Advice on hunting with pistol

[gspn]

My rifle had to go to the shop for some work this month, and I've been planning to hunt with a pistol for some time, so this year is the year.

I've got 20 years of hunting experience with rifle, shotgun, bow, and muzzle loader. I also have lots of experience shooting pistols, but not using them on game in the field.

My "Plan A" is to hunt from the ground with my back against a tree, my shooting sticks in front of me, and resting my forearms on my knees. Does this sound like a reliable position?

I might also be hunting from a tree stand, and can use the shooting rail as a rest. My shots will be shorter in that situation because it's a less stable position, but it should work well for fairly close stuff.

Any thoughts for someone just starting with a pistol?

 

[clearcut]

What kind of pistol cal. bbl. length? .357 is the recommended min. in my state for big game....but any center fire is legal..

CC

 

[gspn]

The .460 S&W mag is at bat, with my Ruger Blackhawk in .41 mag on deck.

 

[Gunnerboy]

Forget that girly 460 stuff .. Take that perfect deer slaying 41mag out there! Only advice i can give about shooting critters with a pistol is it seems easier (well to me at least) When they are moving and i draw from the holster. Everytime ive taken time to make a good shot standing still i start to overthink an miss 4/10 times.. Thats been mostly on Rabbits and grouse Though.

 

[delrom418]

Any position that allows you to hold the gun steady is a good position. If you're using a scope, you may find that it takes longer to get a good sight picture than it does when using a rifle. It may only take a few seconds, but it seems like an eternity when you know that deer could take off at any moment!

 

[jmorris]

I have hunted with lots of pistols, just depends on what you are hunting, what pistol your hunting with and how far away you plan on shooting.

A 6" 357 that you can hit golf balls with at 50 yds can do the job on deer but that is about my personal limit. A 44 mag is a better choice, then contenders in even better calibers and my personal favorite the XP-100 is a better choice than a lot of rifles, with the proper rest.

 

[rcmodel]

Whichever handgun you can shoot the best is best.

Chances are it isn't the .460!!

A 41. Mag will kill a deer deader then Jimmie Hoffa if you hit it where you should.

Your max range is how far you can keep 6 shots in a 7" paper plate from a field shooting position.

rc

 

[gspn]

I put 5 shots into a 3.5 inch circle at 100 yards today with 325 grain bullets in the .460.

I think I'm good.

My limiting factor will be how solid a rest I can achieve under field conditions...but I'll know a good sight picture when I see it.

 

[critter]

If you are experienced with bow hunting, you are right on as to handgun hunting. Get them in close, hit them in a carefully chosen spot, use a significant caliber and you will be successful.

I have used several different handguns in several different calibers. A big, hard cast lead bullet that will punch all the way through will work just fine. So will a heavy expanding bullet from the larger calibers. Your choice, but in between the two works less well.

SHOT PLACEMENT is paramount!

 

[Grumulkin]

Yes, you're good.

I would strongly advise you to try some shooting from field positions if you haven't already done so. You may find that what you planed won't work that well.

Most of the animals I took with a handgun in South Africa were take with a 460 S&W Magnum. The furthest was a Klipspringer taken off the top of a mountain at a range of about 180 yards.

 

[WhyWaltzWhenUCanR&R]

Hunting White Tails with a pistol

Here in Minnesota I used to hunt a Shotgun Zone for several years.
It was also legal to use a pistol of an appropriate caliber.
I used my 8 and 3/8" Colt Anaconda .44 Mag. with a zero magnification bushnell Halo Sight, Zeroed at 100 yards.
I used factory loaded Hornady 240 gr. hydra shock with very effective results.
Granted 99% of my shots were no more than 60 yards out,if that.
But they were all clean kills.
In short, Given your report on your range skills.
I think you will have a great time.
You will also notice while going through the brush with open hands it will be a lot easier to keep that said brush out of your face.
Good luck and have fun, Jim

 

[hamp sandwich]

I've never hunted with a pistol, but I'd love to one day. I haven't much to offer in way of advice, but I always perceived it to be akin to bow hunting in regard to range and drop.. No, not exactly the same, but somewhere between 12ga slug and bow. Since I don't really know, here's my idea of a "pre check":
Testing:
First, selecting which pistol and running some snap cap exercise to ensure that I have no trigger/sight picture issues (probably not necessary, but still enjoyable). One thing to try while doing this, hunting positions. It seems I always shift in the field, and positional dry fire exercise can help with those variables.
Ammo selection. Regardless of caliber, we all understand this step..
DOPE. I do it for rifles, it could well apply to pistols. Depending on my hunting range distances, I would want to get in some practice with my hunting ammo at several distances to ensure the best hit. So, if 100 yard is max, I would run groups at 25, 50, 75 and 100. Of course, this would only be vaguely necessary if I were using hunting ammo that differed from my usual load... I wouldn't expect to see much variance, but I would expect to enjoy this step!
Finally, hunting... Ear plugs, clothes... Lol! All the normal stuff..

Enjoy it!! I hope to hear back about your experience.

 

[TimSr]

My "Plan A" is to hunt from the ground with my back against a tree, my shooting sticks in front of me, and resting my forearms on my knees. Does this sound like a reliable position?

I might also be hunting from a tree stand, and can use the shooting rail as a rest. My shots will be shorter in that situation because it's a less stable position, but it should work well for fairly close stuff.

I started pistol hunting deer in the 80's, and I can think of only one time that I could have used a rest, had one been available. For me the deer never cooperate or pose long enough.

