Woods Gun

[steve8261948]

I love my M/G and to your question, is there much difference, YES the .44 mag is a very capable of handling anything in my area but, you didn't say where your from the .357 mag. uses lighter and smaller bullets and has less power?

My 629-4 Mountaiin Gun, it no longer wears the Herretts now it got the Hogue 500s on:

 

[BlindJustice]

I live in SE Wash. and have camped in the Cascades to the west and
the foothills of the Rockies to the east.

The Gp100 is fine I've shot a friends and it's a good
strong .357 Mag wheel gun. - what Bbl. Len.?

Reeds Ammunition & Research
Oklahoma City OK ( check web site )
http://www.reedsammo.com/
has the following .357 Magnum ammo.
158 gr. Hornady XTP JHP @ 1475 FPS 6" Bbl.
for approx. $22 for a box of 50
180 gr. Hornady XTP JHP @ 1,296 FPS
for approx. $30 for a box of 50
The Hornady XTP JHP is built to penetrate with
delayed delayed expansion, you want a solid
constructed bullet for black bear. They have thick
skin and layers of fat, If you had to shoot one
with a side shot - bust it in the shouldersbut if you
miss rearward they're hearts ride low so a high
shot might just blow through the lungs and you'll
have a PO'd Bear on Adrenalene...

The only advantage a S&W 686 holds over a GP 100
would be if you got the 686P for Plus meaning it's got a
7 shot cylinder.

>40 S&W on the SIberian Tiger. - three officers 12 hits
with about 27 rounds expended that's what 45% accuracy
with the Tiger charging I'm not surprized.

WHat kinda of leather do you have for your GP100? IF it's a
6" Barrel you might consider a good SHoulder rig, like
the ALessi Field Master - carries the revo muzzle down and secure
but it's a one handed draw - SHoulder rig is nice for tramping
around and the ALessi Field Master has Leather on both sides
for support Thick on top where it needs to be and thinner for lower
positioning straps. I have a 686P with a Milt SParks 1 1/2 inch
belt along with the MS 200 AW for strong side carry and it
has a hammer shroud so the hammer doesn't hang up on a vest or coat
and you can clear leather farily quicly. THe stout belt
supports the gun, and a couple of speedloader holdders on the
opposite side.

You could also get some CCI/SPeer shot shells for your GP100
.357 - carry one in the chamber that fires first - in case of a snake
you are ready or it's a warning shot and yell at the Bear and
most times they just run.

 

[BlindJustice]

since the Glock 10MM Boyos waded in here....

1rst option for me because I shoot it better than
my 686P, is my 1911 5" full size. I would not hesitate
to take it in the woods in .45 ACP However, if it was
Bear country I'd put the .400 CorBOn Barrel in it.

155 gr. Hornady XTP JHP @ 1350 FPS and it's an
eight round magazine + 1 in the chamber and a ready
mag. for reload.

ANother Revo of mine I again shoot better than the 686P
but not quite as good as the 1911 but quicker to reload than
the 686P is my 625 5" Bbl. with full moon clips in .45 ACP
for reloads, and .45 AUto RIm heavy loads for the first cylinder
full. I haven't got the ALessi Field Master SHoulder rig for it
so not yet

The other feature of carrying a woods handgun with a shoulder
rig is the first time you need to grab the toilet paper and go
off and do your business I don't think I have to explain that
further.

 

[fishjar]

Here in NC

Fly fishing or bumming thru the woods I carry my S&W 620 in either a Simply Rugged Pancake or a Widerness Safepacker.

First 3: 38+P 158gr LSWC HP
Next 4: BB 180gr. HC

 

[3rdpig]

I used to carry a 7-1/2" Ruger Super Blackhawk with 240 grain hardcast lead slugs and 15.0 grains of Blue Dot, which gave me about 1300 fps. But like some others above, I now carry a Glock 20 with a 6" barrel and the Doubletap 230gr. WFNGC Hardcast loading. Out of my 6" barrel it averages 1200 fps. Not quite the equal of the .44 mag loading I used to use, but darn close and with 16 rounds in the gun I feel the slightly lower power is worth the tradeoff.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Hi Shooter X, I'm in Lackawanna County so we aren't too far neighbor.

