I am looking at buying a revolver to use while fishing, hiking and hunting in Alaska for bear protection. I know that just about any handgun is a poor substitute for a rifle or shotgun, but a handgun may be better than nothing when a long-gun is unavailable.

I was thinking of a Smith and Wesson .500 with the 4 inch barrel... but I have had some friends tell me that option would be to heavy and reccomend a titanium Taurus in .44 mag. I have had other friends tell me that the Taurus would be too light to control well and that a .44 would be a distant second place to the .500 when I really need to use it.

Any opinions?

Thanks,
Chet

Well I'll give this a shot. I am a avid handgun hunter (F/A and XP's)with many deer and hogs to my credit, with that said I have never hunted Brown Bear.
Since you state that this will be carried mainly for fishing, hiking and backup to your main rifle while hunting, I would think a compromise between easy to carry with controlable power to make my choice.
In shooting big bore rounds, the gun will recoil off the target, so a double action really has no true value over a single action.
The climate in which there are likely to be Brown Bear is going to be wet, so I would go with a stainless steel Ruger Blackhawk in .44 mag. with a 4 3/4 barrel and go with Garrett Ammo(this is premium hardhitting ammo). This will be a dependable rig and provide you with plenty of packable power.

I have a 41 mag taurus tracker titanium 4".
My loads are the federal hunting loads with a 250 grain castcore bullet.

I feel this double action has a little advantage over a single action in that I can use it with one hand if need be.

The barrel porting and grips do an excellent job with recoil.

The taurus tracker .44 would be a good pistol too it is only a couple ounces heavier than the titanium version.

Federal also loads a 300 grain castcore hunting load for the 44.

The trackers have short cylinders that may not fit a long cartridge.

The full frame 44 titaniums would be good as would a short barreled blackhawk.

Before I got the tracker I had a 4 5/8" 41 mag blackhawk that I used 293 grain hardcast handloads in. That was a sweet pistol. But I have to admit that I love the lightweight tracker more.

Search this forum and Google the web for "Ruger Alaskan". This gun was designed for just what you describe. I suggest any of the available calibers. If you don't handload, I suggest you avoid the 480 Ruger version, though that is debatably the "best" choice against brown bears at short range.

Sturm Ruger - Alaskan

The 44s and 454s are in stores now. The 480s are hopefully in the factory pipeline and a few are floating around, if you can locate one.

John Davies
Spokane WA

If cost is not a major concern go to Gary Reeders website and you will find several examples of just what you need. I use a Reeder custom Alaskan Hunter based on a Ruger Blackhawk frame in stainless with a 5" barrel and a 5 shot cylinder in 500 Linebaugh. It is lightweight due to the large holes in the barrel and cylinder and handles recoil very well thanks to his custom gripframes. This is about as good as it gets for your intended needs. On the other hand, I also have a Taurus Titanium Tracker with the 4" ported barrel in the less common 45 Long Colt. I am shooting the 250gr XTP's just over 1100 fps and would think that a good hard cast in the 265-300gr range at 1000fps should do nicely too. The cheapest option would be to go with the 4-5/8" barreled Super Blackhawk in 44 magnum in stainless, of which I also have. That one with a 300gr premium hardcast at 1250fps(short bbl.) or a 320@ 1200fps should put a hurting on any bear.

In the 70's,I lived in the bush near the yukon river for a little better than 3 years and have dealt with a few bears so maybe my 2 cents worth will be considered.

I have a rather low opinion of "any" handgun as a big bear stopper.The whole point is to stop him before he makes contact with you.It will do you no good at all for him to curl up and die somewhere "after" he's mauled you.

In my opinion,the whole focus is misdirected when the focus is taken away from the neccessity of making a solid brain hit.A handgun is a relatively puny weapon and I suspect that the big pistols will tend to give the carrier a sense of false confidence which will likely encourage body hits.

In short,focus on head shots.Any thing from 357 mag and up should suffice as long as you use non expanding bullets.

I'd take a hard look at Rugers 4 inch 44 Redhawk
loaded with Buffalo Bores +P+ 340 grainers or Garretts 330 grainer, both do around 1400fps.

