Do I have the right idea here???

[ebonitekid767]

I would like a revolver that I can carry around with me while camping, or during deer season. I would more than likely shoot it alot since the range is only 10 mins away. Here in NY about the most dangerous animal i would encounter in the woods would be a black bear. Am I right in thinking that a 45 long colt or a 357 mag would be a better choice than the .44 mag? I would be carrying my shotgun during deer season but if I had a good broad side shot at 40 yards or under I would for sure try to  use the handgun. Or should I just get the 44? decisions decisions.....

[maddogg]

If I had to dispatch a bear I'd take the 44 Mag. It would also be a better choice for hunting.

[nickE10mm]

My opinion is that it's pointless to carry TWO guns (handgun and long gun) since you will use the gun that's in your hand. You aren't likely to see a deer and THEN decide to use one or the other.... You will use what u have closest. If you are going to handgun hunt, dedicate the hunt to handgun only.

That being said, all three calibers listed will take deer if you do your part and keep range reasonable and good shot placement.

[Wyo. Coyote Hunter]

   Since I have all three, and like each one for various things..it would be a tough decision....the .44 would give one the option of shooting very light 44 spl. ammo for target and heavy loads for hunting..the same could be said for the .357...shooting .38's..To me the .45 is best when handloaded...while I like the 357, with mag. ammo it has a loud crack that bothers me even when wearing ear protection..I guess my choice would be a nice Smith in .44....

[GRIMJIM]

I personally prefer the .44. But I only use it as a hunting pistol. I will take it with me when shotgun hunting but It's usually in my backpack until I get to my stand. Then it's next to me in case I need a follow up shot. Or I have a chance at a real close shot.

I have a friend that hunts deer with a .45 colt exclusively and has good luck. I think this is somethng you have to figure out for yourself. The 44 is heavy for a walkabout gun but has plenty of oomph for bear. If you reload you can get pretty good pressures from a 45 so if you want something lighter to carry around maybe that's the way to go for you. Again you will have to weigh the pros and cons and make the choicer based on what's right for you.

[mbopp]

For a hunting handgun - 44 Mag or 45 LC (in a Ruger.) While I have a 7-1/2" .44 Ruger SBH it sees little use since I got the Contender. Yes there are heavier calibers available but they take some serious practice to get used to especially with full-up loads.
Unless you handload the heavy centerfires get expensive to feed. Shooting the SBH with reduced cast loads isn't too expensive and it keeps my hand in on it.
I take it you're in the southern shotgun zone in NY (like me.) Carrying a shotgun and a heavy .44 gets old quickly. Pick one or the other for deer season.
My "walk in the woods" gun is my 4" S&W K-frame M-19 stoked with 38 +P handloads. If I were to try deer hunting with a 357 it would be a 6" tube Ruger or S&W "L" frame. If you don't handload you can still buy 38 Special ammo for practice.
Whatever you get - practice, practice, practice. Your effective range is whatever you can place all your shots in an 8" circle at. You'll see me practicing standing, kneeling, sitting, and prone.

[irold]

I tried the two gun thing also........it didn't work , at least not for me.  In the heat of the moment , you'll use what you have in your hand.  ( I believe several other posters have eluded to this ) Decide in the morning which to carry and carry it.  Personally I'd go with a 44.  Perhaps a Redhawk with a 5 1'2 inch barrel , its still gonna be heavy on the hip.....not as heavy as that shotgun though.  With a 44 , your good for anything, if its loaded correctly and you do your part.  Don't expect to buy a revolver in September and go hunting in November....ya need lots of practice.  Off hand , or simulate the deer hunt adventure.  A friend has a walk- through type range. The various steel targets are set up at various ranges from 25 to 80 yards through the woods ( an old strip job)I thought I could shoot pretty good until he invited me for a " walk ".  Needless to say I was humbled.  Good luck and good hunting

regards , irold

[shot1]

The first thing you need to know, is it legal to carry a handgun on you while camping in NY? Second: If bear are going to be involved LEAVE THE 357 MAG AT HOME. If you don't hand load I would go with the 44 mag. If you hand load and get something like the Ruger black hawk in 45 Colt then you are good to go. You can load the 45 Colt to do anything and more than the 44 mag with heaver bullets.

[Lloyd Smale]

the 44 mag is never a bad idea. Loaded with 44 specails its good for small game. Higher end specials or lighter mags are good enough for deer and most bear and heavy loads will take care of anything a guy will hunt. A 45 colt loaded over max book loads will do anything a 44 mag will but keep in mind theres a very limited amount of guns on the market that are strong enough to take those loads. Ruger redhawks. LARGE framed ruger single actions. (not the newer mid frames) and 45 colt raging bull tarus guns. If you have to ask your much better off with a 44 as loading heavy for the 45 colt is something that should only be done by an experienced handloader and even then will gain you nothing in the real world over a 44 mag.

