If You Were Heading For The Yukon Today
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Zaydok Allen
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If it has to be a gun we own, my S&W 460V.
If any revolver that exists, probably the 6.5" half lug S&W 500 magnum
If any revolver that exists, probably the 6.5" half lug S&W 500 magnum
beag_nut
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Super Redhawk, .44 Mag., though I do not own one.
WrongHanded
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A single action, with a Bisley grip frame, adjustable rear sight, 6.5" barrel (or there about), in a powerful caliber.
If I had to buy it, I'd consider a BFR in .454 Casull (I'm considering one anyway). Simple, powerful, good sight radius, ergonomic grip for recoil mitigation, can also shoot .45LC.
If I had to buy it, I'd consider a BFR in .454 Casull (I'm considering one anyway). Simple, powerful, good sight radius, ergonomic grip for recoil mitigation, can also shoot .45LC.
Alaskan Ironworker
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Ruger super redhawk .454 5” (toklat), although bears up there tend to be alot smaller than the coasties. So maybe my .44 tracker..
Sergei Mosin
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Ruger Redhawk, .44 Magnum, 5.5-inch barrel.
D.B. Cooper
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Where I hunt isn't that far from the Yukon. In fact, our caribou herd intermingles with their's.
The Ruger Redhawk and Super Redhawk is pretty much king of the hill up here. The big X frame Smiths are a runner up. I think, in Alaska, the debate is more about which caliber is best for bears, rather than which gun. (The vast majority of guys go for DA revolvers, although a comparatively small number will go for the 10 mm Glock or a 1911 converted to 460.) 44 magnum seems to be the mutually agreed upon minimum. It's a trade off between enough stopping power and light enough recoil to shoot effectively. .454 seems to be a popular middle ground. The only other debate is whether to carry the heavy Rugers or the lighter (much lighter) scandium Smiths. (Then you get into this whole debate about long-term reliability, etc.) It is also pretty much mutually agreed upon to shoot heavy, hard cast lead WFN type projectiles, either handloads or, for commercial ammo, HSM Bear Loads or Buffalo Bore. No one is carrying anything under 300 grains or anything with a hollow point.
To answer your question, I carry a Redhawk in 44 magnum. However, ammo cost and availability and the fact that I have a lever gun in the same caliber influenced my decision. I have handloads with 310 grn WFN projectiles, but I also own several boxes of HSM Bear loads in 305 grn WFN.
The Ruger Redhawk and Super Redhawk is pretty much king of the hill up here. The big X frame Smiths are a runner up. I think, in Alaska, the debate is more about which caliber is best for bears, rather than which gun. (The vast majority of guys go for DA revolvers, although a comparatively small number will go for the 10 mm Glock or a 1911 converted to 460.) 44 magnum seems to be the mutually agreed upon minimum. It's a trade off between enough stopping power and light enough recoil to shoot effectively. .454 seems to be a popular middle ground. The only other debate is whether to carry the heavy Rugers or the lighter (much lighter) scandium Smiths. (Then you get into this whole debate about long-term reliability, etc.) It is also pretty much mutually agreed upon to shoot heavy, hard cast lead WFN type projectiles, either handloads or, for commercial ammo, HSM Bear Loads or Buffalo Bore. No one is carrying anything under 300 grains or anything with a hollow point.
To answer your question, I carry a Redhawk in 44 magnum. However, ammo cost and availability and the fact that I have a lever gun in the same caliber influenced my decision. I have handloads with 310 grn WFN projectiles, but I also own several boxes of HSM Bear loads in 305 grn WFN.
D.B. Cooper
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Love mine, except for the weight. I went with the 4.2" barrel. (It's not any lighter.)
MedWheeler
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labnoti writes:
I was wondering that, too, if this is just another disguised "bear gun" thread.
I'd be fine with something in .357 Magnum, and just as fine if it were my Ruger Police Service Six. I'd love a Vaquero in that caliber, too.
But, I'd also want a good .22 along as well since, in the Yukon, I can do a LOT of recreational plinking..
I was wondering that, too, if this is just another disguised "bear gun" thread.
I'd be fine with something in .357 Magnum, and just as fine if it were my Ruger Police Service Six. I'd love a Vaquero in that caliber, too.
