Woods/Hunting gun

[mountain_man]

I'm looking to fill a woods gun role. I hunt in the south east, so we don't have any of the real big or dangerous game that other parts of the country has. I am looking for something to keep along with me while deer hunting in a tree stand. And to get into handgun hunting with. The hunting area is pretty thick, think archery type ranges. And there is a possibility of black bear. They are in the area on trail cameras but havent been seen in person yet. I've not really settled on caliber, i dont want to be punished when shooting but i want something that could handle deer and or a black bear from a tree stand. I do have all of the components to reload 357 magnum except brass, so that makes me sway towards 357. I've been looking at gp100 and ruger blackhawks, but I don't know which way to go. Any input would be appreciated

Edit: I am looking at 6ish inch barrels at the moment

 

[shoebox1.1]

I’d think a 5 inch GP100 is the answer. Loaded pretty hot. Like the hornady American gunner 158 XTP going 1500. That’s my carry round. They are a lil SPICY!

 

[Rodfac]

"Tree stand....archery distances....heavy cover". Bigger is better IMHO; and something like a .41 or .44 Magnum; or maybe a heavily loaded .45 Colt (in one of the robust Rugers) would cover my choices and still allow shots with killing accuracy out to 50 yds; assuming you have the commensurate skills. If you go with a .357, I'd cut that distance in half. While many report good results with a .357, in IMHO, it's a bit light at realistic hunting distances here in my northern KY haunts.

All of this assumes proven load selection that will give expansion plus complete pass through with rib cage shots (an entry and exit hole doubles the blood trail)l and like bow hunting, hunting with the short gun, demands a hunter with the skills to make the shots, and the patience and self control to pass on those that are beyond his skill level. The game we hunt deserves nothing less.

Best regards, Rod

 

[.38 Special]

I love the .357, but I do subscribe to the idea that an outdoorsman's gun should be chambered in something beginning with a "4". My own choice is a Bisley Blackhawk in .44 Special. The Blackhawks in any cartridge (well, maybe not .30 carbine!) are in general a fine choice for the role.

 

[NeroM]

Over the course of past 50 years, I've used 38 Spl, 357 Mag, 41 Mag, 44 Spl, 44 Mag, 45 Colt and 454 in "walking around" and pure hunting applications. 357 is nice, but if hunting [deer size game and hogs] is on the horizon- suggest a ".40" something. For me, 44 Mag and 454 were too much. 45 Colt is a nice balance with 255 gr loads at 950-1000 fps - effective on game and easy to learn to shoot.

However, the best choice [in my myopic view] is 41 Mag. One can load a 250 gr bullet at 950-1000 fps to get 45 Colt level or load it to over 1400 fps - 44 Mag levels. 41 Mags are known to be accurate, penetrate well and almost as shootable as 45 Colt, plus a standard Ruger Blackhawk in 41 Mag is a "reasonable" deal - street priced $650-$675.

 

[bangswitch]

I'd pick a .357Magnum for a revolver (or larger if you feel like toting it), and a 10mm or .45 Auto for a 1911. Any of those can dispatch a Eastern Black Bear if needed, and can take whitetail deer as far as 50 yards. I have lived in the SE US, NC foothills, most of my life.

 

[jstert]

a ruger blackhawk convertible single-action revolver chambered in 45lc/acp or 357/38/9mm. the cheaper semiauto pistol rounds for fun and practice, the heavy, expensive revolver rounds for business.

 

[357 Terms]

I've taken several 200# plus Indiana Whitetail with the 357. ( 180 grn XTP loaded with 14.3 grns on N110, around 1400fps from my BH, 1700+ from my Marlin)
It's more than adequate.
If you put a stout Magnum load ( 357, 41, 44) in the right place, it will do the job.
My 6.5in Blackhawk is an excellent hunting handgun.

 

[Pat Riot]

The ultimate choice is yours @mountain man
You know your shooting abilities, we don’t.

I personally would go with a Ruger GP100 or Blackhawk. Either one can handle loads like @357 Terms suggested. Actually the Blackhawk would be ideal.
I like the suggestion by @jstert
A convertible could be very handy.

 

[red rick]

You have this posted in the revolvers forum , but you didn’t say that you were only looking for revolvers . There is nothing wrong with the GP 100 or the Blackhawk . But if I were in your shoes I would be looking at a 10mm semi automatic pistol optic ready . S&W M&P 2.0 , Glock 20 sf or gen4 and Springfield XDM elite . Pick the one that feels best in your hands .

