deer hunting handgun

[steel shooter]

41 Mag.Yes I forgot all about them.I personally do not have one but a friend of mine does and we are starting to work up some hand loads for it.Many people that have them truly love them.Slightly more recoil than a 357 with almost the punch of a 44mag.Should and probably be the right choice.Very accurate also I'm told

 

[s4s4u]

Did someone say .41 Mag?

 

[remingtondude58]

Thanks everyone, there have been many great suggestions so far!

 

[drewball]

A few years back I went looking for a handgun for deer hunting for the same reasons that you are. I tried a 7 1/2" Super Redhawk in 44 mag and didn't like it. Reasonably accurate and built like a tank. However for me it was just to heavy, not well balanced, and just plain never felt right in the hand. It remains the only handgun I have ever gotten rid of. After that I went with an Encore with a 10" 454 barrel and a Burris 2-7 scope. I like the additional range you get with the 454 and it is scary accurate. The recoil is manageable, plus you have to ability to use any number of different barrels. I also use an iron sighted 6" 629. I find it to be every thing that the Super Redhawk is not; well balanced, not to heavy, carries well on the hip, feels perfect in the hand. To my mind to perfect 44 mag revolver and a great complement to the Encore.

 

[22-rimfire]

Straight walled cartridge rules out rifle cartridges in things like the TC Contender/Encore. If you think the 475 Linebaugh is too much, I suspect the 454 casull is also too much unless you have a fair amount of experience shooting the harder recoiling handguns. Deer hunting with a handgun is a blast! I love it and feel quite capable out to 75 yds. I would take a 100 yd shot from a stready rest however if necessary.

I use a scoped Ruger Super Redhawk in 480 Ruger as my current deer hunting handgun. It packs a punch. I also have used a 41 mag revolver which is what I recommend for you to get used to; that or a 44 mag. Choose one with a barrel length of around 6" for easier mobility. I used a Smith Model 57 with 8 3/8" barrel but it was harder to carry. The new Model 57 Classic would be an excellent choice in 41 mag and since you reload, that will eventually make it easier for you to tailor your loads. Keep the bullet weight under 250 grs in general. My hunting woods carry when I am hunting with a rifle is a 4" Model 57 Mountain Gun carried in a belt holster. It is there for targets of opportunity. I hunt mostly woods, so I rarely have a shot over 75 yds and the handgun works well for that.

 

[dobrzemetal]

I've only killed one deer with a 9mm, however it was very close and a percise shot.