Handgun hunting

Status
Not open for further replies.
new57 said:
Maybe. :)

Disposable income / resources allow, go for it! But in my opinion the 460 is even more limited in availability of ammunition and instruments than the 41.




I have never shot the 460 so no first hand knowledge but I wonder about recoil / muzzle flip, and then anticipation of those when taking a shot for hunting (and if that could negatively affect shot placement).
Click to expand...



I reload and I have components for both. Just need brass and I got a back order in with starline
 
When our first handgun season opened here in Washington State, I took my .44magnum (SBH) out and got a deer. At 110 paces. Sights kind of covered the whole deer! Might have been luck. The deer dropped on the spot. Surprised the heck out of me. But then I went back to rifle and bow, only hunted deer with it that one time. I used to be better with that pistol than I am now. I used to shoot it often, some periods of time I'd run 100 rounds per week through it. Now I don't shoot it much.

Also took many coyotes with it, did much coyote hunting with it, some out to almost 100 yards. Always used cast bullets, a 250 grain Keith style with gas check mostly.

Actually, I did handgun hunt with my SBH for bear many years, but never got a shot. I would take my bow, in hopes of getting an up close bow shot, but if it was further out I could use the revolver. But again, didn't even-ever see a bear when hunting like that. Finally did get a bear, but it was with my Jeager rifle.
 
Last edited:
Armored farmer said:
Handgun hunting is a liberating experience after years of toting a long gun. Having free hands for binos and other gear is addictive.
This is my deer hunting gun. .45colt blackhawk 7½".
View attachment 1057431
I treat handgun hunting very similar to bow hunting range wise.
Click to expand...

Dang it Farmer, you rock. That is one Beautiful BlackHawk. I always wanted, but never got one, in .45 Colt.
 
new57 said:
Maybe. :)

Disposable income / resources allow, go for it! But in my opinion the 460 is even more limited in availability of ammunition and instruments than the 41.

I have never shot the 460 so no first hand knowledge but I wonder about recoil / muzzle flip, and then anticipation of those when taking a shot for hunting (and if that could negatively affect shot placement).
Click to expand...

I have a 460 with the 8/38" barrel and the recoil is quite manageable.
 
I have been handgun hunting since I was 18 and started with a .22 revolver......Texas Cottontails and squirrels feared me...LOL. About three decades ago I decided to move up into the larger game animals and bought a stainless Ruger Redhawk in .41mag. I killed a few close in whitetails but really wanted better sights so I could reach out a little further. I handload and so I made some powerful loads capable of doing so out 100yds. Luckily this gun came scope ready, with integral scope ring mounts on the 7.5" barrel. I added a 2X Leupold EER Handgun scope and have hunted everything from big feral hogs to my biggest trophy, a spotted Fallow Deer. Here is the gun and mount. The gun is actually laying on the cape of the Fallow.
IMG_5298.jpg
RugerRedhawk41mag7Small.jpg
 
Last edited:
I have only one buck with a handgun. My choice is a large frame 7.5" Blackhawk in .45 Colt. I used the .45-270 SAA bullet over 17.5 -Alliant 2400, runs about 1050 fps in my revolver. Soft shooting and plenty accurate past 50 yards, my personal max shot. I put on a Burris Fast Fire 3 for hunting. I will be using it again in coming years. hc18flyer
 
Small game-I use my heritage rough rider and gp100 with 38spl
Large game- I’ve got a few blackhawks in 44spl and 41 magnum. I’ve yet to take anything bigger than rabbits with my handguns but I am planning on at minimum hunting deer with one this year
 
I have a question. All of you 45 colt shooters. What loads are you all hunting with?
 
GatorHunter said:
I don’t know if I could even see that far lol. I might need new glasses. I’m going to have to work on loading up everything I can, get a few revolvers and start shooting…… a lot
Click to expand...

I understand, just practice at closer range and keep your shots close. My longest shot, actually two of them were 48 yds. I was practicing at 75 yds. "just in case".

35W
 
4 or 5 years ago I started hunting Jackrabbits in Nevada with handguns. I got the urge to try it with cap and ball revolvers for more of a challenge. Best shot was around 70 yards. Best shot with a modern revolver was 130 yards with a Blackhawk shooting .38 special.
 
Jackrabbit1957 said:
Best shot was around 70 yards. Best shot with a modern revolver was 130 yards with a Blackhawk shooting .38 special.
Click to expand...

But was that running or still? I have had a lot of fun hunting rabbits, first with a Gold Cup then with an 8 3/8” 41 Mag. I bought a Police Positive in 32 Long for this purpose. I also find my Rhino is very well set up for double action shooting. But the rule I play by is the rabbit has to be on a dead run. If not I make them run before I shoot. In 40 years all I have accomplished, other than having fun, was to disturb a bunch of rabbits.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

E
  • Locked
Handgun Hunting
2
Replies
43
Views
3K
nickE10mm
N
JB357MAG
  • Locked
Indiana deer hunting equipment confusion.
Replies
12
Views
2K
Hookeye
H
Sneakshot92
  • Locked
Hunting with Handguns
2 3
Replies
56
Views
3K
whm1974
W
B
  • Locked
Anyone deer hunt with a 10mm or .41 magnum?
Replies
17
Views
2K
GooseGestapo
GooseGestapo
Heir Kommt Die Sonne
  • Locked
  • Poll
Why are people skeptical about the idea of hunting with a handgun?
2 3 4
Replies
86
Views
4K
Art Eatman
A
Back
Top