hunting with bp handguns

I definitely think the Walker will do the job. I've never tried to take a deer with a C&B pistol - my BP pistol hunting has been limited to smaller game like rabbits..., using my .36s. I did take out a coy dog that was a little to close to the house some years back.

I would be more concerned with shot placement at the distance you would be trying to take a deer.

The Walker would definitely be adequate within reasonable distances. I bet the 1860 would do the trick too with good shot placement at very close range. I'd probably just stick with the Walker.

Shoot the one that handles big bullets best and is the most accurate.

I got my first with my ROA this year. 255 gr. cast bullet with 30 gr. of FFFG. Only went about 50-60 yards.

The Walker would be my choice. Longer sight radius for a better aim and more "umph". The two walkers I used shot about 3" high @ 50ft. I cut the notches a little deeper and wider (more "u" shaped for a better sight picture). They handled more rifle like, steadier too.

If you're accurate enough with it, you'll have the power necessary.

I'm going to do it sometime with my ROA. I'll load a 220 Lee conical HP (hope it's enough) over a full charge of 777. It pushes 1300 fps and is deadly accurate, should hit like the hammer of Thor inside 50 yards.

MCgunner said:

If you're accurate enough with it, you'll have the power necessary.

I'm going to do it sometime with my ROA. I'll load a 220 Lee conical HP (hope it's enough) over a full charge of 777. It pushes 1300 fps and is deadly accurate, should hit like the hammer of Thor inside 50 yards.

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The hotter loads in my ROA like 45 grs. of 4FG show lousy accuracy and BIG groups. However, I'm not going to crud up my ROA with 777. I fired some loads with a combo of BlackHorn 209 with 4FG under the nipples but got mostly hangfires. The few that went off without a hangfire were very accurate.

I've yet to find a load that won't shoot at least 2" at 25 yards benched in the ROA. It's an amazing revolver.

777 cleans up a lot easier than BP or Pyrodex. Less gooy crud, just a light powder looking fouling that flushes with soapy water.

I shot ONLY one deer with my super accurate Old Army.
I was climbing into my treestand one morning with my T/C Hawkin still on the ground attached to my pullup rope.
My ROA was in my shoulder holster and a very large Whitetail Doe presented herself.
A home cast ball over 30 grs of FFFG quickly dispatched the said doe.
Since then, different regulations in various States have taken place regarding BP handguns.
It might be wise to check the regs in your State.

Is the use of a C&B revolver legal in your state? It is not in Ohio and a couple of others. If it is legal, whichever one you are most accurate with will do the job.

Sux to be in Ohio

Zeke: I'm curious about your doe shot with RB. What was the distance? What was the wound like? Did the ball expand any? How far did it penetrate? How far did the deer go before expiring? What powder were you using?

I bought 240 grn RNFP bullets and Triple 7 to use for hunting as we have hogs around here. Our deer, around here, are quite small (75-125 lbs), and I figure a RB would be plenty for them.

rodwha,
As stated before, I was in my treestand preparing to pull up my TC Hawkin when the deer appeared.
I simply sat on the platform with my back against the tree, ROA rested between my knees.
The ball hit the deer behind the ears, she fell and never moved.
30 Grains of FFFG.
Range of about 15 yards.
Ball went clear through the animal

Convert one of the two into a 45 long colt with an R&D conversion cylinder. You'll have enough.

treblig said:

Convert one of the two into a 45 long colt with an R&D conversion cylinder. You'll have enough.

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I don't think any BP seasons allow cartridge use even if it's black powder in the cartridge.

See the OP.

My Old Army doesn't lack much horsepower on my Blackhawk when using their hot loads. The Blackhawk is a 4 5/8" gun and puts a 300 grain XTP out at 1120 fps with my hot load. The Old Army shoots a 220 conical hollow point out at 1300 fps. However, I do have a bit more confidence in the XTP bullet. Regardless, I think the Old Army with 777 and the 220 is enough and I'm-a-gonna try it in the future. I've thought about it for 30 years before 777 came along. Now, I have some POWER in the gun.

I have killed 4 other deer with my Super Blackhawk .44 Mag with similiar results.
Treestand,my butt on the platform, pistol rested between my knees, range no longer than 15 yards,neck shots.
Load? 11 grains of Unique behind a Speer 240 Jacketed Hollow Point.
I really do not want to be persived as a "stunt" shooter but rather one who knows his limitations.

if you are in MO, there is a new reg that allows the use of centerfire cartridge handguns during muzzeloader season. just thought id throw that out there.

If you use enough T7 and a wad with a round ball on top to just clear the front of the cylinder,you won't be lacking in power for deer or hog.
You can fit more powder in a percussion cylinder than in a .45 colt cartridge.

If you use enough T7 and a wad with a round ball on top to just clear the front of the cylinder,you won't be lacking in power for deer or hog.

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And your accuracy will suffer so your effective range will decrease.

You have to stay within your and your loads limitations. If you can keep your shots on a paper plate at 40 yds. and you hunt in tight cover where your shots will be less than that what's the problem.

No the limitations for what you are doing.The made up example above is just that a made up example , but it would work .

what's the problem

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Simple. Full chamber loads are inaccurate and unnecessary.

If you have to load the gun up to where it's no longer accurate in order to get sufficient power the you're using the wrong gun. If you don't have to load it up, why would you intentionally make the gun less accurate?

Just don't do it; then you won't have to limit your range.

Archery deer hunting also has a similar limited range.
And deer can even "jump the string" by ducking an arrow to evade being killed.
Yet no one would criticize anyone or recommend not to archery deer hunt.
Whether using a C&B or archery, hunting is a sport where it's man against nature. Either man or nature will win, the one with the better skills and performance between the two during the act of shooting.
If the hunter fails then there should be no shame in trying.
That only means that nature won that round.
But the hunter continues hunting on with hopes to defeat the next animal knowing well that practice helps to makes perfect.

Not all are inaccurate with full loads. Again you have to know what you have and all variables in your particular situation.

mykeal,I don't think you or I can assume all of anything and why would you load for just enough to do the job? That would leave way to much for the possibility of an oops not enough moment.