What caliber for woods gun?
- Thread starter BsChoy
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Brian Williams
Moderator Emeritus
My Idea of a Woods gun is one that will shoot a strong enough caliber to kill the largest game in your area. Yet light enough that you will carry it all day and still be able to shoot it alot so that you are good enough with it to shoot even a small critter like a rabit or squirrel for survival situations.
Get the 620 or find a 686 mountain gun.
Here is mine, a S&W 65 with Target trigger and hammer and a 4" pencil barrel fitted and the cylinder moonclipped.
BsChoy
Member
Brian williams, did you send your gun out to TK custom for that? I was thinking about that for my 642 but am not sure. How do you like it?
MCgunner
Member
How much does such a mod cost? I wouldn't wanna leave too much of the brass on a .357 case unsupported, though. Might not be a good thing, not sure. Apparently it works for you, though. Very interesting mod that would be really cool on a .38 snubby like the 640.
Brian Williams
Moderator Emeritus
I took my 65 to Mark Hartshorn who runs Pinnacle High Performance, One of Moonclips.com's machine cylinder reccomendations. It is great and there is only a little of the case that is "unsupported', just .035 so it is not a problem that I would worry about a 357 case blowing. The moonclip fits where the rebate of the rim is anyway, besides they moonclip 44mags and .454 Casull. IIRC it cost $75 for the cylinder to be machined.
OldSchooler
Member
First off, this is really a chance to buy another gun, right? Eeeeeehaha!
In that case, get something you dont have! And make it something BIG.
.41 Mag is neat and I like the Tauruses. But lets not fool ourselves - not big ENOUGH. Don't they make a Taurus in .44 Mag? They do right? Well, there you go, problem solved. Go for the .44 or .45. It's what you really want, anyway; the rest is just rationalization. Go BIG wheelgun, man!
Second, the idea of a handgun on a hunting junket, when you are standing there with a capable rifle, borders on oxymoronic. Oh sure, some dopey doe might saunter by and give you a chance to pop her with your six-gun. Or that all important coup de grace might be needed, because your intial shot wasnt just so. But, man, you are right there with a rifle! Why bother with a second gun. It aint like the deer is firing back at you from behind the rocks.
Now, let me admit that I am NO heap big hunter. I'm spolied, as I live in the south and the Marlin .35 Remington I favor or the .30-30 next to it are about all I want along. And about all I need. My .308 gets to come out once in a while, but it can be overkill at times (In fact, I'm thinking about trading it down to 7mm-08). Fact is, I have no other hunting rifles, aside from a 12ga. Mossie with an extra Slugster barrel (is that rifle, or shotgun? - oh well, no matter).
Sometimes, I even do the blasphemous and only stuff two up, toting some extra rounds in my pocket wallet if need for them arises, which it doesn't. I stand before you in abject apology, as I really do miss the point of the wheelie as "backup" hunting gun.
However, going "hunting" as a reason to just shoot the thing as I see fit, now that I can relate to. If it were me, I'd boot Alain Quartermain out of my imagination and just come out and admit it: I want a really big, new-to-me six-shooter. That sounds like good enough reason to get one!
In that case, get something you dont have! And make it something BIG.
.41 Mag is neat and I like the Tauruses. But lets not fool ourselves - not big ENOUGH. Don't they make a Taurus in .44 Mag? They do right? Well, there you go, problem solved. Go for the .44 or .45. It's what you really want, anyway; the rest is just rationalization. Go BIG wheelgun, man!
Second, the idea of a handgun on a hunting junket, when you are standing there with a capable rifle, borders on oxymoronic. Oh sure, some dopey doe might saunter by and give you a chance to pop her with your six-gun. Or that all important coup de grace might be needed, because your intial shot wasnt just so. But, man, you are right there with a rifle! Why bother with a second gun. It aint like the deer is firing back at you from behind the rocks.
Now, let me admit that I am NO heap big hunter. I'm spolied, as I live in the south and the Marlin .35 Remington I favor or the .30-30 next to it are about all I want along. And about all I need. My .308 gets to come out once in a while, but it can be overkill at times (In fact, I'm thinking about trading it down to 7mm-08). Fact is, I have no other hunting rifles, aside from a 12ga. Mossie with an extra Slugster barrel (is that rifle, or shotgun? - oh well, no matter).
Sometimes, I even do the blasphemous and only stuff two up, toting some extra rounds in my pocket wallet if need for them arises, which it doesn't. I stand before you in abject apology, as I really do miss the point of the wheelie as "backup" hunting gun.
However, going "hunting" as a reason to just shoot the thing as I see fit, now that I can relate to. If it were me, I'd boot Alain Quartermain out of my imagination and just come out and admit it: I want a really big, new-to-me six-shooter. That sounds like good enough reason to get one!
MCgunner
Member
Well, they make the "Raging Bull" in .454 Casull, but I sorta like a handgun I can carry comfortably on the hip. If I'm going to go BIG, I'll carry my 7mm Remington Magnum and be done with it. I hunt with a contender, that's for hunting, but I always carry a handgun when I'm rifle hunting out west. I've taken rabbit with .38s stoked in my .357 and used the same gun same day to follow a Javelina trail through brush on my hands and knees where I couldn't maneuver the rifle and took a big javelina bore with it. Just dumped the .38s that were in it and stuck in a speed loader full of magnums, then adjusted my sight picture to compensate.
I've also carried a contender with a .410 barrel and took scaled quail with it while stalking the desert. There are reasons to carry a handgun while rifle hunting, but main thing is I just like to. But, I've already got the weight of a rifle and day pack on me, so keeping the gun relatively light is the thing. That's the reason I've got the hots for a titanium tracker, and that I might actually carry it concealed for defense now and then. I'd go ahead and get a Sparks summer special for it if and when I get one.
