How many carry a 44 or similar when you are rifle hunting?

I always cary my 357 or my 40cal with me on all my hunts, buti live in Arkansas so I am doing so for a close up deer shot going to the stand on foot or 4 wheeler the occasional hog on the way and for the opportunity for a sub 40 yard deer shot from the stand. I want it with me at all times for many reasons but I think it would be easier to get someone's attention with a pistol than a bow if I got hurt or was in trouble called for help and they were close by and need to locate me. Its thick thick woods where I live.

My S&W 1006. It's much lighter than my Super Black Hawk 44 mag. Easy to carry on the hip in warmer weather, in the cold I use a chest rig. The best part is 8 rounds, loads fast, reloads faster and it shoots great.

The electric company replaced all the light poles near our range and let us have several poles so we cut them in 3 foot sections and anyone could get one and shoot it.
I used a Ruger 45 lc and a Smith & Wesson 629 Mountain Lite with a 4 inch barrel.
Both with hard cast bullets I cast myself.These light poles were 16 inches thick and mild loaded 44 310 gn hard cast bullets went almost through the poles from 10 feet.
The 45 lc 300 gr hard cast bullets went through the pole not once but 3 times by 3 different people with mid velocity bullets.The 44 mag S & W 629 most likely would have gone through the light poles but since its a mountain lite revolver I did not want to push it with heavier loads.
My point is the hard cast bullets will penetrate a bear side to side in most any caliber and if you use wide meplats you can do serious damage to internals of any animal including bears.I have heard of bears getting shot and still attacking the shooter before it died so no caliber or bullet should be expected to be instant death.The fisherman in Alaska was one who shot a bear with a S&W 500 mag and still got mauled.The bear died as it left but damage was done to the fisherman/shooter.
I have been way too close to Grizz and smelled his breath but he backed down to go and feast on the elk I had shot.
If you decide to carry while hunting PRACTICE on moving targets.We tied a rope to our 4-wheeler and kept the target moving and you would be surprised how often we missed.
Practice guys,the biggest caliber won't help if you don't hit the target.
All be careful.
Old Rooster

It looks like a lot of people carry many different pistols while hunting, and in my opinion and experiences that's good. But it's not what pistol you carry, It's when you carry "what pistol" .

Any pistol is better than no pistol or spray. I have some bear spray, but it is for the two legged protesters that want to get in your face. Many of them have it but it can work if you are faster and more accurate. A pistol however changes the rules and is only for life saving events.

A person just has to decide what level of protection he/she needs and carries the appropriate tool.

One well placed shot is worth a lot more than a entire can of some spray on something dangerous, but on the streets, normally the spray is sufficient.

J E CUSTOM

I have some bear spray, but it is for the two legged protesters that want to get in your face. Many of them have it but it can work if you are faster and more accurate.
J E Custom hit on my thoughts too.
PETA has been all over Montana since the early part of 1998 and will blow whistles,scream and yell to run off game.One PETA member shot a flare gun in the air but it started a fire and they all ran but hunters and rancher put the fire out before it started to get out of control.The rancher wanted a liberal PETA season.
There are more and more accounts of stolen game too so bear spray has a purpose for me.
One PETA van came around me early one morning while driving to a hunting spot and several PETA members got out of the van and one lady put a lighted camera in my face and asked if I was there to kill the innocent deer and elk and I said no mam I here for the guilty ones.She looked stunned and got back in the van.
Game wardens picked them up but PETA paid their bond and they went on their merry way.
Seirra club has a similar program for wolf hunting.I won't shoot a protester but like J E Custom I'll spray them.
Just my 2 cents
Old Rooster

Old rooster said:

I have some bear spray, but it is for the two legged protesters that want to get in your face. Many of them have it but it can work if you are faster and more accurate.
J E Custom hit on my thoughts too.
PETA has been all over Montana since the early part of 1998 and will blow whistles,scream and yell to run off game.One PETA member shot a flare gun in the air but it started a fire and they all ran but hunters and rancher put the fire out before it started to get out of control.The rancher wanted a liberal PETA season.
There are more and more accounts of stolen game too so bear spray has a purpose for me.
One PETA van came around me early one morning while driving to a hunting spot and several PETA members got out of the van and one lady put a lighted camera in my face and asked if I was there to kill the innocent deer and elk and I said no mam I here for the guilty ones.She looked stunned and got back in the van.
Game wardens picked them up but PETA paid their bond and they went on their merry way.
Seirra club has a similar program for wolf hunting.I won't shoot a protester but like J E Custom I'll spray them.
Just my 2 cents
Old Rooster

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Now are these people referred to as "PETA" or "PITA"..??

I believe I'll be a lot quicker and accurate using the rifle, if it's loaded and not leaning in a tree 10 feet away. That said I frequently carry a .454 Casull, but here in CO with no grizzlies, only because if the opportunity presents itself I like to hunt with it.

COBrad said:

I believe I'll be a lot quicker and accurate using the rifle, if it's loaded and not leaning in a tree 10 feet away. That said I frequently carry a .454 Casull, but here in CO with no grizzlies, only because if the opportunity presents itself I like to hunt with it.

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Probably depends on the situation, if it is a close encounter, whether it be with a bear or Mt Lion or a ****ed off moose. it would be a challenge to get a rifle on target - you going to sight down the barrel or try and look through the scope? You'll likely have one shot with a bolt gun.

My carry

Great looking bear gun.
Must be a Ruger Alaskan.44 mag?
How are those bullets on penetration?
I personally use hard cast wide meplat bullets but am open to another option.
Old Rooster

Old rooster said:

Great looking bear gun.
Must be a Ruger Alaskan.44 mag?
How are those bullets on penetration?
I personally use hard cast wide meplat bullets but am open to another option.
Old Rooster

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I've been looking at those rounds for my 10mm too and wondering what the performance is on them?

I carry a handgun everyday during my normal life and always do when hunting in a place that will allow it. When hunting elk in WY or MT, I carry a Ruger Redhawk 4.2" 44 mag. 300gr hard cast moving about 1200fps.

Old rooster said:

Great looking bear gun.
Must be a Ruger Alaskan.44 mag?
How are those bullets on penetration?
I personally use hard cast wide meplat bullets but am open to another option.
Old Rooster

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It's the Ruger Alaskan in .454 Casull/.45 LC. I personally use the Underwood 250 grain Xtreme penetrator and the Underwood hard nose lead in 325 grain. I'm also a fan of the Buffalo Bore in 360 grain.
They're are many great choices out there for large bore back up guns, I'd say choose the one you're comfortable with, pick the proper ammo not a JHP and practice.

Alibiiv said:

I've been looking at those rounds for my 10mm too and wondering what the performance is on them?

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It's pretty much the same in the G20SF and G40 here's a look. I use them for my 10mm on the trail so to speak.