compact heavy firepower for wilderness helicopter travel

[JR24]

When I live in AK I made do with a Redhawk 4" and a 12 gauge in the boat.

If I was purposely packing a small long gun it'd be a 12 gauge or .45-70, plus the .44

Id go lightweight AR10 or Springfield SOCOM 16, nothing fancy. 20 rounds of .308 will put anything down quick, plenty of range if needed.

Been awful close to a couple 900+ lb Alaskan coastal browns and I cant say I'd be over comfortable with a 308 myself 20 round might do er, but brownies can be quite sneaky and you might only get one.

Might work, might not, but I'd personally go for heavier.

 

[D.B. Cooper]

Actually.....that's a pretty good lookin rig!
Give me that and a packable fly rod, and you'll never see me again.

Agreed. Although I've never seen a web strap that wide made from what looks to be some sort of cordage. Easy way to carry extra cordage.

These kydex holsters are great. Kydex doesn't absorb moister like leather, has better retention without a flap or strap, weighs less, and is probably at least as durable. However, it's not nearly as attractive than leather.

I poo-pooed kydex for a long time and stuck to my old school leather everything. (I'm just an old school kind of guy. My students call my a luddite because I generally eschew anything "modern.") However, I got forced into using a kydex holster because leather wasn't available in the time I needed, and, truthfully, I love it and haven't looked back. I've bought two more kydex holsters since then and a knife sheath.

 

[D.B. Cooper]

When I live in AK I made do with a Redhawk 4" and a 12 gauge in the boat.

If I was purposely packing a small long gun it'd be a 12 gauge or .45-70, plus the .44

Pretty common combo up here, and for good reason. These new Shockwave type guns are gaining popularity up here, although I have no idea how in the world they're legal, not that I'm complaining.

 

[bluejeans]

You know...

all this talk about guns for survival...

You really should consider getting a PLB (personal locator beacon). Turns a 2 week fight for survival into a 4 hour wait for your ride home.

yes, sometimes i carry one of those when i'm flown into an especially remote place.

Don't do it!!! lol

The 329 is easy to carry, but you'll only shoot it a couple times; they're very painful to shoot, even with light loads, because they're so light. They also tend to break easier. This of course, is just what I know from others-many others-who have owned them and sold them. But this is the advice give to me by many former 329 owners when I mentioned the same idea of dumping my heave Ruger for 329.

i have shot a 329... i was chatting guns with a guy and mentioned how i kinda wanted a 329pd but have heard terrible stories about the recoil.. he was nice enough to loan me his to see what i thought (he'd never shot it himself.. said he was scared to) i started with 44 specials (6).. then mild mags(6)... then some heavy loads (just 2). it really wasn't so bad. i do hear your concern about lifespan though if its shot very often (not likely) i don't know if you've seen my other revolver threads (will link at the bottom) but i am thinking about doing the same for a magnum hybrid n-frame... stainless frmae with a titanium cylinder; rifled liiner with an aluminum barrel shroud... should be light but without the flame cutting issues of scandium.

l-frame 44 spl. thread: https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/a-special-afternoon-project.847233/
n-frame 327 rebarrel: https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/327pd-mid-project.795489

 

[Hypnogator]

Look at the Remington 870 Marine Magnum. Add a folding stock and it would pretty much be your ideal defense/foraging gun.

 

[Stevie-Ray]

I've always said if I went into big bear country, I'd want my SAR-48 with me. Guess that means I'd go with the AR-10 you mentioned, only 16" carbine. Also, I've used 10mm for bear protection for over 3 decades, but black bear only. In Brownie country, even though I have 15 round magazines for my 200 gr DT loads, I'm not sure I wouldn't feel better carrying my .44 Redhawk with Keith loads.

 

[D.B. Cooper]

a magnum hybrid n-frame... stainless frmae with a titanium cylinder; rifled liiner with an aluminum barrel shroud... should be light but without the flame cutting issues of scandium.

I haven't read those htreads yet, but off hand I'd say reducing flame cutting is about all you'll get. if you go with a SS frame, the same as Ruger and S&W, that's most of the weight right there. Wonder how the balance and feel will be with SS frame and aluminum barrel shroud.

 

[Kano383]

My 2 cents, from living and operating in “don’t leave the truck without your gun - cocked” territory for years.

Your question is not academic, you’re going to be with your choices every day, so practical details and considerations are essential.

You are working, with your hands. The only thing you can have always on you is a handgun. If it’s too heavy or bulky, you’ll want to “just leave it at that tree over there”.

A .357 would fit the bill. But this would be a last ditch piece, the small spare wheel that doesn’t take room in the trunk. For being out in the wild, with the distinct possibility of having to fend for yourself for a day or many, you definitely need a long gun as well.

In and out of choppers, having to clear the mag twice a day, this rules out tubular mags. You’re left with a detachable mag rifle: semi-auto, bolt, or lever (the BLR).

You need a carbine configuration, foldable. Without going into one-off customization, what’s left is a semi-auto, “tactical” platform.

AKs have a cumbersome mag and are quite heavy.

The most promising bachelor in the room seems to be an AR platform...

.308 with heavy bullets would be my preference, but I’d say that anything .300 or bigger would do. Practice, practice, practice, and the day you need it in a hurry, that bullet will find its mark - and this last point is far more important than the size of the bullet.

Bullets have to be absolute first class, I personally favor monometal construction, with at least a solid shank that will stay in one piece no matter what.

Have a great time out there!

 

[yzguy87]

1895 SBL 45-70 I saw what I would carry + the pistol. But that’s me

 

[NWPilgrim]

I would go with the BLR takedown in .338WM along with your .44 Smith. Load with heaviest Partitions or Barnes copper.

 

[Jessesky]

My vote is other. Get a nice light 20” bolt gun in 30-06. Sounds like you’ll be doing more walking than shooting. The profile is much more streamlined than an ar-10. As to the pistols I don’t think you need anything more than your 44

 

[Deltaboy1984]

12 gauge pump or a big bore AR!