Would you feel undergunned in wild with a .357 Magnum?

[iamhunter]

but there are places in Canada & Alaska that no handgun would completely make me feel comfortable.. but now and then it's good to be uncomfortable

You've probably never seen the Ruger Alaskan in .454 Casull.

This thing would put away a rhino.

http://www.shootingtimes.com/handgun_reviews/rgrRH/

[Byte Stryke]

You've probably never seen the Ruger Alaskan in .454 Casull.

This thing would put away a rhino.

http://www.shootingtimes.com/handgun_reviews/rgrRH/

Paul at the Thornton Gander Mountain has to wipe my drool off of the case every time I go in there.

That is a Motherfucking Cannon.

[cowboykjohnson]

You've probably never seen the Ruger Alaskan in .454 Casull.

This thing would put away a rhino.

http://www.shootingtimes.com/handgun_reviews/rgrRH/

I still don't think I'd trust anything short of a howitzer against a charging Alaskan Grizz. If it is intent on killing you, you probably aren't going to make it no matter what you have, but it would be enough for some hope.

[Zundfolge]

Honestly if I ever find myself face to face with a bear I'm going to feel undergunned with anything less than a 7mm Mag ... and probably going to wish I had a Ma Duce.


That said, .357mag should be fine for 99.9% of your backwoods needs (frankly the limit of 6 or so shots will be a bit of a determent if you find some "free range weed farmers" which are a greater threat than bears or cougars.)

I have a S&W 29-2 that I keep telling myself I need to prep for backwoods, but honestly unless I'm going way deep into the woods where I feel the chances of meeting a bear are greater I'll probably stick with my .40 in the woods.

For cougars, feral dogs or feral humans it'll do the trick.

[68Charger]

You've probably never seen the Ruger Alaskan in .454 Casull.

This thing would put away a rhino.

http://www.shootingtimes.com/handgun_reviews/rgrRH/

seen it, never shot one.. also have handled a .500 S&W..
Basically any handgun powerful enough, recovery time is too long..

I knew someone that was charged by a Grizzly near Juneau, emptied a .44 Magnum into the bear, he survived- but said he'd never use a handgun as his 1st choice again, he felt very lucky to have survived.

This is an extreme example: http://www.truthorfiction.com/rumors/g/giantbear.htm

that example has been exaggerated in other stories.. but even the Moose in this territory can be very dangerous.. I've seen bull Moose you could park a VW bug under! Normally docile, under bad circumstances they kick in all directions & their hooves are massive.

you could go for months up there and never be forced to defend yourself- but if you are forced- I'd rather have something better than a handgun.. That Ruger Alaskan is better than pepper spray, tho

Zundfolge has it right- around here, your worst threat you could ever face is one that will shoot back...

[cowboykjohnson]

seen it, never shot one.. also have handled a .500 S&W..
Basically any handgun powerful enough, recovery time is too long..

I knew someone that was charged by a Grizzly near Juneau, emptied a .44 Magnum into the bear, he survived- but said he'd never use a handgun as his 1st choice again, he felt very lucky to have survived.

This is an extreme example: http://www.truthorfiction.com/rumors/g/giantbear.htm

that example has been exaggerated in other stories.. but even the Moose in this territory can be very dangerous.. I've seen bull Moose you could park a VW bug under! Normally docile, under bad circumstances they kick in all directions & their hooves are massive.

you could go for months up there and never be forced to defend yourself- but if you are forced- I'd rather have something better than a handgun.. That Ruger Alaskan is better than pepper spray, tho

Zundfolge has it right- around here, your worst threat you could ever face is one that will shoot back...

My dad shot a massive bull moose in canada with a .300 win mag shooting 220gr handloads. Dropped it at 100yds. Waited 15-20 mins and started walking up to it. Moose got back up from the dead and started charging. Took 6 more shots all in the heart and lungs. Finally dropped again 10 yds away and was still "alive". Pops is very lucky to be alive, still carries a bullet he dug out of his heart on his keychain.

[Elhuero]

I would not feel undergunned with a .357, but my ideal wilderness sidearm is a Glock 20.

If what's after me survives 15 rounds of 10mm, then I'll draw my blade and start humming my death song.

[iamhunter]

seen it, never shot one.. also have handled a .500 S&W..
Basically any handgun powerful enough, recovery time is too long..

I knew someone that was charged by a Grizzly near Juneau, emptied a .44 Magnum into the bear, he survived- but said he'd never use a handgun as his 1st choice again, he felt very lucky to have survived.

No doubt. My fiance grew up in Nome, Alaska and some of the stories are scary to say the least.

I've known some wildlife photographers who shoot up there and they usually travel with a partner, who's sole purpose is to carry around a high power rifle.


BUT for your day-to-day protection against wildlife, including grizzlies, I think the Ruger Alaskan is probably your best bet.

It's not exactly a practical to go on a day hike with a .338 Lapua Remington 700 slung across your back

[vim]

Title says it all. Im curious what you all have to say on this. Im thinking in the Lower 48 Rocky Mountain regions to the Sierra Nevadas.

I say no as I have never encountered a bear or mountain lion in all my years of backcountry hiking,backpacking and hiking to remote climbing spots.

They're here. I've run into large black bear on the trail, mama/cubs, and a mature mountain lion looking up a rocky outcrop at me.

I never owned a .357 Magnum and carry a 1911. I've never felt the need to draw it in the backcountry.

[rforsythe]

It's not exactly a practical to go on a day hike with a .338 Lapua Remington 700 slung across your back

No, but probably a fair bit of fun.