IF your revolver was a "back up" for dangerous game (not your primary weapon) like brown bear, which revolver would you choose, barrel length, sights, holster (where on your body), and bullet would you choose and why? [u][/u]

Wow,the one gun in my collection would be a RBH in 45 colt, 5.5", I would be using a 300 gr. bullet loaded hotter than hell, for close up shots, I would prefer a 454.

For brown bear and larger critters 454 is prob the best option.

Something 5" ish. So it's quick the handle.

Smith & Wesson 329 PD 44 Mag (25 Ounces empty)

4" Barrel

Iron sights

Biggest bullet I can get

I'd take my only revolver - a Smith and Wesson Model 460XVR. Load it with some 360 to 395 grain cast bullets or other penetrating bullets. I could probably get it out of my hip holster more quickly than my current bandolier holster, as long as I'm standing.

May not be the best set up, but I'd take it over nothing at all any day of the week.

A 4 5/8" Ruger Bisley, in any of the following chamberings with their respective bullets at 1100-1200fps.

.44Mag - 330gr or 355gr Beartooth
.45Colt - 360gr CPBC
.475 - 425gr CPBC
.500JRH - 440gr CPBC
.500Linebaugh - 525gr CPBC

If Brown bear is the issue. I would get a short barreled 460 X frame with 300 gr XTPs. Currently I carry a 3 3/4" RSB Bisley with either 240 or 300 gr XTPs or a Redhawk 44 mag with the same load. Open iron sights. Carry crossdraw in a simply rugged holster.

5" Ruger SRH Toklat in .454 Casull with 350gr WFN-GC bullets in a chest rig or cross-draw holster.

as you asked for back up; my primary would be my 458 win mag rifle,built on a springfield action. so my single six. strong side carry, thats where i carry my duty, cc, and hunting handguns. single six for potting grouse, rabbits, cans, ect. i might even use the magnum cylinder.

My back up would be a 45 Colt with 325-360 gr WFN hardcast [ approx. 1200 fps] with 5 1/2" barrel carried in a chest holster. Although, talking to the guys at Magnum Research most people that have to face that situation more often than me prefer a short barreled 475 or 500 caliber. I have a 475 but, for up close and personal protection I feel I can handle a heavy loaded 45 Colt better.

So, where you going as you need such a tool? Details man!!

Assuming this backup would be for use against said dangerous game I think the new Ruger Redhawk 4.2" in 45 Colt would do nicely, fully stoked with a heavy (325 - 340 grain) hardcast or solid (with a wide meplat) and fitted with green fiber optic front and ghost ring rear sights, carried in a crossdraw belt holster.

I find crossdraw is easiest to access quickly while keeping out of the way when not needed. If I could have a gun special made it would be similar to above but in 480 Ruger with the SRH grip spur, just becasue I would't mind a little more displacement and weight for penetration and effect, and could also use the Hogue Tamer grip for better control and comfort.

I would and do carry my RBH (Bisley) with 4 5/8 barrel loaded with Garrett's 365 grain Hammer Heads. Of course, it carries in my chest holster.

I curious as to why some of you would prefer a single action as an emergency back up weapon. I'm thinking if a large critter that's going to do me harm, is upon me I want to be able to just point and click as opposed to having to thumb the hammer also.

Ruger 4" Redhawk, crossdraw, loaded with my handloads using 296/110 under a home cast 300gr'er. I shoot this load well from this gun and crossdraw gives me access with either hand.

At least a 44 caliber with heavy, cast bullets & a few shot loads in my pocket in case a grouse or bunny pops up. I'd want a 4-5 1/2" barrel in a holster that was opposite of my rifle on a sling so they don't bump each other. I've heard the double action/single action argument before but don't really think its much of a real factor, which ever one you prefer & shoot best is going to work best. Also, I like a heavy gun, light guns are nice to pack but are brutal to shoot with heavy loads & hitting is pretty important if Brown Bear is on the menu. I'd rather sacrifice a few ounces somewhere else & have a little heavier gun than a lightweight cannon that recoils past my ear with every shot, just my opinion.