No offense, but my personal opinion is if you shoot a handgun well enough, and often enough to be of use to you in a defensive situation you'll be able to determine the best answer for you. If you need to seek the advice of others, then you likely don't have the handgun shooting experience to employ a handgun in a defensive situation.

That said, the 44mag is the smallest gun that I'd trust my life to, and I personally carry a Ruger 480 w/ a 400gr hardcast load.

I'm honestly more concerned with two legged cretins than 4 legged furry creatures.

If the mission of a handgun is to stop a big bear charge,it seems to me that if you can't reliably make head shots at close range with it than I tend to think you're only kidding yourself.

I've looked at a number of "bear stopping pistol" threads with a lot of amusement.

Ruger Alaskan. 480 would be my choice---2MG

Thanks for all of the information guys. You have all been very helpful.

It sounds like something in a 4-5" .44/.454/.480 would be a good choice.

What would be the advantages of a .480 ruger vs. a .454? In looking at the Buffalo bore website it appears that the .454 may be a little hotter. Does that make it less controllable than the .480?

Thanks,
Chet

Nothing scientific about my answer, but I have two identical Ruger SRHs with 7.5-inch barrels. One in .480 Ruger and one in .454 Casull. In every case that I have shot factory fodder through them, the Casull is significantly more unpleasant to shoot than the .480. Even when stoked with 410 grain Buffalo Bore loads, the .480 remains a hell-of-a-lot nicer to shoot. I have tried a variety of different ammo in the .454 and in virtually every case, the .480 is more pleasant. It torques more in the hand while the Casull slaps it. I would think that the .480 will be more controllable and offer more terminal performance than a .44 mag -- the .480 would be my first choice.

Dittos on the recoil. I've fired many 454's, 475's and 500's, and then fired a 480. For me the 480 is the biggest handgun I can fire without having to deal with abusive recoil, weight or muzzle blast. The extra powder the 454 burns makes more signifigantly sharper recoil with only a debatable difference in power. To me the 480 feels like a big 44 mag, and pushing 400 gr as fast as a 44 pushes 300 gr, and with 30% more frontal area, the 480 is 30% more gun. I've seen tests with both the 400 gr and my 460 gr out of the 480, and it's one penetrating machine.

I'd pack a bigger handgun if I could handle it, but the only way I could handle more gun is to either go to a very heavy gun, or a muzzle break, both of which aren't options. I figure if 400 gr @ 1200 fps isn't enough, it's rifle time.

I'm still looking for a 9 1/2" 480 to cut down to 5". My 7 1/2 480 shoots way too good to mess with it, and starting with a 9 1/2, I'll have a 4" stub to make the 48 special blackhawk I've always wanted.

As much as I like the single actions, and I believe I've shot most combinations of blackhawks, super blackhawks, bisleys and FA 83's in std and roundbutt configurations, I can't shoot the SA's nearly as well as the DA SRH. I also believe a DA is a better design for a deffensive gun. I practice shooting both SA and DA with it, and can shoot it accurately both ways. I figure any gun I can consistantly drop 8" steel plates @ 50 yds offhand, and that'll put 5 into 1" at 50 yds off the bags and scoped is a good gun

S&W 500 4". No others need apply.

P.S. Tell your buddies to hit the gym

I'm curious how many days a year you pack a 500 S&W? There's a world of difference between shooting a gun at a range, sitting in a stand with one, and living with one in a holster for most of the summer.

I would have to say S&W 329 Scandium 44.
I pack one when I am hog hunting with my dogs.
Very light to cary and not noticed with all of the other gear carried at the same time. The recoil is terrible but you are looking for a backup pece not a plinker.

JM2CW

I'd spend as much time as I could toting my 500S&W around. Unfortunately, my job doesn't allow this But if you can't pack 3.5lbs on your waist, you probably don't need to be out fishing either, as your fly rod might be too heavy. Sure it's noticeable on the hip. I carry mine every time I hit the woods, and that's alot. Is it too heavy? Maybe for my grandma... Is the extra weight worth the extra power over a 44mag? You better believe it!!

