I am thinking about a 357 or 44 Mag for a backup handgun to my CVA V2 when I am out hunting.

Maybe also for a camping/hiking gun.

Suggestions?

GP-100 in 4" or 6" barrel depending on your preference.

I like my Ruger Bisley 44 Magnum Stainless 3-3/4" as a backup. A 10mm autoloader might be smaller than that if size is an issue. It almost depends on what you see yourself doing with it as I find whenever I take 2 handguns, the ideal one for the shot I have is never the one I'm holding. Getting to it after firing from a single shot is never as fast as I think it will be either... I've also used a 6" scoped Desert Eagle as a backup to an Encore, and it came in handy several times in thick brush where the initial shot didn't end up where I wanted it to be. So my answer is really try it and you'll probably realize whatever your choice is, it won't fit every situation.

I concur with the Bisley mentioned above.

This is a common back-up gun I carry when wanting a .44 Mag.

BEAUTIFUL GUN ZEE!!! I really like that and it would be in the same caliber as my V2.

Although I do like the GP100 also. I think I like the GP100 better being it is a double action and I believe I could shoot it better under stress. Im thinking of this as more of a fast shoot situation of critters of both 2 and 4 legs. We have a lot of coyote and have recently started seeing some kind of wolf mix too.

A 6" barreled Bisley in 45 Colt is on my belt, crossdraw, anytime I enter the deer woods, unless on those occasions when it is my 6" barreled GP-100 in 357. I will sling my Contender on my shoulder if I expect a longer shot to present itself, but I always have a revolver on me.

5,5 Blackhawk, in 45 Colt, 6.5" 44 mag, would be my pick.

SP101

I think the SP101 4" in 357 is what I would personally choose for the purposes you've listed. I've handled one and wish I had bought it.

Yes... It truly is a toss up between the GP100 and the Super Blackhawk. I really like the 6" GP100 and I really like the 6.5" Blackhawk. They are both extremely nice firearms. I think I like the fact that the Blackhawk would have the same ammo as my V2 that is a nice plus.

I also saw something about ruger starting to build the gp100 in 44 special might be worth looking into

https://www.americanrifleman.org/articles/2016/12/19/tested-ruger-gp100-44-special-revolver/

http://ruger.com/products/gp100/specSheets/1759.html

I am really digging this model

I always carry a back up to my single shots. I match it to the game. WV groundhogs -.347, .41, any of the autos. Eastern US-.44 Mag. WV bear -.475. Western US- .454. AK -.475 L, Africa- .475 L. All of these have been used in the past.
The .475 actually saved my bacon on a WV bear that came at me a 6 FEET! Teeth popping, growling. A big adrenalin rush!

Dang! Good thing you had a backup!

Anyone have any experience with the S&W 69 L frame?

I always carry a belt gun while hunting with a scoped single shot. I match the gun to the game but for big game I prefer a Redhawk 44mag or a Bisley 3 3/4" RSB 44mag. I like to carry cross draw. If you are not a 44 fan a GP100 is probably a good all around choice.

When hunting in the woods and fields my 4 5/8th Ruger .45 colt is my constant companion,carried cross draw.
Other days require other things.

I carry my 45 ACP Springfield operator loaded with 230 Grain Gold Dot SD ammo.

On occasion I like to carry my Ruger Backpacker 44 Mag snubby with 270 Grain WFN GC loaded mid range velocity.

Or if I want allot of hp in a Semi Atuo then it one of several 10mm I own.

That depends if you want a true backup or a secondary hunting pistol. If I'm after deer it's my 45colt SBH Hunter on the belt and my 7 08 Encode on a sling holster. The gun I use depends on how far the shot is.

When I want a backup for gun or bow hunting it's my glock 29 with a lone wolf extended barrel. I get the same ballistics as a glock 20 with an extremely small shootable package. Plus I don't have to care if it gets rained on or banged around the brush.

Just to clarify - I consider my 2nd gun to be a hunting weapon and use it as such. When walking in thick cover I will sling my scoped gun to my side or back and carry the revolver in my hand. I have bagged a few deer with a close quick shot this way that I may have not gotten with the scoped Contender.

This is what I'm thinking. I am looking at the S&W 69 44mag. I like what you said about your backup being a hunting gun as well. I think this is the ultimate combo for me. My CVA in 44 and a model 69 in 44. That way they both use the same ammo but for different purpose. One scope one for close up and critters.

FWIW, I carry a Smith 329PD .44 mag. for backup, the only modifications are tritium sights and a trigger job. This is carried cross draw, when my scoped Contender is on my chest. When the Contender rides cross draw, the Smith relocates to standard strong-side. But this Smith solely serves the role of "close-range-to-get-off-me-range". It is light, versatile, reliable...and powerful! And if I do my part, I can manage one or 2 shots to 50 yds. on big game if necessary.

I've been testing one since the summer and it's a neat package. I like it a lot so far.

If they stretch the barrel a bit I might be inclined to invest in one.

I love the gp100 so a bigger cartridge can't be a bad thing