.44 Magnum in the mountains of Utah and Colorado??
I need wisdom from experienced mountain people:
I am from the low lands of Louisiana and Mississippi where a .357 Magnum handgun can protect you from about anything while in the backwoods.
But, my kids and I are beginning to spend more time in the mountains of Utah and Colorado. Long hikes or backcountry runs. Being a dad I worry about protecting them. What my two boys and I have are Ruger Super Blackhawks .44 Magnums with the 7 1/2" barrels. I know that these are not hand-cannons, but I thought about packing these along. We love them and shoot them fairly well.
Should I leave the single-actions home and get double-action revolvers?
Should I go up a caliber?
What do ya'll say? I am open to input.
Thanks
Last edited by Southern Shooter; 11-19-2010 at 06:02 AM.
I've been hunting in the mountains of Colorado for the last 17 years. I also spent another 2 1/2 years stationed at Fort Carson. The only thing I have ever needed protection from was the weather. Bad weather, bad decisions or lack of preparation, will get you a lot faster than wild animals. That being said, a 44 mag will stop any creature that we have here in Colorado. A 44 mag WON'T stop you from getting lost or freezing to death.
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I've been hunting in the mountains of Colorado for the last 17 years. I also spent another 2 1/2 years stationed at Fort Carson. The only thing I have ever needed protection from was the weather. Bad weather, bad decisions or lack of preparation, will get you a lot faster than wild animals. That being said, a 44 mag will stop any creature that we have here in Colorado. A 44 mag WON'T stop you from getting lost or freezing to death.
True words!
Dan
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I've been hunting in the mountains of Colorado for the last 17 years. I also spent another 2 1/2 years stationed at Fort Carson. The only thing I have ever needed protection from was the weather. Bad weather, bad decisions or lack of preparation, will get you a lot faster than wild animals. That being said, a 44 mag will stop any creature that we have here in Colorado. A 44 mag WON'T stop you from getting lost or freezing to death.
My friend from Colorado has a valid point; however, being a paranoid type I always carry anyway. I'm more worried about two-legged critters than four-legged ones -- the human race seems to be the only one imbued with true evil.
BUT, when in the mountains I carry a .44 magnum. It will work against two-legged and four-legged critters. A .357 will be fine against anything in Colorado, though (some folks hunt black bear with them).
Yes, I learned some time back that the mountains can create their own weather separate from the surounding lower land areas. So far, I have done well being cautious and perhaps overly planning in terms of the elements.
And, being lost is not something I want to have happen. Good topo maps and long time experience with a compass help there. So far, so good.
And, I agree. The two-legged creatures worry me most. I have spent the last 20 years working in the Psychology Department of a Federal prison. The things I have learned would add to your paranoia.
I agree with CC - the mountains will kill you quicker than the critters in them will.
Heck, the other day, I turned the dogs loose on a lion track from my 4 wheeler and about 3 miles from my truck. I started hiking, and was halfway up the mountain when I realized my gun (any gun) was in the truck! And I was intentionally going after a lion!!
They are more scared of us then we of them.
Later,
Marcial
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I've been hunting in the mountains of Colorado for the last 17 years. I also spent another 2 1/2 years stationed at Fort Carson. The only thing I have ever needed protection from was the weather. Bad weather, bad decisions or lack of preparation, will get you a lot faster than wild animals. That being said, a 44 mag will stop any creature that we have here in Colorado. A 44 mag WON'T stop you from getting lost or freezing to death.
Very true words. Only four leg critter I am weary of in Colorado is a female bear with cubs. I carry a Glock 40 in the field, works good against two legged critters and would probably work against a bear. Not the ideal bear round, but I have 15 shots if needed.
44Mag is a good mountain gun. I'm from Lafourche Parish and live in Colorado now. I carry a 40S&W and feel that it is all the gun I need for protection in the mountains. As mentioned before, the elements are more then likely to be a bigger threath then anything you will need a gun for.
.44 Magnum in the mountains of Utah and Colorado??
