Hiking Revolver, what do you pack?

[Ugly Sauce]

I like to bring enough gun. If I won't have a rifle or shotgun I'll bring a big revolver.
View attachment 1134789

If I have a long gun with me, I'll usually carry a g20.

I like a 360 grain wfn gc bullet over a full case of h110 , not much you can't do with that load.

That looks like it could be enough gun. I usually, generally, carry a big pistol, and small (.22) rifle, or visa-versa, shotgun or powerful rifle, and .22 Pistol. But I always like to have some kind of long gun, even if it's just my Little Badger.

 

[Mini30SS]

Seems like we've gotten a little of track. Hiking vs Hunting? I definitely would not need anything bigger than .357 Cal. For hiking. 44 mag or larger would be ridiculous overkill.

 

[ontarget]

Seems like we've gotten a little of track. Hiking vs Hunting? I definitely would not need anything bigger than .357 Cal. For hiking. 44 mag or larger would be ridiculous overkill.

For many here, a hike could very well include putting a meal over the fire, or stopping a predator so it's all relevant.

 

[Obturation]

Seems like we've gotten a little of track. Hiking vs Hunting? I definitely would not need anything bigger than .357 Cal. For hiking. 44 mag or larger would be ridiculous overkill.

Some folks hike way off grid. Just because you don't see grizz doesn't mean others don't . I live in Illinois and the biggest thing is a deer, I'll still carry a 454 casull because the weight isn't much more and I can be confident that my 454 will easily kill anything that needs killing. If I travel north the revolver stays the same. Don't judge folks for things that you may not fully understand.

 

[Mini30SS]

Some folks hike way off grid. Just because you don't see grizz doesn't mean others don't . I live in Illinois and the biggest thing is a deer, I'll still carry a 454 casull because the weight isn't much more and I can be confident that my 454 will easily kill anything that needs killing. If I travel north the revolver stays the same. Don't judge folks for things that you may not fully understand.

454 for a deer? That's not ridiculous overkill, eh?

 

[Mini30SS]

For many here, a hike could very well include putting a meal over the fire, or stopping a predator so it's all relevant.

I live in the lower 48, so a Grizzly revolver is not needed for the snakes, deer and antelope near me. And I'd be hunting with a long-gun. The revolver is for 2 legged varmints. I believe in humane, precision shots, and I'm not an Annie Oakley with a handgun.

 

[Ugly Sauce]

There are quite a few grizz in the lower 48 actually. Idaho, Montana and Washington State. Probably some in Wyoming. ? I hike, explore, trek and play/practice bush-craft and wilderness survival in a Grizzly recovery area. (Harvey Creek Grizz recovery area Washington State...google it!) So a .44 mag, .454etc are quite appropriate. Having said that, a .357 with at least a 4" barrel, and heavy hard cast bullets will got through a bear's skull, if you can remain cool enough to place your shot. And of course if you don't place your shot, or miss, no pistol or rifle will save you!!!

Hiking and hunting are two different animals, and most people prefer to just carry a pistol. I feel kind of naked without a long gun in hand, rifle, shotgun, whatever. But sometimes it's a .22 rifle, or a bow, sometimes a spear. (I am a fan of the spear) So a big pistol is "comforting". On the other hand, hiking with just a rifle or shotgun is perfectly okay. No place I hike gives a toot if someone is packing a long gun. In some places it can be kind of "disrupting"? Or get people's panties in a knot? Thankful I don't have to deal with that.

 

[ilgac]

My favorite hiking revolver is my S&W 66-1. If .357 Magnum isn’t enough I really don’t need to be hiking there.

 

[Mini30SS]

There are quite a few grizz in the lower 48 actually. Idaho, Montana and Washington State. Probably some in Wyoming. ? I hike, explore, trek and play/practice bush-craft and wilderness survival in a Grizzly recovery area. (Harvey Creek Grizz recovery area Washington State...google it!) So a .44 mag, .454etc are quite appropriate. Having said that, a .357 with at least a 4" barrel, and heavy hard cast bullets will got through a bear's skull, if you can remain cool enough to place your shot. And of course if you don't place your shot, or miss, no pistol or rifle will save you!!!

Hiking and hunting are two different animals, and most people prefer to just carry a pistol. I feel kind of naked without a long gun in hand, rifle, shotgun, whatever. But sometimes it's a .22 rifle, or a bow, sometimes a spear. (I am a fan of the spear) So a big pistol is "comforting". On the other hand, hiking with just a rifle or shotgun is perfectly okay. No place I hike gives a toot if someone is packing a long gun. In some places it can be kind of "disrupting"? Or get people's panties in a knot? Thankful I don't have to deal with that.

Open carry of a handgun is perfectly lawful in Nevada without a permit. Walkiñg around the populated areas with a long gun, though legal, would be more attention getting.

