Gun Beaver - Big-Bore Revolvers for the Backcountry

Big-Bore Revolvers for the Backcountry: Are They Practical—and Which One Should You Carry While Hunting?

TL;DR for skimmers

  • Yes, big-bore revolvers are practical for handgun hunting, as an insurance policy during rifle/archery seasons, and as trail guns in bear country.
  • The sweet spot for most hunters: a .44 Magnum or .454 Casull with a strong DA/SA frame, proper sights/optic, and hard-cast or bonded hunting loads.
  • Top pick to carry while hunting: Ruger Super Redhawk .454 Casull — shoots .454 for elk/bear and .45 Colt for practice; built-in scope mounts and brick-house durability.
  • Lightweight backcountry choice: S&W Model 69 (.44 Mag) — 37.4 oz 5-shot L-frame that actually carries like a gun you’ll bring every day.

Quick decision table (practical use & recommended carry)

Use case

Why a big-bore revolver?

Recommended calibers

Standout carry guns (with links)

Pros

Cons

Handgun hunting deer/elk/hogs

Clean penetration with heavy bullets; optics-friendly platforms

.44 Mag, .454 Casull, .460 S&W

Ruger Super Redhawk .454 Casull, Taurus Raging Hunter .454, S&W 629 .44 Mag

Proven accuracy, scope-ready, deep penetration

Weight, recoil, slower reloads

Rifle/archery backup while hunting

One-handed, always-on-you tool if things go sideways

.44 Mag, .454 Casull

S&W Model 69 (.44 Mag), Ruger Super Redhawk .454

Manageable size, DA/SA control

Less capacity than autos, ammo weight

Bear-country trail gun

Reliable under stress; heavy, flat-nosed bullets deflect less

.44 Mag minimum; .454/.460 for margin

S&W 629 .44 Mag, Ruger Super Redhawk .454*

Simplicity, ignition reliability

Training matters more than caliber; heavy to pack

Extreme big-game niche

Stretching revolver hunting to rifle-like energy

.460 S&W, .45–70 (revolver)

Magnum Research BFR .45-70, BFR .45-70 (variant)

Massive energy, long-range potential

Very heavy, punishing recoil, slower follow-ups

*Ruger .454 Casull models can also fire .45 Colt for lower-recoil practice or small-game dispatch.

Do big-bore revolvers have a practical use—still?

Short answer: absolutely. Three realities keep them relevant:

  1. Terminal performance with heavy bullets
    Big-bore revolver loads excel at straight-line penetration through heavy bone and dense muscle—especially with hard-cast, wide-meplat bullets. That’s why dedicated handgun hunters and Alaskan guides still trust them. Even the Alaska Department of Fish & Game cautions that heavy handguns demand training but recognizes firearms as a viable deterrent when carried—and used competently—in bear country. The subtext: if you can run a big revolver well, it’s a legitimate defensive/hunting tool. – adfg.alaska.gov
  2. Optics-ready, rigid platforms
    Modern large-frame revolvers like the Ruger Super Redhawk have integral scope ring mounts machined into the frame/barrel interface, making a rock-solid base for red dots or handgun scopes without adding rails, screws, or potential failure points. That’s real field reliability—not just marketing.
  3. Cartridge flexibility
    Chamberings like .454 Casull let you train (and small-game hunt) cheaply and softly with .45 Colt, then load full-house Casull for elk or bear. The .44 Magnum remains a gold standard because ammo is everywhere, recoil is survivable, and performance with modern bullets is better than ever.

Expert voice: Custom sixgun legend John Linebaugh—who almost single-handedly re-elevated the .45 Colt—argued that heavy .45 Colt loads deliver big-game performance at lower pressures than .44 Magnum “depending on the load and bullet.” – sixgunner.org

The best big-bore revolver to carry while hunting

#1 Recommendation: Ruger Super Redhawk .454 Casull — the one-gun answer

If you’re going to carry one revolver that covers handgun hunting, backup for elk/deer season, and bear-country defense, this is the pragmatic, field-durable choice.

Why it wins:

  • Versatility: Shoots full-power .454 and milder .45 Colt; you can tailor recoil and performance to the mission and your practice regimen.
  • Optics-ready, from the factory: Integral mounts are machined into the barrel rib; scope rings are included. This is uniquely robust among production wheelguns and matters when you’re banging through timber or strapping the gun to a chest rig.
  • Rugged DA/SA operating system: Big, strong frame with triple-locking cylinder offers durability for heavy hunting loads.

Buy it at Scheels:

Pros

  • Carries lighter than the .460/.500 class, shoots flatter than .44s with heavy bullets, and actually fits common chest holsters.
  • Built-in mounting keeps optics from walking loose under recoil.
  • Practice-cheap with .45 Colt; hunt-serious with .454.