I carry a 4" M686 loaded with 180gr Hard Cast or Hornady XTP bullets in the woods around here. I'm sure your GP100 will handle anything in NE PA with the right bullet. DoubleTap has a 180gr Hard Cast round and a 200gr Hard Cast round but I like the 180gr best in the .357 Magnum because it still has good velocity. You will get 1300 fps from your 4" Ruger GP100 with a DoubleTap 180gr Hard Cast round.

If you reload you can make up the rounds yourself. I charge 15.0gr Lil'Gun under that 180gr Hornady XTP bullet. Accurate and clean but most importantly, it packs a punch while still being controllable.

 

[Fishman777]

I would go with Buffalo Bore...

Buffalo Bore 180 grain, hard-cast, .357 magnum rounds moving at 1500 ft/second would be my choice. The 1500 ft/second is out of a 6 inch revolver, so you'd probably loose a little velocity.

Someone mentioned 150 to 200 pound Black Bears. They can get much bigger. I read somewhere that they can get as large as 800 pounds. That probably would be a little too big for any .357 magnum. I would probably go with the .44 magnum. I personally would go with a 4" SS Ruger Redhawk. I'v read the 240 grain JHP is an ideal BB round. In grizzly/brown bear country, I would probably go with one of the hard-cast, heavy, +p Buffalo Bore or Garret .44s.

 

[Wineoceros]

but a general purpose "just in case" gun while hiking, scouting etc..

While hiking through the woods from November through the first week of January I always carry a Savage 111 in .30-06 "just in case" an aggressive white-tailed buck should appear and menace me with his large, pointed antlers.

Why, just two months ago I was taking a casual stroll through the forest when I decided to stop and rest for a few hours. About 45 minutes or so into my recouperation I spotted a brown form about 250 yards across the clearing in front of me. Not certain about the nature of this potential threat I took a precautionary stance and leveled my defensive rifle and its 6x-18x variable scope at the brown form, whereupon I discovered that it was one of the aforementioned dangerous animals, staring in my direction with a most frightful expression. Being aware of these creatures' legendary speed the distance between me and him afforded me little comfort, as I knew that when the beast began his deadly charge he could be upon me in the blink of an eye.

Clearly I had no option but to defend myself, and immediately struck first by pulling the trigger. My aim was true and the brute fell where he stood, never to stand again. Attack pre-empted, and I lived to tell the tale.

Thank goodness I had the right to carry a self-defense weapon with me that day...not to mention the foresight to keep a very large ice chest in the back of my vehicle.

 

[Shooter X]

I am gratefull for all your comments and opinions. I have read them all, and decided for now to stick w/ the.357. I just ordered some 200gr hard cast from DoubleTap.

Now I have to decide on some leather. I have looked up some of your recommendations for holsters, but have not decided yet. I'm embarrassed to say that I used to carry this gun in my pocket or in my backpack. Neither of which was comfortable or easily accessible. Time to buck up and buy a good rig.

steve8261948 nice looking gun, especially against the camo background. Might as well be wearing a bikini all oiled up on the beach

 

[MCgunner]

For hot loads, I like the Hornady XTP 180 in front of AA#9 I get 1400 fps from a 6 1/2" barrel and 1335 from a 2.3" barrel from that load. It's packin' 785 ft lbs from my Blackhawk. AA#9 meters cleanly in a powder measure and burns very clean, good stuff.

I like flap holsters for woods carry, though I do have a shoulder rig I have used. If I wanna drop my drawers, my gun is still right there, ya know. LOL Just be sure it's out of the drop zone. Won't carry THAT one any farther. But, I don't care much for a shoulder rig cause it usually gets in the way of my pack and I'm usually carrying a backpack or day pack when I'm hiking. The waste belt on my backpack rides above my gunbelt when I'm hiking. If I carried a bigger pack, I might have to change ideas, but I've never been on one of those week long treks that would warrant a bigger pack and at my age that's becoming more unlikely that I ever will.

I do like the idea of that Safepacker for hiking, though. Out in New Mexico, it's not a big deal, open carry state and all and people are used to seeing handguns even in towns. However, that Safepacker does protect the gun and doesn't look like a holster which I really like.