How much difference is there in the muzzle report with ported barrels in these large caliber revolvers as compared to their non-ported counterparts?

I once had a ported 1911 style .45...and lets just say I don't have it anymore. I also once bought a .300 Wby with a muzzle break in a moment of exceedingly poor judgement, and ended up using the rifle with the brake removed.

Chet

While I've never shot the 500 without the ported barrel, I can tell you that the report matches it's power. It's fairly "thunderous" even when compared to full house 44's. I have gotten quite used to it now though, and shooting it is quite easy. The 500 is a serious boomer, but when the shit really hits the fan, it's doubtful you'd ever notice the recoil or noise, or even care at that point.

My 4 inch 500 S&W mag goes with me most of the time I hit the woods - A good holster and a good belt helps also.

Good intentions are the pathway to hell! If it makes you feel safe with your handgun in Brown bear country so be it. Hopefully, you will never have to use it. A light rifle or carbine in .30/06 power range or higher is want is needed to stop a big Brown bear in a life threating sitsuation.

I just received this story in an e-mail. While a handgun is truly a poor substitute for a rifle or shotgun....sometimes it could come in very handy:

THE LONGEST MINUTE
Doug White
September 16, 2006

We all have read about or seen movies entitled, ‘The Longest Day’, ‘The Longest Yard’, or ‘The Longest Mile’. Well, I am going to tell you about “The Longest Minute†of my life.

Reed Thompson and I had been hunting hard for five days. The day was Thursday, September 7, 2006. The weather had turned from beautiful sunny skies to gale force winds and the blasting rain that comes with fall storms. Never has the weather dictated hunting time to us, so out we ventured into the Alaska bush. Not seeing a single bull for several days, we decided to hunt an area downstream that had always produced one.

Late in the evening, we were walking down a raised half mile long finger of ground that was full of grass and alders. This turf was slightly higher than the swampy tundra on either side of it. We had slogged across the swamp as quickly as possible, during a sudden deluge, to get to the downwind point. Our hope was that our passage would not be observed with the sudden increased wind and rain. About halfway down the finger, Reed turned to me and said, “I think there is a moose up ahead. It looks like two white sticks in the grass. It would surprise me if it was not a moose.†I glassed the area about one hundred yards ahead and to the left. With Reed’s help, I zeroed in on the two white sticks and watched them for several minutes. With the slightest movement, the two sticks transformed into a white paddle and then back to the two sticks. The bull had moved his head ever so slightly.

I moved my scope out to ten-power and focused in on the two white sticks as Reed moved about ten yards further down the high ground. Then as Reed focused on the white points, I moved to his location for a better shot. Reed began moving toward our quarry as I watched for movement though the scope. With nothing solid or high enough to rest my rifle on, I was forced to aim free-hand. When Reed had taken a few steps, I saw the horns rock to the right and then back to the left. The big boy then stood up and was looking directly our way. Even with the forty mile an hour winds blowing directly at us, he sensed our presence. I squeezed off a round from my Browning .338 and felt good about the shot, but the bull took two or three steps to my right and disappeared out of sight behind some alders. Reed could still see him and shouted, “Do you want me to shoot him?†I yelled back at him to go ahead because I did not want the bull running too far. I heard his shot as I was scrambling forward to get a better look. After a thirty yard hustle, I was able to see the huge fellow still standing. I put another shot into him and watched him drop. We both hesitantly, but with great excitement, approached this giant and realized that he was dead. This was a mature bull with a beautiful rack and the biggest body mass I had ever seen. The fun was definitely over; now, the real work was ready to begin. After consulting the GPS, we noted that we were a half mile from the slough and boat. It was decided that both of us should return to the boat to discard unnecessary items and return with the gear needed to prepare and pack out the meat. We placed red and blue handkerchiefs high in an alder bush so that the sight could be located from the adjacent high ground. This was the easiest half mile hike of the day. I was pumped up and excited beyond explanation.

At the boat, we left our heavy rifles. We gathered our pack frames, game bags, ropes, and knives. After Reed repositioned the boat, to compensate for the upcoming low tide, I asked him, with hand signals, if he remembered to get the handguns. He did not understand my award winning charade performance, but I let it pass after observing his revolver strapped to his chest.

