Good Alaskan back up pistol

[mrgaf]

Currently have a Raging Bull 454 casull. Recoil is too brutal shooting 300gr fodder and the gun is HUGE! Figure I'd be better off going to a 44 mag with 300gr fodder. Been looking at three pistols, Super Blackhawk 4 5/8", Ruger Super Redhawk in a 4 or 5" (if there is such a thing), or a S&W 629 4 or 5". The gun would be used occasionally and during my hunting trips to Alaska every year. What would be your recommendation? Appreciate the help.

 

[hittman]

Can you shoot 45 Colt in your Taurus?

 

[captainkirk]

The 4 5/8 super blackhawk is a powerful packin' pistol. If you got a Blackhawk in 45 colt, you could consolidate your ammo somewhat though, especially if you reload. It would also be lighter than the super (equal barrel lengths) as it has an aluminum gripframe.

just my 2c, but I'm a 44 guy myself.

captainkirk[/img]

 

[Silent Sam]

No experience with the Raging Bull but have found heavier bullets in the 454 to be less "harsh" out of my Alaskan. If you don't reload Buffalo Bore makes heavy Colt and Casull loads (325-360gr) that are much nicer to shoot than any factory 300's in 454. Once you get past 1000-1200fps w/300+gr bullets all you are buying is range, (and recoil) not killing power.

 

[gramps]

For oh sh@t moments nothing beats a good Double Action. I bought a .44 mag Redhawk with a 4.2 inch barrel, and load it with reloads of 300 gr lwfn. If you are well practised with a SA they can also work.
gramps

 

[mrgaf]

Can you shoot 45 Colt in your Taurus?

Yup but the gun itself is a boat anchor! I'm not kidding when I say it's huge!

 

[hittman]

I agree with gramps ...... Redhawk, 4 inch, .44 Magnum.

 

[Ken ONeill]

My recommendation is a 5 1/2" Redhawk in .44 Magnum.

 

[Tx gun runner]

I know everyone love the Ruger in 45 Colt with the Ruger only loads . I'm scared someone going to put a Ruger only loads in the wrong gun and get someone hurt . A 454 or 44 mag is a safer way and if you forget or lose ammo you replace it easy also ..........

 

[jfo4]

I rarely chime in on these things; but my 2 cents.

For day to day cary go with a 629 or blachawk/bisley. Either a 4" 629 or 4 5/8" blackhawk, preferably a bisley frame.

Off the road system up here .44 mag is the best way to go. Everyone stocks some form of "bear load". The .45 colt is my favorite but just to hard to get unless you handload.

I found that my redhawks only made it into the field once. Folks will probably laugh, but my field carry revolver for bears right now is a 3" SP-101 with 200 grain hard casts and laser grips.

Remember with a revolver you have to engage the skull/brain or spine to stop any large animal. It's the gun you have with you that will make the difference.

Also remember that you will more than likely miss your target. Being able to get back on target quickly is paramount, for me that rules out the .454, .475, and .500.

 

[captainkirk]

I started to mention the 5.5 redhawk also, but weight and bulk seem to be an issue. I know the redhawk is only a few ounces heavier than the super b, but it seems much heavier and bulkier to carry. I love them both, but the super carries better.

 

[s4s4u]

I'll take a handloaded .452 over a .429 any day, but you don't have to push it at Casull velocities to giterdun. A 300 grainer will feel better to the shooter from the larger case as well as the gun, and there is no replacement for displacement.

 

[mrgaf]

WOW thanks for all the great advice! Used to carry a Taurus 44mag 4" but gave it to my buddy's brother in law since he was really nice and loaned us both of his ATV's for 10 days. Made getting into the field a whole lot easier plus he drives big rigs from Fairbanks<->Prudhoe Bay all the time and it will serve him well. Think I'm leaning towards the S&W 629 4" since there is one available locally and I like the feel. Got a good load for the 44 mag using 300gr barnes busters. Recoil aint nothing like the 454 but should be plenty powerful enough as long as I do my part. Should be a nice back up SHTF weapon up there in God's country.....

 

[MaxP]

I'll take a handloaded .452 over a .429 any day, but you don't have to push it at Casull velocities to giterdun. A 300 grainer will feel better to the shooter from the larger case as well as the gun, and there is no replacement for displacement.

Yep, me too!

I would suggest a 4-inch .45 Colt Redhawk if you can find one.

 

[BearBio]

I currently have more than a couple of handguns in 44, 45, and one 454. Like you, I have the Taurus. While I do not consider the recoil too much, I do agree it is a MONSTER in size. Here in Washington, we do have a few grizzlies and many black bears. My woods gun, which I find much more comfortable to shoot than a 44 and slightly less than the ported Taurus is a Sheriff's model Vaquero (3"), to which I added Bisley grips and oversized Hogue wood grips. My load is a 300 gr hardcast with a wide meplat and going about 1000-1100 fps. I'll try to post a pic tonite. I expect there would be little difference between that Vaquero and a short barrelled Blackhawk.

