I only push mine to about 800-825. 165 grain full wc goes straight through my test medium (a semi ripe doe some redneck poacher stripped the loins out of and dumped in my ditch). Tried them on the ham and the thick part of the neck.
That's my thoughts on a woods gun. Something small framed, relatively lightweight, and close at hand. Today's woods aren't the same woods as grandpappy hunted in.Right. When I think of a "woods gun", I like it to be capable of taking small game. The .44's and .357, and the .45 all do that well with shot loads. Automatic pistols, not so well. As long as I have a rifle, or bow, my woods guns are lighter pistols of smaller caliber, such as a .38spl, 7.62X38mm Nagant, a .22LR or .22WRF. These days, I've turned most often to my Remington Navy .36 as my woods gun. Just for fun I sometimes carry Grand-Dad's Luger, but don't really consider a 9mm as a good woods gun.
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
I would prefer a K-frame double action or Colt sized SAA. Prefer to stick w/ something along the lines of a Mdl 10 or Ruger Vaquero in .45 Colt. .357 Magnum is absolutely ear splitting w/o ear protection. .38 Spl and .45 Colt are less so.A question for you Mr. Mosin...what "kind" of gun would you like to own...double action revolver or single action?
My favorite "small frame" woods gun that I use for fishing and backpacking is the S&W 60-10 3" .357 Magnum and has adjustable sights. The same gun is still made but called the 60-15 or 60-15 PRO.
View attachment 967308
Have shot everything in it from .38 Wadcutters to 180 grain .357 Magnum FMJ ammo...handles everything well.
Bob
...what would be your minimal revolver cartridge of choice to put down dangerous critters? Animals of note include bobcat, mountain lion (seasonal), black bear (populace is increasing), hog, coyote, and various nuisance/pest such as skunk or possum that anything from a .22LR on up would handle.
I would prefer a K-frame double action or Colt sized SAA. Prefer to stick w/ something along the lines of a Mdl 10 or Ruger Vaquero in .45 Colt. .357 Magnum is absolutely ear splitting w/o ear protection. .38 Spl and .45 Colt are less so.
---Been reading on woods cartridges, animals, etc; out of curiosity; and I cannot seem to reach a solid conclusion to the matter. I've spoken to a few old timers, few hunters I know; and it's the classic "Ask 100 people, you'll get 100 different answers scenario."
In regards to S. MS, what would be your minimal revolver cartridge of choice to put down dangerous critters ? Animals of note include bobcat, mountain lion (seasonal), black bear (populace is increasing), hog, coyote, and various nuisance/pest such as skunk or possum that anything from a .22LR on up would handle.
For the sake of simplicity, exclude handloading. I know the benefits, I'm just curious about factory ammunition. And no, I'm not buying *anything*. This is just a "curiosity" post.
---View attachment 967152
Posted this pic on another thread, but this has been my "woods gun" lately, and most often when I'm hunting. My Remington Navy has taken a few grouse with light round ball loads, and she packs a good punch with slugs. This set-up can carry a lot of ammo, without too much bulk or weight. The horn-flask and cap pouch will pack at least 50 rounds. The pouch will hold more slugs than that, but I don't really know how many powder charges the flask holds. My guess would be 50.
The woods I hunt/trek/explore in have some nasty critters, so I'd not carry this as my only weapon. But along with a powerful bow I'd feel fine, or one of my spears, which I sometimes hike/trek/explore with.
Another combination I like is a .44mag, and then my Little Badger .22LR. That covers all bases, but would be "woods guns" rather than woods gun.
I carry a 357 loaded with 180 grain hardcast bullets. Plenty of gun in my opinion for black bears in the woods of northern NH and Maine.
...That's my take on it as well. On the occasions when I'm in an area with a few bears and I'm not carrying a deer rifle. ... 180 gr. WFNGC and suitable dose of Accurate #9 powder in a .357 Blackhawk should keep bruins at bay. No Grizzlies around here to worry about and while I've seen Black Bears in the wild, I'll admit that every time I've seen one I was unarmed and they didn't seem interested in me. But when I'm in their neighborhood it's better to err on the side of caution.I carry a 357 loaded with 180 grain hardcast bullets. Plenty of gun in my opinion for black bears
——To this day I don't like hunting with dogs, either they went stray like in this case or they scared the deer so much the meat was horrible.
I recently traded for this Taurus Tracker 44 magJust a short comment regarding +P ammo. I have always been one that said if you need or want something like a .38 Spl +P why not just buy a .357 mag. That said I shot .357 mag for years but these last few years I seem stuck on the .44 Special. Dangerous animals I would tend to carry a .44 mag. I have never had the pleasure of being in big bear country but from what I read Moose kill more people than big bears, so I think a rifle is more in order if roaming around big bear country. Something like a Marlin Guide Gun in 45-70 or a 300 Win Mag.