Woods Revolver Cartridge

[v8stang289]

I've taken to carrying my 2.75" m69 44magnum since I got it a few months ago. Before that it was usually my 4" 625 in 45acp ( though I do reload and was carrying a stout load of power pistol under a 215 hardcast wfn in a 45 super case).
I also carry a 4" 686 from time to time and every now and then my G21 set up for 45super.
We have a lot of black bears around here. But for the most part they won't bother anyone and go on their own way. I've had a couple of close encounters but just waited for them to move on both times. But I still like to carry enough gun, just in case.

 

[Hog huntin Harry]

Here in South-Central Texas the main threats are sub 200lbs hogs, bobcat (20-40lbs here), the very rare but increasing black bear, and mountain lion. A ranch foreman I know and trust carries a Ruger Blackhawk 5.5 inch bbl chambered in .45 Colt with Underwood 255 grain hard cast on his person 24/7. I personally would choose something along the lines of a Ruger GP100 model 1707 .357 mag and Buffalo Bore 180 grain hard cast at about 1400 fps.

 

[Dave T]

I've always been amused by the concept of a "woods gun". What about desert guns, or prairie guns, or mountain guns?

The advantage of a handgun is that you can always have it with you (on you) in case of sudden threat, what ever it may be. The choice for me is the most powerful handgun I can shoot well (fast and accurately) suited to the most serious threat I am likely to face. In many cases that turns out to be two legged vermin...remember I said "most likely". Since I don't bow down at the alter of the mighty 9mm, the choice for me is either a 45 ACP or a 45 Colt. Those are the guns I own and shoot so they are my "what ever guns". (smiley face goes here)

Dave

 

[Mr. Mosin]

I've always been amused by the concept of a "woods gun". What about desert guns, or prairie guns, or mountain guns?

The advantage of a handgun is that you can always have it with you (on you) in case of sudden threat, what ever it may be. The choice for me is the most powerful handgun I can shoot well (fast and accurately) suited to the most serious threat I am likely to face. In many cases that turns out to be two legged vermin...remember I said "most likely". Since I don't bow down at the alter of the mighty 9mm, the choice for me is either a 45 ACP or a 45 Colt. Those are the guns I own and shoot so they are my "what ever guns". (smiley face goes here)

Dave

I despise the idolatry of the supposed almighty 9mm Luger, but I am forced to become a convert, very much unwillingly. The financial benefits outweigh the heresy. I hope.

 

[Garandimal]

Well...

Don't laugh (out loud), but for rough hiking in the woods?

GLOCK G23 w/ a 5.3" LWD 357 Sig Bbl and Hornady Custom 147 gr. XTP ammo.

1,300+ fps MV, and a bullet designed as tough as a 158 gr. .357.

... and 13+1 on-board rounds.




GR

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[bassjam]

Where I live the most dangerous animal in the woods only has 2 legs. I tend to carry my LCP in my pocket when hiking because it doesn't get in the way of a backpack waist belt. Otherwise, a .22 is a perfect woods gun where I live.

 

[Mr. Mosin]

Well...

Don't laugh (out loud), but for rough hiking in the woods?

GLOCK G23 w/ a 5.3" LWD 357 Sig Bbl and Hornady Custom 147 gr. XTP ammo.

1,300+ fps MV, and a bullet designed as tough as a 158 gr. .357.

... and 13+1 on-board rounds.




GR

​

If it floats your boat, more power to you.

 

[Barbaroja]

I enjoy hearing about everyone’s “ packin pistols” Its like asking what your favorite color is there is no wrong answer.

 

[22250Rem]

Two revolvers here that sometimes get "woods revolver" duty. One is a .357 Ruger Blackhawk that rarely, (Like not during deer season when I have a rifle), gets carried in a big chunk of state land that contains black bears. 180 gr. hardcast handloads should work O.K.. Other than that I recently have been carrying a 22 cal. Ruger Single 6 convertible in the woods around here when out changing SD cards on trail cams. Because it's also squirrel season and I'm trying to multi-task.

 

[Barry the Bear]

.44 mag... it's what I got.

 

[ThomasT]

My favorite trail/woods gun is one of the Ruger Single Six 32 mags I own. Its easy to shoot and full power loads are nothing you want to catch in your ball glove. About the only thing to worry about around here are dope growers and hogs. I have never seen any pot growing around where I walk and the few hogs I have seen hauled butt the other way when they spotted me.

I have an old Hunter brand holster or an Uncle Mikes holster and a thick belt and it just is not a problem to carry. You forget its there. If I thought there was any real danger I would just carry my old Ruger Black Hawk in 44 mag. That should cover everything else.

 

[Garandimal]

If it floats your boat, more power to you.

If it's open country...

​

... the SA 1911-A1 will generally go.

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Around Camp or just kickin'it...?

​

Super Single-Six 5.5" .22 LR.

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For woods Hunting...

​

... it's always the BH 6.5" .357 Mag.




GR

 

[Anchorite]

There isn’t anything in the lower 48 that can’t be dealt with by a 44 magnum.

 

[Mr. Mosin]

Will a 255grn .44 Spl or .45 Colt @ 1k fps deal with a hog or black bear ?

 

[DR505]

Will a 255grn .44 Spl or .45 Colt @ 1k fps deal with a hog or black bear ?

I suppose it depends upon where you hit the critter.

I load a 270 grain LSWC in .45 Colt to 900+ FPS and it does a good job.

 

[Barbaroja]

Will a 255grn .44 Spl or .45 Colt @ 1k fps deal with a hog or black bear ?