 

[mountain_man]

You have this posted in the revolvers forum , but you didn’t say that you were only looking for revolvers . There is nothing wrong with the GP 100 or the Blackhawk . But if I were in your shoes I would be looking at a 10mm semi automatic pistol optic ready . S&W M&P 2.0 , Glock 20 sf or gen4 and Springfield XDM elite . Pick the one that feels best in your

I wasn't clear but I am looking at only revolvers right now. Nothing against semis, I just am not interested in one for this role. I plan on loading for whatever I buy and don't like chasing brass. I also am on a nostalgia kick right now

 

[mountain_man]

I'd pick a .357Magnum for a revolver (or larger if you feel like toting it), and a 10mm or .45 Auto for a 1911. Any of those can dispatch a Eastern Black Bear if needed, and can take whitetail deer as far as 50 yards. I have lived in the SE US, NC foothills, most of my life.

Over the course of past 50 years, I've used 38 Spl, 357 Mag, 41 Mag, 44 Spl, 44 Mag, 45 Colt and 454 in "walking around" and pure hunting applications. 357 is nice, but if hunting [deer size game and hogs] is on the horizon- suggest a ".40" something. For me, 44 Mag and 454 were too much. 45 Colt is a nice balance with 255 gr loads at 950-1000 fps - effective on game and easy to learn to shoot.

However, the best choice [in my myopic view] is 41 Mag. One can load a 250 gr bullet at 950-1000 fps to get 45 Colt level or load it to over 1400 fps - 44 Mag levels. 41 Mags are known to be accurate, penetrate well and almost as shootable as 45 Colt, plus a standard Ruger Blackhawk in 41 Mag is a "reasonable" deal - street priced $650-$675.
View attachment 1218046

A 41 magnum actually interests me more than a 44 or 45. However sourcing one locally may be an issue

 

[bangswitch]

A 41 magnum actually interests me more than a 44 or 45. However sourcing one locally may be an issue

Why, are they illegal where you are? Maybe they aren't as frequently found, but they're all over the place, just have to be patient. Can't have either of mine, though.

I didn't mention .41M because 1-they aren't as popular and 2- ammo can be an issue if you don't reload. It's probably what I would carry if out in the backwoods, since I have a choice of them, but I also have the others I mentioned.

 

[Anchorite]

"Tree stand....archery distances....heavy cover". Bigger is better IMHO; and something like a .41 or .44 Magnum; or maybe a heavily loaded .45 Colt (in one of the robust Rugers) would cover my choices and still allow shots with killing accuracy out to 50 yds; assuming you have the commensurate skills. If you go with a .357, I'd cut that distance in half. While many report good results with a .357, in IMHO, it's a bit light at realistic hunting distances here in my northern KY haunts.

All of this assumes proven load selection that will give expansion plus complete pass through with rib cage shots (an entry and exit hole doubles the blood trail)l and like bow hunting, hunting with the short gun, demands a hunter with the skills to make the shots, and the patience and self control to pass on those that are beyond his skill level. The game we hunt deserves nothing less.

Best regards, Rod

This is exactly where I stand philosophically.

I live and hunt in Southwest Alabama. There is nothing in the lower 48 and east of the Mississippi that a 44 Magnum can’t handle. And I love my 45 Colts!

My favorite loads are 240-260 grains, jacketed or lead. I have both single actions and double actions. I just can’t fathom not having a 44 in my collection.
It’s a well respected and capable round and if you reload, components are not hard to come by.

I will say that I am perfectly content with a JHP against thin-skinned animals such as white tailed deer and even hogs. Neither are that hard to kill, and I’ve never noticed a difference in the quarry when hit with either.

Get a 44, and get ‘er done.

 

[CraigC]

IMHO, the .357 is best left to experts. Everyone else should be rolling with a big bore as a hunting revolver. Anything from the .41Mag and up. Just like the woods walkin' thread, same concept but more velocity. Standard weight bullets at 1200fps or more. The increase in velocity will flatten trajectory to get you 100yds and also increase tissue destruction, hastening the end of your game critter. Could be a S&W N-frame, Ruger Blackhawk, Super Blackhawk, Redhawk, Super Redhawk, Dan Wessons, Colt Anaconda, etc..

 

[WestKentucky]

I’m on the fence with what I carry in the woods. I have carried a 44, and it did its job. 15 yards and the little buck fell over. I have carried a 357, and it did its job. 20 yards and the little buck fell over. I have carried a 10mm, and it did its job. 25 yards the nice buck was staggering and not going far, but he wasn’t down, the gun jammed, and I fired a shot through the .270 to avoid a blood trail in light rain. I currently don’t have a .357 or .44 to hunt with, but I will before deer season rolls around (have one just gotta find time to fix it). I do have a 10mm 1911 and I feel plenty confident in its ability, and I do want to take a deer with this one as it was an anniversary gift from the wife. Previous 10mm was a delta elite and I can’t stress enough how awful those guns actually are.

Having used these all in hunting scenarios, I can’t find fault with any of them. This was all in Kentucky and the deer didn’t fuss one bit about what I shot them with, and none was deader than any of the others. (Argument to be made there about the .270 at 25 yards and the massive exit hole, but that has nothing to do with the handgun part of this discussion.)

