Handgunning for whitetail

[Kuyong_Chuin]

Since it look like I will not get to hunt with a long gun this year and I am not missing two hunting seasons in a row without hunting, I am going to try my luck using a handgun for whitetail deer this year. I have taken deer just about every other way, bow, shotgun, muzzleloader, and rifle so why not a handgun. I'll have to hunt from the ground in a blind of some sort since I will not be able to get in my stand but it might be a nice change.

Which hand guns have you guys and gals used for close range whitetail deer hunting? Also out of this group pick one powerful enough for whitetail deer at close range range and what ammo do you think I should use for the one you pick from the group for me to use? 44 colt single action navy black powder pistol with 35 grains of 3f BP, (Dad has taken deer with it so I know it works), Colt Python 357 Mag 6 inch barrel, Ruger 944 40 S&W 4 inch barrel, 1911A1 45 ACP, or 44 Rem Mag Raging Bull 8 3/8 inch barrel.

 

[HOWARD J]

I used to hunt deer with a Ruger Redhawk 44 mag 240 gr jacketed HP SN
with a 4 power scope.
I shot them out to 100 yards & took the meat home--they fell when hit

 

[geo57]

Howard, did you mean a .357 mag or a different weight bullet in .44 ?

 

[brainwake]

Look at the Thompson Center Contender or Encore...You can build a long barreled single shot pistol in just about any caliber you want.

of your list...

I like
44 Rem Mag Raging Bull 8 3/8 inch barrel
or
Colt Python 357 Mag 6 inch barrel

 

[HOWARD J]

Yare correct I changed to 240 gr

 

[627PCFan]

If the deer cares about dying in style then go with the 357. If the deer doesn't mind imported products go with the raging bull. Either will do the job.

 

[hammerklavier]

I agee with the above post - use the Python for style.

 

[Kuyong_Chuin]

The list are the handguns we have here at the house that are legal here for deer. The 9's are legal too but I figured they are to light for deer. The 40 and the 45 I am used to shooting. The 357 I have not shot in years and the 44 I have not shot at all and it might be a little heavy for me to shoot weak handed with one hand but I am not above trying it. The bp pistol I have shot allot but not recently.

 

[yzguy87]

If I handgun hunt I use a Taurus Silhouette in 44 mag. That 12" barrel is sweet!

 

[brainwake]

I just can't imagine having that Python and not shooting it....I have a GP100 and just love shooting it. It's funny because most people don't think about those big revolvers until they finally shoot them...next thing you know it is your favorite gun to shoot.

 

[Patocazador]

Forget the .40 S&W and the .45 auto. You'll just bloody them up unless you're lucky.

I've killed 18 deer with a handgun but most have been with a T/C Contender, an XP-100 or a .44 mag Model 29. I also killed one each with a Ruger Blackhawk in .357/.44 B&D and a Ruger single Action Army.

Bullet selection is very important.

 

[geo57]

Loaded properly and hit right , while not optimum, a .40 S&W and certainly a .45 acp will kill deer relatively quickly at short ranges.

Ruger " Single Action Army " ?

Did you mean " Old Army " ?

 

[buck460XVR]

The 357 I have not shot in years and the 44 I have not shot at all and it might be a little heavy for me to shoot weak handed with one hand but I am not above trying it.

This ain't the old west .......You owe it to the deer to learn how to shoot with both hands or to use some kind of support, regardless of which firearm you use. Shooting sticks, gun rest or just leanin' against something in your blind. You also owe it to your quarry to practice until you are proficient enough to place every shot within the kill zone(size of a paper plate) and not to exceed the range that you can do this.

 

[MCgunner]

I'd like to get one with my Ruger Old Army someday. I've gotten 'em with my .357 magnum 6.5" Blackhawk and my .30-30 Thompson Center contender. I've yet to take one with my 4 5/8" Blackhawk in .45 Colt. That's on my bucket list as well.

Of your choices, I'd go with the Python or the .44 mag Raging Bull first choices. I wouldn't use MY navy colt, not accurate enough even though it's not a real Navy, it's in .44. Real Navy Colts were in .36, but only purists care. I WOULD, however, consider my 5.5" Pietta .44 cal '58 Remington. That thing's a good shooter. My ROA is a better shooter, however, and a power house loaded with a 220 grain cast HP and a full compressed charge of 777.

 

[41 Mag]

Many years ago I shot my first deer with a GP-100, using the older and now discontinued Speer 146 SJWCHP, the ones that had the half jackets. Those things shot so good it was unreal. I practiced with them for close to 3 months before the season opened and was easily within 6" at 75yds with 5 shots out of 6. I got my doe at 73 steps, but I was aiming for her shoulder and she turned her head around to lick or what ever right as the trigger broke and I hit her behind the jaw. It was pretty crazy, but it did the deed.

Since then I have used my 41, 44, and 454. IF I were in your shoes, I might go with the 357 and use something like the Oregon Trail 158gr RFN or similar cast. They punch a great hole and penetrate like nobodies business. You can run them to top end loads in most cases and not have much if any issues.

Just reading between the lines it sounds like you have an injury or something which might hamper using the heavier 44. If you can get up a mono pod rest or even a suitable type stand to rest on I would heavily favor the 44. If for no other reason, your going to get a bigger hole in and out all the way around. Use something in a mid weight bullet with either a good wide flat nose or a Keith type SWC and your going to have venison on the table if you do your part. Even if the loads are only in the 44 Spl range, the heavier bullets you will be able to launch will be WAY better than even the 158's launched at the top end.

Hope this helps, and above all else, what ever you decide to go with practice at least 25yds out further than you might make your longest shot to. The longer distance practice will help you out a ton when things are up close.

