Ruger - Good Choice For The Backcountry
Editor’s Note: This is a guest post by Tom Fonner. He has been exploring the backcountry of Arizona for over 30 years. He enjoys the solitude and peace of the outdoors with a passion for wildlife, nature, and landscape photography, tracking, hiking, camping, and fishing. You can visit his blog at swbri.blogspot.com.A good revolver is a must for anyone who plans to spend time in the backcountry. Protection is always the first consideration and then having a side arm that can also be used for hunting is an added plus. I switch off between two calibers of Ruger double action revolvers depending on where I'm spending my time. The Ruger GP100 .357 mag. and Ruger Super Redhawk .454 Casull are the weapons I prefer.
The Ruger GP100 .357 Mag. is my preference in regions of the country where larger animals like bear are not a concern. I often use 38/357 shot shells when hunting rattlesnakes here in Arizona but otherwise I prefer a 180 grain load any other time I carry this revolver. The 180 grain load is perfect for any situation and it will even stop an black bear if needed. I've found that this gun is great for hunting small game like javelina and even deer if you want to challenge your skills as a hunter.
My favorite side arm is the Ruger Super Redhawk .454 Casull. This is a very versatile weapon that can be used for all situations. The only draw back is weight on your hip when carried for a long period of time. It fires both .45 Long Colt and .454 Casull. I prefer either a 250 grain or 325 grain load for the .45 Long Colt and a 300 grain load for the .454 Casull. This gun can provide the needed protection from any of the big game species in North America. Grizzly Bears are the first thought when in the northern part of the country. Adding a four power scope can make this a remarkable weapon for hunting elk, deer, moose or any of North American game species.
When selecting a side arm for use in the backcountry consider the options it provides. Revolvers are more reliable and safer in the backcountry than the more popular semi-automatics. Select a revolver that gives you options anywhere you go. Small caliber revolvers in many situations are useless. Another point is that most people don't spend enough time at the range with their side arms. A revolver like the Ruger .454 Casull is not going to help if you can't react quickly and hit your target. All you are is a Grizzly Bear snack if you don't practice.
Good common sense advice and don't forget the most dangerous encounter....humans. Too many drug mfg operators and other baddies out in such remote areas.
ReplyDeleteNew Anony
Good point......
DeleteFirst off, Grizzley Bears, while potentailly extremely dangerous, are not known for predation of humans. It would be more likely to become a Black Bear "snack".
ReplyDeleteSecondly, protection is of the highest importance in the wilderness, but if you follow best-practices when encountering large mammals, you should not need to fire your weapon. If you do, you should consider a warning-shot before a kill shot, as most charges from a bear, mountain lion or even a moose or elk are a bluff.
A non-lethal shot at a moose, etc... that is bluff-charging could be the last thing you ever do. Be sure your actions do not make things worse!
Thirdly, even if proven accurate at a shooting range, it is typically concidered irresponsible to hunt large game with a handgun, as you likely will not make a clean, respectful kill and could ultimately loose track of your quarry.
Lastly, I should clarify that I DO agree with the above post.
David from the PAC/NW
Good points, though you won't know there is a mountain lion around until it hits you in the back of the head!
DeleteYou're probably right... and in that situation, I'd suggest skipping the warning shot! ;)
DeleteDavid from the PAC/NW
Warning shots usually do the trick, if that doesn't work, ears back and still charging at you; then you have to make that decision. Depends on how close you want to flirt with a possible disaster. Predatory bears will usually stalk you; keep an eye on them (they might just be young, curious ...hungry :]) let them know you're not going to be an easy meal if you really feel it wants you as a light snack.
DeleteGood points 12:20. A handgun is not a substitute for a long gun. In my opinion they should be used for self defense only, when carrying a long gun is impractical. To quote a respected gun writer, "Handguns should be regarded for self defense of one's person only. The taking or defense of real estate is the realm of the long gun." Also, to be fair, a handgun is much easier to keep on your person at all times. Who knows when Murpy's Law will strike.
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DeleteI guess no one here has heard of Elmer Keith.
DeleteTom, great write up and good solid advice. I do think you forgot one benefit of the Ruger .454 Casull. With the size of that bore, you can almost crawl inside the barrel and hide. SWP :)
ReplyDeleteI agree also with this post. Too many people in this community underestimate the wilderness. That's when mothernature bitch slaps you. You may not need it to defense yourself every time but think about how you will wish you had it when you fall and break your leg or some other unfortunate incidence happens like the first poster said when you walk up on someone's pot field and they want to kill you to keep you quiet. Defense aside its also a good tool for rescuing and recovery operations should you need it. Universal sign of distress is 3 shots out in the woods and it could lead rescuers to your location.
ReplyDeleteI wonder how many times this douche screams "It's comin right for us!!!!"
ReplyDeleteCan you type any kind of comment without the work douche? Just curious?
