What do you carry in the brush?

[Hunter]

I decided since we have many folks who appreciate large caliber firearms this thread should reflect that. So instead of just me posting pictures of my Ruger let's see your trail/camp defense firearm be it an autoloader, revolver, single shot, guide gun, or whatever you would go to when your feet hit the path.

With all the past and current threads against bear defense I though I would share my current trail defense set up.
OD was good enough to send me a solid cylinder for my New Model convertable Blackhawk (.45 Colt/.45 Automatic).
Before
http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h264/Hunter1911/Picture039-1.jpg
After
http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h264/Hunter1911/Picture037-1.jpg
My cast 325gr FP Lyman mold 452651 (about 338gr after sized, lubed, and gas checked) as compared to my cast 200gr LSWC (Lyman mold 452630) loaded into a .45 Colt case and a .45 auto case.
http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h264/Hunter1911/Picture036-1.jpg
"At the ready"
http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h264/Hunter1911/Picture038-1.jpg
Backup
http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h264/Hunter1911/Picture035-1.jpg

[GabbyM]

In Illinois I carry a Ruger MKII 22 rimfire.
For rattlesnakes while prairie dog shooting out West I've found 9mm just does not compare with the disembowelment a 44 or 45 gun will deal out to the reptiles. Pictured is the 44 mag Colt Anaconda. I've an Uncle Mikes nylon convertible carry rig. If you think of it as half the wieght of a rifle it doesn't feel so heavy.
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/picture.php?albumid=32&pictureid=146

[9.3X62AL]

If I'm in bear country--I bring a rifle along. A repeater, and usually the CZ-550 in 9.3 x 62 with 286 grain Partitions seated atop enough IMR 4320 to prompt ~2400 FPS. I have this long-standing agreement with bears--I don't go into the forest to mess with them, they don't come into town to give me stress. All breaches of the compact get dealt with via gunfire, and I can make a bolt action sound belt-fed with sufficient inspiration. Bears are fur-clad Visigoths, AFAIC.

When the rifle is out of reach in ZIP Codes containing bruins, either a S&W Model 1026 stoked with 200 grain XTPs at 1200 FPS or a Redhawk x 5.5" x 44 Magnum with 240 grainers going 1350 FPS+ are on my hip. What's good for the bruins is good for the meth freaks, car strippers, drug runners, or other miscellaneous miscreants that might cause trouble for someone in the back country.

I sure hope I never have to shoot a bear.

[trickyasafox]

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=8722&stc=1&d=1221106431

Either the 45 or the Ruger 357. usually the 1911 though. I'm not in bear country, I am in woodchuck country though, and I have a much better chance of hitting the little sons of guns with the 45.

[MT Gianni]

44 Redhawk or Bulldog or 45 Blackhawk. I am in bear country when I cross the street and have been known to go bare or carry a nine. In a situation where I may surprise one I am OK with a 243 on up to 35 Whelen what ever I have with. Gianni

[Hunter]

Nice collection of pistols yall have. As odd as it sounds I have taken to carrying my Ruger Blackhawk everywhere even when not on the trail.
My usual carry is a Colt 1991A1 but I like to change up every now and again.
I know a single action is not as tactical but those 325gr FP really give me a warm fuzzy feeling.
My Colt 1991A1
http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h264/Hunter1911/Picture028-1.jpg

[oldhickory]

For the great outdoors it's usually a S&W 629-3 .44 mag, 4" in a Galco holster, stoked with the classic Keith load, 20gr. of 2400 topped with a Lyman 429421 cast boolit. Recoil is very managable and the load is dead on if I do my part.

[missionary5155]

I am down in the Southern part of Peru. When I get the opportunity to tromp about the desert / go 2 wheeling for fun I tote my S&W #13 3 inch .357 mag stuffed with 162 grain WC (20-1) from an Ideal mold 358432 and 6 grains of Unique. There are no snakes, bears, ... just a few stray dog packs.

[leadeye]

Nothing really big out here in Indiana when I am working on trails or food plots, I carry a Beretta m9.

[Kraschenbirn]

Most of my boondocking these days, is in locales more snakey than bearish. For those nature hikes, I'm quite comfortable with my 3" SP101...two #12 shot loads followed by three hard-cast 358156s over 5 1/2 gr. of Unique. In places where there's even the remotest possibility of a hostile encounter with anything that might outweigh my wife (5'4" - 128#), I'm more comfortable with a 4 5/8" OM Vaquero .44.

Bill

[Shuz]

I carry a 329PD stoked with 18g of 2400 behind a Lyman 429244 modified by scalping to be a 225g HP when just toolin' around the brush on my Honda Trail CT110. This is also the gun and load I use for "close social work"!