 

[Pitboss1]

Many years ago, I hunted deer with a Dan Wesson .357, 8 inch barrel, scoped. and took down my share.
So, of the choices listed, I would say the .357 Python.

 

[Kuyong_Chuin]

This ain't the old west .......You owe it to the deer to learn how to shoot with both hands or to use some kind of support, regardless of which firearm you use. Shooting sticks, gun rest or just leanin' against something in your blind. You also owe it to your quarry to practice until you are proficient enough to place every shot within the kill zone(size of a paper plate) and not to exceed the range that you can do this.

I normally shoot with both hands and when I do shoot with one hand it is left handed. My nephew who just got out of the Army tells me that I am the only person he knows that is right handed, shoots left handed and shoots better with one hand than that using two. The reason I have to use one hand weak side is surgery on my right arm at the elbow this Tuesday with a six month recovery time so long guns are out unless I figure out how to shoot a M44 with one arm in a sling and half cast or use a pistol. The Python is my Dads which is why it has been awhile since I shot it. Tried to hold up the 44 Mag today it is just too heavy without a prop and that was empty. I did fire it today propping a cross my right wrist which I will not be able to do after the surgery. I can handle recoil of the 180 grain bullets with no problem I just have to remember to wear ear plugs under my shooters ear muffs with that magna ported hand cannon. That thing is louder than my M44. How I typed single action army and this stupid kindle changed it to navy I have no idea. I hate how I type one thing and it changes it to a completely different word. I wish I could turn that part completely off.

 

[Kuyong_Chuin]

Many years ago I shot my first deer with a GP-100, using the older and now discontinued Speer 146 SJWCHP, the ones that had the half jackets. Those things shot so good it was unreal. I practiced with them for close to 3 months before the season opened and was easily within 6" at 75yds with 5 shots out of 6. I got my doe at 73 steps, but I was aiming for her shoulder and she turned her head around to lick or what ever right as the trigger broke and I hit her behind the jaw. It was pretty crazy, but it did the deed.

Since then I have used my 41, 44, and 454. IF I were in your shoes, I might go with the 357 and use something like the Oregon Trail 158gr RFN or similar cast. They punch a great hole and penetrate like nobodies business. You can run them to top end loads in most cases and not have much if any issues.

Just reading between the lines it sounds like you have an injury or something which might hamper using the heavier 44. If you can get up a mono pod rest or even a suitable type stand to rest on I would heavily favor the 44. If for no other reason, your going to get a bigger hole in and out all the way around. Use something in a mid weight bullet with either a good wide flat nose or a Keith type SWC and your going to have venison on the table if you do your part. Even if the loads are only in the 44 Spl range, the heavier bullets you will be able to launch will be WAY better than even the 158's launched at the top end.

Hope this helps, and above all else, what ever you decide to go with practice at least 25yds out further than you might make your longest shot to. The longer distance practice will help you out a ton when things are up close.

You are right surgery will prevent my from using my right arm. It will be in a sling with a half cast to protect my elbow till it heals which they tell me that will take six months before it heals enough for weight bearing since they are having to cut away the muscles at the elbow to move the nerves to under the muscle and to try to repair the nerve damage in my arm that is effecting the muscles in my right hand. The 357 the last time I was shooting with it I could fire 5 rounds keeping it in an eight inch circle at 100 yards with iron sights but that was years ago. Max range for where I will be hunting is 75 yards but I will wait till they are allot closer than that. I have gotten within two yards of these deer off season with a camera without them knowing I was there till I used my power zoom to shoot a few that was a little further out. I could use the horse trailer for a blind and that would give me something to prop up the pistol on. Hey that gives me an idea I need to try out tomorrow if it is not raining. I might be able to prop my M44 up the same way, I would just have to figure out how to hold the stock against my left shoulder while I work that stiff bolt with my left hand. Probably going to get even louder firing from inside of that trailer.

 

[geo57]

You probably have this all planned for but in case you don't.....

With you still being basically one armed during deer season will you have someone near to field dress your critter and help get him to and into a vehicle ?

 

[MCgunner]

Always use a good rest, one hand or two.

 

[RE-15]

For right under the tree stand I've taken 3 with a 9mm. 1 with a .45 ACP at 20 yards double lung. I was impressed with the XTP bullet, large hole all the way through. The only one with a .44 mag was a bad shot, it was a slow death. Shot placement!

 

[stressed]

fff

 

[Kuyong_Chuin]

You probably have this all planned for but in case you don't.....

With you still being basically one armed during deer season will you have someone near to field dress your critter and help get him to and into a vehicle ?

Oh yeah that is what little brothers and nephews are for. (;

 

[critter]

I love handgun hunting for deer. I have used several. A TC super 14" in 30-30 works VERY WELL indeed using 125 gr Nosler BT's in my handload. Shoots under 1" at 100 yds. Kills deer DEAD when placed well.

I have also used a Redhawk and a Ruger New Model Hunter both in .44 Mag. I use 240 gr JHP's and have taken several deer and hogs with them.

Last one I got was with a S&W model 25 in .45 Colt. I used a 255 hard cast SWC at about 900 fps and it shot through and through a deer which expired quite quickly.

Shoot what you can, what you have available with suitable bullets & loads. Place your shots carefully and you WILL have deer to skin. Enjoy!

 

[Art Eatman]

Regardless of choice, my idea of a range limit is the distance at which I could reliably hit the end of a beer can.

Of the choices, I'd lean toward the Python or the .40. Shooting sticks might be quite helpful in holding a good sight picture.

Given the relative lack of familiarity with the Python, I'd suggest a good bit of dry firing as well as practice with .38 Special. Then run some Maggie loads through.

Numerous hunters have been quite successful with 154-grain bullets.