BTW: I have to add that, as a professional wildlife biologist and former researcher on blackbears, I heartily recommend bearspray over a pistol.

 

[dlhredfoxx]

4.75" barrel Ruger Vaquero or Blackhawk in 45Colt with hot and heavy cast "Ruger only" loads would do the trick. Or a 4.75" barrel Ruger SBH in 44 Mag would be a good plan B. I prefer SA, they are smaller framed compared to the larger DA in like calibers and are easy to pack. Just make that first shot count...

 

[Tommy F]

Any 454 is a great gun for big animals. I suggest you test different cross draw and shoulder holsters and reduced 454/45 colt 300 gr flat nose hard cast. I have a nylon Uncle Mike shoulder holster for a 9.5 SRH that would be an Alaska top choice.

 

[stantheman86]

I trust my life to Ruger, I won't bash any other brand but I would go with my .44 Alaskan or my 4.2" .44 Redhawk.

There are hot, heavy bullet .44 Mag loads from Buffalo Bore, Double Tap etc. that are more like a mid-range .454. Basically "Ruger and FA only" loads.

I'm a DA guy, but there are some good SA's like the shorter barreled Super Blackhawks in .44 Mag that would be good choices too.

Any good revolversmith, like Bowen, C&S, Pinnacle etc. can trim a SRH barrel to whatever you want. If you want a 4" or 5" SRH they can chop the barrel, recrown it and mount the front sight back on.

 

[Tommy Kelly]

I have the ultimate handgun being made as we speak. In my opinion. Its a 480 super redhawk that was a 7.5" to start with someone before me had it magnaported. But I also have a alaskan in 454 that I love so I sent the 480 to have it cutdown to the size of the alaskan. I missed the 480 alaskans when they were made but am having mine cut down at a reasonable price. So I will end up with a 6 shot alaskan at a fair price not a factory alaskan but as close as I can get with what I have.

 

[Knuckles]

The 629 smith is a very good hand gun... a good choice out of many good choices.

 

[EDK]

For oh sh@t moments nothing beats a good Double Action. I bought a .44 mag Redhawk with a 4.2 inch barrel, and load it with reloads of 300 gr lwfn. If you are well practised with a SA they can also work.
gramps

A SUPER BLACK HAWK doesn't have a very good double action pull! In a do or die situation, a single action is not my choice...and I shoot 48+ rounds daily out of various pairs of Original Size VAQUEROS. Fine motor skills go to h*** under stress and a double action is my choice. My 5 inch 629 loaded with full wadcutters will take care of anything I'm likely to encounter in Missourri...or the annual trip to Montana.

A carry gun HAS to be light enough that you don't leave it at home, BUT powerful enough to incapacitate what you're shooting at. Elmer Keith, patron saint of handgunners, put on a 4 inch S&W in 44 Special (and later 44 Magnum) when he put on his trousers every morning he was at home or in the field...and legal to do so. You have to strike a balance between carrying comfort and power...the 629 is close, but nothing is perfect. Your choice may vary from mine.

 

[98Redline]

A SUPER BLACK HAWK doesn't have a very good double action pull! In a do or die situation, a single action is not my choice...and I shoot 48+ rounds daily out of various pairs of Original Size VAQUEROS. Fine motor skills go to h*** under stress and a double action is my choice. My 5 inch 629 loaded with full wadcutters will take care of anything I'm likely to encounter in Missourri...or the annual trip to Montana.

A carry gun HAS to be light enough that you don't leave it at home, BUT powerful enough to incapacitate what you're shooting at. Elmer Keith, patron saint of handgunners, put on a 4 inch S&W in 44 Special (and later 44 Magnum) when he put on his trousers every morning he was at home or in the field...and legal to do so. You have to strike a balance between carrying comfort and power...the 629 is close, but nothing is perfect. Your choice may vary from mine.

+1

I love my single actions but for a sidearm out in brownie country I will take a double action every day and twice on Sunday.

I also agree that your gun must be packable and unobtrusive. I would say that something 5 1/2" or shorter would be the ticket. 6" is getting a bit on the long side and may be in the way from time to time.

Lastly the holster you get will really determine how the gun feels on your hip, chest or under your shoulder. A holster that does not work for you can be equally as painful as carrying too big of a gun (if such a thing exists :wink: ). Also don't wait until a week before your trip to try an get a holster broken in....don't ask how I know this. A few months of honest wear will get it broken in so that when put on it feels like an old friend, not a mishapen 53oz growth that has developed on your hip.