As a general safety rule, I stay out of the trees during gun season. I always hunt on the ground, and use natural cover as a blind. A clump of trees, a fallen tree, a briar patch, etc. In Ohio, you pretty much have to stand to shoot to be above the ground cover. I use a pack stool to sit on from which I can easily and quietly stand up. I clear the ground of leaves and twigs so I can pivot and turn as necessary without noise. I use the cover to conceal my movement. I've found that being on your feet, and being able to turn completely around gives you the freedom to shoot in any direction, including that one where you never thought the deer would come from, and that in many cases, an offhand shot is all you'll have time for.

We have a on week deer gun season here, everybody is out there, and the deer don't graze in open fields.

 

[jmorris]

I put 5 shots into a 3.5 inch circle at 100 yards today with 325 grain bullets in the .460.

I think I'm good.

Out to 100 or even a little further, you should be.

 

[BigBore44]

Lol. RC, There is no proof Jimmy Hoffa is dead. Although he would be 101 years old. But your advice is still sound. I would also add, don't be satisfied with 7" groups. Always try to make it 3.5". The more "wiggle" room you give yourself, the better your chances are.

 

[buck460XVR]

Whichever handgun you can shoot the best is best.

Chances are it isn't the .460!!

This is one time I will disagree with you RC. Folks that make this claim have never shot a .460. gspn's statement backs this up....... I put 5 shots into a 3.5 inch circle at 100 yards today with 325 grain bullets in the .460. . This is my experience with mine also. Sorry, ain't nuttin' wrong with the .41 mag, but ain't the tack driver most .460s are at legitimate deer hunting ranges. Even when taking first time shooters out with my handguns, most of them shoot my .460 better off a rest @ 70 yards than my .357s, .44s and .45s. This tells me most folks can shoot a .460 accurately and the X-Frame platform and the caliber are made for accuracy. My PC X-Frame has only a tad more recoil with hunting type loads than my .44 mag, but not the harsh head hitting recoil of internet lore. Deer season here in Wisconsin this week. No deer for me yet, but did get a coyote @ 80 yards with my .460 last Saturday. This is with stock irons.

 

[midland man]

well all I own for big bore pistol is the ubertie hombre model in 45 colt with 4 3/4in barrel I use mbc cowboy #1 250gr lfp bullet with 6.8gr greendot and never have killed a deer with a pistol I would like to try it sometime so guys will this work?

 

[BigBore44]

Depends how good you are with it. The gun and load are very capable.

 

[Loc n Load]

handguns for deer

I have been putting deer in the freezer with handguns since the 80's, I have taken them with 357 mag, 41 mag, 44 mag & 45 colt and 45/70 (TC). The past 20 years I settled on the 41mag and 44 mag using a Ruger Blkhw/iron sighst 6.5" bl w/my hndlds, my Smith 29 with 8 3/8" or my old metallic sil gun, the Ruger Sprblkhw 7.5", all these with my hndlds with my cast bullets.
the past few years I started using a TC 14" with a 1X Leupold in 35 rem / hndlds.
I hunt on my property from a big roomy ladder stand, have "doped out" my ranges in the past using a rangefinder, and have steel fence posts in strategic locations, down range from my stand, these are painted white, safety yellow and safety red...they represent specific ranges.
All of this is located in a 200 yd gap between two large wooded areas that the deer must cross to get from "A to B". I have always limited my shots to 100 yds or closer - usually within 50 yds or even closer. Shot placement is everything. If I can't make the shot, I don't take the shot. Took a big doe last weekend inside the white ( 75 yd marker), with a rd from the 35 rem. Been raining here all day today and the aroma of venison chili fills my house as I type.
Good hunting.

 

[Hookeye]

I prefer iron sighted wheelguns.
.44 mag over .357 (of the opinion that it extends the range a bit).
If you think of it as bowhunting you're good to go (but I'd call the yardages abut 1.5-2X that).
Have shot some at distance, it works.........but it aint magic.
Most of my handgun deer shot offhand, between 25 and 75 yards (some closer, some farther).
Just takes a bit of practice. Reloading allows for more per $ too.

 

[Sunray]

"...resting my forearms on my knees..." If you do that, what are the sticks for? Just curious.
Like RC says, whichever handgun you can shoot the best is best. If it was me, I'd get arrested. snicker.

 

[gspn]

"...resting my forearms on my knees..." If you do that, what are the sticks for? Just curious.

Stability.

Forearms on knees is great...but with the frame of the revolver on the sticks in addition...it's a more stable platform.

Both probably aren't necessary at 30 yards...but at 100 yards it's a much different game.

In that respect it's no different than shooting the rifle...the more stable the gun...the better the sight picture...the further I can make accurate shots.

 

[joem1945]

I used to shoot with a old guy at the club. He only hunted with a S&W 29 and he was good with it. I watched him hit a 5" swinger @ 100 yds twice. He would practice with life sized paper deer targets. He would try many different brands of bullets and record everything, even lot numbers. He'd travel around buying up only that lot of ammo. Always got his deer.

 

[Hookeye]

Grew up shooting small game with handguns.
Popped my first handgun deer back in 1990.
Always wore hearing protection on the range.
Didn't have electronic stuff back then for the field.

Paying the price now.

Strongly suggest ear protection for hunting.

 

[Steve in PA]

While I've used my knees before, I prefer to use a shooting mono-pod. The one I currently use is by Primos.

I hunt with a revolver (Super Redhawk), but I also hunt with a single shot T/C Contender.