Hunting Elk. I will be carrying a Badlands 2800 pack and would like to know what rig you use. Have carried a 45acp on A tactical leg rig. While it might be good for 2 legged predators .How bout big bear. Thinking SW 629 this year.

Getta grip....

In Colorado, I rarely carry a sidearm even when I'm archery hunting....

Where are you planning to hunt at?


Casey

45 Super in a Pilots Chest rig from Blackhawk. Mine came from the USAF.

Blackhawk now calls them the Nylon Alaska Guide Holster. They show a model for a 629.

http://blackhawk.com/Products/Holst...ng/Nylon/Nylon-Alaska-Guide-Holster.aspx

Ok I see you added the link. Does the 629 model have the extra pouch?

Just south of Jackson Wyoming.

Whatever you decide to carry, make sure you shoot solids, not expanding bullets. In the rare event you shoot a bear, you want penetration, not expansion. That might help you choose a caliber as well.

629, definitely with cast solid or castcore type bullet.

Several years ago,Our UPS guy got ambushed by a Grizz, while he was gutting out his elk- archery hunt in Wy wilderness. He was seriously mauled. IMHO he hasn't been the same since, was pretty traumatic. He's lucky to be alive, shoulder and back chunks torn out, requiring reconstructive surgery and skin grafts.

Oh Man

A good grip on one of these is also useful; only $399.99 and another $39.99 for the instructional video on "How to defend yourself like a Samurai!"

Thanks for the response to "getta a grip" simple question should get simple response. Just saying.

I have two 629's, one with a 3" and 4" barrel. When in bear country, even Yellowstone, I preferred my G20 or G29 loaded with 200 gr hardcast DoubleTap ammo @ 1300 fps.

It ain't quite a 44, but when 44's are fired from 3-4" barrels are compared to 10mm fired from the G20 the 10mm is a lot closer than most think. A lot closer. If your 629 has a 6" or longer barrel it is in another category. The G29 is over a pound lighter, almost 2" shorter overall and when loaded with G20 mags has 10 additional rounds.

The way I see it I'd need all the penetration I can get and some luck. I'm betting that 10mm load is going to equal or beat 44 in penetration and I have 10 more chances to get lucky. Like buying 16 lottery tickets instead of 6.

I agree with JMR40.
When bow hunting in the lower 48 in bear country, I prefer my Glock 20 10mm loaded with 16 rounds of Buffalo Bore Hard Cast 220 gr FP ammo at 1200 fps.
It's a whole pound lighter than my 4" S&W 629 and carries 10 more rounds.

There are a lot of good guns you can carry. 629 would do, I'm a Ruger guy and like the Alaskan, Redhawk, Super Blackhawk, Blackhawk (41Mag, 44 Mag, 45 Colt). Vaquero (Original size 44 Mag or 45 Colt) Depends on what you can afford and what turns your crank. What can you shoot well? Use a good load. I like Buffalo Bore Ammo, but HSM will work or Grizzly

Smell what your stepping in . 629 will be fine in my hands.

This. Put it in a Hill People Gear Kit Bag, and yes, you can draw a bow wearing it.

I carry the same pistol in the mountains that I carry every day and have shot many 10,000s of rounds through. Makes more sense to me than changing during september.

Plus if the bear gets you you can kill yourself with it...

I bought a Smith and Wesson 329PD about 4 or 5 years ago. I carry it at all times while archery hunting in Colorado although I have never needed it. I have a soft holster that I carry on my belt and my pack doesn't rub on it. The gun is so light that I hardly know it is there. I had a buddy load some slightly lower power 44 mags for it. For target, I shoot 44 specials.

230 grain Hard Ball Ammo for that 45, an extra mag. fast reload back in the fight.
I forgot what I was shooting at.

Be at peace whatever you carry if you do.

Have a good hunt.

I like your thought process. 3x7=21 230 hardball pieces of lead should make a difference. Then again.

Geez, try not to overthink it. You decided on the 629 I thought. I'd get the ammo and start practicing already. See how fast you can sling a good group down range in 4 seconds or less. Heck, you're going into Grizzly country. Just saying...get some bear spray while you're at it.

The web site says it has the Speed Loader pouch.

Wyogal
629 no doubt.

And, a 45 Colt.

Hill People Gear Heavy Cover Kit Bag. Glock 20 with a Streamlight TLR3 light.

Those lights are a big plus when needed.

^^^^
++++ These are grizzlies. They are fast. Carry bearspray too. Yeah, I know a lot of junk. I carry both when solo, and I am carting a .338. I always have bearspray with safety off within easy reach while field dressing, even when I have backup. I move it around to keep it in reach. No I have not had problems....yet. But the bears are around.

The first day or two I usually carry a handgun but after that I am too tired to carry any extra weight.

Fast enough that you have little or no time to react when they are coming your direction full speed through the timber.

I'm the other way around. Generally speaking, any handgun I would consider a sufficient one to shoot at an angry grizzly I consider too big for me to daily carry. I would rather take my Ruger Alaskan 454 than any of my daily carry pieces. Most times bowhunting in Grizzly country I will carry pepper spray while hunting.

This is the most realistic answer so far.

I carried a FA 454C in a left side crossdraw with 335 lbt's when I hunted The Thoroughfare in WY, took it to take a piss and had it in my bedroll in the tent at darkthirty too, that area is loaded with grizz.

If you can't handle the weight of a 329 PD or a Glock 20, IMHO you have more training to do...

When we horsepack into the Bob Marshall or if a Griz has been spotted around our place (and if I'm not carrying a rifle) I carry this 629 Classic. I've shot it a lot and have confidence in it. Fast, repeat shots are no problem.

The reloads are 285 grain hardcasts from Beartooth bullets @ 1235 fps. I carry it in a strong side Safariland holster.

Nothing, but when you go go back to pack more meat out then carry.

I'm usually trying to figure out what I can leave behind.

That said if I was to do that and thought I needed a short gun it'd be a S&W 329 PD.

Go with the 10 mm. You can shoot it more accurately, many more shots as fast as you can pull the trigger.

Go with the 10mm, install speed sights, they are good in low light situation. They are what police use on their pistols. Easy to see on a dark object. Very accurate.