Big bore advice

[magmeister]

I need to add a big bore six gun to the collection.
It will be used for hiking and camping.
I will be in black bear country 97% of the time, with occasional trips to Wyoming, Montana, Idaho and some day Alaska.
So my question is 454 Alaskan or four inch Redhawk .44 mag?
I have narrowed it down to these two only, so please give your advice.

 

[mavracer]

454 is a hair more versatile,with the ability to shoot 45 Colts.

 

[rcmodel]

How much experiance do you have with hard kicking loud handguns?

Either one will get your attention, but the .44 Redhawk will be the more managable of the two, and a lot more fun to shoot.

I can't even imagine what a 2 1/2" .454 must sound like when it goes off, not even considering the recoil differance!

For practice, you can shoot .45 Colt in the .454, and .44 Spl. in the .44 Mag.
Both will be very pleasent to shoot in the big guns.


rcmodel

 

[campbell]

I'd go with the Alaskan. 6 oz less, Super Red grip frame more recoil friendly. But I'd stick with heavy .45 Colts from DoubleTap. Plenty of punch, but will be much more controllable than the .454's.

 

[Dr. A]

I hope to soon have both, but currently have the Alaskan because of its ability to shoot both the 45 Colt and 454 Casull. I primarily shoot cast 270gr. at 1100 to 1300fps. One need not shoot 454 to get a good defense round. Shooting at 30,000 CUP is a piece of cake. The 454's do recoil a bit more, but is entirely managable because of the grip. The single action trigger is fantastic, and I regularly plink and hit 4 and 6 inch swingers free hand at 50 yards with it. The shorter barrel is a bit much to get used to, but that also makes it fun. I carry it in a pancake holster made by Rob Leahy of Alaska. The grip on the Redhawk is quite a bit bigger, and more limiting in its ability to protect your hand. The SRH Alaskan has a significant amount of padding where you need it most. You can't go wrong with either, but there is a certain amount of difference between the grips and the triggers you should understand by holding and trying both out if possible.

 

[Ala Dan]

Dangerous Game

I'd like to think that in 'bear country I would be armed with the most powerful
big bore available; as Old Griz ain't none too friendly when agitated, so my vote
has to go to the .454 Casull~!

Better yet, a Freedom Arms .475 Linebaugh