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Handgun Round for Deer Hunting
Posted on 11/13/12 at 11:42 am
Posted on 11/13/12 at 11:42 am
Does anyone here deer hunt with a Handgun. At my old camp we had a guy that used a .44 mag S&W with a scope who killed one deer at 70 yards. He would handoload his rounds really hot though. I have always wanted to get into the 'handgun' hunting but, I am not sure waht caliber to get. I like the idea of a .44 becuase their are more options in ammo, however, a .460 and .500 look like they could be fun.
15
Posted on 11/13/12 at 11:47 am to Mako
.50 Desert Eagle
This post was edited on 11/13/12 at 11:47 am
Posted on 11/13/12 at 11:47 am to Mako
.44 mag Ruger Super blackhawk FTW,
I don't hand load, but at 50 yards you're deadly for sure.
I don't hand load, but at 50 yards you're deadly for sure.
Posted on 11/13/12 at 11:48 am to Mako
I used a S&W 629 Powerport in .44 for one season many years ago. Ammo is readily available and the .44 is good for short and sub-50 yard shots.
I used iron sights for the entire season and I missed a few because of it. Handgun hunting is a real challenge and is a lot of fun once you get the hang of it. If you are going to go the handgun route the only ethical way to do it is with a low power scope a good shooting rest and some discretion when shooting in densely wooded areas. The Federal Castcore rounds performed beautifully.
A friend of mine uses the .41 mag and 10mm in wheelguns and loves them.
I used iron sights for the entire season and I missed a few because of it. Handgun hunting is a real challenge and is a lot of fun once you get the hang of it. If you are going to go the handgun route the only ethical way to do it is with a low power scope a good shooting rest and some discretion when shooting in densely wooded areas. The Federal Castcore rounds performed beautifully.
A friend of mine uses the .41 mag and 10mm in wheelguns and loves them.
This post was edited on 11/13/12 at 11:50 am
Posted on 11/13/12 at 11:59 am to Mako
Saw a hunting show yesterday where a guy killed a bull elk with a .45 Glock
Posted on 11/13/12 at 12:04 pm to Mako
I want to do this eventually. Will more than likely go with the .44 mag. Mostly because I want a .44 mag and killing a deer with it is a good excuse to buy one.
Posted on 11/13/12 at 12:06 pm to Mako
I would go .44 mag. of those choices.
Definately the most common, and least kicking of the bunch.
For my hands, even the 44 is a bit too rough.(I can admit I'm a recoil wuss. It will make me flinch.)
So if I would pick from ANY pistol round it would be the .45 Long Colt. 255 gr around 1000 fps should do the trick on a deer. 357 as my #2 pick.
Definately the most common, and least kicking of the bunch.
For my hands, even the 44 is a bit too rough.(I can admit I'm a recoil wuss. It will make me flinch.)
So if I would pick from ANY pistol round it would be the .45 Long Colt. 255 gr around 1000 fps should do the trick on a deer. 357 as my #2 pick.
Posted on 11/13/12 at 1:02 pm to Mako
Like Josey stated I have a confirmed kill with a 1911 .45. I also have a Dan Wesson .44 with a scope that does the job. This year I plan to carry my S&W 686 .357 every hunt and shoot anything within 50 yds with it without a scope. Combat iron sites.
Posted on 11/13/12 at 2:05 pm to Mako
.454 Casull 
Posted on 11/13/12 at 2:14 pm to Mako
My dad has killed several with his S&W 629. He has also taken 2 with his Super Redhawk .44 magnum. Almost exclusively hunted with the Ruger in his later years till he past away.
ETA: the Super Redhawk was .44. He also had a Redhawk in .41 but don't know if he hunted with it much.
ETA: the Super Redhawk was .44. He also had a Redhawk in .41 but don't know if he hunted with it much.
This post was edited on 11/13/12 at 2:23 pm
Posted on 11/13/12 at 2:53 pm to Mako
I say S&W 500. I like knockdown. That said, no matter what you get, I think the best option would be a revolver. Semi auto pistols severly limit the optics choices, and it's not worth wounding several deer figuring that out.
Posted on 11/13/12 at 2:58 pm to Mako
I have used a S & W Model 66 Combat .357 for deer and pigs.
Posted on 11/13/12 at 3:12 pm to Mako
I deer hunt with a .357 mag blackhawk loaded with buffalo bore 180gr hardcast bullets. I'm sure it will kill a deer, but it's probably on the lower end and I haven't shot a deer yet because I'm waiting for a perfect easy shot.
I would probably buy a .44 magnum for whitetails, preferable a 7.5" or longer barrel wheelgun and maybe mount a low power scope on it. Fill it up with some buffalo bore deer grenade ammunition.
Ruger offers double and single action .44 magnums that come with scope mounts and a base milled into the frame of the gun. They are your best option for a hunting revolver IMO.