[coyotejoe]

To my way of thinking the only plus side to the .45 Colt it that they are (or were) considerably lighter to carry than a Super Blackhawk but if you are going to hot rod the .45 it becomes much less pleasant to shoot than a Super Blackhawk.

[Larry Gibson]

I always carry/wear a handgun when camping, hiking, or hunting or going just about anywhere.  When hunting I most often will use the rifle/shotgun being carried but occasionally I have used the handgun instead but it was only at those times I had the time to make the choice; shooting a treed bear, stand hunting deer, calling coyotes or just varmint hunting.  I carry the handgun when hunting because it is always loaded and with me, whereas the rifle/shotgun is not.  The most dangerous "animal" I expect to encounter in the woods these days are not bears, cougars or wolves (even though I do run across them) but miscreats of which there seems to be a lot in the woods and mountains these days.

Larry Gibson

[mcwoodduck]

I have a number of handguns,
All started out with a 6" 44 Mag.  OK all started with a Browing Buck mark, but the 44 Mag was the first one I purchased.
I got it to do exactly what you want to do.
I can tell you that you will not out draw a deer with a rifle or shotgun in your hand, trust me I have tried.
I have been able to pull it out of the holster while sitting on a log on stand and point it at a doe.  I was too far back in the swamp to shoot anything with out built in handles.
I stopped carrying a handgun when carrying another gun, for the most part.  Unless I am out small game hunting, Then I will carry a large bore and sometime I will carry a 22 Pistol when big game hunting for rabits and grouse.  Here is a picture of me with a snow shoe when we stopped for lunch while elk hunting.
Other than that I will carry the big bore when doing other outdoor tasks, gathering fire wood, heading to the outhouse, helping to drag or carry meat.- Taskes that a rifle or shotgun get in the way.

[Mikey]

ebonitekid - yes, you have the right idea, at least from my perspective.  When I am out hunting I always have two guns and one is either on my hip or under my arm.  Whether or not I have to use it when I have it is irrelevant to me for if I needed it I would have it and am never without it. 

I would suggest a 44 magnum - either a 4" S&W Mountain Gun or a Super Blackhawk with a 4.5" -5" barrel based on your choice of use.  Both are fairly light for magnum revolvers and I have always found them easy to carry.  The 44 gives you a wide variety of commercial and custom load choices and even there are even more choices if you reload.  I like both the 357 and 45 Colt but I feel the 44 is the best choice. 

The issue of handgun carry for personal defense in NY State Parks is a question best answered by the State Department of Parks and Recreation even though the Criminal Procedure Laws under which you are licensed to carry (concealed) in ny supercede State Parks and Recreation Policy which may preclude something like the (open) carrying of firearms; but I always feel it is best not to concern the unaware and to keep it that way although I believe recent legislation now allows personal carry in State Parks.  HTH.

[Three44s]

First, I'd narrow it down to .44 mag vs. .45 LC ........ as soon as you mentioned "bears" .......... the .357 stopped becoming viable.

My personal choice sits in our safe ......... three .44 mag revolvers.

Only one fits your criteria for a second gun ...... the Smith Mountain Gun in .44 mag.

I am a confirmed fan of Double action revolvers but if you discount fast reloading ........... a Black Hawk in .45 LC is certainly formidable medicine if you handload or are willing to invest in "high end" factory ammo such as from Buffalo Bore.

While logic assumes that the "first" gun while you are out hunting is the gun to save yourself with if attacked, 'ole Murphy of Murphy's Laws has some input on this:

Whatever can go wrong, WILL GO WRONG!

Take two hunters ........ they stopped to take a leak during their hunt.  They both lean their rifles up against a tree and step away to do their business.  One spots a bear rushing in and runs to get his rifle ....... the bear rushes right past the unaware hunter and flatens the running hunter ......... the unattacked hunter comes to his senses and retrieves his long gun and shoots the bear right in the rear end.

Both of these hunters lived to tell their stories ........... but here's the question:

Would you ........... alone .................. have been more equiped with a handgun to back up the obvious best choice ......... your rifle that's now out of reach?

Or how about this .........

You are jumped by what ever ..... bear .... cat ............ Two legged coyote? and your rifle is either knocked out of your hands by the initial attack or you end up laying on top of it ........

.............. Would a handgun be comforting at that point?

This is why a handgun makes sense when you are packing a long gun.

Three 44s

[temmi]

If you hand load I would get the .45 Colt... I did.

