Was looking at a pistol to carry (lower 48) while bowhunting mainly but might use to hunt also. mainly encounter black bears and wolves are my concerns, possible mt. lion also but rare. is the 44 mag good or 454 casull better; any comments. looking at ruger super redhawk with 7.5 inch barrrell or the alaskan

Go with the RSR 7.5" Sweet gun but you better think about putting on a different grip. The grip that come on withit doesn't help the recoil she can put out.

I've owned both and they are too heavy to lug around all day, I switched to a S/W 629 6in barrel in .44 mag, I use a modified nylon shoulder holster and can carry all day and not notice the weight. The only way I would up the caliber is if I were in grizzly or brown bear country, the .44 will kill anything you've mentioned easily, I've taken pigs/deer/coyotes with mine

Any one have the Alaskan in 44 mag, or just get regular length pistol.

Consider the Taurus .44 with the ported barrel. I looked at it last year, but as I already have a Ruger Vaquaro in .44; I decided I really didn't need it.