Upon returning to the moose, we were hot, sweaty, and wet. The rain had abated for awhile, so we removed our rain gear and hung them in a small tree about five yards perpendicular to the moose’s belly. Reed removed his revolver, hung it on a branch opposite his jacket, and brought to my attention that it was hanging there.

With darkness approaching, we decided on removing the top front and rear quarters, tie them to our pack frames, gut him out, and then roll the behemoth over to cool through the night. We would return in the morning to finish up. Two non-spoken traditions when hunting are: whoever pulls the trigger 1) does the gutting and 2) hauls the horns out of the woods. After removing the two quarters, it was time to remove the internal organs. After cutting, tearing, and ripping, I had removed all but the heart and part of the esophagus. Darkness was settling in pretty fast and I could barely move my arms. At this point, Reed said that he would trade places with me. Instead of moving up behind the moose, I just scooted to the rear leg area and watched Reed crawl up inside the gut cavity. After a couple of cuts the ordeal was over. As Reed pulled the heart out and tossed it behind us, a loud “HUFF†snapped us to our feet. Turning around, we saw standing before us, on his hind legs a large, chocolate brown grizzly bear. The next minute seemed to last an eternity. The term surreal is so over used, but the next minute was dreamlike, bizarre, fantastic, and unreal.

The bear was standing next to the tree where the pistol was hanging. We both started shouting and waving our arms back and forth, as we moved somewhat to our right, toward the tail end of the moose. The bear came down off his back legs, onto all fours, and started circling to his right -- toward the head of the bull. My only thought was to get to the gun so that we could scare him off. I sensed that he charged us from the head of the moose as I broke for the gun. Reed commented later that the bear vaulted over the moose and went straight for him. Halfway to the tree, I tripped on a fallen log and went down on all fours. From my peripheral vision on my right, I saw the bear going after Reed, who had moved into the tall (5 foot) grass. It appeared that the bear had knocked Reed down and was standing over him. My worst fear was that my friend was being mauled. I did not know how I would get him back to the boat and then home.

I grabbed the holster but was unable to remove the revolver, regardless of how hard I tugged. As I looked up, I saw the bear charging toward me. I started backing up as I continued screaming and hollering at the bear. I was frustrated that the pistol would not break free from the holster. With the bear almost on top of me, I fell over another log. I did a back drop and felt him grab my left leg. His huge head was above my lap, just out of reach of my holstered club. I tried to hit him with the pistol but a crazy thought entered my mind that I could scare him into thinking I was going to shoot by waving it back and forth. Unable to remove the pistol from the holster, I tried to shoot through it, but the strap held the hammer down on the single action revolver. Just when I thought all was lost, the bear rose up, pivoted 90 degrees to his left, and was gone. The grizzly had charged back in the direction of Reed as he had jumped up and yelled once again. Later, Reed stated that he had seen the bear knock me down and thought he was mauling me. The thought entered his mind that he was toast. He was alone in the grass with no weapon. I was down and I had the gun. When the bear started moving toward him, Reed dropped back down into the low wallow area where he had fallen during the initial charge. Reed saw the bear’s face about a foot from his own. He could hear the bear trying to sniff him out. At that point, the bear stood up, pivoted to his right, and charged back to me.

When Reed distracted the bear from its attack on me, I had time to concentrate on the holster. I saw a buckle with a strap running through it. I could not figure out how it held the gun in place, so I grabbed the buckle and attempted to \rip it off. To my surprise, the buckle was actually a snap and the strap peeled away. As I pulled the revolver out, a sudden calm came over me, and I knew everything would be fine. I looked in the direction of Reed only to once again see the bear charging at me. He was about ten feet away coming up and over the initial log that I had tripped over. That was when I pointed the revolver and fired at center mass. The .44 magnum boomed in the night and the boar fell straight down, his head three feet away from where I stood. As he fell, he bit at the ground and ended up with a mouthful of sod. I stood in a dumbfounded stupor. I had no expectation that the pistol would kill the bear. My hope was that the shot would sting the bear and help scare him away along with the flame and loud report. As his head sagged to the ground, I shot him three more times in quick succession, out of fear and anger.