If not the .44

[bubbinator]

In Al, bears are here(1 within 3 miles of my house recently and I'm just in a "semi-rural area!", but I always carry a Ruger SBH 7.5" in a shoulder holster when hunting deer (10/15-1/31 season).  Given the time to use it, I've taken 5 deer with it from stands/blinds.  My long gun hunting deer is usually a .308 or under rifle, even a .222, which is legal here.  While being very successful on deer w/ .224/243 cal rifles, I'd consider a 357 handgun as a BUG a dangerous consideration.  Good rubber grips on a 44 from Hogue and Pachmeyr do wonders to reduce felt recoil.

[Fire Fox]

Bear can be very tough and hard to stop under a normal situation much less a dangerous one. I would say your best bet would be a 44 mag or a very stiff load in a strong built revolver in 45 colt with heavy bullets. I have used both on bear and larger game with great results. I hope this helps. 


Ps I have also had great results with a 10 in contender in 357 maximum and 180 gr bullets and open sights. This combination has been a good light carry gun for hiking with good power if it is legal in your area.

[bigoledude]

I cannot remember where I read the article but, it  dealt with the amount of time a person had to shoot a charging animal.  A study had been done and, it determined that in most cases, a hunter had practically no time to shoot when being charged by a bear or wild hog.  The article explained, if you are not expecting the charge, even if you are carrying a rifle or shotgun, you probably won't get off a shot!  This study was done assuming the hunter was in some thick cover.
 
Most of my hunting now is done from a stand or, at least, a fixed position.  I no longer do a lot of walking in the woods but, in the past, in many instances, while stalking, I have had time to sling or set down my rifle or shotgun to take a shot with my handgun.  This was always with an animal that was not aware of my presence.  My favorite method of carry was with a chest rig.  Seemed to be much less tiring than hip carry.  Wish I wouldda learned about chest rigs years earlier!
 
The .357 has killed alot of game but, like everyone here, I agree it is NOT an acceptable choice for protection against black bear.  Another vote here for the .44 magnum.
 
If you like the .45 calibers, you can buy a .454.  You can practice with .45 Long Colt and still have the option of the powerful Casull cartridge for the serious stuff.  Met a guy one morning after the hunt, at the local breakfast joint, who said he'd just shot a 180 pound sow end-to-end with his brand new .454!     

[tacklebury]

If it were me, it'd be .45 Colt.  .454 Casull does shoot .45 Colt, but in my experience, can be too loose in the bore for the .451-.452 bullets.  This limits you to using .454 or larger bullets which are much less common.  Many guys using handi-Rifle .45 LC CLassic carbines have their .452 gun chamber increased to take the casull with good luck.  I went for the .45 Colt New Model Blackhawk and enjoy it thoroughly.  It has the .45 ACP cylinder also for plinking with the cheaper ammo.

[S.B.]

I think the answer to your question is the biggest caliber you can shoot accurately and get the most from, is your answer.
Steve

[Graybeard]

I am of the opinion that if you have to ask then most likely you shouldn't be using a handgun for such protection anyway. It infers that you are a less than experienced handgunner to have to ask and thus prolly don't have the trigger time and experience level with one to defend against a charging bear/human or whatever else.

[David D.]

I am of the opinion that if you have to ask then most likely you shouldn't be using a handgun for such protection anyway. It infers that you are a less than experienced handgunner to have to ask and thus prolly don't have the trigger time and experience level with one to defend against a charging bear/human or whatever else.

So I guess if you dont have the experience, or the knowledge one shouldnt ask questions or try something new. Didnt we all have to learn? The man stated in his post he was 10min. from a range and would get a lot of trigger time. His question was is the 45 long Colt or the 357Mag  a better choice than the 44Mag? I know for a fact the 357Mag will put down a Black Bear and also deer with the proper load. But if my life depended on it I would rather have a 44Mag. Good luck on your new adventure into handgun hunting!!

[hillbill]

If it were me, it'd be .45 Colt.  .454 Casull does shoot .45 Colt, but in my experience, can be too loose in the bore for the .451-.452 bullets.  This limits you to using .454 or larger bullets which are much less common.  Many guys using handi-Rifle .45 LC CLassic carbines have their .452 gun chamber increased to take the casull with good luck.  I went for the .45 Colt New Model Blackhawk and enjoy it thoroughly.  It has the .45 ACP cylinder also for plinking with the cheaper ammo.

yea me too! but the 45 wont do anything the 44 wont do and vice versa.either can be loaded cheap with yur own cast boolits and shotgun powder. which you will end up doin if yu want to shoot much.if yu are auctually faceing chargeing bears then by all means go with the 44 mag and some proven jacketed solids.the pistol will also be heavier and allow you to beat them in the head with it if you miss with your first 6 shots.dude just get what you like and shoot the best with and yull be fine!

