy]

Let your mamma think she raised a smart boy , and carry the 44.  Myself, I went from the 44 to a 45 colt.  Heavy bullet, less pressure and noise, bigger smack.  I shoot my Redhawk single action anyway so no confusion on cocking the hammer.  Have to admit I carry the SBH more as it is lighter.  Picked up a shoulder harness that you just put over your head and wear.  Works better than I thought, with the rough leather side holding it in place quite well and it is a wider strap so carries well.  May put a belt strap on it to hold the holster next to the belt.  DP

[Freezer]

    Where I hunt the terrain is very steep and I'm far from camp.  Radios are hit and miss and you can forget about the cell phone.  I have to wear a back pack with the min. safety supplies in it.  I lost my hunting partner five years ago so I hunt alone.  I enter the woods at 4:30am and won't leave till dark if I don't get a buck.  I also wear my Binocs in a shoulder rig so I can look into the brush Blacktail love.  After you consider food, water, rope, and other necessities the load gets heavy.  I also leave a spare radio in my truck in case I'm in trouble and they're looking for me.  My wife and I have an agreement, if I don't call home two hours after dark, send the calvery. 
    When that bear made me think, I gave up on the idea of single action.  If you have to think...your in trouble, you have to know.  The SW 29 6" was too heavy.  The 44 SW Mountian is a little heavy but every time I say "Oh $&!%" the gun will go bang without having to think about cocking it.   It replaced a Ruger SBH 5 5/8 stainless that I loved. The SW Mountian rode well so far this year.  My biggest concern is the Cougars.  Nine chances out of ten they'll be on me before I know it.  In that case a 22 mag will work on me but I'd prefer to ensure I ruin his meal, me
     Oh by the way dpe what do you mean think     She did, I got rid of the SA.  10 mm is sounding interesting.  I need to do some research.

[RD2]

I do a lot of hiking into the Hoover Wilderness in CA. Plenty of high mountain lakes to fish in. I carry a Glock 19 in 9mm... It's compact and the handgun I own. Hey, it's a better defence weapon then my fly rod...

[mcwoodduck]

Freezer,
I don't think you need to get another gun.  The Mountain gun is all you need.  If cats are the most important thing to you than I would look into changing the Ammo into something that will work well for your light gun and still be more effective than a 10mm.
I like the Remington/UMC 180 grain Jacketed Soft Point.  the bullet is leaving my 6" gun at about 1600 FPS.  Bullets I have recovered have opened up to the size of a quarter.  If these are too much for you then there are some warm 44 Special loads out there in the 180 to 200 grain JHP.  There are also the 210 grain Silver tips mag load that are down loaded and are more of a personal defence round than a big game hunting gun.  But a Big cat at close range is more of a personal defence situation and a cat is about the same size as a person.
Now don't get me wrong if you want another gun get one.  I have way too many in my house to tell anyone not to get what they want.  The 10mm is a good round but so is the 44 mag and there are more options in loaded ammo with the 44 specials you can go from shot shells to heavy mag.  heck if you load heavy mags in the gun you won't feel recoil if you need it.  Not to mention that 6 180 grain bullets or even 210 grain bullets are not going to add a lot of weight and will be les than 10 rounds of 170 to 200 grain 10mm.  Even with a light Glock I don't think you will be loosing any weight as your mountain gun is pretty light now.  You will be loosing 150 to 300 Foot pounds and .029 inches of frontal impact area.
Are you reloading?