I hardly ever carry a handgun other than my CCWs when I'm stand hunting around home, but out west I always carry one. And, of course, a lightweight magnum handgun is very handy if you do much back packing in bear country. I haven't done any hiking in years, but if I get out there again, I'll likely be packin' the .357 or my .45 Colt. Either one is a dandy hiking gun, a little heavier in steel, but I ain't in a wheelchair, yet. I just have to have something to want, thus the tracker, LOL!
Feanaro
Member
It's hard to find good information on the subject but best as I can tell, generally speaking(there are a lot of alloys for both steel and Ti), Ti has a higher strength-to-weight ratio than steel(if they are the same RC, steel can be safely made harder than Ti). But, big but, you need a greater volume to match steel's strength. With the same volume, steel is stronger.
It is about two times heavier.
I've been pondering the same question lately and have narrowed it down to either a .357 or .45 LC in the form of a Ruger Blackhawk. I'm leaning toward the .45 at this point because I like big holes vs. velocity, but the .38 ammo is cheap and .45 LC is not.
I believe Ruger offers a Blackhawk in .357 with an extra cylinder chambered for 9mm. If that's true, it might be the deciding factor with 9mm ammo available for $4-5 box.
I believe Ruger offers a Blackhawk in .357 with an extra cylinder chambered for 9mm. If that's true, it might be the deciding factor with 9mm ammo available for $4-5 box.
BusMaster007
Member
BsChoy,
You mentioned you have a S&W 642.
Another S&W would be a natural choice.
The S&W Mountain Gun in .45 Colt seems to be a perfect compliment, giving you a BIG BORE lightweight carry handgun for the woods.
Some of the stiffer loads are 'S&W' compatible and you'd still have the choice of getting lesser powered loads or loading as you like for yourself.
Hope you get what you want!
You mentioned you have a S&W 642.
Another S&W would be a natural choice.
The S&W Mountain Gun in .45 Colt seems to be a perfect compliment, giving you a BIG BORE lightweight carry handgun for the woods.
Some of the stiffer loads are 'S&W' compatible and you'd still have the choice of getting lesser powered loads or loading as you like for yourself.
Hope you get what you want!
As my name implies, I am a proud owner of a 620. If was my first handgun and I absolutely love it. The versitility of cheap .38 wads for the range up to 125 gr gold dots for 2 legged animals up to 180 gr buffalo bore for 4 legged beasts is unmatched. I am not exactly sure what predators you have in the woods in NY but I would feel very secure with a .357 loaded with the 180's against anything short of a brown bear (which are not in NY). I noticed you have a G19 (as do I, great gun) and you typically put 200 down the pipe at the range. With the cost of .38's you could easily do the same with the 620. Hope this helps and good luck with whatever you decide.
MCgunner
Member
Well, IMHO, a first revolver, especially one that is to be used afield, should always be a medium frame .357.
BsChoy
Member
Gentlemen thank you very much, I know there are very few dangerous animals in NY as I have been hunting for 22 years but I worry more now about 2 legged ones on my families land...I am a cop and I know people have been utilizing the land without permission (nobody outside the family gets permission unless they are with me). Also if I get that wild hair and want to take a shot (within 50 yds) of a deer it is a challenge and I like to have a little challenge once in a while.
MCgunner
Member
Well, if I can't get the .41, my second choice would be the .357. I just would like a .41, though. I can understand why they'd be slow sellers. This board is full of shooting fanatics and yet only a handful seem to reload.
Richard.Howe
Member
- Joined
- Dec 23, 2003
- Messages
- 887
My choice was an SP-101 3" model for this kind of service. Easy to field strip down to the last component without tools in case it gets dunked, relatively light, and easy to pack/shoot.
Rich
Rich
MCgunner
Member
I've thought of a SP101 with 3" tube, but I really want adjustable sights to take advantage of the gun's versatility with different loads. My Wadcutter .38s shoot 6 clicks lower than my 158 grain magnums in my M66
Taurus. It'd be an easier gun to carry concealed, though. I may wind up getting one considering the price of the Titanium trackers, but I think I'll just wait and save for what I really want. I have a fantastic shooting M66 Taurus, so no need to be in any big hurry. Heck, I don't really NEED the danged gun, truth be told...:banghead: I love that old Taurus, just a little heavy to carry IWB if I wanted to. It's friggin' accurate to the max for outdoor carry, though. Doubt I could get any better accuracy than 1" five shot groups at .25 yards with best .38 AND .357 loads. I went through four medium frame .357s to find one this accurate. I was really hot for that .41 cause it'd be a new caliber, too. Oh, well, I'll procrastinate. I mean, I don't lack for CCW guns, either. And, if I'm going to carry a medium frame revolver, my P90 Ruger ain't that heavy, just a little bulky, but the Sparks holster make it comfy.
Taurus. It'd be an easier gun to carry concealed, though. I may wind up getting one considering the price of the Titanium trackers, but I think I'll just wait and save for what I really want.
I have a fantastic shooting M66 Taurus, so no need to be in any big hurry. Heck, I don't really NEED the danged gun, truth be told...:banghead: I love that old Taurus, just a little heavy to carry IWB if I wanted to. It's friggin' accurate to the max for outdoor carry, though. Doubt I could get any better accuracy than 1" five shot groups at .25 yards with best .38 AND .357 loads. I went through four medium frame .357s to find one this accurate. I was really hot for that .41 cause it'd be a new caliber, too. Oh, well, I'll procrastinate. I mean, I don't lack for CCW guns, either. And, if I'm going to carry a medium frame revolver, my P90 Ruger ain't that heavy, just a little bulky, but the Sparks holster make it comfy.- Status