But, I'd also want a good .22 along as well since, in the Yukon, I can do a LOT of recreational plinking..
357smallbore
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My 5.5 in Ruger Redhawk.
Loaded with 240 and 300 grain hard cast Semi Wadcutters.
It will serve me just fine.
Loaded with 240 and 300 grain hard cast Semi Wadcutters.
It will serve me just fine.
John Joseph
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The Yukon is in Canada. Canada doesn't like Yanks with handguns.
Frankly I'm amazed that Canada even lets Canadians have handguns.
Frankly I'm amazed that Canada even lets Canadians have handguns.
Alaskan Ironworker
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The yukon is also a giant river, which runs through canada and alaska. The op didnt specify which he meant. So there is no wrong answer
TTv2
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Whatever is the smallest caliber proven to be a Grizzly and Moose stopper.
I think DB Cooper's response was excellent because it's exactly what I am thinking in that "It's a trade off between enough stopping power and light enough recoil to shoot effectively" and "The only other debate is whether to carry the heavy Rugers or the lighter (much lighter) scandium Smiths."
I'm very much a minimalist type and am going to try to find the lightest revolver that can do the job, but I also want fast follow up shots. If it's an unknown if I'm going to run into a big animal, I'll probably go for a 5 shot .44 Mag, but if I KNOW it's a guarantee I'm going to encounter such animals, I'm bringing the biggest revolver I can get, probably the 10 inch BFR in whatever hits hardest.
I wouldn't bother with the .500 S&W, too big and heavy and expensive to feed.
I think DB Cooper's response was excellent because it's exactly what I am thinking in that "It's a trade off between enough stopping power and light enough recoil to shoot effectively" and "The only other debate is whether to carry the heavy Rugers or the lighter (much lighter) scandium Smiths."
I'm very much a minimalist type and am going to try to find the lightest revolver that can do the job, but I also want fast follow up shots. If it's an unknown if I'm going to run into a big animal, I'll probably go for a 5 shot .44 Mag, but if I KNOW it's a guarantee I'm going to encounter such animals, I'm bringing the biggest revolver I can get, probably the 10 inch BFR in whatever hits hardest.
I wouldn't bother with the .500 S&W, too big and heavy and expensive to feed.
WrongHanded
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Well gosh, I guess I am ready to go to Alaska. Didn't know that.
That's a nice angle!
DM~
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I've been to/on the Yukon, anything works on the river as you are safe. (no crocs or hippos on the Yukon) lol
DM
DM
JeffG
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I'd stick with my 4 5/8 Ruger Vaquero. 44 mag, 240gr hardcast. It rides easy, and I'd always have it.
I would not bother with any revolver but would look for one of them Baby Brettons in 9.3x74R. If one could manage extra pair of 20ga barrels that would make for wonderful survival gun. I mean in deep isolated wilderness aren't ones chances of starving to death far greater than encountering angry brownish bruin?
DM~
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I have 12 ga.-9.3x74R bbls, with a DR set in 9.3x74R and both 20ga. bbls and 12 ga. bbls, all for my Valmet 412... It's a reliable, accurate firearm that has worked well for me.
DM
DM
WestKentucky
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I’m on the fence. If we can only choose 1 I’m looking for a BFR in 45-70 simply for the capability to load something strong enough to shoot lengthwise through a duo of attacking critters. I would require a secondary cylinder in 45acp to take down small game for dinner.
If we start being realistic though I think any of the big-bores are acceptably powerful, and a single six convertible is easy to pack away for pot-meat. So, give me an X frame 500sw with about 8 inches of tube and a single six convertible.
If we start being realistic though I think any of the big-bores are acceptably powerful, and a single six convertible is easy to pack away for pot-meat. So, give me an X frame 500sw with about 8 inches of tube and a single six convertible.
I have spent a lot of time working (land surveying) along the Yukon River in western Alaska, both in villages and out in the wilderness. My primary weapon of choice is bug spray, which is largely ineffective. The mosquitos are bad but the white socks raise blood blisters on me. My backup was a Ruger Redhawk in .45 Colt until I replaced it with Ruger Blackhawk in .44 Special and another Redhawk in .44 Mag, depending on my mood. I'm a die hard S&W .44 Special fan, but Ruger is hard to beat for field work.
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