A handgun for an elk?

[joshk-k]

Question: I was recently looking at the T/C Encore pistols, and thinking about them as a hunting rig. Of the calibers available, is there one that (from that gun and barrel) could take an elk at 200 yards? Farther, even? Other than being a single shot and losing your sight picture if you need to make a follow up, what are the downsides? For a shot of that distance, would you use a mounted bipod, shooting sticks, what?

Does anyone have any personal experience harvesting an elk with a T/C pistol?

Thanks,
Josh

 

[MCgunner]

200 yards and a .308 barrel, proper Barnes bullet, not a problem. I don't particularly like the super 14 barrels, would prefer a 12" like my .30/30 contender so as to holster easier in an UM's shoulder rig, but I could see a bandoleer rig for a super 14. But, the .308 is vary efficient in shorter barrels compared to anything belted, a .30-06 case or such as that which you'd think about more in a 24 or 26" rifle. If you want MORE, try .338/08 or .358 Winchester which, if anything, is even more efficient than its parent .308. But, I wouldn't go to the big belted cartridges that use large volumes of slow powder which demand long barrels for proper ballistics.

Personally, I'd use my .30-30 Winchester barrel from my contender with confidence to 100 yards and it would probably work fine at 200 with proper bullet and bullet placement. The .308 and the .358 would be a much better choice for game that big, though.

JMHO based on ballistics. I've never shot an elk.

 

[exbiologist]

.338 Federal, aka .338-08. But there are lots of other good choices

 

[Haifisch]

.375 JDJ T/C Encore Pistol works quite well.

 

[joshk-k]

Yeah, I have a bolt action .30-06 with a scope and a .30-30 lever action with irons for elk hunting. I was just intrigued by the possibility. I don't think I'm likely to drop the money for the gun and a scope since I already have weapons that are adequate, but I was just wondering. Of the various calibers suggested, is there one that would make sense for a relatively inexperienced hunter or shooter? One make sense over another for some other reason?

Thanks,
Josh

 

[Grumulkin]

This would probably do the job just fine; a scoped Encore handgun in 375 H&H Magnum.

A variety of cartridges would do what you want in an Encore handgun. The two major hurdles would be recoil which to the uninitiated might seem a bit brutal and the skills needed for long range handguning. With an accurate handgun on an elk sized animal, I would be good off hand up to 50 yards, off sticks to 100 yards and would need an EXCELLENT rest for over 100 yards. Cartridges I would consider would be things like 308 Winchester, 30/06, 338 Federal, 338 Win. Mag., 300 Win. Mag., etc.

I've taken quite a few animals with a handgun. The biggest were a Zebra (goes about 750 lbs.) and a Red Hartebeest (probably 650 lbs.) both taken with an Encore in 460 S&W Magnum. My longest shot, also taken with the 460 S&W, was on a Klipspringer (the size of a large dog) at about 180 yards.

 

[xphunter]

Josh, I have taken a good number of elk beyond 200 yards with single-shot specialty pistols.
They will basically lose 200-300 fps compared to the longer rifle length barrels.
I no longer have any TC actions, but use the bolt pistols, MOA Maximum or the new FA Single-shot handgun.
I get stunning accuracy from field shooting positions with these handguns.
I haven't used the FA pistol very much yet though (just shooting no hunting).
Ernie