RH, SRH (cut down), Alaskan, or even the 629 are good guns.

Flip a coin, roll dice or just eney meenie miney moe, there really isn't a bad gun in the bunch.

 

[Bear Paw Jack]

Interesting thread, lots of good input. I guess I come at things from a little different direction. First of I love handguns. They are some what of a passion of mine and I've got various ones. When it comes to revolvers I like both S/A and D/A pretty much the same. Both draw me to them like a moth to the flame. I've been in Alaska over 30 years and have been very close to brown bears and various other critters and with the choice of various redhawks, Alaskans, and SBH I like them all but the one I carry the most is and old 7 1/2" that was cut down to 5 1/2" SBH. I don't carry it because I can shoot it so fast, I carry it because I hit what I point at it. It just points very well for me and the front sight is where it needs to be when it comes up. Doesn't matter what you carry if you don't have supreme confidence that you will hit when it comes up. Just a little doubt is all it takes to shake things for you. I don't feel I'm at any kind of a disadvantage due to carrying a S/A revolver. I've seen people in gun shops take an empty double action and click it off as fast as they can to prove their point. Well I can tell you, you won't do that with a heavy load and you will be lucky to hang onto it much less hit anything with it. You can only hit so fast, and you can only shoot so well. Find the gun that points for you. The first shot is the all important one. Hopefully you will never have to use it.

 

[s4s4u]

You can only hit so fast, and you can only shoot so well. Find the gun that points for you. The first shot is the all important one. Hopefully you will never have to use it.

Well said, and couldn't agreee more.

 

[Jeepnik]

My first trip to Alaska was in '84. I drove the ALCAN in my jeep, pretty much camping the entire way. Well, we did stop at one or two places to clean up.

On that trip, I carried my S&W Model 27. I never felt "undergunned". If I were to do it again today, yea, I know how our friends to the north's government feels about handguns, I'd likely take my .45 Colt Blackhawk.

Truthfully, even in Alaska, I figure two legged critters are a larger danger than four legged ones. But, a heavy, hard cast from someone like Garrett or Buffalo bore would work pretty well for either.

 

[flatgate]

Me? I'd go with a 4-3/4" .454.

Yup, I just happen to have one..... :D

I'd rather have a .475, though......

flatgate

 

[SteveRuger]

You can only hit so fast, and you can only shoot so well. Find the gun that points for you. The first shot is the all important one. Hopefully you will never have to use it.

Well said, and couldn't agreee more.

+1

 

[mrgaf]

Interesting thread, lots of good input. I guess I come at things from a little different direction. First of I love handguns. They are some what of a passion of mine and I've got various ones. When it comes to revolvers I like both S/A and D/A pretty much the same. Both draw me to them like a moth to the flame. I've been in Alaska over 30 years and have been very close to brown bears and various other critters and with the choice of various redhawks, Alaskans, and SBH I like them all but the one I carry the most is and old 7 1/2" that was cut down to 5 1/2" SBH. I don't carry it because I can shoot it so fast, I carry it because I hit what I point at it. It just points very well for me and the front sight is where it needs to be when it comes up. Doesn't matter what you carry if you don't have supreme confidence that you will hit when it comes up. Just a little doubt is all it takes to shake things for you. I don't feel I'm at any kind of a disadvantage due to carrying a S/A revolver. I've seen people in gun shops take an empty double action and click it off as fast as they can to prove their point. Well I can tell you, you won't do that with a heavy load and you will be lucky to hang onto it much less hit anything with it. You can only hit so fast, and you can only shoot so well. Find the gun that points for you. The first shot is the all important one. Hopefully you will never have to use it.

Wow, great advice! This September will be my third trip up north to hunt bullwinkle. First time I carried a 44mag Taurus DA 4" barrel loaded with 300gr barnes busters. Respectable recoil but was able to get back on target quickly and was accurate with it. For some reason I decided to go with a 454 Raging bull even though I was accurate with the 44. I regretted my decision on my second trip. It was heavy, bulky and I was never very accurate with it; thank God I never had to use it! Picked up a S&W 629 4" and took it to the range today. Once sighted in with my Barnes buster load it was deja vue. Nice consistent grouping, better recovery than with the Taurus. I'm a happy camper. Just in case I also bought a Blackhawk 45LC 7.5" barrel. Little long in the tube but figured I can always get it cut down if necessary and since it was on sale, couldn't go wrong. Hope I never have to face off with a big brownie but with some more practice will be completely confident in my abilities (of course shooting at targets if nothing like a griz wanting to dine on my moose but my best friend will be with me). Just in case, will be carrying my SA XD 45 as well...... Thanks for the great post and advice.