Cons

  • Recoil with 300–360-gr .454 loads is real; many shooters will shoot the .44 Mag faster and better under stress.
  • Alaskan barrel length sacrifices some velocity (trade-off for carry).

Industry perspective: In his “Gun Notes,” John Linebaugh recommended keeping .45 Colt heavies around 350 grains and .44 Magnum heavies at or under ~320 grains—pragmatic ceilings that align with what field shooters can actually handle over time. – reinfjord.net

Lightweight, realistic backcountry carry: Smith & Wesson Model 69 (.44 Magnum)

When ounces equal miles, the Model 69 is hard to beat: a 5-shot L-frame at ~37.4 oz, with traditional S&W sights and a 4.25″ barrel. It’s the first .44 Magnum on a medium frame—a clever compromise for people who will actually carry the thing all day.

Buy it at Scheels:

Pros

  • Much easier to carry than N-frames and Super Redhawks—less likely to be left in camp.
  • Adequate with proper ammo (hard-cast or bonded) for lower-48 black bear and a just-in-case sidearm for elk/deer season.

Cons

  • 5-shot capacity; recoil is brisk in a lighter frame.
  • Less margin than .454 in the heaviest game or worst angles.

Reality check: Alaska Fish & Game notes heavy handguns can be inadequate in untrained hands; the Model 69’s advantage is that you’ll train more with it because it actually carries. Practice > caliber. – adfg.alaska.gov

Classic full-size .44: Smith & Wesson 629 (.44 Magnum)

For many, the N-frame 629 remains the archetypal hunting revolver: accurate, durable, and widely supported for sights/holsters. If you’re staying in .44 Magnum, the 629 is the benchmark.

Buy it at Scheels:

Pros

  • Time-tested .44 Magnum ballistics; good selection of hunting loads everywhere.
  • Heavier frame soaks recoil; lots of aftermarket grips to tune fit.

Cons

  • Heavier to carry than the Model 69; less versatile than .454/.45 Colt combo.

Historical note: The .44 Magnum’s pedigree in handgun hunting is legendary (think Elmer Keith and long shots on mule deer). Regardless of what you think of those feats, the 629’s field record is deep. – American Handgunner

Feature-rich hunting rig, optics included: Taurus Raging Hunter (.454 or .460)

Taurus’s Raging Hunter line brings a top Picatinny rail and an aluminum-shrouded barrel (steel liner) to trim weight and mount optics easily—smart design for a scoped hunting sidearm.

Buy it at Scheels:

Pros

  • Optics-ready out of the box; lighter nose than many large-frames.
  • Excellent value for a dedicated hunting sidearm.

Cons

  • Bulk and porting may not be ideal for ear-unprotected bear defense.
  • Trigger/finish won’t match custom-level guns (fair for the price).

Extreme niche: Magnum Research BFR (.45-70 Gov’t)

Do you need a revolver that fires .45-70? Probably not. But the BFR exists for hunters who want maximum thump and rifle-like bullet construction from a wheelgun. If you’re stretching to 100–150+ yards from a rest with a red dot or scope, this is the hammer.

Buy it at Scheels:

Pros

  • Incredible energy and penetration; includes scope mount options.
  • Surprisingly accurate with proper loads.

Cons

  • Huge (often 4+ lbs), slow follow-ups, expensive ammo; absolutely a specialist’s tool.

Caliber guide (what’s “enough”?)

  • .44 Magnum — Baseline for serious hunting/defense in the field; manageable with practice, broad ammo availability, and excellent bullets. Many documented bear-stops involve .44 Mag—not because it’s perfect, but because people actually carry it.
  • .45 Colt (in strong guns) — In Ruger-only or custom loadings, it can equal or exceed .44 Mag at lower pressures; huge bullet selection. Not all .45 Colt revolvers can run heavy loads—know your gun. – sixgunner.org
  • .454 Casull — A real step up in impulse and penetration with 300–360-gr bullets; dual-fuel with .45 Colt makes it compelling for one-gun setups.
  • .460 S&W — Flatter trajectory and big-game authority out to 150–200 yards with optics; platform size is the trade-off.
  • .480 Ruger / .500 S&W — Tremendous frontal area and momentum; recoil/weight limit “carry time.” (Often better as dedicated hunting pistols than all-day trail guns.)