When hunting in the brush, I carry a 629-3 Classic DX with a Hi-Viz front sight and stoked with 17g of WC820 behind a 429640 Lyman Devastator that has had the gas check shank machined out for a weight of 267g from ww+1% tin.

[txbirdman]

Generally when out on my Polaris Ranger on the farm, I have a Savage 24C (.22/20ga.) and my Savage 110 30/06 loaded with the Lee 200 gr. that has been converted to a PB loaded over 10 gr. of Unique. With that setup I'm ready for most anything I'll encounter. If walking or on a 4 wheeler I'll usually carry my .45 Vaquero loaded with 2 homemade snake shot using 2 gascheck followed by some 250 gr. RCBS SWC's loaded with 8.0 gr. of Red Dot or 9.0 gr. of Unique.

[Naphtali]

I've seen two grizzlies in my life without bars between us. The last one was about three-and-a-half weeks ago in my hunting area. Under these inducements I'm having a Ruger Super Redhawk 480 Ruger altered to look like the revolver in these photographs -- with one additional step. I will also have the revolver altered to accept moonclips. (Thank you Lloyd.)

http://s2d1.turboimagehost.com/t/719987_110mm_454__1.JPG (http://www.turboimagehost.com/p/719987/110mm_454__1.JPG.html) http://s2d1.turboimagehost.com/t/719988_110mm_454__4.JPG (http://www.turboimagehost.com/p/719988/110mm_454__4.JPG.html) http://s2d1.turboimagehost.com/t/719989_110mm_454__7_front_sight.JPG (http://www.turboimagehost.com/p/719989/110mm_454__7_front_sight.JPG.html)

The only problem whose solution I have not put in the que is a horsehide full flap hip holster with a pivoting drop feature similar to the holster attached. I cannot identify a holster maker or saddle maker willing to do the job.

Anyone help me out?

http://s2d1.turboimagehost.com/t/720022_1912_Cavalry_w_strap-1.jpg (http://www.turboimagehost.com/p/720022/1912_Cavalry_w_strap-1.jpg.html) http://s2d1.turboimagehost.com/t/720029_strap-2.jpg (http://www.turboimagehost.com/p/720029/strap-2.jpg.html)

[45nut]

http://www.quiethide.com/products.htm


try dave and tell him I referred you, he can do about anything in holsters.

[PatMarlin]

I carry the same as you... Blackhawk in 45 colt with LBT 320 grners.

When and if I ever go to AK it will be the Raging Bull in 454... :mrgreen:

[carpetman]

I carry some toilet paper---that poison ivy and briars can be bad news.

[Bret4207]

Anything from a 22 Kit Gun to a 45 Ruger in peestols and a 36 ML to a 45-70 in a rifle. I'm probably in more danger from tetanus than animals, but I suppose a dog or coyote could be a problem. Bigger danger from bulls when I had 'em. Nothing nastier than a Jersey bull with a case of the unhappies.

[dk17hmr]

Im not in bear country by any means, there are very few black bears around the area I live in, they say there are feral hog around (most populated part of the state is in my back yard according to the DNR) I have never seen one.

About the nastiest critter around here is a rabid raccoon. When I am out in the woods I ussally take my cough cough Taurus 9mm with a mag full of FMJ's.
http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f208/dk17hmr/9mm.jpg
Then if needed I have the NEF's in 45-70, 500 S&W, and 450 Marlin. This is my 45-70 16 3/4" barrel.
http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f208/dk17hmr/4570.jpg

[Mumblypeg]

Unless I'm looking for something in particular it's usually the Marlin 39 Century LTD. Never found anything around the farm that liked being shot a 15 times with a .22. before retreating. And it's the same width as the 4wheeler, fits the rack just right. Sometimes a handgun also just whatever cal. strikes my fancy.

[yondering]

When I'm out riding, I mostly carry this (minus the chip in the blade; it was replaced due to bad heat treat). Unlike a hand gun, this gets used quite a bit; and if for some reason I don't also have a gun with me, I figure it'll do well as a short sword. The appropriate "crazy dude with scary looking knife" attitude should do well for ending any 2-legged critter conflicts before they start.
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c26/zthang43/Misc/IMG_5025.jpg

That said, I usually carry whatever gun seems most appropriate at the time; the 1911 packs easy, the Bisley Blackhawk (5" barrel) should be OK for elepants and charging bison, or sometimes it's just my Browning Buckmark. Here's the 1911:
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c26/zthang43/Misc/IMG_5206a.jpg

I have discovered one use for a handgun while hunting with a rifle: a couple years ago I shot a nice bobcat that approached my stand from the 5:00 direction. Couldn't have got turned around to use my rifle without making a lot of noise (being right handed, my rifle shoots straight ahead or to my left), but the Blackhawk worked great, one handed and looking back over my shoulder. Would've been the same situation for a nice buck from that direction.

dk17hmr, that 45-70's just asking for an integral suppressor!

