Backpacking gun

[billykaldrich]

I an trying to keep the weight down and have a 686 6 shot S&W. do you think 357 mag is okay with bears/lions. Usally the sound will scare them away. but push gets to shove. will multible shots do okay. I think with lion yes but California bear I dont know. Hate to westle a 336 or 870 through the rocky steep trail if I can help it

 

[Art Eatman]

SFAIK, your concern is the relatively smaller black bear of California? I'd think a heavy bullet in a maximum load should be sufficient. Plus, you just play the odds of having an encounter in the first place; common sense and alertness makes a big difference.

From what I read, a possible encounter with a lion is probably more likely. Generally, a lion won't attack an erect adult human. (Granting that lions don't necessarily read my book on their behavior. ) Again, alertness when in a "penned up" area such as a narrow canyon is important.

Offhand, I'd venture that the self-control to think, "Front sight, press." is more than just *somewhat* important...

FWIW, Art

 

[Eightball]

Try looking up a small (folding-stock) rifle. If you look for an original M1 carbine with a folding stock, they aren't too much bigger than a handgun, and have longer range than a revolver (also have more ammo capacity, if push comes to shove). Just a thought.

 

[DigMe]

If you stick with the .357 go with some kind of cast bullet such as the Federal 180gr castcores or the Cor-bon 200gr cast. They will give you the best possible penetration.

brad cook

 

[Brian Williams]

Heavy bullets and powerful loads. 173gr Keiths or 180grXTP JSP will be good. You want to stay light for backpacking but be able to penetrate.
Leave the rifle home and be aware and alert.

 

[1911 guy]

Amen to heavy bullets

I agree, go with heavy for caliber bullets, and use a solid. If you need to down a bear, penetration is king. If you're talking anything larger than the average black bear, go buy a .44 Mag or bigger. Much bigger.

 

[landon74]

You might want to check out these guys ammo:

http://www.buffalobore.com/ammunition/default.htm#357

I'd go with the hardcast 180 gr load myself.....

 

[22-rimfire]

Your 357 should be just fine. Get a box of the heavier hunting loads and of couse taking some plinking ammo with you. I wouldn't really want to defend myself against an aggressive black bear or boar, but certainly the 357 that you already have is fine for most things short of back packing trips in the remote areas of the northern Rocky's or Alaska where you might be concerned about a grizzly or wolves.

If you want to buy a back packing handgun, look at a 4" 41mag or 44 mag revolver or larger. Pretty heavy guns though. There are the air weight versions too, but they have more substantial recoil.

 

[ALASKACAJUN]

Wild West Guns here in Anchorage makes a 45-70 Marlin lever gun, that has a cut down barrel, with a sawed off stock. It comes with Tru-Glo style night sites and a sling, they're making them for the salmon fishing community.They call it a Bushwacker and you can get it in all kinds of heavy hitting caliber's...
http://www.wildwestguns.com/
- Clint

 

[dave3006]

I would worry about 2 legged predators more than 4 legged ones.

 

[H&Hhunter]

I've killed and seen killed more than a couple of black bears with a .357 mag using 158 semi jacketed soft points. You are not under gunned in the lower 48 with this combo and as others have mentioned heavier bullets would be more better yet.

 

[Harve Curry]

I like 44's but your 357 should be fine with the loads posted above.
Like Dave3006 says watch out for the 2 legged predators, they'll surprise you when you least expect it. Wear the 6 gun, not in or on the pack, and sleep with it in your sleeping bag.

 

[H&Hhunter]

Hey Billy,

If you really want light and you're concerned with horse power go snag your self an S&W 329 in 44 mag.

I love carrying mine. I like carrying it more than shooting it, but it is light!!

 

[Andrew Wyatt]

I use a single shot 20 gauge shotgun loaded with slugs or buckshot. this gives me the capability to switch to birdshot and kill birds or whathaveyou should i feel like it. it weighs about nothing, and it breaks down to fit inside the back pouch of my canadian parachutists smock.

 

[waterhouse]

As someone else mentioned, I would think keeping calm enough to aim would be much more important than the gun.

I went through a drive through animal park once in Indonesia. I had the front window open and was looking through the viewfinder on a camera at something when everyone in the backseat started yelling "bear!" I looked up just in time to see the (relatively small) charging bear and dive for cover in the driver's lap (Which turned out to be a bad idea since the car wasn't in gear and I was now covering the gear shift as the bear chewed on my seatbelt.) I screamed like a little girl which was unfortuanetly caught on video tape and now makes an appearance at most family functions. If I had been walking around in the wild with a gun on my hip there is no way I would have had time to get to it.

The point of this little story is that, in my opinion, it much more important to be aware of your situation. That being said, I think the .357 would be fine.