[Graybeard]

No David that's not what I said or meant. Don't be putting your spin on my posts.

What I said was if he lacks the experience and thus needs to ask which is better then most likely he shouldn't be planning on saving his bacon with a handgun.

For what it's worth I'm so out of practice and my hands shake so much these days I'd not want to try to stop a bear with a handgun either and I've been shooting them for well over 40 years. Yeah I know the answer but also know that these days I'd sure not trust my big bore shooting to stop a bear in time so wouldn't consider a handgun as my first line of defense against bears.

I would recommend anyone who thinks they might be a candidate for a bear attack to have one as a last ditch save their butt option so that if the bear got to them they'd have something better than their fists to hopefully bring into play.

I also think we all tend to over rate the danger from bears attacking as there are darn few such attacks each year and most are either foolishly ignoring common sense or coming upon a feeding bear or a momma with cubs.

[yooper77]

I would like a revolver that I can carry around with me while camping, or during deer season. I would more than likely shoot it alot since the range is only 10 mins away. Here in NY about the most dangerous animal i would encounter in the woods would be a black bear. Am I right in thinking that a 45 long colt or a 357 mag would be a better choice than the .44 mag? I would be carrying my shotgun during deer season but if I had a good broad side shot at 40 yards or under I would for sure try to  use the handgun. Or should I just get the 44? decisions decisions.....

The odds of you really being threatened by a black bear is extremely rare, but it does happen.
 
I don't know the rules in NY, but I suggest practise with the shotgun (12 gauge I hope) with slugs and that will be your bear medicine.
 
I don't think I would ever get the pistol up and ready fast enough if a bear was a real threat. Your best bet is the shotgun that's in your hands. I understand if you want to carry the pistol to hope for a close shot on deer, I say go for it. Just select the proper ammo for the taking of big game.
 
If you hand load the 45 Colt is best choice over the 44 Magnum. I personally hand load for my Ruger Blackhawk in 45 Colt using H-110 powder and 310 grain hard cast lead bullets.
 
yooper77

[Missionary5155]

Good morning
I sold my 44mag years ago & went to the 45 Colt with no regrets.  The 44 is really only .43 so the step up to the .45 is not real significant but the availability of heavy bullets is far greater if you do not cast your own.   I personally would never go to the .357 for a revolver that I thought I would need to dislodge a bear.  The 45 Colt is about as versitile a caliber out there.  Load a Round ball for bunnies up to the 300+ grainers for thumping things that might bite. Mike in Peru

[Mikey]

ebonitekid:  get the 44.  There is nothing it will not do and the commercial bullet/load selection is better.  Most shops will carry 44 magnum but few carry custom 45 LC loads.
 
I fully agree with Greybeard in that if you are expecting a possible bear attack you will not have time to bring a revolver to bear but with a shotgun or rifle in your hands you are much better prepared for a rapid response. 
 
I have read people stating that Black Bears are not dangerous, but they are very dangerous. There are more Black Bear/humna encounters than with any other bear and those encounters often turn deadly or disastrous for the human.
 
If you have never seen a Bear come in on the attack then you need to rethink the 'lethargic old furball' as they will either run your butt right over (with snapping jaws and tearing claws) with amazing speed if they feel cornered and want to get away from you or if they are whizzed atcha and decide to teach you a lesson. 
 
If you are not a really experienced handgunner and handgun hunter who has dealt with bruins before then do as the Boss sez:  carry a shotgun and keep the revolver in case it gets on top of you (my words..)

[David D.]

My suggestion is to get you a 44 and practice, practice. If I read your post correct it sounds you want it more for protection than hunting. You did mention you would carry it when camping. If that be the case I wouldn't think you would be walking around with a long gun in your hands, so a side arm would be handy. You also mention using it at short range during deer season. I know lots of folk that carry both just for that same reason. I would think if one were camping in bear country some protection beats no protection even if ones not that good with a handgun.

[Qaz]

Kid- Here are the simple truths: (1) as greybeard said " If you have to ask"
                                           (2) A 44 mag is potent, it is also at the upper limit of recoil tolerance for most people,   which really means few people shoot them well.
                                           (3) Few people are attacked by Black bears, and few of the people attacked lived to tell the tale. When a Black Bear attacks, they mean to kill and eat you.
                                           (4) Given your choices, I would shoot all 3 and which ever round I could get back on target quickest would be the one I would carry.
                                           (5) I would be more concerned with the two legged animals in the woods, in which case I would carry a 38 special or 9mm. You will shoot them much better than the other three. People will tell you they are not enough, but I have never heard anyone volunteer to be shot by one!

[David D.]

And if your concerned about the recoil you can always put a brake on it!!!