When Hunting, whats your backup gun?

Most of you guys here hunt with big monster revolvers scoped and zeroed at over 100 yards.
Just wondering what you guys have packing as your backup gun.....in case things go horribly wrong.
Obviously a case of close encounters, so a scoped gun would be
useless.

Im on the hunt for some new guns,would love to hear what models you guys trust your lives with.

I use my model 625 S&W 45 colt most of the time--My 4" model 28 is used at times -- most of the time it is the 625 S&W

I carry my 7 08 Encore for the long shots, and use my SBH 44mag 5.5inch for the close and fast opportunities. I really like this setup, because I can go scoped or not depending on the opportunity. I draw strong side for the revolver, and cross for the single shot. Got a deer with each this year. So I guess you could say my backup gun is also my primary hunting gun....kinda

MN

I have a few that I carry depending on my mood. One is a 6-inch Model 29, the other is a Redhawk in .454 Casull with 4-inch barrel, and if I am feeling rambunctious, my SRH in .500 Linebaugh with a 5-inch barrel (this revolver weighs less than my 6-inch Model 29).

95% of my hunting, is hiking in several miles with backpack and when we get an animal down we bone it out and pack it out on our backs. So there is no way in heck i'm packing two guns.

But in the summer hiking into high mountain lakes and on the trail i take my S&W 29 mountain gun loaded with a 300 grn hardcasts.

I usually hunt with my single shot pistols and my back up is either my SBH 44mag or my Taurus 480 6"barrel.

I wear a 6" Bisley 45LC on a crossdraw at all times. When I need more range I sling my Striker or TC.

My main gun is a Contender 7-30 Waters. My short range gun is a 6 inch 629-1 .44 Magnum.

I don't hunt where dangerous game (4-legged) inhabits. Not an issue. I will likely have a Glock with me for 2-legged variety's.
I have another single-shot specialty handgun with me if I have something go wrong with the primary.
E

Usually, a 3" S&W 29 with Lee 310 cast WFN, and a stiff load of H110. We have mountain lions, wolves, and an occasional griz.

Doc

Would that be a Lew Horton?

I carry a glock for my backup.

Depending on my quarry and the terrain/ranges encountered while hunting, I usually am carrying my unscoped 7.5" Casull or my new-to me 4 3/4" .500WE to support my scoped gun, or take advantage of a closer encounter.

I usually take a "back-up" scoped gun in case something happens to the primary one. If it is not my primary, the usual backup is my FA 41 mag revolver. I do not carry a second gun on me when I am hunting. No need for the extra weight & hassle where I hunt.

If I am carrying a belt gun when not armed with a primary hunting handgun, it is most often my FA M97 in 45 Colt.

I don't really carry a 2nd gun as a backup when I'm hunting. I do always have either my 44 or 454 4 3/4" FA on my belt. I will often use that gun as my primary gun even though I may have a 2nd scoped gun in my pack should the need arise for longer shooting.

I don't encounter many dangerous in my stomp'n grounds, so I really don't carry a "back-up gun". However, I occasionally do what Gary just said or otherwise I'll have my Ruger Bearcat on my side.

Whit,

The 29, 3" was not a Lew Horton. S&W made a small run some years ago. Picked it up from a Detroit cop and had Larry Kelly work his magic on it. I did my residency in Detroit, many years ago!

Doc

Doc, you must be one heck of a man to shoot that 3" 29 with 310's & a heavy charge of H110, I think I'd rather take my chances with the grizzly!
Every once in a while I'll carry my scoped 10" 357 Ruger Maxie in my backpack, the grip sticks out of the pack so its handy if needed....but this doesn't happen very often. Usually just a belt gun.

Dick

Well I don't usually carry a back up just extra ammo.My main hunting piece whether its 44mag,45colt,or my borrowed 475L is all I count on.

Used to carry my Glock 36...now that bears have moved in I carry a 4" Redhawk in 45 Colt.

I don't have issues with dangerous game either but I carry a RB 6 1/2" .357 mag, iron sights, in case something happens with my bigger guns.

I carry my S&W 25-7, 5", in 45 Colt. I know most people are going to recoil in horror over this load, but I keep it stocked with 300 gr XTP's @ 1100 FPS. So far this gun and load have killed everything I have shot at out to 90 yards.

Why would anyone recoil in horror over your load? My .500 Linebaugh load only goes 1,100 fps at the barrel. Sounds reasonable to me.