[dk17hmr]

dk17hmr, that 45-70's just asking for an integral suppressor!

Or a bad ass flash inhancer/meat cutter
http://pro-patria.us/yahoo_site_admin/assets/images/Breacher870.56201125_std.jpg

[PatMarlin]

:mrgreen:

[kingstrider]

When hunting, I usually have a rifle or shotgun depending on what is in season. But I'll typically bring my S&W 638 or a Beretta 21A as a lightweight backup in case I need to make a close finishing shot. When I'm just packing around the woods while scouting etc, I'll typically bring along a .357 like my Blackhawk or S&W 686.

[Meatco1]

Toilet paper!!

[Echo]

Don't have grizzlies around here, nor Polar Bears, nor anything Really bad - occasional black bear, but they are no problem. On the other hand, AZ is home to MANY diamondbacks, so I carry my Combat Masterpiece w/2 snake loads under the hammer, followed by stout +p's if a rabid fox gets too close.

[missionary5155]

I carry some toilet paper---that poison ivy and briars can be bad news.

And that long tall yeller dried out grass is not much help either.

[jdgabbard]

I'll say I'm another that doesn't live in bear country. The most I have to worry about around here is the hogs. On occasions I'll run into a skunk or armadillo that needs to be dispatched from my property. So I carry a suitable caliber for those duties. Attached is a picture of my S&W model 65. I haven't been going out in the woods much this year, but when I do its does whatever barking needs to be done. Usually I carry a handload consisting of a 158g Hornady XTP and 14g of H110. Velocity should be in the range of 1000-1050 fps (I don't own a chrony).

8754

[redneckdan]

Usually my 1911 stocked with +P 200gr SWC. Been looking at a serbu super shorty for quite some time.[smilie=1:

[mtnman31]

If on foot, either my Taurus .357 Tracker or .45 H&k USP. If I'm pedaling around on my mountain bike I have a pocket knife and some real harsh language.

[AlaskaMike]

Last time I was in brown bear country I had my 4" S&W model 29 with 300 grain Keith style SWC that I cast myself over an adequate charge of 2400.

Of course, I also had my rifle...

Mike

[Naphtali]

http://www.quiethide.com/products.htm


try dave and tell him I referred you, he can do about anything in holsters.It's Saturday. I'll call on Monday. Many thanks. But what name do I use as referral?

[Artful]

It's Saturday. I'll call on Monday. Many thanks. But what name do I use as referral?

Huh?

I carry in BEAR country 44 mag either Ruger Redhawk or S&W M29 - either in shoulder holster - for any 2 legged area's I hike it's SIG 9mm -
Snake problems I use my .410 snake charmer :p

[krag35]

SIG P220 loaded with BD45's. If I can't sort it out with 7 of those, I should have brought an RPG, field artillery, or one Marine.

[GabbyM]

I forgot to mention my big knife.
Used to buy those nice ones. They tended to disappear when I turn my back.
Now I just buy ten dollar 12 inch machetes. About two thousand times more useful than a 6 inch hunting knife and cheap to boot. I've never lost one yet.

[Naphtali]

http://www.quiethide.com/products.htm


try dave and tell him I referred you, he can do about anything in holsters.Apparently, I wa unclear. 45nut, you said to use you as reference. I don't know what your name is.

[45nut]

Oh Dave would know me by "45nut".

here is a pic of the holster he made me for my bfr.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/1003/45nut/revolvers/100_1012.jpg

[Whitworth]

In the concrete jungle, I carry this, a Lew Horton M29:

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f196/MarkoR/SWm29L.jpg

Whenever hunting with a handgun or rifle, I carry this as a back-up, also a M29 -- stoked with 277 grain hardcasts over a stiff load of 296.

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f196/MarkoR/SWm29.jpg

I have also carried a Ruger SRH in .454 Casull for backup........

[Down South]

And that long tall yeller dried out grass is not much help either.

That's John Wayne grass. It doesen't take crap off nobody.

We don't have any bears here except an occasional black bear. We do have an abundance of snakes, coyotes and such. I carry a Ruger GP 100 6” or my new to me 629 Classic W/ 5” barrel.

[jdgabbard]

Oh Dave would know me by "45nut".

here is a pic of the holster he made me for my bfr.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/1003/45nut/revolvers/100_1012.jpg


What the heck is that chambered in?!? 45-70?

[PatMarlin]

Ken-

My wife saw your BFR and thinks it's pretty.

Now she wants one... :shock:

[45nut]

yes,, 45-70

Hey Pat,, if she thinks she needs one,, she needs one !

[redgum]

1887 L/A 12 guage & a S&W m65
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r49/redgum94/LA12g_2.jpg
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r49/redgum94/holster_mk1.jpg

[MtGun44]

S&W 329 with Keith 250 cast over 20.0 2400. Tried lots of others, some
worked about as well, very few any better.