My next sensation was hearing Reed’s voice ask if the bear was dead. I answered, “Yesâ€. He then yelled at me to save the rest of the rounds because we still had to walk out, and he did not have any more bullets with him. The minute was over. We hugged each other for a long time, before packing out the two quarters.

There are some pictures that went with the e-mail. If someone knows knows how to post them I could e-mail them to you.

Chet

That is an interesting story. I hope those guys keep their wits better next trip, and take TWO handguns, and know how to use them. And that they remember to always keep at least one on the hip, not hung on a tree. It's better to get some moose blood on the holster than human blood.

Better yet, don't leave all the long guns back at the boat!

John Davies
Spokane WA

I would skip the pistol and carry a 12 gauge shotgun with 600 gr Brennekke DG loads. When i'm out in the woods hiking, fishing or backpacking thats what I carry and it helps me sleep good at night too.

Taurus, 454 in 5'', ported.

I agree with Paul. IF you have to ask you should pick up a rifle.

quote:

Originally posted by Paul H:
No offense, but my personal opinion is if you shoot a handgun well enough, and often enough to be of use to you in a defensive situation you'll be able to determine the best answer for you. If you need to seek the advice of others, then you likely don't have the handgun shooting experience to employ a handgun in a defensive situation.

That said, the 44mag is the smallest gun that I'd trust my life to, and I personally carry a Ruger 480 w/ a 400gr hardcast load.

I'm honestly more concerned with two legged cretins than 4 legged furry creatures.

So...how does one go about "shooting a handgun well enough, and often enough to be of use to you in a defensive situation" if they never purchase one and practice using it?

I suspect Paul H was not born with "the handgun shooting experience to employ a handgun in a defensive situation"...and therefore had to learn to use one at some point after that event.

Since these are informational forums, I am a bit surprised at the idea that we shouldn't ask to hear the opinions of others as we may be branded "inexperienced".

I probably should have mentioned this in my original post but I do actually have a great deal of experience, both military and civillian, using automatic handguns and revolvers up to .44 mag. I just wanted to hear what people with more experience than myself had to say about a good revolver for Alaska.

Apparently we should only give advice....but never ask for, or listen to, that of others?

Chet

quote:

So...how does one go about "shooting a handgun well enough, and often enough to be of use to you in a defensive situation" if they never purchase one and practice using it?

I think the main points were that you should buy and become proficient with a handgun before relying on it for self defense, and that relying on ANY handgun against bears is always second best to an appropriate shotgun or rifle. No one is saying to not buy a handgun.

I agree with those points. Leaving the rifles back at the boat (as described in that article) while walking off to a gutted elk carcass in brown bear country, is insane. Having one handgun is merely very risky, but hanging it on a tree branch is again insane.

The right weapons are useless if you don't know how to shoot them or you leave them out of reach

John Davies
Spokane WA

Chet:

You have a PM

I had no intention of offending anyone, but the comment is based on my observations of my own shooting and friends. What I've seen is those that spend plenty of time at the range and become proficient with handguns, as well as studying what they can on the subject form their own opinions as to what works for them.

Making a suggestion as to the best choice for an Alskan protection revolver has mostly to do with your abilities and proficiency, and I have no idea what that is. So I have to make some assumptions. I also look at my own experience.

If you're firing a handgun often, as in weekly, and putting many quality rounds down range, you will become proficient with a handgun. You will also loose that proficiency when you shoot a few times a year.

The best advice is the most powerful handgun you can shoot well, shot well. Personally, based on my shooting experience and field experience, I'd say a Ruger 480 SRH cut to 5" and modified for full moon clips is the best defensive handgun. It is compact, powerful and shootable. I'd load it with 400 gr hardcast to 1200 fps. The problem with that gun is it's mostly a handloading proposition, so maybe it's not the best for you.

