".460 S&W leaves every other big-bore handgun cartridge in the dust."

[ARTiger]

in the field, off hand, weaver or isosceles as you'd be shooting defensively, 50 yards is a LONG way to be making hits in the boiler room of a deer.

Agreed, but then again we're not talking about hunting in the wide open . . . . know this is hard to envision in West Texas but, think forest . . . trees. Those well anchored gun rests every few feet. I have regularly killed deer at 75-100 yards using just a tree trunk as a rest with my S&W wheelgun. That's with the factory S&W adjustable sights, not fancy creedmore micrometer click peeps. Haven't lost one yet using the .44 and the longest blood trail I've followed was maybe 40 yards.

If you're better than me and can hit farther out, go for it. I don't have such lofty opinions of my handgun skills, and I'm using a 2X scope on a rifle like handgun in a rifle caliber

Not saying I'm a better shot and I certainly don't have any lofty visions of my handgun skills, but if I can hit deer at even 100 - 150 yards using the .460 that would have meant 3 more deer in the freezer last season from good, but out of range shots I passed on. I think it'll do the job. We'll see.

 

[ARTiger]

ARTiger, I like the Ultra-dot Match-dot. My current set ups are. A PC model S&W 460 Mag 7.5 inch barrel with a Ultra-dot Match-dot, my second is a PC model S&W 460 Mag 7.5 inch barrel with a Bushnell 2X6X32 scope and third is a T/C Encore with a 12 inch barrel with a Bushnell 2X6X32 scope. The 5 inch I will get with wear a Ultra-dot Match-dot also. I am getting ready to sell my T/C Encore 460 Mag pistol. I have not shot it as much as I thought I would, I like the S&W's better.

Also, my wife is very understanding.

Redhawk, Thanks. I am definately going to check out the Ultra Dot's. I do have a really good gunsmith who's done a lot of heavy caliber pistol mounts. He likes the Ultra's also. A buddy has a Swift Premier MilDot that I like as well it's on a super redhawk .454 and has done well for him.

 

[MCgunner]

My advice on the scoped handgun hunting is, practice, practice, practice. Find something at your range you can use for simulated trees to practice your holds and such and set up targets at various ranges and shoot 'em. You'll learn your limits pretty quickly. That's how I did it with my first scoped hunting handgun. I really had no idea how far I could shoot until I tried it from field positions. It humbled me a bit, but I learned what to look for in a steady rest. When I'm walkin' the woods, I can tell ya, I feel much better about carrying a rifle. LOL! I really prefer to sit when I'm pistol hunting and use my shooting sticks. Not often you'll be able to do that in the woods, though, except in a blind. I do that squirrel hunting, though, lean against a nice, comfy oak and set up the sticks and wait for bushy tails.

Lots of my hunting is out of blinds and stands, so I sorta have to use what I have in the blind I'm in. I'm going to build an elevated box blind down at my place soon. I think I'll put a little "shooting bench" at the window and keep a set of sand bags in there during the season. Is that cheating????

 

[Redhawk1]

I agree with you MCgunner, on the practice, practice, practice. I shoot off shooting sticks also. It is in my hand all the time when I am walking in the woods and deploys very quick. Great for steadying for any shots.

 

[Plink]

I love the concept, myself. A revolver that will shoot .45 Colt and .454 Casull, both of which I shoot already anyway, and the .460. I enjoy silhuette shooting with handguns, and have been using .308 chambered XP-100's. I've tried a few times with .44 mag and .454, but 200 yards requires a lot of holdover. I think the pointed .460's would be a lot of fun. They'd be good for hunting handgun season in states that don't allow such guns as my XP-100.