I backpack and hunt out west where there are black bear, griz and a
few wolves, too.

Around here (KS/MO) the biggest credible threats are two legged predators
and feral dogs. A friend was attacked by a pack of 6 feral dogs,
fortunately she was hunting with a Colt 10mm 1911. Hit at least one,
fired on three before they decided it was a mistake and ran off. She
says that with a bolt rifle "they have gotten to me".

Never go unarmed.

BIll

[rvpilot76]

My Bisley convertible in 45 Colt/45 ACP. I load her with the 310 Keith GB with a "sufficient" charge of 'Lil Gun. Did a bunch or stuff to her before I ever shot her. Mods include: Belt Mountain oversize #5 Keith base pin, Power Custom free spin pawl, Wolff spring kit, polished internals, One Ragged Hole rear sight, and a bead blasted finish.
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a271/rvpilot76/misc017.jpg

[Whitworth]

rvpilot -- that is very nice! Do you have any more photos of it that we can see?

[trickyasafox]

how are those 1 ragged hole sights? i've been thinking about trying them

[rvpilot76]

Whitworth: the only other photos of her I have at the time are the ones I took when I was 'smithing her. Mainly photos of disassembled parts. I plan on taki ng more photos when I get her back from Anchorage.

[rvpilot76]

Trickyasafox: I really love the ORH sights. They send you two aperture sizes, of which I installed the larger of the two. It's like sighting with an AR15. The nicest thing about them, at least for me, is that there is no guessing if the front blade is level with the rear sight. I've found that's one of the hardest things for me to do with standard sights. In fact, I've got this same arrangement on my Springfield XD.

[rvpilot76]

By the way, does anyone know if anybody is making a fiber-optic front sight for the BH? I'd like to have just a bright floating dot in the middle of my aperture. It would almost be like using a red dot sight at that point. Should be lightning quick.

[PatMarlin]

I've got that one ragged hole sight on my Win 94 carbine and like it. I wish they made one for my 454 Raging Bull.

[rvpilot76]

Well, ask and ye shall receive. I just saw that HiViz if offering a Blackhawk fiber optic front sight blade. Product # is RB2008. It's still a new offering, so none of my usual outlets have them yet.

[Swamprat1052]

I'm not in Bear Country either but I go there sometimes. Here in So. CA though we do have lots of mt. lions. I usually carry a Stainless Ruger Blackhawk in 45 Colt loaded with 270 gr RCBS bullets. Sometimes if we are just hiking I carry the 45 ACP Kimber. I call coyotes out among those lions and the 45 Colt gives me a warm fuzzy feeling. If one got at me from behind I might have a chance with that.

Swamprat

[MtGun44]

What are the rules in So Cal for carrying when hiking? I would be
scared to do it, but that's mostly because I'm from out of state
and don't know the laws. I also know CA is very anti-gun in
general.

Bill

[PatMarlin]

Our county is very pro gun. Still a way of life. Not unusuall to see a handgun holstered in the grocery store during deer season. Everyone's armed year around.

[MtGun44]

Gosh Pat, that sounds WAY different than the southern part of
my birth state (CA). The parts I go to on business (LA, San Fran) are decidedly
NOT friendly to guns, as far as I can read.

Glad to hear that the north is more sane about firearms. I had a couple
of chances to take jobs in CA years ago and passed them up because
of the 'assault weapons' and pistol laws.

Bill

[Whitworth]

That would be way north as lots of NorCal, like San Francisco and the surrounding region (Berkley comes to mind) isn't friendly turf for gun owners. Very unfortunate.......

[BOOM BOOM]

HI,
I am partial to REDHAWKS 44 ( 250gr & 23grs 2400) or maybe the 357 (W/ 180gr. & 13.1 grs. of wc 820 OH YEAH:Fire:).

[Jim]

4" blued Taurus Judge. First two rounds are 2.5" #4 shot. Next three rounds are 230 gr. "fish bowl" hollow points in .45 Colt.

[Bullshop]

Over the years I have used them all. Used to think I wasnt safe unless I had a freedom arms 454. Found out that the superb quality of the freedom arms made it undependable in the field. After that settled on ruger big bore. Found out didnt need that much bang to kill things. Now feel accuracy and penitration are most important and power second to those.
My carry gun in the field and in the city is now an old model ruger single six in 22 ccm.
Light weight, accurate, and with proper boolits penitrates beyond belief. Its also a good lookin gun with well aged stag gripps that have been in place since the gun was fairly new, about 35 years. Its a one of a kind that I am pleased and proud to pack where ever I go. I am now of the idea that if I get into a fight with man or beast as long as I keep a cool head I can win the fight.
I recall the words of dirty harry when asked, "harry how come you use that thing".
His answer,"cuz I can hit with it".