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Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 13,235
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jun 2005
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I'm thinking a Beartooth 165 FN (looks alot like a WFN) or something similar running about 12-1300.
Bullets you'd suggest? I think you're good with the bullet you mentioned.
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Joined: Feb 2002
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Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 32,044 |
This is your Huckleberry, a Smith and Wesson 686+ with a 3 inch barrel and 7 shots. I would run 158 grain JHP in it. Bears won't like that one bit and neither will anything else you shoot with it... If you don't kill the bear at least you will die Deaf
A Doe walks out of the woods today and says, that is the last time I'm going to do that for Two Bucks.
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Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 1,374
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 1,374 |
The benefit of the "L" Frame & GP-100 is sight picture retention with magnum loads. I do not like heavy guns for trail use, but life is a compromise. I'll accept heft for magnum manageability.
I used to own a 2.5" Model 66. With magnum loads, it was not very manageable. Shooting it at night, the muzzle flash could be seen by Space Shuttle astronauts. Also, out of a short barrel, there ain't a whole lot separating the .357 Mag & .38 Special +P. So I sold it & went back to a Model 60.
�If tyranny and oppression come to this land, it will be in the guise of fighting a foreign enemy.� ***US President James Madison***
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,760
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,760 |
b, Sounds like you're on track for selecting a very enjoyable field/pack handgun. If I may suggest, don't get too wrapped around the axle with the bear defense aspect. If I were indeed going after big black bear, and was looking at a handgun for last ditch emergency backup, such as when bowhunting bear alone, or butchering game when I had to put the rifle down, leaving the tent late at night in my skivvies to hit the woods and relieve myself, etc., etc.; I then would probably narrow my handgun down to a double action revolver and would be most concerned about its performance on the biggest bear I'd encounter in that area. BUT, for a do-all, easy to carry, easy to shoot, all-around field gun, that is capable of handling a not so good black bear encounter, I'd not rule out the many options in a very nice single action revolver chambered 357mag. Some are incredibly sweet to shoot, without being too bulky or too light. You may handle something along the lines of a Bisley, and say OH WOW! Look for something you'd enjoy to carry and enjoy to shoot. Food for thought, Best
�I've never met a genius. A genius to me is someone who does well at something he hates. Anybody can do well at something he loves -- it's just a question of finding the subject.�
- Clint Eastwood
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 8,744
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Aug 2011
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Mod 66, 4in, with properly loaded 158 gr hard cast swc should do whatever you need
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Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 3,133
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 3,133 |
I like my 4-inch Mod 19 for general carry use, as well as a 1911. If there are big nasty things in the woods I am venturing into, then I carry a 4-inch Mod 57 or Mod 58. I have a 6-inch 629 Classic, but it's bulky.
�That rifle on the wall of the labourer's cottage or working class flat is the symbol of democracy. It is our job to see that it stays there.� George Orwell
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Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,483
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Feb 2006
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This is your Huckle [/color]berry, a Smith and Wesson 686+ with a 3 inch barrel and 7 shots. I would run 158 grain JHP in it. Bears won't like that one bit and neither will anything else you shoot with it...
If you don't kill the bear at least you will die Deaf [color:#FFFF00] That way you can't hear yourself screaming while you're being mauled
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 83
Campfire Greenhorn
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Campfire Greenhorn
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 83 |
Interesting that no one has suggested the S&W 620, which is the L frame, half lug, 7 shot, 4" 357. For me, it combines the best of the M66 and the M686+. Tough as a 686, but as light and balanced as the 66. Plus an extra round. http://www.gunblast.com/SW619-620.htmWhy not have it all?
A man's capacity is usually relative to his goals. -Karl Erlich, The Sea Chase
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 23,666 Likes: 3
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 23,666 Likes: 3 |
For my eye & feel, no half lug balances or points as well as a full lug..........I'll keep my 686's, thank you anyway.
MM
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 434
Campfire Member
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Campfire Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 434 |
I really like the 4.2" SP101. It's a 5 rounder, so if the 6th (or 7th) round is important to you that might put it out of the running. Solid gun, good sight radius, less blast than a 3", and less bulk than many other full size .357's. I recently purchased the 4.2" SP101 and really like it. Worked all weekend at the cabin, and put in morning and evening hikes. It never left my hip and seldom did I know it was there. Shot a few gator aid bottles full of water before leaving for some last-minute fun. Recoil with 158 SWC over 6.0g of Unique is easy. Just after daylight on Saturday, I bumped a sow and a couple cubs. They skedaddled over a ridge before I could get camera on them. I did see some nice bulls (one with collar) and what will be a 3x3 buck this year. If you did not want to go 5-shot Ruger, I'd recommend a Security Six in 4". There are several on GunBroker for $300-500. [img]http://i443.photobucket.com/albums/qq156/JeffMacey/IMG_1157_zps75d72ff3.jpg[/img]
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Joined: Oct 2005
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Campfire Oracle
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Campfire Oracle
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 79,321 Likes: 2 |
Recoil with 158 SWC over 6.0g of Unique is easy. That's pretty much my .38 Spl load,..except I use the 160 grain WFN over 6 grains of Unique.