I would probably buy a .44 magnum for whitetails, preferable a 7.5" or longer barrel wheelgun and maybe mount a low power scope on it. Fill it up with some buffalo bore deer grenade ammunition.
Ruger offers double and single action .44 magnums that come with scope mounts and a base milled into the frame of the gun. They are your best option for a hunting revolver IMO.
Posted on 11/13/12 at 3:34 pm to Mako
I got a 460 this summer and there is no doubt that it would absolutely destroy a deer. I just didn't have time yet to put a scope on it and get it set up.
I'll have it ready for next season.
I'll have it ready for next season.
Posted on 11/13/12 at 3:41 pm to Mako
Some of these large bore pistols, like the .44, .50, .454 and 460 have the same effect at close range as a shotgun using slugs.
This post was edited on 11/13/12 at 3:48 pm
Posted on 11/13/12 at 3:59 pm to Mako
Mako,
Prolly been 15 years or more since I killed a deer w/ a rifle. In the meantime,I've killed a bunch of deer w/ handguns, although they're not your usual handguns. Most of my handgun deer have been killed w/ Thompson Center Contenders. The calibers have ranged from 6mm (80 gr bullet at 2700 fps) to 375 JDJ (220 gr bullet at 2200 fps). All my Contenders have 12-14 inch barrels. I've also killed a number w/ a Savage Striker in 308 Win. All my hunting handguns have pistol scopes. Most of my kills are w/in 100 yds, but I've killed game as far away as 325 yds.
When I first started handgun hunting for deer, I was using a Ruger Redhawk in 44 Mag w/ a 2X Leupold scope. Before killing anything w/ the RH, I got a Contender in 35 Rem. Haven't shot a revolver at deer since.
If you're looking at revolvers, I'd prob start w/ the 44 Mag and also condsider the 454 Casull, depeding on how you handle recoil and whether you handload. A heavy loaded 45 Long Colt would be ok, as well. The Ruger Blackhawk and Redhawk are both VERY fine guns. If you've got the eyes for it, open sights are ok, but will limit your range (but that may also be ok depending on your hunting style). W/ scopes, a 2X PISTOL scope (Burris, Nikon, Weaver or Leupold) is fine w/ these rounds. If you want a little more versatility, consider the T/C Contender or Encore. A 44 Mag in a 10-14" barrel T/C is something special.
Lots of deer have been killed w/ 357 Mag, but if it were me using a handgun for deer hunting, I'd prefer something w/ a little more punch. If you use a 357 Mag, get the heaviest/fastest round that shoots well in your gun.
Remember that even the mighty 44 Mag handgun has MUCH less energy at the muzzle than does the "lowly" 30-30 carbine. Good shot placement is critical. Be prepared for a handgun shot deer to run a little further than your used to w/ your rifles as the handguns just don't have as much energy. Nevertheless, two 44 cal holes in a deer's chest can drain a deer dry pretty quick!
Enjoy your adventure!
Prolly been 15 years or more since I killed a deer w/ a rifle. In the meantime,I've killed a bunch of deer w/ handguns, although they're not your usual handguns. Most of my handgun deer have been killed w/ Thompson Center Contenders. The calibers have ranged from 6mm (80 gr bullet at 2700 fps) to 375 JDJ (220 gr bullet at 2200 fps). All my Contenders have 12-14 inch barrels. I've also killed a number w/ a Savage Striker in 308 Win. All my hunting handguns have pistol scopes. Most of my kills are w/in 100 yds, but I've killed game as far away as 325 yds.
When I first started handgun hunting for deer, I was using a Ruger Redhawk in 44 Mag w/ a 2X Leupold scope. Before killing anything w/ the RH, I got a Contender in 35 Rem. Haven't shot a revolver at deer since.
If you're looking at revolvers, I'd prob start w/ the 44 Mag and also condsider the 454 Casull, depeding on how you handle recoil and whether you handload. A heavy loaded 45 Long Colt would be ok, as well. The Ruger Blackhawk and Redhawk are both VERY fine guns. If you've got the eyes for it, open sights are ok, but will limit your range (but that may also be ok depending on your hunting style). W/ scopes, a 2X PISTOL scope (Burris, Nikon, Weaver or Leupold) is fine w/ these rounds. If you want a little more versatility, consider the T/C Contender or Encore. A 44 Mag in a 10-14" barrel T/C is something special.
Lots of deer have been killed w/ 357 Mag, but if it were me using a handgun for deer hunting, I'd prefer something w/ a little more punch. If you use a 357 Mag, get the heaviest/fastest round that shoots well in your gun.
Remember that even the mighty 44 Mag handgun has MUCH less energy at the muzzle than does the "lowly" 30-30 carbine. Good shot placement is critical. Be prepared for a handgun shot deer to run a little further than your used to w/ your rifles as the handguns just don't have as much energy. Nevertheless, two 44 cal holes in a deer's chest can drain a deer dry pretty quick!
Enjoy your adventure!
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