Man, a guy has to shovel thru a lot of manure to get to the serious answer to a serious question on this one. A gentleman upstate of me told me that the model 29 on his hip had killed a lot more game, up close and personal than the rifle he left in the truck because it was too heavy and too awkward to carry flyfishing or answering the call of nature. His name was Elmer Keith. I tended to take what he said seriously as a young man visiting his home in the seventies. If you go bear hunting, take a big bore rifle. None of you here, in the same situation would have carried a ten pound rifle back to haul moose pieces and parts out. A handgun is a one-hand gun, so-called because it is light and compact enough to be carried on a belt and fired with one hand. It's back up firearm, a sort-of last resort if you will. Out on the ranch we usually carry a rifle in a saddle scabbard. But, we always carry a big revolver, every time we leave the house...because you never know when a range bull might take a notion to hook you, or the skunk that comes out from under the barn might be rabid, or that roughstock gelding you are shaking out might step in a gopher hole, flip and stick the saddle horn thru your belly button and then take off dragging you along for ballast. Any handgun this guy carries is 1000% better than the rifle or shotgun he leaves behind.
My answer is either a Colt 4" barreled Anaconda in 45Colt Magnum, or the Taurus 5" ported 480.

JMHO

Rich

Here are the pictures from Chet's Adventure

Thanks for posting the pictures Jim.

Rich: I think you hit it on the head...nobody actually believes that a handgun is anything comparable to a heavy rifle when it comes to a brown bear. When I go out hunting bear this spring I will probably take my Echols Legend M70 in .416 Rem. It holds five rounds and will shoot 350 grain Barnes TSX into 3/4". There is not a handgun made that would be better at stopping an agitated bear.

I am thinking of the large caliber revolver as a "last resort" weapon to use while flyfishing or other times when a 10 pound .416 is a little awkward.

Paul H: What do you think of the work "Wild West Guns" in Anchorage does? The have a package they call the "Wolverine" that is based on a Super Redhawk modified to the specifications you mentioned.

Chet

Chet,
thanks. I would still opt for the Taurus 480 Ruger 5" ported double action (that means one-hand to cycle the action and fire five shots). If weight is an issue, the S&W 329 is a 26 oz 44 magnum DA revolver...you will never notice the recoil if you are shooting at a bear, etc.

I am jealous of your mailing address.

Rich

I've fired a few WWG conversions, and from what I've seen they do good work, but I believe they are overpriced for the work they do. Then again when you add up shipping costs for out of state it kinda balances out.

Chet
Here is what I use and recommend.

I like the stainless S&W 44 Mag "Mountain Gun".

My wife and I both carry them.
It is a little lighter that the regular S&W.
WE carry them 100% of the time.
I have seen several of my friends show up with BIG Mag revolvers only to leave them in camp "under their pillow" after a day or two of hunting.

I carry either Garretts loads or the Federal 300 gr Cast Core, which Randy Garrett told me himself is a good load.

You may have to shoot the revolver with one hand, thus I think any recoil over 44 Mag might break my wrist if shot from an akward hold/angle.

I have a Freedom Arms 6" 475 Linebaugh, I love it, it is the beat revolver around IMHO.... But it is too much gun for "protection".

If I was to brown bear hunt with a handgun, I would use the 475.... but I would still carry the S&W 44 Mag for "protection".

In a protection shooting situation brain shots are the only thing that is guarenteed to save your bacon.

I also carry Speer shot shells for grouse and other game for the pot, so the "little 44" is most handy and is well worth having.

I prefer the double action to the single action for protection as it is easier to maintain a firm grip and fire multiple shots.

Also it is faster to reload, especially with speed loaders.

Chances are you will have more trouble with 2 legged varmints than bears. I like to be ready for both.

I have found the beat way to carry the 44 is in a De Santis crossdraw holster. It has a pretty radical rake that does not bind your leg movement in rough country. It is comfortable on horseback or ATV. It interfears less with a backpack than any other holster I have used.

It is a handy enough, effective enough, package to be carried 100% of the time.

Also when tent camping in bear country I wear it while in the sleeping bag, as if a bear gets on me in the night I "might" be able to get it in my hand and save myself.
If it is not "attached" to you you chances are very slim.