DeleteA good .22 magnum is good for shooting most douches.
DeleteI don't carry a weapon. The bears are scared of me.
ReplyDeleteSome good advise above. I always pack and thank God have never had to unholster it. It just give peace of mind in case something goes wrong with bears, lions, and the biggest threat, uncivilized humans.
ReplyDeleteChuck
The proability an animal attacks you is almost zero and in the even of an animal attack the probability the gun helps you is slim to none. I would guess it's more likely that you shoot yourself than save yourself with a sidearm.
ReplyDeleteI carry a simple whistle in bear country, otherwise nothing.
liberal Canadian
Same can be said by skeptics about anyone ever seeing a Bigfoot. ZERO Yet most people on here have had some strange event that has confirmed it for them or at least peaked their curiosity on the subject. So when you become another statistic on the ignorance of humans thinking they can simply walk in bear country just like they were walking into a convenient store with little more than a simple whistle we will all know who it was. Kinda like the guy who thought he could live with bears and everything would be fine....look how that turned out. Until then keep your spineless, draft dodger accepting, bigger pussies than the French ( oh wait yall are French also) hippie peace and loving bitch comments to yourself. When you stop being a candy ass then you can comment. Oh and if Canada is so great stay your asses up their and stop screwing up Americas roadways.
Delete^tough guys carry guns in the woods.
DeleteHoly s**t, Anon! You are an angry fellow. The bear man crossed a line and paid a tragic price. The lesson: Respect those animals (by leaving them alone and not constantly harassing them) and your odds of being eaten by a Grizzley Bear go back down to almost 0%. I'd take a gun if I were to go walking in Grizzley country, but depending on the time of year, I'd also be an F-ing idiot to go walking in Grizzley country!!! I would also never expect to control my encounters with such a large, powerful and wild being. My goal would be to stay safe and to not use my gun.
DeleteDavid from the PAC/NW (US, not Canada... but close enough to take offense!)
Hey Mr. Maple Leaf Head......shouldn't you be stocking the shelves with "killer hand blown bongs" at the head shop that you work at rather then decrying the self preservation tools of an cautious American male?
DeleteYou see that's the problem, every one of these oh respect nature people think that to carry a gun is to be just a gun crazy tough guy. It's has nothing to do with being tough or scared its about being prepared. Native Americans/ first nations people are the biggest promoters for nature and conservation, respecting everything and they ALWAYS had some form of protection with them should an unpleasant situation arise. They just stayed prepared because they knew anything could happen. So its not about looking for a fight its just having a fighting chance should something happen. Besides its easy to judge people from the comfort of your home behind a computer.
ReplyDeleteAmen
DeleteSeveral good posts but also many bad ones. Carrying a gun while in the back country should be common sense. I own a .357 mag in S&W and the Ruger .454. I will carry the cannon over the magnum any day. First because it will drop anything in North America on two or four legs. And the flame and boom from the barrel will take care of anything with six or more legs at the same time. But PNW Dave you are incorrect that handguns won't cleanly kill big game. The .454 has over 1200 foot pounds of energy at 100 yards. More than a .223 and close to a .30-30 carbine. Hunting is about shot placement. A good shot will drop an animal quickly and cleanly. A bad one won't. A warning shot is a good idea. It means you already have the gun up. Plus the noise is like a thunder clap to animals. With the .454 and the right load the flame helps too. The reason the canuck has no handgun is his country wont let him. Being born and raised three miles from Canada I am glad I was this side of the border. As for whistles and bells and pepper spray for bears there is an old Alaskan saying. You can tell what type of bear is near by the droppings. Black bears scat is full of seeds and smells like berries. Grizzly bear scat is full of bells and whistles and smells like pepper spray.
ReplyDeleteAmen brother. Elmer Keith would approve.He'd probably raise his glass and take a sip after reading your above comment about the Ruger Casull.
DeleteI tend to recommend the Ruger Redhawk instead of the Super Redhawk for everyday carry because it is slightly smaller. And really, if .44 magnum isn't big enough for self defense (against anything) you might be better off carrying a long gun. 454 Casull (especially the long-barreled one pictured) is just too much to have on you at all times. A .30-06, for example, is still more powerful, more accurate, not much harder to carry, and easier to shoot than the Super Redhawk .454. I choose a Redhawk in .44 magnum with a 5 inch barrel for everyday carry self defense in the wilderness. If the gun is just for hunting, by all means choose the Super Redhawk. Ruger does make fine revolvers and I think they are some of the best firearms on the planet.
ReplyDeleteAlso, Tom, I do find your article filled with a lot of good information with lots of good pros and cons, like any good firearms writing. Your emphasis on marksmanship and the benefits of practice are golden. Thanks for your time.
DeleteI live in Washington State and would have to agree it is magnum country. Squatch,bears,cougars are all a given possibility when one goes trekking in these mountains.
ReplyDelete