When bow hunting I carry a Blackhawk in either 41 mag or 45 Colt (both are 4&5/8") with heavy for caliber hardcast bullets.
When hunting with my revolver (7.5" SRH in 480 with a 30mm UltraDot) I don't generally carry a backup gun for the same reasons Wheelguns mentions above.

In general, I think wtroper says it well for me: "I do not carry a second gun on me when I am hunting. No need for the extra weight & hassle where I hunt."

However, when horseback riding during the summer months, on mountain trails, I carry either my customized Ruger SBH or my S&W 329.

I load them with Black Hills (Red Box not Blue) 300 grainers which if I am not mistaken are 300 gr. XTP's, or Fowler's 255 gr. cast pushed by a stout charge of Unique.



On the rare occasion when I would decide to carry a back-up when using one of my single shot pistols, it would be one of these. Or possibly my FA 83 in .500 WE.

I was expecting a few 45, 1911 carriers, but wow. Not one, LOL, what did I expect with some hardcore Handgun hunters.
You guys have backup guns with loads that should make them
the primary guns of the average hunter LOL

Weird, no 10mm either.

Seems like the 45colt hot loaded is a very liked round.
And Smith Wesson revolvers get the nod.

Yes, im taking notes guys, taking notes.

As for the .500 WE shooters, dont think im man enough LOL

That is, yet, I havent shot one so couldnt tell ya. But
Im pretty sure I will stay away from that cartridge.
Too much BANG, and too much BUCKS.

When I hunt with a revolver I don't carry a second gun. When I'm hunting with a single shot handgun, I pack my 4" Redhawk loaded with 320 gr hardcast bullets. For bear protection I always carry bear spray which would be my first choice if time allowed.

mig,
I rarely have an extra gun (sidearm) on me where I hunt.
If I am in an unknown area, or if I feel there is a possibility of safety issue (2-legged varmints), I choose my Glock over my 1911 because of weight and rounds in the mag-More a weight issue for me.

Hey Pab

Yeah Ive heard good things of those Bear Sprays. Many hunters
carry them, unless its a really hungry bear or momma protecting
her cubs, it works really well.

But never venture in Bear territory without packing firepower.
These claws are meant for serious business.
This brute was killed in Alberta with 5 shots .338 rifle.
I found this pic in another forum.

Im with you on that Ernie
I love Glocks, carried a 26 with me for many
years in the urban jungle I grew up in.

I like the 20 for a huntin sidearm myself.
Two 10 round mags loaded with heavy 10mm loads
sounds like good protection to me

Mig Rod, technically the middle of town is bear country here since we get bear and lions in town every now and then. The bears don't get quite that big around these parts, but heres an article about an 830# griz that was hit by a vehicle near here not too long ago. Still plenty big!

Hey Pab

Yes sir, thats plenty big for me too.

We don't have any dangerous game in this part of N.Y. I always carry 2 guns, a single shot and one of the following, glock 20, model 29 6" or my super redhawk. None of these guns have any optics on them.

My up close and personal "OH $41T" gun here in Alaska is a 4" Redhawk 45 Colt, 355gr WFN's at 1150 fps in a Simply Rugged pancake holster. Now converted to a 454 shooting 435gr at about 1100fps.

If a 200-lb black bear decides you are going to be his lunch, you had better shoot straight, cuz he's a whole lot more than any man is capable of handling -- let alone 800 + pounds of bear......

Awhile ago I carried a S&W 45Colt and even carried a Colt Defender in 45acp but these day`s I`ll have this S&W 22mag
loaded with solid bullets to finish off any animal that needs it

The last time I carried a big bore back up was when hunting in Alaska.....

Thats a great looking 22mag James
Thats certainly is a useful round aitn it.
Light weight, packs a nice little punch at close
range, and the best part how fun it is to shoot.
Wish they made more guns in 22mag

When hunting in Alaska and South Africa with a single shot, I carried a .480 Super Redhawk. When hunting in the lower 48, a GP100 with solid cast works for me.

+ 1! Very nice piece, James!

I love to hunt wild pigs and have had my fair share of low growls while walking out of the woods after dark. I have been known to carry a 4 D Mag light and I still have a problem seeing them. However, that light really does help discourage them.

All that being said, I carry my SBH in 44mag with a 4 5/8ths barrel.

I have thought about not carrying it when I am hunting with my SRH in 44 or 480, but they are both scoped. When I am going to need an “oh crap” for backup I want an iron sighted great handling backup.