Absolutely. A great number of much larger animals have fallen to both of those cartridges. Especially loaded to those velocities. I would stick with a cast lead bullet for deep penetration even though dense bones.
My current “ walkin around” load for my .44spl is a 200gn flat point round nose moving about 1050fps according to the data. I’m be picking up a mold for a 250 grain Keith style bullet soon and move to that for all my serious shooting and reserve the 200grainers for big bore small game fun.

 

[ThomasT]

Will a 255grn .44 Spl or .45 Colt @ 1k fps deal with a hog or black bear ?

Heck yeah! Dave Scoville of Rifle/Handloader magazine stated a 255gr bullet going 900fps would shoot through any deer sized animal length wise. Those animals aren't as tough or armor plated as some would have you believe. Yes they are tough but they aren't bullet proof. Leaning to shoot and being in control in a stressful situation is as important as the round and the gun used.

I have helped clean a couple of hogs and my knife slipped through and cut them up just as easy as gutting and cutting up a deer. Frankly I was disappointed they weren't harder to cut up than I was led to believe. They are just an animal.

And I have already told you about my friend who was a hunting guide who saw a 200+ pound hog standing off the road and watching him. He pulled out a 4" model 65 357 mag loaded with 158gr Remington HP bullets and fired one shot just behind the foreleg. He said the hog just fell over on its side. He stated the exit hole was about the size of an orange. And he does NOT exaggerate. He stated if you got shot with a 357 you're dead meat. He was very impressed with the gun and the round. And not much impresses Craig when it comes to killing.

 

[bannockburn]

For woods use I would feel more than adequately armed with a .357 Magnum, .44 Special, or .45 Colt. Even my Single Six with a .22 Magnum cylinder would work okay. Nearest thing we have to any kind of 4 legged predator would be some coyotes who can be heard late at night far off in the backwoods.

 

[BWS]

Carried a 4" 629 for years loaded to 11-1200 with Blue dot and the 429421. Not as high end of loads as the 2400 produced but,stout enough.

These days that 1200 is now about 1000,with the 429215 GC Lyman.

Avatar commander is the real surprise though. Still would have issue with woods "plinking" because,I ain't carrying a tarp,and chasing brass in the leaves/grass isn't my idea of fun. But have mellowed a bit with age and now a couple 7 rd CLIPS of cases dosen't bother me. The thing is so durn accurate out to say 25yds that varmints are gonna be in deep doodoo when it gets the sights locked on them.

It would be rare for me to be anywhere afield without a cast rifle rig. Handguns these days serve as shortrange,hit it right between the eyes sort. So accuracy is taken over power.

IF,deer hunting....and one of the 44's is gonna be the primary,the load will get jacked up a smidge but nothing close to wide open. Big cast bullets with sharp meplats have been working fine so no need to change now.

I'm back to skunk hunting,they are such a stinking nuisance here. Been using the commander...... now looking for a HP mould.

 

[Barbaroja]

Carried a 4" 629 for years loaded to 11-1200 with Blue dot and the 429421. Not as high end of loads as the 2400 produced but,stout enough.

These days that 1200 is now about 1000,with the 429215 GC Lyman.

Avatar commander is the real surprise though. Still would have issue with woods "plinking" because,I ain't carrying a tarp,and chasing brass in the leaves/grass isn't my idea of fun. But have mellowed a bit with age and now a couple 7 rd CLIPS of cases dosen't bother me. The thing is so durn accurate out to say 25yds that varmints are gonna be in deep doodoo when it gets the sights locked on them.

It would be rare for me to be anywhere afield without a cast rifle rig. Handguns these days serve as shortrange,hit it right between the eyes sort. So accuracy is taken over power.

IF,deer hunting....and one of the 44's is gonna be the primary,the load will get jacked up a smidge but nothing close to wide open. Big cast bullets with sharp meplats have been working fine so no need to change now.

I'm back to skunk hunting,they are such a stinking nuisance here. Been using the commander...... now looking for a HP mould.

I have had my eye on a hollowpoint mould from MP molds. I think I’m going to get one of his Keith clones for the .44 and something he calls the 41 hammer.

 

[jmr40]

Don't overthink this. Carry any 357, 41, 44, or even 45 caliber revolver you like. The key is the ammo you load in it. If I were choosing a woods carry revolver it'd likely be a 3-4" medium frame 357 Revolver. Something like a Smith 19 or 66.

But my personal choice is either a 9mm, 10mm, or 45 ACP pistol. With the better heavy for caliber hardcast bullets any of them will do anything you can do with any of the revolvers. Plus you get a smaller, lighter package with more firepower and the ability to mount a light for those overnight camping trips in bear country.

 

[Kleanbore]

Wouldn't it depend on the woods?

In some places, very bad people make illegal product.

In other places, the animals may be large.

 

[Barbaroja]

With the better heavy for caliber hardcast bullets any of them will do anything you can do with any of the revolvers.

I’ve gotta disagree with this aspect of your post.
That said depending where you live 9mm is a viable option but not my top choice. The only coyote I’ve ever shot was with a 124gn Hornady critical defense out of my 4” Springfield xd9.
All that said I’m quite bias, being a revolver kinda guy.

 

[MaxP]

Absolutely. A great number of much larger animals have fallen to both of those cartridges. Especially loaded to those velocities. I would stick with a cast lead bullet for deep penetration even though dense bones.

Except that they are not reliable on dense bone. I personally would go with a monolithic solid if deep, unhindered penetration the goal.

 

[Barbaroja]

Except that they are not reliable on dense bone. I personally would go with a monolithic solid if deep, unhindered penetration the goal.

Also a good option, although I would trust a cast bullet of the proper alloy to do the same job for a lot less money.
Prehaps if you live in Australia and have water Buffalo around that your trying to shoot with your handgun.
Good point though I don’t think anyone has brought up using copper solids.