Moral of the story, you need 2 of each so you can form your own opinion with your own real world data and experiences. You can accomplish this in an acceptable time frame by going on multiple out of state guided hunting trips upon which you can try your guns out. I suggest spring/summer hog hunting as a means by which to judge them all so that you can be thoroughly confused and do it all over again in the fall/winter with deer.

 

[mountain_man]

Why, are they illegal where you are? Maybe they aren't as frequently found, but they're all over the place, just have to be patient. Can't have either of mine, though.

I didn't mention .41M because 1-they aren't as popular and 2- ammo can be an issue if you don't reload. It's probably what I would carry if out in the backwoods, since I have a choice of them, but I also have the others I mentioned.

I have a local brick and mortar store they are a smaller regional store with three or four loactions. I have have a pile of gift cards for that I was going to use towards this purchase. I probably should have mentioned it earlier but i didnt really think about it. I may just have to end up going with a 44 and search for a 41 at a different point in time. So I guess I'm kind of limiting myself to current production and available models. I reload so as long as I can get components ammo won't be an issue. I was leaning towards 357 originally because i already have primers and some projectiles. But after reading more input from members it sounds like I need to bite the bullet and step up to something that starts with a 4. Whichever I can find locally

 

[bangswitch]

I have a local brick and mortar store they are a smaller regional store with three or four loactions. I have have a pile of gift cards for that I was going to use towards this purchase. I probably should have mentioned it earlier but i didnt really think about it. I may just have to end up going with a 44 and search for a 41 at a different point in time. So I guess I'm kind of limiting myself to current production and available models. I reload so as long as I can get components ammo won't be an issue. I was leaning towards 357 originally because i already have primers and some projectiles. But after reading more input from members it sounds like I need to bite the bullet and step up to something that starts with a 4. Whichever I can find locally

I don't keep up with current models of most handguns, I'm a fan of pre-1982 S&W revolvers and only like 1911's and BHP semiautos. My two .41 Magnums are both 1960's S&W's.

 

[Jack Ryan]

I wasn't clear but I am looking at only revolvers right now. Nothing against semis, I just am not interested in one for this role. I plan on loading for whatever I buy and don't like chasing brass. I also am on a nostalgia kick right now

357 - 44 Blackhawk can't go wrong. I'd look at 4 - 6" inch barrel. I've got a 7 1/2 and it is a little inconvenient in a tree stand as a secondary weapon. As the main hunting weapon it serves that role fine.

 

[bearcreek]

I'm looking to fill a woods gun role. I hunt in the south east, so we don't have any of the real big or dangerous game that other parts of the country has. I am looking for something to keep along with me while deer hunting in a tree stand. And to get into handgun hunting with. The hunting area is pretty thick, think archery type ranges. And there is a possibility of black bear. They are in the area on trail cameras but havent been seen in person yet. I've not really settled on caliber, i dont want to be punished when shooting but i want something that could handle deer and or a black bear from a tree stand. I do have all of the components to reload 357 magnum except brass, so that makes me sway towards 357. I've been looking at gp100 and ruger blackhawks, but I don't know which way to go. Any input would be appreciated

Edit: I am looking at 6ish inch barrels at the moment

I've not hunted with a handgun, but I live in a place where we have lots of black bears, mountain lions and wolves and the occasional grizzly. Most folks around here carry 9 mm or .38's, with plenty of other random cartridges to be found as well. I've killed a lot of deer with a .44 mag rifle and it works great. If I was buying a revolver specifically for deer hunting, I'd choose a .44 mag. For carry in a tree stand while bow hunting, I choose the same gun I carry everywhere else. A 9mm. You have a much higher chance of getting hit by lightning while in your tree stand than of getting injured by a black bear.

 

[entropy]

Since you are into older revolvers, hard to beat an N frame. Pick your caliber, they're all good: .45 Colt, .44 Mag., .357 Mag.

 

[bluejeans]

I’m a s&w lover but for the job you describe I think a ruger Blackhawk would be the way to go. .357 would be my pick as it has all the power you need while being more shootable and cheaper to reload will allow you to put in the practice to get good with it whereas with a 41 or 44 a shooter may be more likely to settle for “good ‘nuff” level of competence. Just my 2 cents since others have already made the case for a .4x

 

[Armored farmer]

Imho 45colt is a mild shooting, easy reloading, big bore that does very well in the woods.

 

[JumboJVT]

I'd rather the 900-1000 fps thump of a 44-45 then the blast and concussion of an equally efficient 357 load any day...if there really is an equally efficient 357 load.

 

[LUCKYDAWG13]

Imho 45colt is a mild shooting, easy reloading, big bore that does very well in the woods.

I'm in this camp I'd be looking for a Ruger BH in 45 colt