Best Revolver for Hunting and Packing

[brianr23]

I know, I want the best of both worlds. I would love opinions on the best revolver for hunting and general woods carry. Thanks for all the opinions.

 

[Brian Williams]

Do a search of this forum and you will find almost everything is listed for your general requirements, I really like S&W K or L frames especially the fixed sight versions.

 

[Robby]

My choice for a woods or farm gun is "THE JUDGE". I keep some 410 #4 shot shells in a couple chambers, and fill the rest with either 200 gr FMJ, or 250 gr JHP. I can kill snakes with the shot, rotate the cylinder and go for a coyote, or bob cat with the 45 colts.

Mine is the long model, 6.5" barrel, and is quite accurate at normal ranges from 7 yds to 15 yds. Shot shells are pretty useless to me after 7 yds.

 

[Sistema1927]

S&w 686

 

[.38 Special]

IMO the best stock hunting revolver right now -- barring the very pricey Freedom Arms guns -- is the Ruger Bisley in .45 Colt. This assumes a handloader, of course, or else somebody who can afford to pay top dollar for the heavy Buffalo Bore rounds. The only problems are the barrel -- as far as I know they only come in 7.5", which is nice to shoot but annoying to pack -- and the trigger, which pretty much sucks. A good gunsmith can rectify both issues, and you then have a gun which is lightweight, good looking, and adequate for anything short of the Big Five.

For the non-handloader, the Smith & Wesson Model 29 in .44 Magnum gets the nod, again in my extremely biased opinion. I hold the 4" model as the best compromise for hunting, protection, and general woods loafing.

 

[Matt-J2]

Be sure to check on what barrel length is legal for handgun hunting in your state. No point in getting excited about a 4" for totin' about just to find out you need a 5" for hunting(as we do here, IIRC).

 

[.38 Special]

There are barrel length limits for hunting in some states? Huh. Just when you think you know everything...

 

[Guillermo]

without getting silly money wise a S&W 686 is good if you are hunting small game. If you are hunting larger game a 629 is a versatile, powerful weapon if you reload.

 

[Harve Curry]

Best Revolver for Hunting and Packing ?

Hands down a Single Action Revolver, like a COLT, RUGER, or copies.

 

[.455_Hunter]

I carry a variety...

When I am hunting or backpacking, usually one of the following is in my holster:

S&W Model 28 6" in .357 Mag.
Ruger Blackhawk 5.5" blued in .45 Colt
Uberti "Chisholm" 4.75" blued in .45 Colt
Ruger Old Vaquero 7.5" blued in .45 Colt (a little too big)
Colt M1917 New Service in .45 Auto Rim
Webley MKVI in .455 Webley

I would not hesitate to carry any of the above!

 

[glockman19]

For me the best depends on where I'm hunting & packing. It will either be a .357 or .44 mag. depending on where I am.

 

[ARTiger]

6" Ruger GP 100 .357 Magnum for me during deer season. (In thick woods I like to hunt with it.) Otherwise a 3" SP101 if just using as a backup or when hiking.

 

[Oro]

Several of my friends who hunt like the 686 in .357 magnum.

I like it to, and that is what I carry when I am outback but not in grizzly country. There I carry a 629 .44 magnum.

 

[Evocatii]

+1 S&w 686

 

[22-rimfire]

There is no one size fits all when it comes to this choice. Larger calibers and longer barrels are better for hunting and shorter barrels are more comfortble for woods walks. I favor a 4" Smith & Wesson Mountain Gun in 41 magnum for a general purpose woods firearm. For sheer hunting however, I prefer a longer barrel. There are many perfectly good choices, in 357 mag or larger calibers; but a 4-something caliber is a better choice for hunting whitetails.

 

[MMCSRET]

I use my RBH in 45 Colt and my S&W 57 in 41 Mag. Both barreled less than 5".

 

[steveracer]

I would go Smith and Wesson model 29 Mountain Revolver. Light (39 ounces) powerful (.44MAG) and very good sights. I can regularly hit a 10" plate at 100M standing two-hand hold. It's not terribly bulky for packing, either. I have a Blade Tech IWB rig for mine, and it conceals nicely.
Steve.

 

[Stainz]

I liked my .45 Colt 625 Mountain Gun so well for this function, I bought a second one. I just need a good holster... I am ashamed to admit what I carry this beauty in. Actually, this, bought new 8/02 as a gift from my wife, was my first S&W. If the .45 Colt 625MG isn't the 'Perfect Packin' Pistol', I really don't know what is. Okay - without my ammo factory, maybe a 4" 625, a la my 625JM, would be next. Good old 'clipped .45 ACP ball ammo for plinking - available anywhere reasonably - and really good defensive ammo, too.



Stainz

 

[LAH]

The best is a 4" M29-3 or it's stainless counter part. Small enough for CCW and large enough for deer, black bear, etc. It's my pick.

Second, the Blackhawk 45 Colt, 4 5/8"............Creeker

 

[336A]

What is best is highly subjective, as what is best for my needs may not and probably won't fill your needs. When I hunt my primary tool is a long gun, my sidearm is only for secondary use. That is of course unless I am out hiking,camping or just bumming around the woods. I have been using a S&W M10 (recent production model) for about 2 years now and love it. I stoke it with my own loads consisting of a good cast 158gr SWC over a stout charge of Unique. I'm working on replacing that load though with a 170gr SWC, again using a healthy dose of Unique. I haven't felt under gunned yet with this combo, and it carries like a dream.

 

[Sato Ord]

Ok, we're talking opinions here, not absolute truth, so what you are getting is my opinion, YMMV

For both hunting and just personal protection in the woods, I would carry .41mag, .45LC, or .44mag. In single action I'd go with either a Blackhawk or a Vaquero, For double action I'd pick a Redhwak.

I've used all three pistols and I love them all. My choice for all around most versatile is .45LC, but I'm a sentimentalist.

If I were going to be hiking in bear country a lot I would probably opt for the .44, though, and load it with the hottest rounds the pistol is capable of firing.

If the pistol is primarily for hunting I would probably go with the .41. The Blackhawk in .41 is extremely accurate and the caliber will easily take down anything in North America, providing you practice and can hit your target. Shot placement is always critical.

 

[Colt46]

I'll second the Ruger Bisley

A good, hard cast bullet of appropriate design at 1000 fps ought to fill any bill you might need.
I'm not a fan of 7.5" barrels and you ought to think about shortening them to 5" or maybe find the AcuSport stainless version in 5.5"

 

[huntershooter]

4" 28-2
4" 58
4" 57
4" 29-2
4" 629
"N" frame S&W's, preferably of .4X cal.
Hardcast lead bullet (of appropriate weight for cal.) @ 1000-1200 fps.

 

[DaleCooper51]

I like packing my 6" model 17 22lr when walking about the woods.

It makes a fun bunny and squirrel gun.

 

[Dilbert]

It'd kinda big, but I like the S&W 610 with the 4".