 

[Ugly Sauce]

Truth. And again, I'm thankful I can even walk the dog around my neighborhood with a rifle slung over my back, and no one cares. But I realize most of the world is not like that.

 

[.38 Special]

In most of the places where I hike and trail run, open carry of anything is simply not legal. Even where it is, the resultant spectacle just wouldn't be worth it. Case in point: a while back I was out running and came across a couple of fellows obviously hunting with their shotguns - which, at that time and place, was and is perfectly legal. I stopped to chat with them for a moment and they were genuinely surprised by a friendly face. It turned out that they had taken so much flak from the local Bambiists that they were leaving, empty-handed and totally discouraged.

I'm envious of folks who don't have to live like that (here's looking at you, @Ugly Sauce) but yes, the reality for many of us that it simply has to be concealed.

 

[freedom arms .45]

there's bears where i hike.
i usually carry a ruger single action in either 44 or 45, with 240 or 250 gr lswc.

been thinking of loading up some 180 grain 357's. not sure how that would feel in a snubbie, but it would be a lot more comfortable to carry.

 

[stonebuster]

I hike a little traveled road through the woods carrying a Dan Wesson 2.5" 357 magnum usually. While there's plenty of large black bears around I'm more concerned with two legged threats. The black bears that visit our property regularly leave when I make enough noise...so far.

 

[usmc0811]

Where are my Ruger SP101's at?????? I love my 3"SP great revolver.

 

[Rodfac]

For backup carry I’m shooting a 420 grain cast bullet @ about 1200 fps, or a 340 grain CEB mono at 1400 fps.

Jumpin' Hey Zeus, that's gotta hurt when you launch one of those billets....Rod

 

[Arctic Linebaugh]

Jumpin' Hey Zeus, that's gotta hurt when you launch one of those billets....Rod

When you’re loaded way up to 420 grains @1400 fps it’s unkind. At 1100-1200, it’s really not bad.

 

[Obturation]

When you’re loaded way up to 420 grains @1400 fps it’s unkind. At 1100-1200, it’s really not bad.

I'll be honest. Please, if at all possible... Limit the pictures of that redhawk that you share here. I've got my own issues and I don't need any more expensive ideas from the internet . that thing looks excellent . 400 @ 1000 fps would kill just about anything I figure, trajectory be damned.

 

[tomrkba]

S&W 629 4" in Milt Sparks Versa Max 2

There is no point in carrying a smaller caliber. 357 Magnum is marginal for large animals; 10mm is the same. Do it right with 44 Magnum since it is capable of handling almost anything in the lower 48. I'd likely move up to mid-range 454 Casul for Alaska, though hot 44 Magnum being the minimum. I'd carry this gun if I cannot afford, or find, a revolver in 454.

(UPDATE: I just looked at Ruger's offerings and I don't see a Super Redhawk that I like. Barrels are either too short or far too long. I'd probably choose the Alaskan since it's going to be the lightest with the shortest. I've long held that the Alaskan should have a 3 1/2" barrel for performance and looks.)

 

[jeepnik]

Got one of those. Was dads. 200th year. Yours 357?

.45 colt.

 

[adcoch1]

Last hike I took my sp101 3" with hot 38 wadcutter, and just about had to use it on a free range cow. Kinda spooked me when she posted up on one side of the road and we wandered by, only to realize at about 12' that her calf was behind us! But normally I carry a 5" super Blackhawk with some 300 grn soft points in it, or a 22lr along with a long gun. I have a few light little carbines that are fun when just wandering around, dedicated hikes usually only get a handgun along.

 

[.45Coltguy]

Sometimes walking about the wooded country side you won't see anything "dangerous". Two years ago, wife and I were walking a trail just outside of Palasades Res right on the Idaho/Wyoming border and saw a couple of grizzly tracks. Glad I had my .45 Colt that day heading back to the truck. Gads!

 

[Ugly Sauce]

Yep, kind of thought there must be some Grizz in Wyoming. Here's a big track I came across on Monumental Mountain, Washington State. Google it!

Not a great pic, it's in the middle of an old cow-patty. Had a better pic with my Bulldog/.44 in the middle of it to show it's size. It was huge.!!

 

[br549arkie]

Yep, kind of thought there must be some Grizz in Wyoming. Here's a big track I came across on Monumental Mountain, Washington State. Google it!
View attachment 1135699
Not a great pic, it's in the middle of an old cow-patty. Had a better pic with my Bulldog/.44 in the middle of it to show it's size. It was huge.!!

Bet that made you a might uncomfortable and had you checking behind you often.

 

[.45Coltguy]

Bet that made you a might uncomfortable and had you checking behind you often.

I know it did for us!

 

[Ugly Sauce]

It reminds one to carry enough gun for sure.