 

[BlindJustice]

On a good rig, SHooter-X

I went the extra mile and got a matching belt eoops,
GUN belt, it's 2 pieces of 6 1/2-7 oz glued and then
stitched together 1 1/2 inches wide, and getting the belt
from the same maker as the HOlster = Great fit.

 

[Clipper]

The only thing I'd rather have than your GP-100 would be a 4" Security Six...Just 'cause I like em...

 

[Sunray]

"...Might as well be wearing a bikini all oiled up on the beach..." Thanks. You've given us all horrible nightmares.
"...am I just looking for a reason..." 'I want one' is reason enough. However, a handgun must fit your hand to be able to shoot it well with any ammo. If you're thinking a .44 mag, the SuperRedhawk and the GP have exactly the same size grip. The SRH is a great big revolver though.
Yogi isn't the least bit interested in you. You smell of nothing but trouble to him.
"...decide on some leather..." Look into making your own holsters. Tandy's sells how-to books. Nothing is as satisfying as making your own kit.
Uncle Mike's is your friend though. Comfortable ballistic nylon holsters that won't cost you the rent/mortgage money.

 

[rkamp]

I finally settled on a 1911 in 10mm because I can shoot it better than any other
platform. It covers my needs for home defense (Georgia Arms 155/180 gr Gold Dots) and walking the woods (200 gr. XTP Double Tap 1250 fps).

I tried the .44 mag in the 5" Smith Classic, but I found myself shooting it single action most of the time when firing off 240 gr hunting ammo. If I could have shot it worth a darn double action using 44 special level personal defense ammo I would have stayed with it and saved a bunch of money.

Hats off to those who can really shoot a revolver double action. Here are my woods walking pals; Remington Titanium in 7mm-08 and custom Delta.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Shooter X,
What kind of holster are you looking for? If you are looking for a comfortable belt holster you won't mind carrying all day take a look at the products of Simply Rugged. They make good stuff at a fair price and like I said, they are comfortable. The The Sourdough Pancake is a great holster for carrying a 4" .357 Magnum around all day. The Loaded Pancake has loops for an extra 6 rounds right on the holster. It looks good but I would rather carry a speedloader. (actually, I carry 2 speedloaders in the woods)

 

[wnycollector]

+1 on the simply rugged holster suggestion. I have one for my 28-2 and it is comfortable all day long!

 

[kmrcstintn]

I have used .357 magnum revos (Ruger, Taurus, S&W w/ 3", 4", 6" barrels) for the past few years...regardless of make, model, or size I have relied on Federal CastCore 180 gr flat tipped bullets; originally being from Northeastern PA (greater Wilkes-Barre/Scrantion area) & currently residing in Southcentral PA (greater Harrisburg area), I usually don't tote any .44 mag handguns on a regular basis; if I had the money to spare & could afford to buy a stash, I would invest in some Buffalo Bore 180 gr hardcast lead loads...being rather tight on finances, I get the Federal CastCores a box at time

 

[Shooter X]

Seem to be quite a few of you guys fond of the buffalo bore 180gr. Gonna have to give them another look.

 

[Shooter X]

ArchAngel and Wyncollector that Sourdough pancake looks like the ticket. Looks like they also make a nice belt.

Sunray i agree with the Uncle Mike's I use one for a Mustang .380. Does the job without the big price tag.

 

[wnycollector]

kmrcstintn check our doubletap ammo. It is 85% of the velocity/energy of the buffalobore but ~$33/50 rounds vs ~$24/20!!!

 

[ArchAngelCD]

The Buffalo Bore 180gr Hard Cast are reported at 1385 fps from a 4" barrel and cost $23.09 for 20 rounds. The DoubleTap 180gr Hard Cast rounds are reported at 1300 fps from a 4" barrel and cost $32.95 for 50 rounds Is 85 fps really worth all that additional money since both rounds are extremely fast? I could understand if the additional velocity made the difference between a JHP bullet expanding reliable and not expanding but that's not the case here. The Buffalo Bore rounds are over $1.15 each whereas the DoubleTap rounds cost just over $0.65 each. I would go with the DoubleTap round every time under these circumstances. Of course, you could always make your own ammo.