Deer season back-ups?
- Thread starter ZVP
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Rojelio
Member
I carried one while coon hunting for quite a few years. Shot quite a few coons and a few bobcats that the dogs treed. Even shot a few javelinas in self defense.
Crawdad1
Member
My 1860 Colt in Army caliber loose powder and ball for small game, the R&D in 45 LC or 45 Schofield for big game. Limited range shots but I have never shot a deer over 30 yards even carrying a rifle and since that is well within the range of that revolver I say what the heck at least I have BOTH hands free for the drag.
But I carry my 1860 Colt exclusively during the summer for groundhogs, during the fall for small game and IF I get better will carry it exclusively for deer. AND after I'm done cleaning it I slip it under the night stand for peace of mind.
I'm doing my level headed best to wear that revolver out.
But I carry my 1860 Colt exclusively during the summer for groundhogs, during the fall for small game and IF I get better will carry it exclusively for deer. AND after I'm done cleaning it I slip it under the night stand for peace of mind.
I'm doing my level headed best to wear that revolver out.
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Patocazador
Member
I carry an ROA during muzzleload season and year before last I had to use it to shoot a deer at 35-40 yards that was crippled by my Hornady bullet in the shoulder that didn't penetrate.
The pistol worked better than the rifle in that instance.
The pistol worked better than the rifle in that instance.
MCgunner
Member
Don't have a pre-season muzzle loading season here. I reckon I'd carry my ROA if I ever went on a muzzle loader only pig hunt, but never been on one. All I ever get at deer is one shot, so the trick is to make it count. 
44 Dave
Member
I work outside in the winter, alone most of the time. Last winter I carried '51 Navy in a shoulder holster most of the time
Crawdad1
Member
That's cool!!!!
Armored farmer
Member
I have just been obsessed with cap n ball for a couple years now.
I carried my (favorite)5 1/2" '58 Rem for about 3wks while trapping. I also carried it a few times during deer season, but it was too heavy to pack with all the other junk I was carrying and dragging up a tree.
I also carry while scouting and morel mushroom hunting, and general woods bumming...and any other reasonable excuse I can think of.
I carried my (favorite)5 1/2" '58 Rem for about 3wks while trapping. I also carried it a few times during deer season, but it was too heavy to pack with all the other junk I was carrying and dragging up a tree.
I also carry while scouting and morel mushroom hunting, and general woods bumming...and any other reasonable excuse I can think of.
Panzerschwein
member
While I love black powder revolver shooting, when I carry a backup handgun anywhere, including the woods, I consider only options that could be used for serious social purposes. A cap and ball revolver is about bottom of the list when it comes to that.
You never know what you might stumble upon in the woods, and while the cap gun might work just fine for shooting some extra small game or finishing off a wounded animal, if self protection from four-legged or two-legged varmints is the order of the day they would be the very last guns I'd want in my hand for the purpose. JMHO.
YMMV.
You never know what you might stumble upon in the woods, and while the cap gun might work just fine for shooting some extra small game or finishing off a wounded animal, if self protection from four-legged or two-legged varmints is the order of the day they would be the very last guns I'd want in my hand for the purpose. JMHO.
YMMV.
AJumbo
Member
Check your local laws; the rules here in Arizona can be interpreted either way, last time I checked. When toting my .54 rifle, I carry two preloaded "finishing shots,' kept well separated from my full-power reloads. So far, I've used them only on squirrels, but they're way lighter than my '58 NMA.
I carry one during muzzleloader season here in GA.
The first time was a couple years ago and I carried my 1847 Walker replica as a back up. I've since acquired some ROA's and now carry them as a back up sidearm during muzzleloader season.
during modern rifle season I carry a modern center fire revolver as a back up.
The first time was a couple years ago and I carried my 1847 Walker replica as a back up. I've since acquired some ROA's and now carry them as a back up sidearm during muzzleloader season.
during modern rifle season I carry a modern center fire revolver as a back up.