Dick

SuperRedhawk in 480R cut to 5" and carried in a chest holster.

420gr WFN over as much H110 as I could get in the case.

My main gun is 44mag and so is my shorter one. Getting old so 270gr HC at 1,200fps is my best using load in my 3 3/4" SBH runs faster out of my 9 1/2" SRH

Please note that the guy that actually lives in bear country trusts a heavy loaded 44 magnum for bear medicine! Thats good enough for me.

Been there, done that.
AK- .500 S&W 6", 375X first, then 4 400 gr. Cast Performance.
Africa- 7 1/2" FA .475 Linebaugh, 395 gr. BRP casts.

My "first" backup better be my guide with his rifle while I'm accessing my personal backup, which would be at least a 454 of some sort.

l have a S&W 629 44Magnum revolver in 3''. Carried as my backup it would Grizzly Ammos' 44s 300gr Punch bullet load. MV 1250fps

I would choose one of my .45 colts with at least a 300 gr bullet.
Hard cast with a big meplat[Hammerhead].It would probably be the 4 5/8th BH.[Lighter to carry more familar and has Pachmayr grips that don't get slick when wet]or the 5 1/2 in. Bisley in stainless.Carried crossdraw to be out of the way and still be accesiable. My 7 1/2 Super Redhawk in .480 is to big and heavy, and weight would be a factor for me. I also trust my .45's.

When you spend as much time as I do shooting single actions, slapping the hammer back is much more natural than just jerking the trigger. Single actions also tend to be more comfortable to shoot with heavy loads and that leads to greater proficiency. Although I do agree that the average shooter is probably better served with a double action.

I agree with this, however I would add that shooting a DA revolver in a heavy kicking caliber in DA mode is very difficult to master.

I would also suggest that the revolver you choose be the one you are most comfortable and proficient with, in the biggest caliber you can shoot well. Big bullets leave bigger impressions.

pretty much this gun:
http://ruger.com/products/superRedhawkStandard/specSheets/5517.html
A heavy hard cast bullet.

Arch610, if you look on youtube, there is a video of Whitworth speed shooting a Freedom Arms 454 Casull.

5" BFR in 475 linebaugh. cross draw as others have said

My backup will be my 6.5" 500 S&W with MB 400gr Crusher or the Sierra 400gr flat nose with the Diamond chest holster.

Yup, only change I would make, which I already did, would be to change the front sight to a gold bead, or fiber optic.

Concur.

This would be my choice with a 355 Grain hard cast bullet.

http://www.ruger.com/products/superRedhawkAlaskan/specSheets/5302.html

a monometal solid or an old school carbon penetrator out of a ruger double action 454.

To me it really depends on the definition of back up. If I was carrying one of my .416s and might have to finish the hunt with a revolver then my 7.5".480 with 355gr cast at 1450fps. If I was going to have to shoot it out with a brown bear that was chewing on my toes I wouldn't have a revolver in my hand. That's what the .460 Rowland with the hot solids is for. There are several documented stops on bad bears with them. The comp keeps them on target and the factory loaded penetrater have split big bear skulls when it mattered. Being able to hit the bear 12 times in a matter of seconds has to come into play.

The only down side with a semiauto would be if you were in contact with the animal {chewing on your toes or other parts]
you could push the slide out of battery and have a failure to fire,or trip the mag release and have a failure to feed. Revolvers can fail too so I would not feel unguned with a semi I trusted, and if you don't trust it you shouldn't carry it .J.M.H.O.

I agree with 98Redline.

But this may be more to your liking.

Lol, that might work.

If he's in close and it arms, the back blast may be as hard on the shooter as bear.Nice big hole though.

In the bear, or in the ground where the bear was?

My custom .475 Linebaugh with heavy cast bullets.