Training reality: ADF&G emphasizes that deployment skill matters more than raw power; a 12-ga slug or .300-class rifle is better if a bear gives you time and distance—but the gun you can shoot well, right now, is the one that saves you. – adfg.alaska.gov

What to actually carry while hunting (load, sights, rig)

Loads (general rules of thumb)

  • Hunting deer/elk: Hard-cast WFN or controlled-expansion bonded bullets (e.g., 240–300 gr in .44, 300–360 gr in .454). Seek straight penetration and reliable bone breaking.
  • Bear defense: Bias to hard-cast, wide-meplat or monolithic solids for maximum straight-line crush and to reduce deflection through dense muscle/shoulder.
  • Practice: Match your point of aim at typical field distances (25–75 yds for revolvers) and confirm with your carry load.

Sights & optics

  • For pure hunting, a reflex sight or 2x handgun scope is transformative. The Super Redhawk simplifies mounting via integral rings (no drilling/tapping). Taurus’s Raging Hunter gives you a top rail out of the box.
  • For bear defense, robust irons or a bomb-proof micro red dot with big window are favored—fast acquisition and battery discipline matter more than magnification.

Carry rigs

  • Chest holsters (Kenai-style) keep weight off the belt and clear of a pack’s waistbelt.
  • Strong-side hip for quick access in archery season—confirm it doesn’t interfere with your draw or climbing.

Training priorities (safety where it’s crucial and non-obvious)

  • Dry-fire through your full DA trigger stroke; most defensive shots are DA.
  • Recoil management: work grip pressure and locked wrists; don’t “ride the recoil.”
  • Practice one-handed draws and shots from awkward positions—the scenarios where revolvers shine.
  • In bear country, carry bear spray in addition to a firearm, staged for immediate access. It’s not either/or. – adfg.alaska.gov

Product picks at Scheels (high-quality, no-compromise)

Pros & cons of big-bore revolvers

Pros

  • Reliability under duress: Simple manual of arms, immune to magazine issues and most limp-wrist malfunctions.
  • Heavy-bullet performance: Wide-meplat hard-cast and monolithic solids give straight-line penetration and bone-breaking momentum.
  • Optic-friendly platforms: Certain models integrate mounts or rails with fewer failure points (e.g., Super Redhawk, Raging Hunter).
  • Caliber flexibility: .454/.45 Colt combo is uniquely economical and versatile.

Cons

  • Weight and bulk: Chest rigs help, but handgun hunting rigs are not featherweight.
  • Recoil & training cost: Full-house .454/.460 loads are punishing; failure to practice erases the power advantage (ADF&G’s caution stands). – adfg.alaska.gov
  • Reload speed: Even with speedloaders, you won’t match a quality 10mm or .45 auto for rapid follow-ups (which matters for defense, not so much for deliberate hunting).

What experts are saying

  • John Linebaugh on heavy revolver bullets (from Gun Notes):

“I will not shoot over 300/320 gr. in the .44 Magnum… I’ve done the majority of my testing with the .45 Colt and feel the 350 gr. is about the best heavy of them all.” – reinfjord.net

  • American Rifleman on the Raging Hunter design intent:

Taurus engineers “endeavored to keep the Raging Hunter’s weight in check… with a lightweight stainless steel barrel surrounded by an aluminum-alloy shroud.” – An Official Journal Of The NRA

  • Alaska Dept. of Fish & Game (bear safety page):

“Heavy handguns such as a .44-Magnum may be inadequate in emergency situations, especially in untrained hands.” Translation: skill beats caliber when seconds matter. – adfg.alaska.gov

Bottom line: What should you carry?

If you want one revolver that does nearly everything in North American hunting/backcountry:

  • Carry the Ruger Super Redhawk in .454 Casull (Alaskan for carry; longer barrel if you prioritize hunting). You’ll practice more with .45 Colt, hunt with .454, and mount a rock-solid optic with those integral rings. It’s the practical apex predator of big-bore revolvers.

If you need a lighter, realistic daily carry as a rifle/archery companion:

  • Carry the S&W Model 69 (.44 Magnum). With smart ammo, it’s a competent, always-on-you revolver that won’t be abandoned in the truck.

If you want a feature-rich hunting sidearm with optics baked in:

  • Taurus Raging Hunter (.454) gives you the mounting solution and barrel-shroud weight savings at a fair price.

If you’re chasing the outer envelope:

  • BFR .45-70 with an optic is the sledgehammer. Know what you’re signing up for.

Key terms worth knowing (quick links for deeper dives)

  • Hard-cast bullets — why wide-meplat solids matter for penetration
  • DA/SA revolver — double-action vs single-action, and why DA matters for defense
  • Integral scope mounts — fewer screws, more reliability on hard-recoilers (ruger.com)
  • .454 Casull vs .44 Magnum — recoil, velocity, and bullet weight trade-offs
  • Bear spray & firearms — using both, not either/or (adfg.alaska.gov)

Shop big bore revolvers and ammo at SCHEELS.com.

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