Hey Pab1 speaking of Grizzly. This year while hunting with my Dad we can across Grizzly Bear tracks. They were down at the creek bottom were we where hunting whitetail. I shot a little buck and on the way out talked with the Game Warden. He said they had two sightings of Grizzlys in the area. I think i,m going to start packing my 44 with me during bow season.

Have to concur with that statement just might add "shoot damn fast and straight", as those puppies are realll fast when on a "mission".

As to the OP question - If my main sidearm would ever go down, I'd be SOL.

I carry a Springfield XDM40. I a single shot and 16 shots cant get it down. Im in for it. Use to Carry a SBH 454 shorty Alaskin. Just hated shooting it so it sold.

I know what you mean. I have been coming across bear droppings close to soda can size in the area I usually hunt in. I have seen a couple decent sized black bear in the area but none that I believe would have left these.

I have read all the replies with interest. I have always hunted with open sighted handguns and never have felt a need to carry two of them. This fall I am going on my first black bear hunt, and have pretty much decided to use a FA Mod 83 454 with a Jpoint red dot sight. I have this "thing" about trusting anything electronic, so I am planning to have a back up hand gun. I am not thinking so much in terms of saving my hide as I am having that ONE shot and the battery is dead, or something goes wrong and that little red dot is not there. I cannot seem to make up my mind on what to carry in case that happens. I have it narrowed down somewhat to:

1. 4" model 29
2. 5.5" Redhawk 45
3. 5.5" #5 Ruger 44 special
4. 5.5" FA mod 97 44 special

The specials if used would be loaded with 260 gr hard cast at 1200 fps. The Model 29 probably the same. If using the 45, a heavier bullet same velocity.

Decisions... decicisons.

At least you have some very nice choices!

Thanks...too many choices if you asked my wife.

Ah yes, a question best not asked! LOL!

For me its the 480 taurus raging bull. Last year the kids and I were hunting on our club. I often will walk the trails during the mid day hours quietly as possible. HAd the kids with me when we cut fresh set of tracks as in just a few minutes before we rounded the corner of the trail. We proceeded down the trail and cut the tracks again. It was a sow and a cub. So I told the kids enough of this we are headed back to the truck. Came back around the turn in the trail 300 yards from the truck and guess what. Same pair of tracks now going the same direction as us and they were over top of our tracks. Thats when the contender went into my daughters hand, son had his 30-30 and I un holstered the 480. Never did see the bear that day but the land owner friend of mine set his trail cam up and took several nice photos of a sow and cub. The Wildlife biologist estimated her weight at just under 600lbs. Squirrel guns be damned!

Amen to that sentiment!

6" S&W model 28 "Highway Patrolman". Ain't big, but it's accurate!

Got a few 28's very under rated gun I think.

with 158's or 180's it can be a real goood sidearm.

Note it was #2 behind the 625

I have carried both a 4 inch S&W Model 63 and a 5.5 inch Ruger SSM in 32 Magnum as hip guns while hunting. They're mainly used to shoot gray squirrels while headed back to camp.

Brian.

The load its self is not hot at all for a FA or Ruger. A lot of people freak out when I shoot it in a Smith & Wesson model 25

'round here, don't have to worry 'bout bears n'such, just 2 legged coyotes...and whatever else might pop up. I like to have several big fat rounds ready to rock and roll.

I like revolvers in 44mag. following Taffin's lead, i like the 300 xtp loaded in front of stout loads of 296, and crimped in the second cannelure, which limits me to redhawks and blackhawks, when light is a factor, the easily changed front sight on the redhawk gives me the option of a fiberoptic front sight which is sweet with the ORH rear aperature sight, but like what has been mentioned, carrying extra freight in the morning, you have to carry it all day, if my single shots let me down, i would swap out to something more reliable,and carry a second hand gun that was intended for something different-ssm in 32 h&rmag or kimber with the 22 conversion kit- or bearcat or.....

Ruger NMSBH in .44mag with 4 5/8 bbl shooting 310 grn Buffalo Bore Hard Cast. My main hunting rig, a scoped SBH original 3-screw without modification, is fed the exact same diet.

Bear, angry momma moose, or a crackhead with poor judgement, It's always the same gun, it's always the same POA. My Daddy told me when I was just a button, "Beware the man that shoots one gun, son, for he invariably shoots it well.".

Words of wisdom!

In a way, backup guns are a lot like cameras, the best one is the one that you have with you. If it is too big, you will not carry it as much, and will probably miss the "perfect shot". I usually carry a 4" Model 66 Smith (.357 Mag) with the old 168 gr. Keith bullet. If there are unfriendly residents with large teeth in the area, I will have my 3" Lew Horton 629.