I like LIFE and enjoy LIVING. I do everything in my power to be able to survive ANY emergency, be it man, beast, weather, or mechanical breakdown.

I learned as a Boy Scout "Be Prepared".

As TR once said Make preparations in advance... then if you have trouble you are ready for it.

I took my 4" S&W Mountain Gun on my last trip to Alaska. I had two holsters, one an inside the waist band Kramer and the second one was a Galco shoulder rig. I carried two speed loaders with Winchester Silvertips in town and six belt rounds of Garret hard cast 320 (?) grain bullets in a 2x2x2 configuration while hunting, plus six of the same in the revolver in each case. I figure the gun and extra leather was a lot more practical than the 5 1/2" or 6" revolvers of heavier calibers and a lot more concealable in town. I have carried just a 6 inch S&W revolver under a coat as my only gun, plus two speed loaders, but an 8 pound rifle and a 39 ounce revolver, plus reloads, was enough extra for me. If I go again with only a revolver I think I'd go with a .45 Colt or 500 Linebaugh, in Blackhawk Bisley or Redhawk configuration. I like the idea of having a revolver "attached to me" while sleeping or whatever too, in case that worse case happens and the bear is between me and my rifle. The older memebers of this forum might remember "Seargent Preston of the RCMP and his dog Yukon King." He use one of those butt lanyards for his revolver. That may be my next "just in case" carry option, while hunting from a boat, snow mobiles, horseback, fishing, and so on. When ever I've been doing game care, my rifle is set aside to keep it out of the way, pretty much like these lucky guys and their revolver. I always carry a good flashlight near at hand too, since the dark seems to be when I feel most vulnerable. You can't shoot what you can't see!

I'm one of those "several times a year" handgun shooters mentioned earlier, however I've been shooting for about 45 years, mostly a .45 ACP. I own two .44 Mag S&Ws and a .45 LC, but I shoot .44 special ammo almost all the time. Why you ask ? Because I find the recoil of the .44 Mag to be obnoxious and abusive, and after 3 or 4 shots I flinch so badly that I'm not the slightest bit accurate. With all that being said, even with a .338 WM nearby, I would feel naked in Brown Bear country without a .44 Mag at a minimum. I don't think I could manage a brain shot under stress but I'd hit center mass until I either emptied the gun or got mauled, or fainted !!! I've been tempted by a .475 Linebaugh FA but I just know that I couldn't handle it for more than 2 shots, maybe 1 .

I have a friend from Michigan who moved and lived in Alaska for about 18 years. He always said that the shotgun he carried for all his outdoor activities there was nothing but a huge PITA, but he got used to it. I would want that but I'd always have a sidearm as a last ditch effort...Tom

Tom
I have a 6" 475 Linebaugh Freedom Arms revolver. I really like it.
It does have a lot of recoil, but I do not find it painful to shoot.

It is however to much gun for protection with full power loads IMHO.
If it is the only revolver I have with me if I am not using it as my primary gun, and even if I am when I get back to camp I load it with 420 gr cast bullets at @900fps.
I can shoot them with one hand if necessary.

Buffalo Bore has some 44 Mag 250gr SWC loads that duplicate the old Elmer Keith load that you might like for protection.

I actually think the Federal 300gr Cast core has less felt recoil than the full power 240gr loads.

This question has been rehashed from the time handguns were first made. What is the the best for protection from " you name the beast".

I carry every day the best is the one you have on you when you need it.

Some days its my PPK and that seems to big. Others days its my 44 Redhawk with 315 gr hard cast at 1300fps. Most of the time now it is a glock 23. But when I am in the woods a lot a Trurus ti 4 inch in 41mag with a hard cast 220 gr at just over a 1000.

The last time I hunted AK I carried my 5.5 redhawk. When I didn't have my 338 with me. I found a good belt with suspenders really help.

But the idea of the really light weight 44's seems ideal after lugging around the all steel redhawk for 10 days.

Make your choice and take it with you. From the story above no gun does you a bit of good back at camp.

It can barely save your life hanging in a tree. The above hunters where very lucky to get to their gun.