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C.T. and I have been discussing the 5 1/2" Super Blackhawk in the all popular .44 magum. Where we live, black bear & mountain lions like to play tug-of-war with hikers & campers.

Does anyone else out there have an opinion on a good/better (the best)backwoods handgun?

Who makes a good (or the best) holster for a single action handgun?

Thanks! And I hope y'all had a great Christmas!

Red

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Red

Red,
I have lived in Alaska and have used a large bore revolver as a packing gun (.50 Cal). I know it is not ideal, but I felt the other measures taken, such as trash and food maintenance, as well as noise, etc. would also protect me from harm. None-the-less, if I knew I was going to face an Alaskan bear, I'd bring the biggest rifle I could use.

That being said, a .44 mag for lower 48 black bears should be fine. Use 280 grainers or heavier at about 1,200 to 1,400 fps and don't flinch. Make the first hit count.

To help in keeping the gun handy and quick to action, wear a good holster that keeps it on your left breast (if you are right handed). El paso makes a good version that is like the Army's tanker holster.

Be safe,
Lenny

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Show 'em where you live....

You might take a look at the Super Redhawk in .480 Ruger. It takes a 325gr. or heavier bullet that is .475cal. and pushes it to .44 mag velocities. That's some stout brew!!!

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"Where the government fears the people, there is liberty; where the people fear the government, there is tyranny."
-Benjamin Franklin

It's been said that whatever gun you have, be sure and file off the front sight, so that when the bear shoves it up your a$$, it won't hurt so much...

Having said that, carry a big bore handgun that you are intimately familiar with, and make it convenient to carry. You don't want it to become a nuisance, and forget to have it on you the moment you really need it.

I personally consider the 5.5" gun a perfect balance between performance and size that's easy to deal with. I have 44Mags ranging from 4-5/8" to 7.5", and I carry the 4-5/8" gun with me in the Colorado mountains. I personally reload a 320gr hard cast bullet to 1350fps, but it takes a special loading technique involving setting the bullet out to the 2nd crimp groove. As it's been stated above, make that first shot count, as it may be the only one you get off. Then you may be back to whether you filed off the front sight or not...

Marlin

Red,

I know this is an older post, so I apologize for my tardiness. The picture here is of two Ruger Bisley Dave Sams rebuilt for me. The top is an 8" .41 Mag with a 2x Burris Dot, Douglas Barrel, free wheel pawl, and all the works. It is almost as tight and accurate as my Freedom Arms 454.

I believe the bottom gun, however, is just what you are describing. It started life as a 7.5" SBH that shot terribly. Dave retrofitted the Bisley parts, did a full action job which required making oversized pins and a bolt, installed a free wheel pawl, locking base pin, Bowen rear sight and custom front, and recut the throat and crown of the barrel while removing the warning label. It now shoots as good as I can hold, and packs incredibly well. I don't like the grips, but they're what I had with the Bisley parts and simply have never taken the time to change them. No matter who you go with for a build, ensure they use a Bowen rear sight. It is far and away the best thing going for any Ruger SA or DA. I have them on all my Ruger revolvers and they're the cat's meow.

http://filebox.vt.edu/users/jakeeney/Fi ... ce/Bisleys



Sorry for the picture, but I took it for insurance purposes only and never intended it to be posted. Enjoy!

~Jim Keeney

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"I'd rather die on my feet than keep living on my knees." - Emiliano Zapata, Mexican Revolutionary

I have no idea why that picture isn't showing. The link works, and is fine as a cut and paste. Making it a hyperlink.

~Jim Keeney

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"I'd rather die on my feet than keep living on my knees." - Emiliano Zapata, Mexican Revolutionary

im fondling my 7 1//2 inched SRH in 480 ruger.yeh .475 caliber,i feel thts pretty significant .i also installed a fingered wooden grip.the stock ruger houge ruber with wood inserts(same set up on the gp 100.amof=as a matter of fact they are interchagable between models)the houge and worse yet the paycmar flex way too much under 325 gn/480 ignition.the wooded one peice grip with uncle mikes gloves is the ticket!!!!

The key in using a revolver on bear is shot placement.

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The only place you will find success without hard work is in the dictionary

I would feel better with a double action in a large bore and with a lanyard in case Mr Bear smacks the gun out of your hand.
Marsh

It will only work if the link ends in an extension that represents an image file.

ie: .jpg .gif .png

--md