Hiking in Wyoming and Montana

[CC Italian]

Well i am going hiking/backpacking in Montana,Wyoming and Colorado. This isn't my first time hiking and backpacking. At this point i would call myself experienced. I have been throughout the southwest, Colorado and the Ozarks but never into Wyoming or Montana.

I think you guys can tell where this is going. I don't want to turn it into another bear thread but into what is more realistic to carry. I usually carry my glock 20 6inch with me. I will be going into grizzly and moose territory.

It dawned on me that i can open carry there and of course i will be visiting Yellowstone, grand tetons and possibly glacier. I already have bear spray from previous hikes in black bear areas.

I feel the 10mm was more than enough previously if needed but now i am in a region with larger animals.

I don't really want to buy (well i do but don't want to now)
Another gun and honestly i think i would be better suited with the 10mm than a redhawk or blackhawk because of ease of shooting size and weight.

I was thinking about long gun carry with a scabbard and my 20 or 12 gauge but while legal and don't know if it will be more trouble than it's worth And to heavy.

Of course no matter what i will be carrying the spray and 10mm but i thought that jumping to a shotgun with 1oz plus brenneke slugs more than trumps a 44,45 colt or even the cassual. Both shotgun guns are under 7 pounds. The 20 is 5.25 and the 12 is 6.25.

Thoughts? Remember i am hiking so weight is an issue. I have never hiked with a long gun.

Opinions please.

[RHenriksen]

I can't offer an informed opinion on your question, but it sounds like a wonderful trip - have a fantastic time!

[teraph]

Hiking with a rifle is not that bad. I have done it with my AR15 (5.56) before and it isn't too bad, with the right gear. And I have seen what a decently well trained marksman, with decent reactions, can do to a charging grizzly. The guy I am referring to, had an incident with a big grizzly in Alaska. He managed to pump a dozen or so 5.45x39 (relatively similar to the 5.56) into it, and survived without a scratch. I have also known a handful that carried shotguns into the woods, with no issues. And, one of my favorites, a 45-70 lever gun. Apparently the shotguns and 45-70 are preferred gear up in Alaska..

Have you looked at Buffalo Bore Ammo? They make some pretty heavy loads foremost all calibers, including 10mm. It would definitely be cheaper and lighter than carrying a long gun, AND you can keep it with you a lot easier too. No having to "answer natures' call" and leaving the rifle/shotgun just out of reach necessary.

Enjoy the hiking! It's beautiful country up this way.

[The Annoyed Man]

I love and own ARs, but if I were carrying a long gun into bear country, it wouldn't be an AR. I'd pick the Marlin 1895SSBL in .45-70 : http://www.marlinfirearms.com/Firearms/ ... 895SBL.asp
.

Otherwise, for handguns, I'd carry either a S&W Model 500 or a .454 Casull. Last resort would be either a Redhawk or a Model 629.

10mm is an excellent round, but it isn't much better than a .41 magnum, and I would consider even a .44 magnum to be marginal for bear......... unless you're trying to level the playing field and make for really interesting times......... in a Chinese curse sort of way........

[Oldgringo]

If you take off through the woods with a visible long gun in Yellowstone or Glacier, I suspect it won't be long before you'll get the benefit of some local knowledge.

[VMI77]

Reminds me of an old joke about a guy buying a handgun in Alaska to hunt bears. Don't think I can repeat the joke here in its entirety, but the gist is that the guy at the gun counter recommends he file off the front sight. The guy buying the gun asks why....it's because of what the bear is going to do with the gun after the guy shoots him.

[NavAir]

I do some hiking in Bear country, and really like my Henry 45-70. Not too heavy, and packs quite a punch.

[CC Italian]

Already have some underwood 220 hardcasts for my glock 20 which clocked 50fps better then the buffalo bore stuff but it is still on the low end of what is acceptable for a woods carry in those parts. My father's buddy hunts elk with a modded glock 20 but hunting and defense are totally different. I have taken axis,mule deer and large pigs with the 10 with one shot quick kills but nothing approaching grizz or moose while it is rushing you. While i have no doubt the 10 could kill them i doubt it will be quick enough to matter. Thats why i was thinking 12 or 20 gauge with brenneke black magic slugs. Apparently a lot of the folks in Alaska still carry this combo In a pump 12 gauge.

Only problem is i can't conceal it. Yes it's legal to carry but i assume the liberals from east and west coast will make some kind of statement about it and i don't know if it's worth all the flack that comes with it.

I have shot 454, 45 colt 44 mag and 41 mag. 41-45 colt is all i can handle the 454 is a 5 inch plus barrel for me And they weigh over 3 pounds anyways. That 454 round makes a 44 mag and 45 colt seem like shooting a 22 lr. One of the most unpleasant experiences in shooting a firearm. Just to much recoil for this guy to shoot accurately and fast.

[bmwrdr]

Well, I have many miles of hiking with a long gun behind me while I was in service. I'd stick with the Glock 20 for sure. Weight and bulk does matter.
Read a few articles about backpacking on the internet, especially how to store food while you camp. If possible find out what emergency radios the park rangers use and familiarize yourself with the local laws. I think Wyoming and Montana are pretty lax but in Colorado you may want to check the gun laws in the state parks.
Mouse and Elk is only dangerous if you drive or if you come too close and scare them.
Choose wisely when you pitch your tent and make sure the stakes are seated well, it gets pretty windy there.
I'd also bring my lightweight 4 season tent just in case.
I have never encountered a bear, not even in Alaska but in less you do something completely wrong they won't bother you. Talk to the local park rangers evrytime you get a chance.

Good luck and have fun.

[CC Italian]

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/548460 ... uctFinding Here is the 20 gauge slug

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/712244 ... uctFinding The next 2 are the 12 gauge loads.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/394601 ... uctFinding

If I carry the shotgun these would be in them. I love my 10 or even a good 44 mag but I think this would easily be a better solution if I can carry it without getting hassled.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z5rC8AoARQo Here is my scabbard. It fits both my 12 and 20 gauge pumps.

[CC Italian]

That is what I was thinking, carry the glock and then on the nights I stay at camp I can just have the shotgun with me.