I am currently without a c&b revolver; my hope is to get an 1862 .36 pocket police revolver eventually. For some time I've made do with a .50 flintlock pistol. It is larger than is handy to tote around so stays at home half the time.
J-Bar
Member
I carried an ROA in a cross draw holster while sitting in a deer stand, found it uncomfortable. Plus, I have a rule not to take a loaded muzzleloader home, so I had 2 guns to clean rather than 1. Probably leave the ROA home next season.
44 Dave
Member
I always have 1 loaded c&b revolver "handy". I trust a carefully loaded and caped c&b pistol as much as my cartridge pistols. Have a couple semiautos,but like the "sure thing" about Sam Colt's great equalizer!
Where I hunt, a C&B revolver is specifically not considered a muzzleloader in the game regs. If I carried one along during the muzzleloader deer season, sure as the sun comes up in the East every morning, I'd run afoul of a game warden that'd want to ticket me for it. Especially if I'd just used it for a finishing shot on a deer. Now I have to admit that I've only encountered wardens while hunting once, maybe twice in my life, but I also know how my luck usually goes.
During other hunting seasons and general occasions to be in the woods, I'm afraid I just take the easy way out and go with a cartridge sidearm.
Far as muzzleloader deer season goes, I used to hunt with a .50 Kodiak double specifically for that second shot without a reload. More recently, I picked up a Lyman GP pistol in .54 specifically for finishing shots and the like. While I've taken it along hunting, I haven't had the chance to use it for that yet.
During other hunting seasons and general occasions to be in the woods, I'm afraid I just take the easy way out and go with a cartridge sidearm.
Far as muzzleloader deer season goes, I used to hunt with a .50 Kodiak double specifically for that second shot without a reload. More recently, I picked up a Lyman GP pistol in .54 specifically for finishing shots and the like. While I've taken it along hunting, I haven't had the chance to use it for that yet.
Our regs also state that a cap n ball pistol is not a muzzleloader, but I can carry it as a back up during muzzleloader hunting season. It just cannot be the primary. I called and talked to an area game warden to make sure he was on the same page as the one on the phone.
It could be my primary during regular hunting season or to hunt exotics game animals.
It could be my primary during regular hunting season or to hunt exotics game animals.
44 Dave
Member
Having concealed carry makes it easy, but we can't use anything other than a single shot to "finish off", so I carry mine to win arguments if a wolf claims my deer.
Crawdad1
Member
A lot of states do not consider the revolver as a muzzleloader in their regulations during muzzleloader/primitive season. However, I can't see any reason why you couldn't carry one in the regular deer season if range is not a consideration. That's what I'm planning on doing, keep the shot to under 30 yards I'm well within my "Operational" effectiveness.
My baby (a Pietta 5.5" Remmi) didnt arrive until this past winter, but ALL of my guns are working guns... And she quickly became one of my very favorites.
IF I get the chance to even get out this year, and IF my health allows, then yes, Ill absolutely have her on my side. In fact, living in the eastern woodlands I rarely if ever get shots over 30yrds... If I came across a deer with my Remmi, and it was loaded heavy enough, I wouldnt feel outgunned if I felt the shot was a good enough one to take.
I dont have any fancy equipment to prove it, but 30grs of 777 behind a .454RB seems, in my hand, just about on par with a 1911 .45ACP.... 35grs seems to beat it out... JMHO
IF I get the chance to even get out this year, and IF my health allows, then yes, Ill absolutely have her on my side. In fact, living in the eastern woodlands I rarely if ever get shots over 30yrds... If I came across a deer with my Remmi, and it was loaded heavy enough, I wouldnt feel outgunned if I felt the shot was a good enough one to take.
I dont have any fancy equipment to prove it, but 30grs of 777 behind a .454RB seems, in my hand, just about on par with a 1911 .45ACP.... 35grs seems to beat it out... JMHO
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