Here is an article worth reading and a video worth watching: https://mtntough.com/blogs/mtn...r-a-providence-story

Used this rig many times on my trips to Alaska. S&W 629 Trail Boss in 44 mag. Holster works well while wearing chest waders, or under any jacket. Holster is called Kenai Special if I recall correctly. 300 grain hard cast bullets are the ticket.

During my 5 years in Anchorage, my favorite carry set-up was a Ruger Super Redhawk Alaskan in Diamond D Guide's Choice Chest Holster. At one point, I owned both the 44 magnum and the 454 Casull. I sold the 44 magnum to a coworker, and carried the 454 Casull the rest of my time (I still own it).

During my first summer in Alaska, my friend from Houston came to visit. He is a professional photographer and took a lot of amazing photos in Denali National Park and the Kenai Peninsula.

On the date of the photos below, we hiked to the Russian River falls, ate lunch, and took the narrow path from the overlook down to the edge of the falls. This grizzly/brown bear popped out of the woods on the other side of the river and began salmon fishing. The bear moved effortlessly through the rapids, and caught a salmon about 30' from us. One of my buddy's photos of the bear got published. The bear hiked up the falls, and then started weaving between the hiking trail and the river. There was a bunch of spooked tourists at the overlook, and then they saw me with my Ruger in a chest holster and my buddy with bear spray in a chest holster. 15 or 20 strangers ended up following us back from the falls back to the parking lot.

Nobody mentioned the 480 Ruger.

Offered in both SA & DA with additional pocket rockets by Ruger.

400g @ 1200fps does the work and I find the recoil less than the 454. I have both.

Linebaugh himself said that the sweet spot for his 475 Linebaugh was between 1000 ~ 1200fps, which is what this caliber is. It is a magnum, but unfortunately it is often compared to the Linebaugh, so folks don't recognize it for what it is. It's a 475 at 1200fps instead of 1550fps.

Try it.

I tried bowel shaking revolver and ended up with a G20. For me a 10mm double stack with underwood 200 grns I can consistently connect with is preferable to a 5 shot 454 that I don't practice with enough. YMMV, not crapping on the other options just my personal experience when I first considered the choices.

Smith and Wesson 500 Magnum. No holster needed, it comes with a sling!

When hiking weight of a bear defense to me is a concern. Yes, a 21 gauge with slugs is ideal but lugging it around is a lot. A handgun to me is the answer. The Glock 29SF in a chest rig is a light weight option that can be accessed very quickly. I load it with Underwood solid heavy bullets.

Bear avoidance is my first line of defense.

quote:

a 21 gauge with slugs is ideal but lugging it around is a lot

IDK, that sounds like a relatively small SG.