That's a really nice piece, Sawfish!

Thank you.

45 Colt 4 inch barrel Ruger Redhawk

4 5/8 blackhawk .45 colt or 5 1/2 in bisley .45 colt

ANY gun is best but this shows how important it is to have the best for a real vicious animal.

You need a minumum of a .475 on chipmunks......

My new Ruger Black hawk .44 Special!!

I usually carry a stainless S&W 1911 with good ol' 230 grain jacketed bullets or Corbon DPX's, it has an allow frame so its light and points naturally for me. I live in Arizona so the mountain lions, black bears, and "aliens" are what I need to be protected from. I am a wheel gun fan but around these parts the 2 legged variety is more scary and prevalent and since I use the 1911 in IDPA style competitions it's what I'm fastest and most comfortable with.

For defense against two-legged predators, I carry a Wilson Combat custom M1911 A1.45. Speer 230 grain Gold Dots should be sufficient.

I would think!

45 Colt 5.5 inch barrel Ruger Blackhawk


or

Ruger Super RedHawk 480 Ruger

Ruger P90 .45 acp.

Handgun hunt with my Ruger Super Blackhawk Hunter in 44 mag...My backup is my Glock 27 in 40S&W...

Ruger SBH for a main hunting rig. Springfield compact .45acp for when I may incounter predators of the two leg kind. Browning Buckmark for woods runnin. Black bears and ferral hogs are the biggest things in the woods here.

Earlier I posted I carry my S/S 5.5" Bisley 45 Colt just about everywhere I go. Recently, I fell in love with my new Ruger flat top 4.625" Bisley in 44 Special. This is my new everyday gun, it is so easy to carry it is unbelievable.

Been considering a camping/hiking trip to Arkansas' Ozark National Forest next September. Supposed to be a few black bears and feral hogs in the area, right? Present handgun choices .357 mag Ruger Speed Six (good for packin' and hiking) or a 7 1/2 inch .44 mag Redhawk (darn long and heavy). Will the .357 mag git-r-done?

Stoked up right, the 357 will do fine.

Take the 357, 158 gr pills will handle just about anything you shoot at.

Living in Arkansas i can say that a big boar hog is in the 200lbs range. Most of them that I have taken here have been between 80-150lb range. There are some large hogs (north of 300lbs) but they are not common here.

According to two biologist friends of mine the average bear weights are between 300-400lbs. There are some larger than that here but thats an average. Having no desire to kill a bear I didnt know much about them other than where they are mostly at in the state.

For me I like the versatility of the .44mag but you should be fine with the earlier statement by infantryhammer of 158gr payloads. They served me well in the past. Just make sure that you carry in the open if you dont have a CCW license from a state that has restiprosity with ours. If your unsure I know some people here who I can ask if your states CCW is honored here or not. The National Forest falls under federal guidelines but AGFC does patrol there and they tend to follow the state regs more than federal regs.

Arkansas does honor nebraska's ccw permits. A very good source for concealed carry info is: http://www.carryconcealed.net.

3.5" Dixie Custom Vaquero in 500 Linebaugh.

Amen to that!

I have both the Nebraska CCW permit and the Utah CCW permit, I'm good to go. On this trip, I'd just as soon not see either hogs or bears. Not a hunting trip. I'll be with my wife and two golden retrievers. Now about snakes....... Usually the Speed Six has three loads of snake shot up front in snake country.

Tom

Semper Fi brother, good question. When I'm in the field which has ran as much at 250 days out of one year, guiding, hunting,setting up and filming outdoor/hunting TV shows, etc. situations dictate my primary piece, since these events could be focused around rifle, pistol, blackpowder, bow, crossbow, cameras, but my back up is the same I carry everyday, a 3" SW low profile 5 shot, model 60, stainless with handle grips. This guns doesn't incumber me due to weight or size, It is so comfortable I don't feel it, it is also lighting quick to get at, with with the 3" barrel with hi lighted sights, makes quick target aquisition easy, accuracy 4" groups off hand at 30 yds. and the knockdown of a .357 or the comfort of a carefully selected .38. Either bullet, this gun is effortless to pack, conceal ( it is my CHL pistol) and accurate enough to harvest small game with. Stainless still makes everyday cleaning not so important as with blued models as well.

TonyDukes
Ft.Worth TX
Marine for Life

Semper Fi back at ya, Tony!