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Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 13,786 Likes: 6
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 13,786 Likes: 6 |
I really like the 4.2" SP101. It's a 5 rounder, so if the 6th (or 7th) round is important to you that might put it out of the running. Solid gun, good sight radius, less blast than a 3", and less bulk than many other full size .357's. I recently purchased the 4.2" SP101 and really like it. Worked all weekend at the cabin, and put in morning and evening hikes. It never left my hip and seldom did I know it was there. Shot a few gator aid bottles full of water before leaving for some last-minute fun. Recoil with 158 SWC over 6.0g of Unique is easy. Just after daylight on Saturday, I bumped a sow and a couple cubs. They skedaddled over a ridge before I could get camera on them. I did see some nice bulls (one with collar) and what will be a 3x3 buck this year. If you did not want to go 5-shot Ruger, I'd recommend a Security Six in 4". There are several on GunBroker for $300-500. [img]http://i443.photobucket.com/albums/qq156/JeffMacey/IMG_1157_zps75d72ff3.jpg[/img] To me it's the perfect package for a woods bumming gun. I've shot from mild to wild through it and it's got just enough weight that it handles the recoil well...but at the same time isn't so heavy it's a pain to wear all day. Like you, I replaced the grips on mine and it's a worthwhile improvement.
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Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 4,877
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 4,877 |
I carry a 2.25" SP101 in the woods, but that 4.2" seems ideal.
Great pics too! Do you have a side view pic with those grips?
Jason
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Joined: May 2011
Posts: 56,390 Likes: 10
Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 56,390 Likes: 10 |
For these... I carry this 4.2" SP101 Or this Colt 38, which I hope not to need!
_______________________________________________________ An 8 dollar driveway boy living in a T-111 shack
LOL
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Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 4,877
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 4,877 |
I think you fellas are on to something with the 4.2" Ruger. The design is rock solid but without the weight of most K/L frames. Seems that the bore-axis is lower on the Ruger too. Just feels like I can get a higher grip on the SP101. Smiths feel more top heavy, but I still like them too. I tried a max charge of H110 and 180gr bullets in the 2.25" SP101 and it wants to twist out of my hand . Factory 158gr are easy to shoot.
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Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 4,877
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 4,877 |
Haven't shot a bear with a 357, but did a Coup de grace on a cow elk with a 158gr Gold Dot to the computer. 200gr NAB dropped her straight to the ground with a high shoulder shot but she could still lift her head. Wouldn't mind an LCR-22 when packing a rifle.
Last edited by 4th_point; 07/03/14.
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 24,675 Likes: 1
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 24,675 Likes: 1 |
The K frame smith in 357 are ideal in size IMHO. And the 357 loaded with 158/160 grain bullets at near 1400 fps from a 4" revolver is indeed a formidable load for your intended task.
True enough, but I still think your .45 Super and your hard cast flat point load is the best all around solution I've seen yet. Easy to carry, easy to shoot, effective.
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Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 30,998 Likes: 8
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 30,998 Likes: 8 |
The K frame smith in 357 are ideal in size IMHO. And the 357 loaded with 158/160 grain bullets at near 1400 fps from a 4" revolver is indeed a formidable load for your intended task.
True enough, but I still think your .45 Super and your hard cast flat point load is the best all around solution I've seen yet. Easy to carry, easy to shoot, effective. I agree and I posted that it is my preference and IMHO superior to the 357 for multiple reasons.
I got banned on another web site for a debate that happened on this site. That's a first
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Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 10,600 Likes: 1
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 10,600 Likes: 1 |
I love your back yard and your pet elk.
"Don't believe everything you see on the Internet" - Abraham Lincoln
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Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 19,111 Likes: 6
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 19,111 Likes: 6 |
Haven't shot a bear with a 357, but did a Coup de grace on a cow elk with a 158gr Gold Dot to the computer. 200gr NAB dropped her straight to the ground with a high shoulder shot but she could still lift her head. Wouldn't mind an LCR-22 when packing a rifle. That would be illegal in CO. Not saying a lot of guys don't do it though..357 is illegal for big game in CO and barrel length is 4" minimum on all handguns used on big game. They set the law up so it is just below the threshold. Maybe that very reason is why someone who spends more time in CO big game hunting would opt for 41 mag or? instead of a .357. I carry a .357 though. Mostly when in the saddle. If horse or mule breaks leg or?. It's pretty hard to kill them with a knife or rock. I had to do it once with another guys horse that fell off a mountain. If I am big game hunting with a rifle, I don't carry a handgun at all. IT would be just another 3-4 pounds that I don't need. One extra round for the rifle is a lot lighter.
Last edited by saddlesore; 07/03/14.
If God wanted you to walk and carry things on your back, He would not have invented stirrups and pack saddles
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